And then she said...

Decided to type a little bit.
I'm not shy. I used to be, not so much so now. I find teaching/learning opportunities all over the place, don't you?

I had the lovely opportunity to teach about kindness and manners today.
"Please don't point and me and yell 'Woah!', instead, could you please say 'Mrs. Alvarez, you surprised me with this hair change.'"
"Excuse me, when I say 'Good morning' and you don't say anything and just giggle to your friend as you go by, I think you're laughing at me. Instead, could you say, 'Mrs. Alvarez, I'm noticing your hair is different' or 'Good morning' please?"

"Mrs. Alvarez, what did you DO to your HAIR?!"
"1. Yes, my hair is different. 2. It is colored different. 3. It is rude to interrupt, can you see I'm running a battle here?"
- battle of the books competitions began today, always tough to see teams losing but love seeing everyone stocking up and reading more books!!

Dialogue:
"Mrs. Alvarez."
"Yes."
"Is this your hair?"
"Yes"
"Did you color it?"
"Yes"
"Were you wearing a wig before this?"
"Yes"
(This was my favorite dialogue, straightforward, honest, and moved on with things quickly.)

One sweetie walked up to me, "You changed your hair, it looks like my grandma's hair now!" I thought to myself, you've got a cool grandma then... but also gave her a look like, seriously?!

Only one student asked, "Seriously, what is going on with your hair, can you explain to me, please?" - I handed her the book Nowhere Hair - love that picture book, so thoughtfully written- during the lunch since I was running a battle and couldn't chat, told her it was a similar situation to mine... She's a caring sweetie. Shall chat with her more soon.

Some kids gave me huge smiles.
Some gave me wide-eyed shocked looks but then smiled and said "Hi"...
Other kids came up and said they loved my new style and color.
My colleagues were beautifully supportive and kind and I appreciate them to bits.

Yeah.
Hair.
Think it will take at least this week to muddle thru the confused looks and conversation. I do have 700 students to see eventually... I only saw around 220 today, maybe a few more... Now WHAT will happen if my hair all falls out with the last 2 rounds of chemo? I do have permission to wear hats... le sigh. Don't miss you wig, not a bit.

Why am I letting the PET scan loom over me like a storm cloud? I hate "what if?" things. I just want to have a few weeks off... got thru #24. 6 left. That's 1 Monday, 2 Tuesdays, 1 Wednesday, 1 Thursday, 1 Friday. One day at a time. I'm exhausted today. Already curled up in bed. Enjoyed work. Ok staff meeting. Appreciated a lovely friend walking me to the hospital and chatting with me for almost an hour when the clinic ran late, what is with them and Mondays? And glad when the minibus arrived just minutes after I went to wait for it... Not much appetite today. Forced myself to eat lunch. Ate a small portion for dinner. Hoping for better tomorrow... Shall see. Funny enough my appetite is weird and I just want bad food presently like macaroni and cheese-- from a box thank you--- and Ikea meatballs- greasier the better, thanks... yep. I know what it would do to my body. Nope I'm holding back, mostly. Yep, I will eat mostly unhealthy crap if that's what it takes to get food in my body. Shall see!

Thanks for journeying with me... was brave today, was slightly scared, and did I mention I adore my colleagues for their supportive conversations and then other topic discussions as well? Grateful...

Peeking over the shadow

What I can look up at during lunch duty at school...
Bauhinia tree

20/30 done 10/30 left. Brain always goes to chemo after thinking about radiation but I guess this is natural. Will celebrate the days in between.
Been thinking about life...
How I keep thinking that I'm a shadow of myself... can tell I'm hitting that fatigued state that I hit during the last two rounds of radiation. I remember being annoyed with myself the past two times but this time I'm working to be patient and loving with myself.
If I have to be a shadow of myself, I need to try to be the best shadow of myself. What do I like most about myself? Where do I direct my energy? Why should I dedicate any time for worry or anger that could be focused on love and support?
Working to think out activities... I'm excited  that we've changed our plans and now are able to have tickets to move home to the US in July and also visit Bali. We're going there for Spring Break/Easter holiday. Very happy and curious to see what we get to do. I'm slightly sad to not get home over the coming holiday but since we're moving home, it feels wise to travel cheaply and adventure a little more in Asia.
Have focused this month on sharing my sense of humor with others... making children laugh? a treasure. Making my son laugh? HAPPY day. Hearing my husband laugh? warms my heart... When I actually laugh aloud? Rare. I usually laugh in my head.

Here's something that made me laugh aloud recently:
I was chatting with some of my older students during their lunch break in the library the other day. One reader was holding a book I adore (and actually even mentioned here before) - Because of Anya by Margaret Peterson Haddix- the book is about a girl who has alopecia areata- losing all hair. Talked with the girl and others about how I cut/donated my hair to Locks of Love in the past. One student said to me: "That's quite funny Mrs. Alvarez because some students were saying that you were wearing a wig but instead you've donated your hair for a wig!" I said to him, "I did that a long long time ago... Hmm." Later I chuckled and chuckled about this...

I haven't talked about wearing a wig with any of the kids. But I do have permission to wear a hat at school now. Quite comfortable when I have a hat on... Shall see. I do know that this past Friday I told myself that I no longer would wear the wig to school. Hoping to not place it back on my head, shall see. Enough about wigs and hair.

Little baby eyelashes are starting to grow out now. Once again I had that thought at first, "huh, thought I washed off my makeup last night. Oh, that's little hairs growing out!"
Going to start writing lists again to prepare for the July move. When to provide notices, pack, mail boxes, deal with paperwork, and more...

So grateful for this break from work.... Long naps and sleeping til a normal hour is just beautiful to enjoy. Makes days go by and treatments a little bearable.

Interesting information on mushrooms that can prevent cancer here in this article, a lovely friend sent it my way...
http://www.positivehealth.com/article/cancer/cancer-killing-medicinal-mushrooms

Getting through the days... one at a time.

Thanks for journeying with me...

Dog and Hair and other mind meanderings

 My Dulcie dog is snoring next to me. I adore her. I did learn something though. I lied to myself, I lied to others. Dulcie is actually 14.5 years old, not 13 (I feel like I've lost 1.5 years of life with her) oops. I honestly knew this, I think. She's going to turn 15 right after we move back to Oregon. Oh boy.
Getting older is the pits sometimes, can't believe my girl is over 100 already. I'd love to get older though, wouldn't complain at all. Love life...

So, hair. It is growing out. I learned from many others who share their experiences that your bangs area is the slowest one to grow out... sigh. That's where all my grey is. Shall see.
Wig. I'm wearing it, still doesn't feel like me, still flops in my eye and makes me miss my curls...
I've talked with a few good friends who have honestly told me about when they quit wearing their wigs and went public. Personally, I know my hair is long enough now that I could be free of the wig. I know it. I'm just not ready for the shock I'd give my students.
1. Because it is so darn short
2. Because it is so darn grey
3. Because it is so darn straight
4. Because the darn chemo might make it fall out again after radiation...
Shall see.

My kiddo took a picture of it. (One friend took a weekly picture of her hair to see the progress of the grow out. It was interesting. Appreciate her trust and support...)
I know I need to wait 3-6 months after chemo before I can dye my hair... so says websites and such.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/cancer-questions/using-hair-dye-after-chemo

This also was a little more helpful... more about natural hair dye: (I just want to be brown, no bleaching, etc... sure wouldn't mind trying out henna, hmm.)
http://www.herbatint.co.uk/herbatint/features/herbatint-article.php?id=50

I went to an organic shop and picked up henna hair dye and will try it out sometime. Talked with my oncologist and he said he didn't think I should waste money dyeing my hair since it will possibly fall out again with the two other rounds of chemo... sigh. Told me he was concerned about damaging my hair- (MORE than chemo has damaged my hair?!) Not like I'm bleaching it... ;)
Shall see.

I'm almost half way thru radiation. Day 15 on Monday. I can feel it. Honestly. In my chest it is like a little ball of pain. Hopefully that pain is all the cancer cells dying. I really appreciate the weekend. My oncologist prescribed me with three more medicines- one is acid reducer- returning to taking this after being free of it for 4 weeks. He said it is to protect my esophagus...  I somewhat find it funny that on the back of the box there a "poison" sign?!
Then he prescribed me with Sucrate gel that I'm supposed to take 1 hour before I eat- sigh... the timing of that couldn't be worse- shall see how I do- it is to coat my throat down thru my stomach to help me out if I get worse- don't have to take it yet... He also prescribed me this cough syrup called Comephen- there's codeine in the ding dong stuff, not at all excited. Plus sugar is part of the ingredients of the syrup. The coughing while teaching has sucked but I'm not certain it is bad enough for me to be on codeine! Shall see. 

Loved the weekend because I enjoyed wearing a hat the whole time vs a wig... freedom- a little bit.
Enjoyed hanging out with family and friends this weekend, grateful for the time AND energy. Also appreciating yoga on Saturday mornings, good to have the class to learn in and help my body heal in... amazing how much I've back slid physically compared to my time in yoga three years ago. Working on being very patient with my body as I take the class.

While I was browsing the web I learned more about nail care, good info... almost every one of my nails lifted/separated from the nail bed up to a certain point around the beginning of December. Painful, yes. Seemed to heal though (visible still yellow/blue/green, yuck) but this is good info since I have to deal with a little more chemo:
"For home care, patients with signs of infection in separated nails can soak their fingers or toes in a solution of white vinegar and water for 15 minutes every night. It kills the bacteria and dries the areas out." - http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/features/appearance-during-chemo?page=4

Well, thanks for journeying with me... time is starting to fly by as I realize we're moving home in 5 months. Wow.

Back around the corner

Right as I've found my energy and had a good three days in a row... here comes chemo... Le sigh.
Enjoyed getting to appointments, running errands, having special dinners, and even seeing a musical performance... I am happy with the outcome of the week... plus I enjoyed a few audiobooks and am in the middle of a fascinating one presently.
It is so hard to tell when I should keep my face mask on. I actually wore the wig for over 6 hours, that's the longest time for me yet. It is quite warm wearing a wig for so long. Glad I am able to do it though since soon enough I'll have to wear it for work.
Tomorrow- two dose day... shall see. Will see if I'm feeling strong afterwards enough to go see a movie... never know reactions.
PET scan is next Wednesday. Need to clarify how long it will take to get the results... Last time I had it in August it was a complete blur, just know it will take more than a few days. Last time I received a lovely bound booklet with an accompanying CD. Shall see how it goes.
Had to sort out all my vitamins, supplements, and medicine... happy to have it organized but it took over 30 minutes to sort it all out. I'm taking so many more pills nowadays.
I'm getting to the point where I'm anticipating the holiday that we preplanned/paid for back before diagnosis... I'm really staying positive about getting permission to go away for a little while... Bringing along the calendar tomorrow to see how to get extra chemo treatments in as needed.
I tried out a Yuen Method specialist on Thursday. It was an interesting process that I'm still thinking about. I received homework at the end- to watch for the next time I'm upset/angry and step back, take two long breaths and look at the situation as an observer, see how I react then. Hmm. Interesting. Know I've done that before but shall try it again.
Thanks for journeying with me, day by day... grateful for these "up" days and gearing up for whatever comes next...

Special moments

I'm officially blaming things on chemo brain now... my brain is click click clicking but it is often clunk clunk clunking... I'm mixing up days, appointments, and not remembering names of stores, etc.
Thank goodness my fingers can type quickly on my laptop to look up names and back my brain up... and when I make mistakes with appointments, people are so forgiving and flexible.
I mixed up days for the appointment to get my wig trimmed by the generous, wonderful people at Hippfish and they quickly rescheduled me for the next day. In the past I'd be mortified, especially the way I realized that I had an appointment 10 minutes before I was supposed to be there but I was still in my pajamas, whoops... but instead, I forgave myself, took a deep breath and called up Hippfish and admitted I got all mixed up. Phew. They're so kind. Plus ridiculously talented! The experts took a wig that I didn't think was really working for me and trimmed it up at the front and back making it softer on my face so that I actually like the front of the wig and then trimmed the back so that it doesn't look straggly... I now have a special place for my wig to chill out when I'm not wearing it so that it doesn't get squished, etc... Knew I loved going to Hippfish before for regular hair needs but wig needs was a different story, so happy I connected with them last Friday at the CancerLink "Look Good Feel Good" workshop... saying "Yes, thank you" is a good thing.

Love Holly Brown - yummy drinks and gelato -
great to take a break there to regain energy.

So over the past week my sister and I have relaxed, got pedicures on my crappy day, wandered around many places and did some touristy activity. I've shown Rachel many areas of Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Stanley Market, Peak... yet it feels like we've barely scratched the surface of Hong Kong. We're pacing ourselves so that I don't faint or crash... taking breaks and sitting down in some areas...  I'm so grateful she's here, I wouldn't get out barely at all if I didn't have such a positive, supportive person with me...  Feeling quite blessed to have the back to back visits first with my best friend Sheli and second with my wonderful sister Rachel...

A few more days with Rachel and then she's returning to Oregon. I'm loving this time we have together... Don't get me wrong, I'm dealing with many chemo side effects (besides some brain glitches) that are just no fun... the scalp is yelling at me, the nose is still bleeding- not excessively or anything, energy isn't strong, especially a few days after the treatment, the stomach is totally annoyed with me- drinking brown rice water to calm it down, and my cuts aren't healing... but honestly I'm feeling like I'm having many "normal" moments which is just a beautiful thing. *Can't blame spilling water and other liquids FOUR times on my iPhone in one day on chemo, right? My husband and sister both told me I'm just a klutz and laughed along with me... AND I just spilled again, sigh... takes talent. Really enjoying introducing Rachel to my wonderful friends here in Hong Kong... so grateful for my families at home in Oregon and here in Hong Kong. Feeling surrounded by love and support.

I was surprised when we got home from our adventures today to find a box waiting for me from a librarian friend in Oregon. Opened it and found a really cool book with vintage stories, blank pages, and a cool cover but what was special about it was the wonderful messages from my library friends from Oregon Association of School Libraries- they passed it around at a conference and also a board meeting- I miss those friends so much, loved my time throughout the year with them... the book is filled with journaled notes of love and encouragement and appreciation from friends in Oregon. Just a beautiful surprise, so grateful.

Thanks to my OASL family for the special notes!

Thanks for journeying with me... so grateful...

'Bye hair, so grateful, kiddo sharing and Hong Kong update

Felt this morning that I was a science experiment with all the hair I was washing off my head... had dealt with it falling out constantly the day before and it was honestly upsetting... Sat and ran my fingers through my hair seeing more and more fall out with each light touch. I just didn't want to go to bed and find huge piles of hair in the morning. So, I contacted my hair stylist (who is out of town) who connected me to someone who was kind enough to shave off my hair. I contacted my friend Amy who attended the haircutting four weeks ago with such care, friendship and support. She dealt with the shaving with good conversation and distraction and took a few pictures too... Good to have her with me to go to a nearby wig shop to check on wig possibilities and helping me see the wig that made me feel like me... a little bit over many other overwhelming choices.  What a wonderful friend... What amazing friends I'm surrounded by around the world... feeling blessed.

I gave my son time to be a little in charge before getting it shaved... had him choose the scarf I'd tie around my pink hat after the cut... then when I got home I was wearing hat and scarf, he was happy and then started sniffling about not wanting my hair cut off... but then I asked him if he wanted to see my new wig or to see me bald. He chose the wig and LOVED it, said it was too long since he was now used to shorter hair (hah!) and was comfortable, could tell it helped him. Then at bedtime storytime he told me he was ready to see the baldness... and he was fine. He pet it and then did comparisons between my husband's scalp and mine. I'll be bald or have a fabric cap on at home and have fun with the wig, hats, and more for leaving the apartment... I like options. As I've mentioned before, I'm all about balance, not too much of one thing, just appreciate options. Really good to have a wig that looks like "me" now vs. one I borrowed from CancerLink that made me wince each time I tried it on...
 
My husband and I chatted as well. He's ridiculously supportive. I love him... so much. He began singing Randy Travis's song lyrics from one of our favorite wedding songs we danced to- Forever and Ever Amen - "But honey, I don't care, I ain't in love with your hair. And if it all fell out, well I'd love you anyway" - teared up but loved him more...

Here's that song for those who don't know it:

Thank you to all who donated to the Give Forward Donation page for me, so grateful and overwhelmed, really overwhelmed, in a good way.  Relieved as well to be honest...

My husband went with me to the chemo treatment today, two dose day, and it was good to chill with him (I love hanging out with my husband, a pick me up every day) and be distracted from the powerful poison that was pushed into my body. Also, having him at the quick oncology appointment was a godsend. He asks the questions I always forget to ask, like:
When is the next PET scan? Not til 12 weeks go by? Woah. I thought I was due for one in another week... was dreading the bill for it (and also the results)... All scans are out of pocket now, hit the limit on insurance three days after it was "refreshed" at the beginning of the school year. So, glad to have it at the end of chemo treatment... gives more time for the chemo to take action... kill those damn cancer cells, please!
What do you mean I possibly have to have more than 3 rounds of chemo in addition to radiation afterwards? All depends on my results... he might want to have one more round... then my oncologist slipped in that sometimes treatments go for 6 months (frickety frack!)... I will take a while to process these tidbits.
What is the plan with radiation? So radiation is worrisome since it is so close to my recent May radiation on my right breast, my oncologist thinks it is possible to do it... the local hospital oncologist at the hospital doesn't think it is necessary or safe... but he's known my case barely the amount of time that my oncologist has... not seeing local hospital oncologist again until November. (So begins conflicting information to think on between different doctors. Grateful to have the option and chance I suppose...)
**Hong Kong update, on the way to my treatment for chemo today, my husband and I took the MTR into the Admiralty station. It was tense there. Super tense and a little scary. There is always a huge load of people but then I noticed 8 security guards hovering in the main pathway near MTR shops around this loud group of people who were yelling at others, looking a little vicious, and worrisome. I quickly walked by and my husband thought they were just tourists. Me? No. Honestly, I know there's groups of people who have now been hired to be rabble rousers and create chaos and violence in a peaceful situation. It upsets me and disappoints me... I also know that there is a lot of information flying around that is purposefully being shared to confuse and worry others. Not much else to say about it. To-from treatment was safe for me and my husband was there if there was any risk- which there wasn't... but boy have police and security increased near the protest sites! For those who know nothing about this, sharing another video, this time from a favorite Vlogger- Hank Green, appreciate his information, simplified and not completely accurate about long history of trying to have democracy here in Hong Kong but insightful overall.

Was thinking about how grateful I am for advice I've read and tried...
I've received some good advice over the past year with my cancer experience.

1. If you have long hair, cut it short so that it isn't as upsetting when you go bald from chemo. ABSOLUTELY BEST ADVICE for me.
2. Save your eyebrows with contact paper in case yours fall out, the location of eyebrows is hard to remember once they're gone... my oncologist doesn't believe I'll lose my eyebrows- ok, wouldn't complain, shocked when he said this... but still.... anyone have contact paper?!?!
3. Dig deep and find what will bring you to the chemo treatment every week. For me? Honestly? People. I love people and really appreciate companionship, even if I fall asleep, I'm so grateful to have someone there... especially my special friends, husband and... ANTICIPATION my best friend Sheli from Alaska who is visiting in a few weeks and my sister Rachel who is visiting soon after her... so so grateful both will visit Hong Kong and support me and my family and excited... especially hopeful for a little energy during their visits but also will just enjoy quiet time with them as well... two people I've loved and adored for so long... coming here. There's huge anticipation there... huge.
4. Join CancerLink Hong Kong and appreciate the support, don't be deterred by the huge focus on Chinese members. CancerLink gave me a list of wig shops and then told me reasonably priced places... went to one today and appreciated having a friend with me for advice... thanks Amy.
5. Enjoy food and find more ways to get it in your system. I did a happy dance when the nurse told me today that I finally put on weight. Has been a long time- months- since I heard those words. Never knew I'd be so excited to put on the pounds. But honestly, phew. Even more compelled to eat that chocolate cake my friend lovingly made for me for my birthday and Happy Cow ice cream- balanced with vegies, chicken, fruit, fresh juices, etc... I know, all a balance.
6. Listen to what you want and manage other suggestions as you wish. For example, my oncologist thought I was NUTS when I said I was shaving my hair today. He said, "I wouldn't recommend that, you have so much hair, might not all fall out..." I flat out said, "It feels terrible to touch my head and have my hair falling out so much plus it is so itchy I need to free myself now. Why would I wait in hope that it might not all fall out?" He patted my shoulder. He's dealt with many stubborn patients. I follow his directions for medical rules, etc... but personal choices? My realm, respectively.
7. Bring art back into your life. - My beautiful sister brought this up and I thought about what I've enjoyed in the past... I do have an art background, endorsed in Art Ed. (along with Elem. Ed/Special Ed) way back when with more a focus on Art History to be honest... and my favorite things? sketching, fabric arts, origami, and crochet.  So... little by little adding them back in. I brought crochet back into my life- brought to treatment today and then realized that it was stupid to even hope, can't move my left hand during the infusions! So I worked a little on crochet this afternoon, happy day. Decided to follow the fantastic illustrator/author Debbie Ridpath Ohi (I interviewed her on my other blog, brilliant and talented woman) on her #Inktober challenge to sketch something each day and post on Instagram... really enjoying it as a new routine... random, low expectations, etc. November is PiBoIdMo- Picture Book Idea Month- another practice I've done for two years, some interesting writing ideas have come from this-- writing is an art in my opinion by the way...
8. Embracing the humor. Laughing with friends who've shared hilarious pictures, videos, and so much else, really grateful for the consistent support in bringing humor into my life. My mom is sending fun videos, my dad is too, and my sister is the neverending source of support, usually through fabulous Pinterest ideas. If I'm feeling down, I do honestly go to finding humor again. Sometimes enough people's frowns on the MTR path will drop me down, funny how I'm influenced by other's moods... so I've watched a few videos friends have shared many times to lighten my mood.

I have many others suggestions I'm grateful I tried... almost like writing my daily gratitude journal here... but seriously, I'm grateful, growing, supported, appreciative, and feeling loved and blessed. Thank you for ALL the support.

Ambulance, surgeons, wigs, police, and more

Presently, I'm quite glad that I have a fully booked week. It is helpful to distract myself at the present time.
I enjoyed free time yesterday in the morning with my son and husband when there was the T8 (typhoon level 8) warning hoisted. Eventually my husband had to head to work and the kiddo and I had an appt to get x-rays and sutures out at the surgeon's office.

Working on my patience:
I've noticed that my patience is wearing thin when I have to talk with medical people on the phone. It helps to remind myself that it is a short time period that I have to deal with it and "this too shall pass". Sometimes I think these complications are good for me to work on my patience skills, breathing skills, and communication skills...  Reminding myself how many people these individuals talk to is also helpful- if I'm kind/nice, will help other patients out.
For example:
On Monday afternoon, I got a call from my surgeon's office. They wanted to change my Tuesday appointment time from 3:45 to 2pm. Well, that was confusing as the appointment they wrote down for me was at 11am one week before. After sorting it out, I was grateful that the appointment was at 2pm since there was that T8 that came in and had most everything closed in the morning. They called two hours later to confirm the appointment that they called earlier about and took quite a bit of time clarifying everything, I grew impatient about this since I already talked with them two hours before about the same thing. Also, I was told to go at 1:30 to get an x-ray of my lungs done at another location. When I got there at 1:05, the office was closed for lunch from 1-2pm. I chuckled, called the surgeon's office, and was told to wait til 2 and then come over immediately after... It all works out. I was able to cross the street and hang out at a favorite bookstore and had unexpected relaxing time.

Surgeon time:
Visiting with my surgeon was ok. He's quite pleased with me and my progress and is now "done" with me. Good guy, talented surgeon. Asked me about new diagnosis and when I mentioned how my oncologist said that the chemo/radiation only had a 40-50% predicted success rate, he simply said "try to be more positive, I've seen patients like you before successfully battle cancer and live for a long time." I explained to him how I was staying darn positive but that he asked about the diagnosis and I was simply filling him in... but I appreciate his positive support. He gave me some ointment for the three scars, removed the final three sutures, and sent me away with many instructions. Really glad that he's happy with the progress and also grateful to be finished visiting yet another doctor. Must mention, I can recognize myself now by x-ray. Since that lower right lobe of my lung was taken out, my x-rays look quite odd. Interesting to see the changes already in three weeks since the surgery.

So, working on my skills, taking deep breaths and more...
Qigong:
At the end of the day I was able to have some lovely women over and have a class in Qigong, reminded me of Tai Chi with deeper breathing and energy focus. I'm so happy that this will be a weekly occurance, just wish I'd started this up years ago... Complimentary to yoga. I put a few YouTube videos with Qigong exercises on that page to the right of this blog post called Healthy Practice Videos to Visit.

I'm happy that I got preregistered for a yoga class and chanting class thru CancerLink. Those will start in October. Hope I have energy to go to them every week... will be healthy outlets I think.

So... appreciated accomplishments for the day.
Hair- I like touching it, soft and all that but when I look in the mirror I'm not so fond of it yet... but I'll adjust. Have had many supportive friends tell me how much they like it.

Insurance fun (NOT):
Today I met with my school foundation's human resources representative about insurance coverage. She was reassuring but I didn't receive any definitive answers... what a surprise. I have paperwork requests I'm setting up for back-up insurance and more. Shall see. Grateful there's someone supporting me there.

Overwhelming packages:
Received the prettiest hats and scarves in the mail today. Thank you to my lovely friend for passing them to me. Shall picture model soon enough. This afternoon I went to CancerLink to meet with the wig specialist to learn a little about wigs and also find out about how to wear scarves. I was really thrown trying on different wigs. Really thrown. Didn't recognize myself and wasn't so thrilled. But the woman was so kind and patient. I borrowed a wig... it is ok. Plus I received a nice pink hat and an odd skull covering for keeping me warm, protecting me from itchy wigs, and when my hair starts falling out I have another odd head covering that helps me avoid hair falling all over when the chemo effects begin...
Yesterday a friend also passed me her turban/scarves that were created for cancer patients. I'm happy I have multiple options, a good thing.

Began crying (crying is ok) this afternoon when a care package arrived from some of my beloved librarian friends from Beaverton, Oregon. Working with them was incredible over the years... dear friends... Really touched to receive so many special letters, treats, personalized gifts, and much more... I have many things to use for chemo treatments and many special things to boost my spirits. Really really overwhelmed by that box of special gifts, thoughts, and love.
*I just read in Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr about how I should create a quiet place to go each day. She had one corner of her home with a cushion, candles, and things that inspired her... Think some of the care package gifts will be there.

Ambulance and Local Hospital Experience:
Tonight was a little tumultuous. Our live-in helper (my lifeline for almost everything) collapsed in pain after dinner, we're not sure why, and we called an ambulance. I rode with her to the hospital. She felt a little better after 45 minutes but then we waited an hour and a half before she was released... she has to go to the doctor tomorrow. I suspect she has kidney stones but also she's had other issues in the past and usually it is food related. While we waited for the ambulance to show up, my husband quickly zipped out to take our dog for a walk. He went to a local money exchange place and when he talked to the person about getting Vietnamese dong. The person tried to give him a poor exchange rate and then refused to give him back his money. He called the police and the person gave back money right before the police showed up... He filed a complaint. Our son was over at our wonderful neighbor-friends in the same apartment complex... Thank goodness we have friends to lean on that have a kiddo his age. He was happy to hang out with his friend.
I got home with my helper at 10pm. Glad she got care, medicine, and is now resting. Scary to see someone you care about in pain, curled up... Appreciate that an ambulance ride and emergency room care total $100 Hong Kong Dollars- that's $12 USD. In the US how much would it be? Crazytown costly, I know... But I didn't feel like the ER doctors were really knowledgeable. You must be your own advocate there. I noticed that my helper spoke up and got a referral letter so that she could go see a regular doctor... That was my first experience in an ambulance in Hong Kong (or ever for that matter) and also in a local hospital. I've been in four private hospitals here in Hong Kong for procedures. I tell you, drastic difference. I was quite entertained people watching for two hours- drunk people, vomiting people, broken ankle people, and more... did I mention I asked for a face mask immediately?

Marathon man:
So, why was my wonderful husband getting Vietnamese dong? He's going away! Tomorrow! For 5 days! I'm getting my first chemo treatment right in the middle of the time he's away! But I refused for him to cancel anything. He is a marathon person, one thing we'll never share beyond my support for him. He's going to Vietnam to participate in the Vietnam Mountain Marathon. Running. A marathon. In the mountains. Seriously. This is like his birthday present to himself since that's coming up the day after he returns. Curious? Here's a link to his adventure:
http://vietnammountainmarathon.com/the-challenge/
Really happy we live in a place that gives him a chance to run marathons like this. He's done marathons for a long long long time... and I admire his tenacity. Shall miss him a tremendous amount while he's gone though!

Tomorrow? Trying out a new acupuncturist. Crossing my fingers he works out for me... Have had some not-so-fabulous experiences so far here... they are expensive appointments. Want it to be worth it.

Enjoyed watching this video, interesting study: Cell Nutritionals: Pomi-T Study - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=383bzFpwJ0k