My birthday surprise

Well, it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. Maneesha and Kiran worked for a few hours painting my head with Henna - it is supposed to be a temporary tattoo, to last a few weeks.




AFter painting on the henna, they put a solution of lemon juice and sugar on the painted parts to help it set, then I slept with the paint on. The next morning I used a butter knife to scrape off the paint and the red henna was supposed to show up after a day.

Well, it didn't quite work - looks like I have a bunch of birth mark splotches on my scalp.

The designs were so pretty and Kiran spent a lot of time designing, then painting. I appreciate the effort.

We thought I would start a new fad and many of you would shave your heads just so you could have henna tattoos painted on!

Finally - a new post. I'm now of age!

Now I am officially AARP age! They let me sign up a few months ago - in anticipation of my 50th.

To catch you up since my last posting -

I never quite felt recovered between chemo #4 and #5. Went into #5 feeling bad and didn't get the typical steroid high the following day. However, after a few days of feeling sick and feeling down after #5, I decided I would no longer feel sick, sore, ... and no longer be down. It worked!

I'm feeling good and have had a great birthday.
I'm celebrating the way Jamie does - over several days and possibly weeks.

Beth took me to Ojo Caliente hot spring on Sunday. My first time there. Soaked in some spring holes, smeared mud all over my body and let it dry, had a hot oil/rock massage, and ate a great meal at the Ojo restaurant. I would highly recommend it.

Tuesday night, Maneesha and Kiran Chitanvis helped me with my Brithday surprise - I'll tell and show you this later - it's a surprise!

Today started with me driving past this sign on the overpass.

Thanks Theresa!

Then I got to The Cottage and Susana and Beth had a Pena Colada smoothy and brownies (no nuts) ready for me. They put candles on the brownies and lit them - boy what a fire 50 candles makes! After I blew them out, the brownies were multi-colored with wax - made for interesting texture.

Followed that with a field trip to the Bradbury Science Museum with the Cottage kids to see Star Lab. On the bus ride back, I'm told to look at the "White Rock".

Thanks Annika and Kayla!


The only "kinda drag" thing today is that my oncology nurse called (while I'm on the field trip with a bunch of young germ incubators) to tell me my blood counts are way down and I'm supposed to stay away from germs, start taking antibiotics, and not eat any fresh foods. No sushi!

My kids (Jodi and Jamie) are up in the Jemez at camp until Friday, so Friday night I get to celebrate some more by going to dinner. SHH, now don't tell anyone this part, but I think my brothers and sister-in-laws are coming out from Texas to surprise me. Let's pretend we don't know.

Then, who knows what will happen after that!

Doing ok

Made it through the week after chemo treatment #4. I'm finally getting strength back on day 9 - not too bad. The nausea patch and different intravenous med seemed to work well. I was able to do the Relay for Life. It was fun, but also a bit weird being a "cancer survivor".

The family got back from Ireland. Had a good time - even got sunburned! (I'm wondering if they REALLY went to Ireland.) They said things were a bit rushed. They saw a lot and didn't get much down time. The LA Rugby team beat one Irish team and scared off another. Jodi said the clinics were really good.

Happy Independence Day everyone! If you are at Overlook Park, look for the Sage Cottage tent.