Hello dear family and friends,
I didn’t make my Fri. post as promised, but it is only Sat. and it will go out today. After my two toughest weeks in chemo, I had my best 4 days, so that is a lot easier to blog about. Our conclusion about those two wks. was that my red blood cell count was continuing to drop, and the chemo was working well. They began giving me an injection of pro-crit., which was to help with the anemia, and after those two weeks, it began to raise my level.

The numbers won’t mean much but due to chemo I am now and probably remain 3 pts. under what is normal, but that is one the chemo’s effects. It is just somuch better, even up a pt. and a half. The appetite news is still good, and am religiously eating 5 times a day. All of this has to be healthy, high good carbs and hi good fat. Weekends, if I feel good are the biggest challenge because I always drop a bit, and then get back to the same weight during the week. Anyway, who do you know who eats 2eggs and 2 toasts, plus fruit and coffee with whole milk, almond or cocomut and goes on to have sandwiches, bananas- cereal, whole fat Greek yogurt, and pasta, organic pot pies, mac and cheese, or lasagne and fruit for lunch. Anyhow, for you skeptics, this is plus lots of protein, vegetables, smoothies(no sugar) and whole grain breads for dinner. I have a wonderful group of neighbors and friends who fix us dinner on M.W.F. and that really keeps me on the mend. That is more detail than anyone needs. Probably more helpful to me than you, but since 50, my metabolism had slowed down so much, and it was a constant fight to keep the lbs. off.

I don’t think I have mentioned that my sisters, Ellen and Sarah traveled to India for 2 1/2 wks in mid. Jan. Clark’s brother, John and his wife just left for 3 wks. in India, and we have several other friends who have been or are going. It is great to have Ellen back in Mill Valley, about 20 min. from us, and of course, she, being a foodie, is exploring lots of Indian cooking and spices. Also, so many of them are right up there in all the anti-cancer cookbooks. And of course, they don’t eat meat, except goat meat. That is going to be challenging, but we do have it at local Farmers’ Markets, and is grass-fed and monitored. We are getting so many good ideas. I’m delighted to see my good friend, Sr. Noreen Walter is now facilitating a weekly group for Weight Watchers, and of course, helping folks to re-learn how to cook.

I am on a schedule today, to take my walk at 1:30, followed by nap, early dinner, Mass, and BBPlayoffs at Marin Catholic, just so you don’t think I never do anything. This busy, is first, so we’re going to try. I’m still high on my steroids from Fri. My school, Salesian is also in BB playoffs, so this is also a trial run for Salesian, next week. Please do continue to keep me in your prayers, as I do you.
Love
Noel/Annie

Dear Friends and Family,
I am sorry for this long delay. Yes, I’d say bogged down is an understatement. I have decided many days to do a brief blog and then it just doesn’t happen—–so, I’ve got be more creative, but I do so want to be able to stay in touch. Thank you so much for your comments and input. I will respond personally eventually. Sorry, I’m so slow.
So, the chemo is working hard, hopefully making the cancer even more miserable than it is making me. A little glimpse into life. One of our teaching mantras is “Life is what happens when you’ve planned something else.” My best days after my weekly Fri. chemo are the rest of the day after my nap on Fri., and Sat. until about 5 P.M.- so we at least have a little weekend time. Sun.’s used to be easier, but have changed. So some fun things, Clark and I drove to Santa Rosa for an appointment, and then went to a great spice store. Our friend Bob Wicker from MN. told us about it. So many of cancer fighting foods are connected to herbs and spices. We are learning so many things. More later. Penzey’s is a great place to learn about spices and herbs- smell, taste, and buy small quantities. I am going to send this now, but will get back within a week. Please do keep me in your prayers and thoughts.

Love Noel/Annie