Last week I had a bicycle accident. It wasn't too bad. I only injured my right elbow and right knee. It was totally my fault. I was riding with a friend and she was in front of me and we were both riding around a pickup truck parked on the road. I looked back to see how close traffic was and when I looked forward my front wheel hit her back wheel. Fortunately I was the only one who fell down. Now here is the great part of my story--every car that went by us after my fall and even the owner of the pickup offered us help with a ride or whatever we needed. I was filled with so much gratitude for their kindness. I couldn't get over it.
We did accept the pickup truck's driver offer of a ride home because he could put our bikes in the back. By the time we arrived at our guardhouse, I was ready to stretch my knee so I rode the rest of the way to my house and thanked the driver for helping us. I felt like it was just a scratch till my knee started growing a doorkknob and even contemplated going to Buns & Abs in the afternoon. Then I realized how limited I would be in exercising and stayed home. The next day I was a little more sore so I knew I had made the right decision.
I did go to Julie's class on Saturday and since I was becoming apprehensive about getting on the bike again, I rode to the fitness center on my bike. She had the best, strongest class that day. I knew that I could ride my bike on Sunday and I did. You should see my elbow and knee now they are so much better--nearly healed.
You'll notice I didn't talk about my golf. I'm hitting my clubs but in the bunkers. What is it about sand? Did I really think I needed more sand practice. Who knows! If there was a prize for getting in the most bunkers I would win hands down. Each time I go out to play it's always a mystery who'll show up...my alter ego or me. On a positive note the temperature is in the 90s and it's more pleasant to play. I go out each time with the hope that this time it'll be the old Maria hitting and putting. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
What a Busy Week
Some of my friends have come back from their cooler hiding places. Five of us met for Brunch at the Anacapa Restaurant here on campus. We had a delicious meal and lots of great conversation. I'm still doing my 11 mile bike ride so I could eat everything I wanted. The next day I did Kickboxing and that's a great workout too.
I'm back to playing Mah Jongg on Monday afternoons. I was spending those summer afternoons with Sophie doing crafts. Hopefully Sophie and I will pick up where we left off next summer. It would be great if I could have a half day with Ben during the summer too.
Betty, my neighbor, hosted Bunco Night at her house and I had a great time. I wasn't one of the winners. Winning is truly secondary because it's the friendships and conversations we're there for. Since we change partners after each number we enjoy being able to talk to everyone.
I biked again the next day, had lunch with Gary at Sauce and was able to see Diane and Ben. Sophie was in school and Ben was on his way to his class. When I came home I just had time to shower and change for Cyndi's birthday party hosted by Catherine. Catherine made pizza, lamb chops, french fries, broccoli, carrots and a Caesar salad. We were overwhelmed with all the great food. There was also a meringue pie with raspberry or strawberry sauce. Then the laughter started. We laughed for 2 hours straight and exchanged gifts for just about as long. I was sure my laughing muscles would be sore the next day and they were.
I should tell my Oncologist about all these laughter fests I've enjoyed. It could be what's speeding up my way to remission.
Golf on Friday is with 18 hole friends. This time I finally stopped digging my clubs in the ground and hit some good shots. I scored a 96 which I haven't been able to do since 6/23/09--I checked. I thought it had been a year because it seemed like forever since I had a decent game. Later I went to the movies with Rhonda and while we were waiting to get in the theater we came face to face with 3 ladies from Corte Bella who I met at Lady Putters. What a pleasant surprise.
After the movie we went to PeiWei my favorite place and also Rhonda's as it turned out. As always we were not disappointed with our Chopped Asian Chicken Salad. My mouth is watering just typing the name.
Saturday was a really special day. Three of my Fitness Buddies and I decided to go to Palm Springs to shop the Discount Stores there. It's loaded with about 100 stores--Designer clothes, shoes, purses and then the usuals. I drove because I have the biggest car and we would need all that space for all our packages. It's 4 1/2 hours to get there, maybe less if there's no road construction. We shopped for 3 hours and drove back. Of course the best time was the laughter in the car. Catherine and Cathey kept us laughing all the time. Cyndi had quite a few great one liners too. She was my co-pilot and was getting a lot of grief from Cathey in the back seat.
On our way coming and going we found the 2 worst Rest Stops in Arizona and managed to stop at both of them. Considering 3 1/2 of us are a little germaphobic, it happened to the wrong people. Call me if you want to know where they are. You really want to miss these if you can.
Today is Vegg day. My foot is in the gas pedal position and I have to wait for it to relax. Tomorrow we have a golf event called Member/Member and I'm golfing with one of the sweetest ladies here, Elena. We'll have fun and that's why we'll be there.
We'll soon be in some of our best weather--October still very warm, but cooler at night.
I'm back to playing Mah Jongg on Monday afternoons. I was spending those summer afternoons with Sophie doing crafts. Hopefully Sophie and I will pick up where we left off next summer. It would be great if I could have a half day with Ben during the summer too.
Betty, my neighbor, hosted Bunco Night at her house and I had a great time. I wasn't one of the winners. Winning is truly secondary because it's the friendships and conversations we're there for. Since we change partners after each number we enjoy being able to talk to everyone.
I biked again the next day, had lunch with Gary at Sauce and was able to see Diane and Ben. Sophie was in school and Ben was on his way to his class. When I came home I just had time to shower and change for Cyndi's birthday party hosted by Catherine. Catherine made pizza, lamb chops, french fries, broccoli, carrots and a Caesar salad. We were overwhelmed with all the great food. There was also a meringue pie with raspberry or strawberry sauce. Then the laughter started. We laughed for 2 hours straight and exchanged gifts for just about as long. I was sure my laughing muscles would be sore the next day and they were.
I should tell my Oncologist about all these laughter fests I've enjoyed. It could be what's speeding up my way to remission.
Golf on Friday is with 18 hole friends. This time I finally stopped digging my clubs in the ground and hit some good shots. I scored a 96 which I haven't been able to do since 6/23/09--I checked. I thought it had been a year because it seemed like forever since I had a decent game. Later I went to the movies with Rhonda and while we were waiting to get in the theater we came face to face with 3 ladies from Corte Bella who I met at Lady Putters. What a pleasant surprise.
After the movie we went to PeiWei my favorite place and also Rhonda's as it turned out. As always we were not disappointed with our Chopped Asian Chicken Salad. My mouth is watering just typing the name.
Saturday was a really special day. Three of my Fitness Buddies and I decided to go to Palm Springs to shop the Discount Stores there. It's loaded with about 100 stores--Designer clothes, shoes, purses and then the usuals. I drove because I have the biggest car and we would need all that space for all our packages. It's 4 1/2 hours to get there, maybe less if there's no road construction. We shopped for 3 hours and drove back. Of course the best time was the laughter in the car. Catherine and Cathey kept us laughing all the time. Cyndi had quite a few great one liners too. She was my co-pilot and was getting a lot of grief from Cathey in the back seat.
On our way coming and going we found the 2 worst Rest Stops in Arizona and managed to stop at both of them. Considering 3 1/2 of us are a little germaphobic, it happened to the wrong people. Call me if you want to know where they are. You really want to miss these if you can.
Today is Vegg day. My foot is in the gas pedal position and I have to wait for it to relax. Tomorrow we have a golf event called Member/Member and I'm golfing with one of the sweetest ladies here, Elena. We'll have fun and that's why we'll be there.
We'll soon be in some of our best weather--October still very warm, but cooler at night.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"GREAT"
After all this time I wonder if anyone is reading my blog but just in case you are I'll bring you up to date on yesterday's Oncologist appointment. My Oncologist moved from his office on 27th Ave/101 to 5th Ave and Osborn. It was quite a ride over there. The 101 was jammed so I took to the Avenues. Charlie used to live in at 16th St/Osborn so I was acquainted with most of the streets. All in all a it was a positive experience in finding my way around Phoenix without the expressway.
My doctor questioned what changes took place once I went on the lower dosage Tarceva. Some of them were pleasant others were disappointing. I won't go into detail. He always asks me about the supplements I'm taking and since I'm having swelling and pain in my feet he's upped my B6 since that has worked so well on the neurapathy since I started on it 2 years ago.
Then we talked about the Lab results and the first thing he said was, "Great, I have never had a cancer patient with such great results in such a short time". He wanted to take my photo and make me the poster child because he's so happy with my progress.
I mentioned that I was flying for the first time in two years. He asked me what I was going to do and I answered that I would wear a mask and wash my hands often during and after the flight. He was satisfied with those precautions. So I'll be able to be with my mother and celebrate her 95th birthday. I'm so excited and I know she is too.
I'll be making an appointment for my PET Scan as soon as the Oncologist's office gets approval from the insurance. It'll probably be towards the end of October and I'll see the Ocologist a few days later to get the results. I'm hoping for the best.
I've been down in the dumps with the intense summer heat and lack of monsoons, but finally it's cool enough at dawn for my 10 mile bike ride. It's really energized me again. Most of the summer I exercised then was too sapped from the heat to do much else. Now I feel great especially after a cooling bike ride.
My doctor questioned what changes took place once I went on the lower dosage Tarceva. Some of them were pleasant others were disappointing. I won't go into detail. He always asks me about the supplements I'm taking and since I'm having swelling and pain in my feet he's upped my B6 since that has worked so well on the neurapathy since I started on it 2 years ago.
Then we talked about the Lab results and the first thing he said was, "Great, I have never had a cancer patient with such great results in such a short time". He wanted to take my photo and make me the poster child because he's so happy with my progress.
I mentioned that I was flying for the first time in two years. He asked me what I was going to do and I answered that I would wear a mask and wash my hands often during and after the flight. He was satisfied with those precautions. So I'll be able to be with my mother and celebrate her 95th birthday. I'm so excited and I know she is too.
I'll be making an appointment for my PET Scan as soon as the Oncologist's office gets approval from the insurance. It'll probably be towards the end of October and I'll see the Ocologist a few days later to get the results. I'm hoping for the best.
I've been down in the dumps with the intense summer heat and lack of monsoons, but finally it's cool enough at dawn for my 10 mile bike ride. It's really energized me again. Most of the summer I exercised then was too sapped from the heat to do much else. Now I feel great especially after a cooling bike ride.
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