Day 165 - Seriously?

Well, I'll keep today's post short & sweet, as it was so NOT what I was expecting to hear. 


I met with the Oncologist today. Yup. 6 months. Every 2 weeks. Full dose. Yup. The EXACT same thing as Canada. ABVD. Hmpf.


Ain't that just a kick in the pants. No guarantees on fertility, no guarantees on my heart or my lungs or the numbness or tingling in my fingers & toes. It's not about the hair loss, believe me, I'd be happy to get rid of the hair on my face & my legs :o) & I'm cool with wearing fun wigs - purple, green, blonde, red head... It's the other stuff I'm not so fussed about! 


I took the last shuttle back to the clinic & managed to meet a couple who were leaving Dr. Donato's clinic. The husband had been given 6 months to live with an inoperable tumor on his aorta & was sent home. They found Dr. Donato & that was 1 year ago. The tumor has shrunk by 75% & the cancer is gone from his lungs as well. 


I am encouraged & feel like there is still hope left. I meet with Dr. Donato on Tuesday of next week & I hope & pray that I can conquer this without the full blown dose of chemo for half a year! 


I returned to the hotel & went to bed. I was wiped. It's been pretty draining, both physically & emotionally. I have been quite stressed these past few months & when I'm here on my own, I'm finally able to let go. I slept from 1800 until 2100 & then thought I should wake up & make something to eat! Of course, then I I couldn't fall asleep! Again, silly American TV - Cake Boss - have you seen what they do? Wow! 


Anyhow, here's to a brighter & better day tomorrow!


Love & hugs & healing,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Hiding in the blankets

Sneaking a nap in!

Day 164 - Holy S**t!!!! It's An Earthquake!

Today was a wonderful day. I slept in! I thought I might go out for a bit, but in the end, I stayed put. I slept until 1100 & took my time getting rolling. I cleaned the new blender & made a yummy green smoothie - spinach, mint, mango, banana & pineapple. 


I rolled out my yoga mat with good intentions. I lasted 8 minutes in a 43 minute routine. Pooh. Well, here's to 10 minutes next time! I then decided to wash a few things by hand. 


Valentina had wee'd on the new pillow cover I put in her kennel. Argh. I put her on her pad every 15-20 minutes & then she goes in her kennel! So, I decided to wash the cover, along with my clothes, along with Valentina & then me! 


I had washed the dark clothes & was in the middle of washing the lights, squatting in the tub, naked as a jaybird, ready for my shower, scrubbing a shirt, when I felt like I was rocking back & forth. I steadied myself in the tub, but then I realized the tub was rocking! OH MY GOSH! IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE! CRAP! WHAT DO I DO?


I've never been in an earthquake! I ran out into the passage way & just stood there, feeling the entire hotel room rock back & forth. What do I do? Where do I go? I shouldn't stand here - what if the roof falls on me? Maybe I should hide under something - but what if it collapses? Maybe I should go outside - clothes! Clothes would be good! I could see the curtains swaying back & forth in the room - I went to the curtains & peeked out the window. People were standing by the fence next to the pool. The waves in the pool were splashing over the edges. Sheesh! This is crazy! When I didn't see the people by the pool panicking, I thought I didn't need to either! I'm guessing it lasted about a minute or so before I couldn't notice it anymore. I shakily entered a Facebook status about the quake. I certainly didn't think today would be the day I would experience an earthquake. I guess I never thought I would experience one! The epicentre was 108 miles away from San Diego near Mexicali, Mexico. It registered 7.2 on the Richter scale. 


I went back to washing & I had no sooner bathed Valentina, cleaned her ears & teeth, when I left the bathroom to get something. I returned to the bathroom to find her having pee'd all over the bath mat. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? ARGH! Well, now I was going to have to go out. I needed stain remover or bleach! Or both!


I took Valentina outside with her pad with the hopes that she would do #2 on the pad. After a failed first attempt, I managed to catch her half way through the act & picked her up & put her on the pad. I look over & there were two ladies from the clinic in their car, watching me praise my dog as she pooped on a piece of astro-turf. 


Okay, so the earthquake was strange for this foreigner, but I'm sure what they just saw, was just as strange for them! They offered to take me to the grocery store, so I jumped at the chance to get my stain remover! 


I've never used bleach before, so I was very happy when the towels looked 'white' again! 


I managed to catch up on the blog, while I watched some crazy American TV. Have you ever seen America's Worst Drivers? I was literally choking I was laughing so hard! They were terrible! How did they even get their license? Too funny! Then I saw a bit of a show called something like 'Rehab Room' or something like that. A bunch of crazy addicts just out of rehab - including Dennis Rodman. It was pretty pathetic. Then I managed to see Jessica Simpson in India doing some Aruvedic spa treatments. She & her friends did a neti pot, hot oil treatments & then drank a herbal tea to get rid of excess gases in the body. Needless to say, I've never heard belching like that before! It was pretty funny too! Maybe I'll ask around for some! :o) Then they helped a girl get a cleft pallet operation. In India 1 in 5 children are born with a cleft pallet! If you go to Smiles for Smiles, they will donate $1 for every smile photo received towards the surgeries! I did it & it only takes 30 seconds!


Anyhow, I'm off to bed... It's been a big day! Shake, rattle & roll... Shaken, not stirred... Just roll with it... :o)


Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Tweet Pea naps.

The drying rack!

Day 163 - Short Day!

This morning I was ready for the shuttle & waiting. Valentina was charming the other people waiting. Mama is proud! The Hotel Manager came out to tell us that the shuttle would be about 1/2 an hour late. There was a bus in front of them that was filled with drugs! Needless to say, they were on 'super search' mode after that! 


We arrived at the clinic at 1000, instead of our usual 0900. I was finally at the top of the list, so I didn't have to wait long! By 1130, we were all finished & heading towards the border. Unbelievably there wasn't a line! We were back at the hotel by 1159! That's a world record! It usually takes at the least, one hour! Awesome! 


I did get my 3/4 eaten apple confiscated by the Customs official. He was a real jerk. The previous 2 officials said it wouldn't be an issue - nobody would want my mostly eaten apple. In fact, the official who checked my passport, I could hardly speak to him & I looked like a chipmunk with my cheeks stuffed! I had maybe 3 big bites left & when I approached the conveyor belt to scan my bag, the official called me over. I thought he wanted the dog bag on the table.
'Put you apple on the table.'
I take another bite & ask him, 'Did you want to see the dog?'
'Put your apple on the table.'
'Sure, can I just have one more bite? I'm almost finished it.'
'Lady, you're not listening to me! Put the apple on the table!'
'No problem, just one more...'
He grabs the apple right out of my hand! 


Are you kidding me???!!! I can't even have the last few bites of an apple I bought in the USA???!!! This guy is a jerk! What a fruit Nazi! Never mind the kilo of cocaine in the bottom of my dog's bag - take the apple! ARGH! The Customs guys & girls get me fired up! Every time I get worked up & I've left the situation, I remember the sign they have in the building - something about treating you with respect & courtesy. HA! Joke!


Anyhow, I forgot about the Apple Nazi when I realized I was back to the hotel by 1200! I had switched rooms this morning, so I spent the afternoon unpacking & settling in. I was happy to be on the 2nd floor & away from the stairs. It was too noisy! I was a little disgruntled when they wouldn't let me change last night. I went in at 1400 & they were going to charge me for 2 rooms because they'd already cleaned my room! Then they wanted me to pack up & switch before I went to the clinic at 0900! I'd be nice & sweaty after carrying all the luggage up the stairs. In the end, I packed up most of my things, put them in storage overnight & in the morning, I took the bits & pieces up to the new room. 


I decided not to go anywhere. I thought I'd spend some time just relaxing & not running around. I ended up watching a few episodes of CSI, which was lovely & gory, but I do love that show! 


Sweet dreams!
Valentina & Maria
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Mama's Helper while Mama unpacks!

This looks like a great place to rest!

Roses in front of the hotel

They smell so wonderful!

Bees like them too!

Day 162 - Hmpf. Argh. Grrr. (I'm a perplexed & grumpy Pirate!) :o)

Well, today was an interesting day to say the least. I was again, the last one on the list for treatments... It is just SO BUSY at the clinic! Today was my appointment with Dr. Castillo. I waited for only a few minutes & then Karla called me in. 


Dr. Castillo talked to me about my blood work, which for the most part, is much better than when I was here before. There is a little bit more inflammation than before, but my cancer marker is lower than last time! He copied my chemo fit test & my most recent CT scan. Then came the news. Yup. Chemo. But that's not even the worst of it! He said he wanted me to meet with his Oncologist, Dr. Losano. A quick call to Dr. Losano & I will meet with him on Monday. Basically Dr. Castillo told me I would do ABVD (same as in Canada) every 2 weeks for 6 months. I asked if it would be low dose & he replied that it would be the 'right dose for you'. Hmm. He said I would need anti-nausea medication & I would also lose my hair. Hmm. Totally not what I expected to hear. I will wait until Monday before I make any further decisions. Dr. Castillo wants me here for 2 weeks to do the first 2 rounds before I go away. He also said I could find a Doctor back home to administer the chemo & that would save me the flights to Mexico. Somehow I think if I can't find a Doctor to help me with my shots, chances are slim to none in finding a Doctor to give me chemo drugs! Anyhow, I will keep you updated on what happens on Monday.


Dr. Castillo checked my breathing, blood pressure, weight (152!), height, my neck & underarms. I'm still alive. :o) 


I had my IV right after & managed to get back to the hotel about 1300. Today was the day to visit the pet shop & get the kennel, potty, & health certificate sorted out. City Dog is at one of the trolley stops, so it was convenient to go there. The owner was very helpful  in finding me the right pup-head astro-turf potty, the right sized kennel & sending me to the vet around the corner. I needed to get an International Health Certificate for Valentina before we go to the ship. I have also discovered that she will need to be shipped cargo. I am very afraid to send her as cargo. 


I stopped at Target after the pet shop & picked up some heating packs. You know the kind you put on sore muscles? Well, I figured I could put those in her kennel to keep her warm. They last for 8 hours, so that will almost do the trick. Her last 4 hours will be chilly, but hopefully she'll be okay. I picked up a fleecy pillow cover to put in the bottom of the kennel. I'm sure she'll mess on it, but at least it will be warm - until the mess!


I accidentally took the wrong trolley on the way home & ended up in a real ghetto area. I was pretty worried I'd be the victim of a drive by shooting! I was pretty happy to see the trolley come along & take me back to the right trolley stop! Whoopsie!


Heavily weighted down, I fumbled my way onto the trolley & then the bus, exhausted from a full day. Again. I went to Coco's for another baked potato & steamed veggies. I think it depends on who the Cook is, as my potato & veggies were a lot more well done than the previous time! 


Anyhow, I'm wiped, so I'll see you tomorrow!!!! 
Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Bubu Settete!

My little blog helper!

Waiting on the trolley

Iris Trolley Station

On the Orange Line

'Do not let your children or pets play with plastic bags!' 

I left this bag on the chair & when I came back to the room, Valentina was tangled up! Whoopsie!!!

Day 161 - Is It April Already?!

Seriously? Where does the time go? I can't believe it's already April! Today there were a lot of goodbyes. Was it something I said? :o) 


I was the last one on the list to be called in for treatment, so needless to say, I didn't make the first shuttle back. Aaron, the lad from Dawson Creek, offered to take me to Whole Foods before he left for Yuma, however, it took so long to get through customs, he had to leave as soon as we got back. I decided to venture out on the public transit system & find my way to Whole Foods. 


I had been given directions the previous time I was here, but never went on my own. It took one hour to get there. I took a bus, the trolley, a bus, another bus & then walked a couple blocks. I spent about one hour in the most glorious health food store. EVER. I was excited to go home & eat! 


I stopped at Kiki Sushi across the street for some dinner & it was delish! The 2 sushi chefs were quite entertaining & made my visit an enjoyable one. Danny, Calvin, Andy, Julianna & Gabriel. My sushi chefs were Vietnamese & Chinese. Shows you how much I know about sushi!


After I finished my meal, it was a walk, a bus, another bus, the trolley & another bus.  I stopped off mid-trolley at the pet shop & they were just closing. I wanted to ask about a hard sided kennel for Valentina's cargo flight. :o( (!!!!) While I was talking to the clerk, a gentleman taps me on the shoulder & says, 'Hey! How are you!? It's been ages since I've seen you! How've you been?' I have NO IDEA who the guy is & I reluctantly say, 'I'm good. Nice to see you too...' Does he have any clue that I'm from another country & he MOST CERTAINLY hasn't seen me before??!! Crazy!


Then there's the P. Diddy wannabe I sat beside in the front of the bus on the way there. The 2 old guys sitting in front of me were telling me what bus to take to get where, when P. Diddy turns to me & says, 'What kind of perfume are you wearing? It smells like Diamond Pearl.' I smile & tell him it's Lolita Lempicka. He has no clue what I'm talking about. One of the old guys rolls his eyes & I just smile. Oh the joys of public transport.


I think I put my back out of whack when I lifted my suitcase onto the bed to unload the groceries from it. Yes, I shopped with my carry-on suitcase. Yes, the guys at Whole Foods commented on never having 'bagged' a suitcase before. Anyhow, here's hoping my back is back in action tomorrow! 


Have a great sleep & see you tomorrow!!! xxxx
Maria & Valentina

The girls getting gifts from the leavers

Aaron is really tall & Emily is a little short

Harvey's Brother & Sister in Law

My beloved Whole Foods!

Danny & Calvin whippin' up a storm

Yummy Sushi!

Waiting for the bus. There's a really raunchy XXX store across the street. I blushed just looking at the window displays!

Beautiful palm trees!