I am a glass half full kind of girl. Always looking for the silver lining. First things first, it is Wednesday and it is time to tell Mother Fucker to take a long hike off a short pier and never return. Remember team, we are wearing purple on Wednesdays.

Awesome things that have happened since I started chemo and radiation. One: my oldest son has these friends who used to be over at the house all the time when they were in high school. Turns out, their mom is one of the nurses who draws my labs. I get an honest to goodness, genuine, love hug every Tuesday. Thanks God, for taking care of that for me. I have not yet found the medical marijuana that I am seeking. However, I did find some stuff from a medical grower that really does help with the headache and nausea at a much faster rate than 45 minutes to an hour waiting to see if it works. Still seeking the tumor killing stuff, I have not given up. Super Lemon Haze and Terry Sheppey are the two tumor killing strains. Other strains that are very helpful are Grape Ape and Wi-Fi. If you know anyone that might be able to get these specific strains, please put them in touch. I get to see my son, and meet his fiance. She is a very nice young lady, they seem very happy together, and comfortable. I feel bad that I have to meet her at such a trying time. The sun has been shining. No more snow, I was beginning to wonder if I was in the movie Groundhog for awhile, every day seemed the same.

I am getting stronger, I can make it to both corners now when I go on a walk.I think the food diet helps, and filling the protein gap and strong nutrients. Hoping to push past that marker and make it around the block by next week. Small goal, to most. Huge to me. If you happen to see someone physically struggling or moving slow, offer them encouragement or assistance in my name please. They are doing the best they can, pay if forward.

My right leg has started to have spams again. It bothers me. I will tell the nurse this morning. I will contact the neuro-oncology doc this morning and tell them and see what they say.

Meanwhile, Die, Mother Fucker, Die!

Sick and tired of cancer already

Another key player in this Kick Cancer's Butt, Henry

I got my little guy when he was 8 weeks old. I had lost two golden retrievers within a 4 year time span. I missed having a dog so much, but knew that I needed a guy that was going to be easy maintenance and easy going to boot. I loved the idea of having a puppy, so I decided get a dog that stays the size of a puppy, looks like a stuffed animal, is easy to train, hair not fur so one is allergic to him, playful, yet gentle.

This is Henry coming home from the kennel.

Henry is now in all senses of the word, a therapy dog. I used him as a therapy dog many times over the years with clients. Never did I realize, I was training him to work with me. The thought never crossed my mind that this little fellow and I, who are a team, would ever need one another as much as we do. He follows me around during the day. Reminds me to rest when I am doing too much. Get fresh air for a little bit even if we can't go for a walk we can be on the front porch or back deck.  He deliberately does things to make me laugh like throwing his toys around, greets each visitor with a tail wag. He has also been working on his inside voice. He has almost mastered the soft woof when someone is at the door. 

Just waking up from a nap mom, geez

Started my morning off with yoga, a great way to get going. Then I did some housework, well, limited, but still did some housework while the home health aide was here. Still on the ketosis diet and loving it. The idea is to starve the tumor of glucose in conjunction with chemo and radiation to give myself the best odds possible. Today was a bacon, cheddar mug muffin. When it came time to make lunch, I pulled out a knife that I love to use. It was dull. Okay, no problem, I remember how to sharpen a knife. I get out my little gizmo. I start running the blade through the area and these little red "wheels" are supposed to spin. I can't get the wheels to spin. It is a small wrist motion, that is connected to your forearm that connects to your bicep, then you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Oh shit, this is going to be harder than I thought. So, I give out a shout "Oh no you don't Mother Fucker! I am going to sharpen this knife and then I am going to eat at YOU but not for you!"  Very determined and focused and longer that it normally takes, that knife is sharpened. Perseverance and determination got the job done. Using that right arm of mine that I am attempting to rehab as well. 

Once I was sitting down and successfully eating lunch, I got to thinking. Always a dangerous phrase for me, "I got to thinking..." I feel fortunate that I was able to locate this information about this type of diet working for brain tumor patients, that I am able to prepare the food, that I am able to stick with the diet, and that I didn't have to do any of the planning, it is already done and the recipes are tasty. 

Wednesday is the big day. The first radiation therapy will be at 2 pm. After that, they will be at 11:15, Monday through Friday for the next 6 weeks. Today, I am working on a power playlist to listen to while the radiologist zaps Mother Fucker. 

Okay, merrily my little dog and I go on our way...

More Introductions

Today, I was fortunate enough to be fitted with a nifty new head piece. For my tiara crowd, you are not getting one. It was a bit unnerving, a lot unnerving actually. But what seemed to get me through today was the mantra of Die, Mother Fucker, Die. That is what I have named my tumor, Mother Fucker. I have never really cared much for the saying as it is, but in this particular case, I think it is rather appropriate.

By the time I arrived home, I thought my head might explode. Just a lot to process. I made myself a cup of tea, burned some sage, did some yoga, and then the pt guy, Fran came. I rode my bike, we went for a walk, one house further than I did yesterday. Progress. I'll take it.

The ketosis diet is working out really well. I feel good, the recipes have been tasty, and I have been full, which is saying something when you are on steroids. It is nice to be in charge of something again, what I put into my body. Tonight's fun discoveries have been fried cheese and tumeric tea.

Queso Fresco (fried cheese)
Ingredients - 1 lb. Queso Fresco (or Paneer Cheese if Queso Fresco is not available) - 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil - 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Instructions 1. Cut cheese into cubes, or thin rectangles. 2. Bring 1 Tbsp. coconut oil and 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil to high heat in a pan. 3. Once the smoke point hits, add your cheese. Let it cook until browned on one side and then flip over and do the same on the other side. 4. Remove from pan and drain excess grease on a paper towel.

and

Tumeric Tea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGgF1cnKdcs

Today was not the easiest, but it wasn't the hardest either.

Meanwhile, Die Mother Fucker, Die.