Rain, Rain?

Well, winter never arrived here in Southern California, which is a bummer seeing as how I purchased this nifty new umbrella. 

As most who know me know, I have a slight obsession with Mary Poppins. I wish I were "practically perfect in every way," but I'm more like Jane, "rather inclined to giggle. Doesn't put things away."

Also related to the lack of rain, I've never had to pull up my onions or eggplants. Okay, that was also due to laziness. Haha. But my onions are coming in again and my huge eggplant now has 14 new eggplants after having been dormant for only about three months.

 

For my birthday last October, my boyfriend bought me a sturdy rake for composting and swiss chard and spinach. I was in heaven. The swiss chard and spinach are coming in nicely now. Almost big enough to eat!

Until next time!

xoxo,

ali

Happy New Year 2014

Well, it's been a year since I last blogged. The last time I wrote I was on chemotherapy. A lot has happened since then. The chemo stopped working and I took a "chemo break" and switched to more anti-estrogen shots since my cancer feeds off estrogen and had spread to my liver and ribs/chest. However, for a time, the shots worked. I should also add that I became vegan against my doctor's advice. What can I say? I like being a contrarian. The tumors started shrinking and then stabilized. I became a pescatarian. And then my vision started changing. I started seeing double. I went to an optometrist who recommended I get a brain MRI and sure enough, when all was said and done I had about a dozen tumors in my brain. I am currently having my whole brain radiated. Cancer in the brain does not have a good prognosis, but I'm gonna fight this. I won't bow down. My radiologist thinks I have a good chance for long-term control because the tumors aren't large. The biggest is 1.5cm. That's the update!

New Year's Day 2013

Who watched the Tournament of Roses Parade this year? I had to go to City of Hope this morning for my chemotherapy, but my boyfriend and I watched the parade on one of the little televisions they provide for the patients. I love watching the Rose Parade! About an hour into the broadcast, the City of Hope float came onto the screen. The nurse who was helping me was the first to notice and she shouted and all of the other nurses (and even a couple patients) came to look at my television. It was really fun and kind of exciting! We were all so loud we didn't even hear the broadcaster interview Dr. Friedman, the Chief Executive Officer of City of Hope. In years past, the float returns to the hospital a few days after the parade to go on display for the patients. If this tradition continues, I hope to see it and take a few pictures!

Because it was New Year's Day, City of Hope was very quiet. After my chemo was finished, John and I decided to walk around the grounds. City of Hope has a lot of gardens for patients and their families to enjoy, but today we explored the "Wish Trees".

The view of the Wish Trees in the distance as you leave the main hospital building.

I think the wishes were originally written by the children of CoH employes, but now anyone can grab a paper ribbon, write their wish and attach them to one of four trees. The colors of the ribbons on the trees are really striking. We went around the trees and read a lot of the wishes and they were very touching. I truly wish that everyone's wishes come true!

Happy New Year and thank you for being a part of my blog!
xoxo, 
ali

Over-analysis Leads to Paralysis

I haven't written any posts on my blog for quite some time. And, I'm going to be honest, it's because I freak out about my posts. I want them to be interesting, helpful, funny and grammatically correct. I translate these expectations into inactivity. Well, no longer! I'm just going to write whatever comes into my head be it long, short, amusing or boring and, if I have an accompanying picture, I'll tack it on. So, there it is. I have a lot to share and it'll be heading your way!
xoxo,
ali

Chemo and White Blood Cells

Last week I went to receive my chemotherapy treatment (Taxol), but I was sent back home. Why? My white blood cell count was too low.

Every week that I receive chemo, whether it's my Carbo/Taxol combo or just Taxol, I have to do blood work beforehand.*  In addition to measuring things such as protein, calcium, sodium, glucose, potassium, etc., the blood test also measures red and white blood counts. As you may already know, chemotherapy works by killing off the bad (cancerous) cells. However, at the same time, it also kills the good cells. And, in my case, my white blood cells fell to an unacceptable number.

Originating in the bone marrow, white blood cells are responsible for fighting off infection. In order to decrease my chances of getting sick, I was advised to stay away from crowds, wash my hands often and sent home with disposable masks to wear in public. I wasn't given any nutritional advice to raise the counts back up, but after researching the topic, I learned incorporating anti-oxidants (such as berries and green tea**) and vitamins C, E, and B help to raise WBC counts. Here is a link to an article I found  helpful: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/family-nutrition/foods-boost-immunity/8-foods-boost-immunity. I feel I must tell you though that I never add vitamin supplements to my diet without first consulting my doctor. Honestly, because of all the health books I read, I'm convinced the best way to get your vitamins is through foods, not pills.

Today, a week after being turned away from receiving my chemo, I returned to start up a new cycle of treatment. Basically meaning I was starting from week one again and my infusion would be the Carbo/Taxol cocktail. Although today's blood test showed my WBC counts were back to being in the low end of the normal range, I learned that I'd be getting shots of the white blood cell stimulator Neupogen for the next four days. (How convenient har har.) I've read online that the side effects are soreness at the site of injection and possible body soreness. If it's anything like the bone marrow growth stimulators I had during chemo three years ago, I believe it. So, I'll let you know how it goes in an update. Has anyone out there had these problems/treaments? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

xoxo,
Ali

* Actually, would anyone be interested in a post about the different ways blood can be drawn? I have a "port" which is a surgically inserted device located in my chest which is used both to draw blood and administer chemo. If so, please leave a comment.

** Although green tea is an excellent anti-oxidant and just plain tasty, it might not be a great drink choice for someone who is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. One of my surgeons, who is also a research doctor, told me that a new study indicates that green tea blocks out a lot of the radiation and renders the treatment ineffective. I wonder if that means green tea will also protect you from the sun's radiation. I'll have to ask him. I'm always finding excuses to stay outside longer. :)

Nausea from Chemo

Shout-out to Auntie Jean for introducing me to Queasy Drops!

Okay, my chemo last week kicked my tuchus and I didn't feel up to writing until today. Last Tuesday I had what I call my "big chemo." It's a combo of Taxol and Carboplatin. It's unpleasant stuff, but I only do that combo once a month. Two of the other three weeks in the month I have only Taxol administered and then one week a month I get off for good behavior. Doing the chemo itself isn't bad because they also give me a Benadryl drip and I'm out like a light. However, the next day is when I start to feel nauseous. I am now coming to the point of this post. Are you still with me? If you are experiencing nausea from chemotherapy, I highly recommend purchasing "Queasy Drops". Queasy Drops are hard candy-like treatments for upset stomach. They are drug-free, all-natural and use essential oils to soothe the tummy. And, it really does work! I have one of the "candies" and my stomach starts to feel better within minutes and usually lasts for an hour or so. It doesn't completely take away the queasiness, but it definitely takes the edge off. They come in an assorted flavors pack and once you find a favorite, you can order only that flavor, if you like. I love the cola flavor. I know you can purchase them from Target's online store and Amazon, but on their websites it is called "Queasy Pops". I'm not sure why there is a difference in the name because the packaging is the same as I have. Also, for those who are pregnant they make  "Preggie Pops." Not doing chemo and not pregnant? Don't fret, you can also benefit from this post because I've read that they are good for travel sickness, general upset stomach and hangovers too!

xoxo,
ali

Breaking the Rules!

Gardening while undergoing chemotherapy isn't exactly recommended. Infections can occur from cuts and scrapes, so it's important to wear good, thick gardening gloves.  Some advise against working with any mulches, topsoils or even just digging around too much because there is the risk of exposing yourself to spores that live in moist environments. Okay, now that I've listed the dangers I'm going to confess that I'm doing it anyway. I love getting my hands dirty and the thrill of seeing the sprouts shoot up from a pot. It is a huge stress reliever for me. And, if all goes well, I'll soon be spending a lot less money at the market for produce. (Why is the healthy stuff so expensive?!) I'm only growing what I enjoy eating. Don't ask why I had to learn that the hard way. I've only been growing veggies and fruits for a couple of years now and more often than not the bugs and slugs get to feast on my edibles before I do. So, for the first time I'm trying out the "Topsy Turvy" and it's knock-off (whose name I can't remember) to grow strawberries and tomatoes. I'll let you know how it goes. 

I promise to get those 5-7 servings if these grow!

I use strawberries in my breakfast shake.

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I started reading all the cancer books I could get my hands on. Actually, I still read all the cancer books I can find/afford. One of the common pieces of advice I read/hear is to stop eating anything with sugar. Fruit included. Apparently, the sugar causes cells to grow (good and bad) and that means cancer cells as well. This has not been confirmed by my doctors. Those I've asked said they didn't believe this to be true. And, in fact, one of my doctors said a study is being conducted in which freeze- dried strawberries seem to be effective in battling cancer and next is a study testing blueberries. So, I've started to drink my banana/strawberry/blueberry morning shakes again. What do you think? What have you heard about sugars?

I'll share pictures of my growing garden as soon as it looks worthy of sharing! 

xoxo, ali