Cycle 2 - John Muir NHS

Immediately after finishing Cycle 1 of chemo, my scalp started hurting, and my hair began to fall out. I expected this to happen but I really wanted to hang on to my dark curls a little bit longer. I only had hair for one and a half years, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet. 

Initially, I washed my hair less, but every wash resulted in more hair loss. There was the possibility of not washing my hair, but that wouldn't be sustainable. After much thought, I came to the brilliant idea of gently washing it. 

Truth be told, I'm not sure what happened, but my gentle hair wash turned into a disastrous tangled mess! I spent over half an hour trying to comb out the tangles, and even enlisted my Mom's help to no avail. At this point, my hair was being more trouble than it was worth, and this was the moment when I knew that no matter what I did, it was the end of the line for my hair. 

Who needs a hair cut barber gown cape cloth when you have a trash bag?

My Mom was extremely worried about hurting me while using the buzzer, 

so naturally I yelled out in fake pain when she started. She was not amused. 

For Cycle 2, I had less confusion and fatigue than Cycle 1. However, the nausea was much worse. Even though I was taking two anti-nausea medications (Zofran and Reglan), both did little to relieve the side effects. There were additional medications available, however most had stronger side effects, and would cause me to be heavily sedated. This was something which I didn't want, and so I endured the nausea the best I could. 

Cycle 2

Funny snapchats helped pass the time. 

A visit from the Pet Assisted Wellness at Stanford (PAWS). 

Before I could enjoy my between the chemo adventure, I had to get a blood 

transfusion for two pints of blood since my hemoglobin dropped to 7.9 g/dL. 

(The standard range is from 11.7-15.7)

John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez CA

John Muir was America's most famous naturalist and conservationist. His writings convinced

 the United States Government to protect Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, and Mt. Rainier as National Parks, earning him the title of "Father of the National Park Services." 

John Muir lived in this hilltop home, built by his 

father-in-law Dr. John Strentzel, from 1890 to 1914. 

All of the rooms, including the attic are filled with Victorian era furnishings, clothing, 

household goods, farm implements, books, and textiles to recreate Muir's time period. 

The bell tower atop the house once provided a glorious view of farmlands and wilderness 

in all directions. Just make sure you don't stand underneath otherwise your ears might ring!

Muir grew many different types of fruit and nut trees on his 2,600-acre ranch. 

Visitors are allowed to pick a small amount of fruit that have already fallen. 

The Coast redwood, sequoia sempervirens, is the tallest type of tree in the world. 

In 1849, The Martinez Adobe was built by the third mayor of San Francisco, Don 

Ygnacio Martinez. The home is an example of the Spanish-influenced architecture. 

 

The California poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) was selected 

as the official state flower of California in 1903.

Mount Wanda, Martinez CA (2.4 miles; 460 ft elevation gain)

The two highest points, 660-ft Mt. Wanda and the 640-ft Mt. Helen are named after Muir's 

two daughters. Both girls often accompanied their father on walks in the nearby hills. 

Andrew enjoying the sweeping views of the Carquinez Strait, and Mount Diablo.  

Nature heals and give strength to the body and soul.