Lyndon B. Johnson NHP, White Sands NM, Sedona, Wupatki NM, Grand Canyon NP, Death Valley NP, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas

The Holiday Season is officially over. Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013! As much fun as it was seeing and catching up with friends and family, it's nice that things have finally calmed down. A lot happened during my birthday month of December, and I'm very excited to share it all with you.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had my 3 month follow-up consisting of a CT of my chest in early December. The results came in, and there was no definite findings of metastatic disease! This was beyond amazing news. I can't tell you how relieved I was, and looking back on it now, all my worrying seemed silly. I really try hard not to overreact over these things since it's out of my control, but it's really difficult to do.

With that taken care of, it was time to celebrate the rest of my birthday month. After 3 1/2  years of a long distance relationship, Andrew was moving from Houston, TX to the Bay Area, and so I flew over so that we could road trip over together. I figured it would be a really fun way to explore more of the United States, as well as spend time together. We visited the following areas:

1. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (TX)
2. White Sands National Monument (NM)
3. "Red Rock Country" (AZ) 
4. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (AZ)
5. Wupatki National Monument (AZ)
6. Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
7. Death Valley National Park (CA)
8. Hoover Dam (Border of AZ & NV)
9. Las Vegas (NV)

It's incredible to experience these natural wonders that have been around for millions of years. The world is so beautiful, so if you have time, and want to do some traveling but are on a budget, I'd highly recommend doing a road trip. Enjoy the pictures below.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Johnson City, TX

LBJ's family moved from a farm near Stonewall, TX, to Johnson City in September 1913. 

He never forgot where he came from and worked hard to provide electricity throughout 

the rural counties that surround Johnson City. 

What a tasty Gingerbread Man!

The National Park maintains a herd of Hereford cattle which are 

descended from the President's registered herd. 

Talk about famous cows!

During LBJ's presidency, the original century-old farmhouse 

became known as the Texas White House. 

I just couldn't resist. 

White Sands National Monument
Alamogordo, NM

White Sands Missile Range surrounds the park. The 4,000-square-mile range
is an important site for testing experimental weapons and space technology. 

White Sands is the largest gypsum dune field in the world, encompassing 275 

square miles. The gypsum that forms the white sand was deposited 250 

million years ago, and rarely found as sand because it's soluble in water.

Sledding on the dunes is allowed, but the hard part was getting up there!

Andrew was able to make it to the top, whereas I couldn't, and 

had to walk all the way around. Epic fail. 

The Alkali Flat Trail skirts the edge of Lake Otero, once a 1,600-square-mile lake. 

We learned the hard way that the trail was more about 6 miles!

"Red Rock Country"
Sedona, AZ

We woke up early for the sunrise, but it was overcast and drizzling that day,

so we didn't get to see the glow of the red sandstone. 

Surprisingly, my clumsy self did not fall into the cactus. Win! 

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Flagstaff, AZ

Sunset Crater Volcano features a 1,000-foot volcanic cone and its 

lava flows. We were able to see the volcanic cone pretty well, 

but the snow covered most of the lava flow. 

Wupatki National Monument
Flagstaff, AZ

The construction and settlement of Wupatki Pueblo followed the eruption 

of nearby Sunset Crater in approximately 1080 CE. The environmental range 

from mountain to desert was unbelievable!

Grand Canyon National Park
Coconino County, AZ

The Watchtower at Desert View is a re-creation of the strange prehistoric towers 

found scattered over large areas of the Southwest. It was intended to bring about 

a better understanding of the American Indian and his life in past and present. 

American Indians used the route followed by the Bright Angel Trail long 

before the first pioneers arrived in the 1880s. We were lucky to have 

arrived during the first snow of the season!

 I was not ready for the snow.

Death Valley National Park
Inyo County, CA

Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world. Summer daytime temperatures often exceed a blistering 120F (49C), and nights may fail to cool below 100F (38C). It's also the driest place in North America, with an average rainfall of less than two inches (5cm) a year on the valley floor. 

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, with -282ft (-85.5m) below sea level.

The Devils Golf Course is composed of jagged crystallized salt formations.
A fall could result in painful cuts or even broken bones. I'm definitely living life on the edge!

Hoover Dam
Border of AZ & NV

The Hoover Dam was built from 1931-1936 for flood control 

and electric power generation of the Colorado river. 

Be careful, don't trip!

Las Vegas, NV

We were playing the penny slots after dinner at Wolfgang Pucks, and 

a woman approached us and gave us free front row tickets to KÀ! 

What a great way to experience my first Cirque Du Soleil show ever!

I guess I missed the memo about it being Lady Gaga night at Hyde Bellagio. 

Please excuse the photobomb. 

To end our time in Las Vegas, we feasted at The Cosmopolitan's Wicked Spoon Buffet. 

The only downside was that my plate wasn't big enough to hold all of the 

food that came in mini pots. 

This blog was intended to talk about the changes of my taste buds as I underwent chemotherapy, but as my taste buds returned back to normal, I've realized that my blog has become more of a celebration of my life. I want to take the time that I do have, whether it be short or long, traveling and spending time with the people I love. That makes me the most happiest. I hope you enjoy this journey with me. 

Sephardic Dried Fruit and Nut Spoon Sweet 

Courtesy of The Book of New Israeli Food

A sinfully rich combination of deep-fried dried fruits, nuts and honey, perfumed with triple sec. Serve it with tea or spoon some over yogurt and ice cream. 

Ingredients (makes 1 liter jar)

1 lb. assorted dried fruits (prunes, dates, figs, pineapples, apricots, raisins)

9 oz. assorted nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews)

12 oz. honey

1/4 tsp. of triple sec

Oil for deep-frying

Directions

1. Heat the oil for deep-frying to medium heat. 
2. Cut the larger fruits into small cubes. Fry the fruits and the nuts in batches of hot oil for about 1 minute. Be careful not to scorch the fruit. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl. 
3. Pour the honey into the bowl, add triple sec and mix thoroughly. 
4. Cool to room temperature and serve. It will keep for a long time in the refrigerator. 
5. Before serving, heat for 20-30 seconds in the microwave oven. 

Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!

Florida - Gainesville, Orlando

I hope you all had a wonderful November, and that your tummies are happy and full. My trip to Florida to visit my sister turned out to be tons of fun. We went to the University of Florida Homecoming and Gator Growl, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and the Florida Museum of Natural History. For a little place such as Gainesville, I didn't expect there to be so much to do. Boy was I wrong!

UF mascots Albert E. Gator and Alberta Gator. 

Truck full of UF football players? Yes, please!

Apparently, Gator Growl is the largest student-run pep rally in the world. 

I'm glad I got a chance to experience it with my bestie!

(From left to right: Me, Anh)

The show definitely ended with a bang!

UF Homecoming game. United We Growl. 

(From left to right: Anh, Me)

We <3 Tim Tebow!

UF Gators vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajins. UF won 27-20.

What a nail-biting game!

Getting ready for some fun at Universal's Islands of Adventure. 

(From left to right: Anh, Me)

The butterbeer was so delicious! It tasted like cream soda with butterscotch 

whipped cream. I'd highly recommend the frozen butterbeer over the cold version

as it's less carbonated.

Just goofing around. 

(From left to right: Me, Anh)

We ended the day on the Caro-Seuss-el. 

(From left to right: Me, Anh)

The butterfly rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

I felt like a whole new person! 

A butterfly decided to hitchhike on my hair and on my sister's Butterfly Rainforest ID guide. 

(From left to right: Anh, Me)

To add to that, I had a great time with family for Thanksgiving. For the most part, we all got along, and really enjoyed each other's company. That's definitely a big deal since having 15 people over can be a very stressful! The one thing that I could have done without was the dishes, but surprisingly it wasn't too terrible. Looking back, I'm very thankful for the exceptional doctors at Stanford Hospital & Clinics for saving my life, my amazing family and friends for their unwavering support, and my loving boyfriend Andrew for his compassion and understanding as I continue to fight through this.  I'm so blessed to have them in my life, and I would not be the strong person I am today without them.

The adult table.

(From left to right: Chinh, her husband Kiet, Uncle 7, Uncle 6, Dad, 

Uncle 2, Aunt 2, Aunt 6, Mom, Aunt 7)

The kid's table. 

(From left to right: Me, my cousin Da-Thao, 

my brother Phong, Annie)

Don't drink and cook. Otherwise, you'll get burnt garlic bread!

(From left to right: Me, Anh)

It is officially my birthday month now. I'm very excited to be celebrating another year of life, but lately my mind's been preoccupied. I think preoccupied would be an understatement. Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking about what the future holds for me. I'm really worried about cancer recurrence cutting my life short, and never being able to get married and have children. I try not to think about it too much since there's nothing I can do, but it's especially difficult since I have my 3 month follow-up which consists of a CT scan of my chest next week. I really do hope the results will be good, and that there is no evidence of disease (NED). That would be a great early birthday and Christmas present. If that was the only thing I got, I would be more than happy with that. I don't want anything else besides good health.

Spinach Fettuccine with Shrimp, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, and Basil 

serves 6

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 lb. uncooked shrimp, peeled, and deveined  
• 4 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes) 
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped 
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped 
• 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup black olives, sliced 
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, sliced
• 1 cup of baby corn, sliced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced 
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes 
• Salt and pepper
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 bag pasta

Cooking the pasta.

1. Add pasta to a large pot of boiling, salted water. Stir. 
2. Test in 3 minutes. Do not overcook. Pasta should be al dente, "tender, but firm to the bite."
3. Drain. Toss immediately with butter, olive oil, or sauce. 

Adding in the rest. 

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 
2. Add garlic. Cook and stir until garlic begins to turn golden. 
3. Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turns pink. Roughly about 3 minutes. Remove and place to the side. 
4. Add in tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, baby corn, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a boil. 
5. Add in basil, cilantro, green onion, and cooked shrimp. Toss all together with pasta. 
6. Take the pan off the heat immediately. 
7. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese.

Chef's Note: For a vegetarian option, omit the shrimp.

 

Bon appetite!

Santa Barbara

Hi everyone. I hope you're all doing well, and having a great Halloween. I can't believe that October is almost over, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. It's been about 2 months since I've finished chemo, and my life seems to be returning back to normal now. My hair is slowly growing back, my energy level and physical activity is up, and my taste buds are great. As for my day to day life, it's pretty boring, and usually consists of doing household chores and taking care of the dog. It may not sound very glamorous but I do enjoy it a lot. It's a nice change from being in the hospital.

I won't know what the status of my cancer will be until early December, and so my goal is to really take advantage of this open window of time that I'm well. I'd like to think that I've been making good on my promises of enjoying life, and visiting my friends and family. So far I've been to Knoxville Tennessee, Irvine, and Santa Barbara. Next week, I plan to go to Gainesville to spend time with my sister since she's over there for grad school. After that, I think I'll be able to squeeze in one last trip to Houston to see my boyfriend before my doctor appointments. I'm very blessed that I have this opportunity to see the people that I love, and I hope that you won't judge me too harshly for it. 

The girls enjoying a beautiful day at Newport Beach.

Black light bowling at Zodo's.

Just hanging out at Pardall Tunnel at UCSB. 

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It's the one day in the year, where it's acceptable to dress up in a fun costume, and eat tons of candy. I suppose you could do that everyday, but you'd probably get a lot of weird looks from people on the streets, and a lot of cavities. To get into the Halloween Spirit, my brother and I decided to make delicious insect treats. Don't worry though, no actual insects were harm in the making of the recipe.

Be safe, and have a Happy Halloween!

Andrew sent me the cutest Halloween Flower Bouquet ever.

Chocolate Apricot Bugs (Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis)

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips 
• 20 (about 6 ounces) dried apricots 
• Sixty 2 1/2-inch-long pieces thin black licorice
• Special equipment: a wooden skewer 

Directions

1. Place 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in a small bowl. Place the bowl over a small pan of barely simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
2. Gently squeeze the sides of an apricot together until 3/4-inch thick. Using a wooden skewer, make a hole through the center of the side of the apricot and thread a piece of licorice through the hole. Repeat twice more on either side of the first hole. 
3. Gently flatten out the apricot to its original shape. Dip the blunt end of the skewer in the melted chocolate and place a very small dab of chocolate onto the flat side of 2 chocolate chips. Place the chocolate chips side-by-side on the end of the apricot to form 2 eyes. 
4. Allow the melted chocolate to harden, about 15 minutes, and serve.

Chef's Note: If you're having difficult threading the licorice, you can always pull apart the dried apricot at its seam, thread the licorice through, and then flatten it back. 

Who knew insects could be so delicious and nutritious?

Cycle 6 - Partial Bowel Obstruction

I know it's been awhile since I've last updated my blog, and I sincerely apologize for that. A lot has happened in the past month, so I'll do my best to let you know what's been going on.

A week after I finished my 6th round of chemo, I ended up in the ER. It began with a constant sharp stomach pain after dinner. It didn't feel like a normal stomach ache but I wasn't entirely sure. I contemplated taking some pain medication for it, but I wanted to monitor the situation. I figured if it was a stomach ache, it would eventually go away.

Needless to say, it didn't go away. Instead, the pain got progressively got worse over time. By the time I reached the hospital, my pain was a 7 out of 10. I had an x-ray, and a CT scan and it turns out that I had a partial bowel obstruction. They inserted a nasogastric (NG) tube in order to drain, and decompress my stomach. That was not fun. At all.

The NG tube ended up relieving the blockage, and I didn't need any additional surgery. The surgeons explained to me that there was no cause as to why I had the obstruction. Patients that have undergone abdominal surgery tend to have kinks in their bowels, and that these individuals are prone to have obstructions. There's nothing that I could do to prevent it. Great. Another thing to worry about.

In retrospect, it's a good thing that I listened to my body, and went into the hospital when I did. If I had left the obstruction untreated, part of the bowel could have died, or I could had a bowel perforation, both leading to sepsis. I was lucky to survive septic shock once already, I'm not sure I'd be as lucky the second time around.

Initially, my oncologist wanted to push for an additional 2 cycles of chemo, for a total of 8. All my other cycles went well, and she believed that I would be strong enough to go through more. However, with the partial bowel obstruction, neutropenia, and the possibility of the cancer becoming resistant to the chemo drug, my oncologist decided that it would be safest if I didn't have the additional 2 cycles.
I definitely wasn't happy with this news.

I want to get rid of this cancer once and for, and I'm hoping that 6 cycles will be enough. I'm very nervous of cancer recurrence, but I suppose I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy life, and do a little bit of traveling to visit my friends and family.

Upon the suggestion of my sister, I'll be talking about popcorn. When I had a temporary ileostomy, I wasn't allowed to eat it because it didn't digest well, and could potentially cause an obstruction. How fitting for this blog entry! In any case, the ileostomy has been reversed, and I can now eat popcorn to my heart's content.

 A loop of the small intestine is pulled out through the skin.
The waste is collected in an external ileostomy pouch.

Normally, popcorn is associated with junk food and empty calories. However, it can be a fun, healthy, and delicious snack. It just depends on how it's prepared. Below are the pros and cons of preparing popcorn using the stove top versus the microwave.

Microwave Popcorn
Pros: quick to make, little clean up
Cons: high calories, use artificial flavorings and other ingredients, some of which may pose health risks (e.g. popcorn lung)

Stovetop Popcorn
Pros: low calorie, low fat, cheaper, complete control over the flavoring, and ingredients

Cons: requires more time, clean-up after use 

As you can see, it's much better to prepare popcorn using the stovetop. It definitely requires much more work, but it's definitely worth it if you're looking to save money and eating healthier. 

Stovetop Popcorn

• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/3 cup of high quality popcorn kernels
• 2 tablespoons of butter (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Directions

1. Pour the canola oil into a 3-quart saucepan. 
2. Heat the oil on medium high heat. 
3. Put 3 popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the pan.
4. When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer. 
5. Cover pan. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam escape. This produces more drier and crisper popcorn. 
6. Shake gently every few seconds until popping slows to several seconds between pops. 
7. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Pour immediately into a large bowl.
9. Season to taste. 

Chef's Note: To make kettle corn, heat up the oil, put the kernels in, and then immediately add in 1/4 cup white sugar.

Who knew making popcorn could be so fun?

Yummy Flavorings Toppings for your popcorn! 

• Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Lemon Pepper
• Chili powder
• Cajun seasoning mix
• Cumin
• Grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil
• Paprika, garlic powder, cracked pepper, and cayenne pepper
• Garlic power, olive oil
• Nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, onion powder
• Sugar, cinnamon

In Case You're Lazy... 

You can combine the best of both worlds by having air popped microwave popcorn!

1. Add 2 tablespoons of popcorn kernels into a brown paper lunch sack.
2. Fold the top of the sack over and so that it's held closed. 
3. Microwave the bag for 1 1/2 minutes, or until popping slows to several seconds between pops. 
4. Add seasonings and flavorings. 

Cycle 5 - From Type A to Type B

I've completed my 5th round of chemo now. Surprisingly this time went by very quick. I really tried to keep myself busy, and didn't focus too much on the treatment itself. You're probably wondering what there's to do in a hospital? At Stanford Hospital and Clinics, there's an arts program, music program, and spiritual care services. Every time I'm admitted, I always sign up for these programs because they're essential in keeping me sane throughout the week. 

Some of the artwork that I've done during my hospital stays: scratch-art colored paper (top left), color pencils (top right), watercolor (bottom). Not the prettiest, but I had lots of fun! 

My friend Shoji was interested in how I changed throughout this whole process. That's a loaded question, but I'll try to do my best answering. I would say that before I was sick, I had a very Type A personality. My whole life revolved around academics and my career. I was very competitive, status conscious, impatient, and rigid with time management. I always wanted to be the best, and nothing was going to get in the way of that.

Cancer stopped everything in it's track. School was no longer a priority, my health was. I vowed to do anything and everything to get well again. The main change that I made was my lifestyle; living at a lower stress level, and taking things as they come. By doing this, I wouldn't continually set myself up for disappointment. I took joy in simple things like taking a walk. I tried not to be angry or bitter at not being able to do things that I once did, but rather tried to be grateful for the things that I do have. Of course I have my bad days when I'm really down because I know that I'll never have a normal life like everyone else, but eventually it passes. With that, I became a Type B person.

   

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Bruschetta (Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis)

• 1 loaf baguette bread 
• 8 ounces Mozzarella 
• 1 (32-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves 
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
2. Drain diced tomatoes. Mince cloves of garlic. Finely chop basil leaves. 
3. In a bowl, add tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 
4. Slice baguette into 1-inch thick diagonal slices. Arrange on sheet pan in a single layer. 
5. Bake in oven for approximately 3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. 
6. Remove from oven and place mozzarella cheese on toast. Bake for additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
7. Remove from oven and spread one tablespoon of tomato mixture on each piece. 
8. Serve immediately. 

Yummy!

Cycle 4 - Salty Foods

My 4th cycle of chemo went very well. Aside from the normal nausea, and lack of appetite, I didn't have any major side effects at all. Forcing myself to drink lots of ginger water and getting up often to walk played a important role, but what really kept me going was knowing that my sister's birthday was coming up, and that and my boyfriend would be flying in from Houston. As much physical demand there is from undergoing chemo, there's a psychological aspect as well. Your mind is a extremely powerful tool, and it tells your body that you can keep going when you don't think you can.

One of the things that I've enjoyed lately is salt. I especially like Lawry's Seasoned Salt since it has no MSG and includes other herbs and spices (garlic, onion, paprika, turmeric). I use it in pretty much everything, and found that it enhances the flavor profile of foods. This is because salty is one of the five basic tastes that the tongue can distinguish. The other four are: sweet, sour, bitter, and umami (meatiness or savory taste). Normally, you don't want to have too much salt in your diet since it can raise your blood pressure. However, since I usually have low blood pressure, I don't have much to worry about.

Delicious!

Brussel Sprouts with Bacon (Courtesy of Rachel Ray)

• 3 slices bacon
• 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
• 1 cup broth 
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Trim Brussel sprouts, leaving small sprouts left whole, and halving larger sprouts. 
2. Chop bacon slices in small pieces. Brown bacon in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. 
3. In same pan with bacon fat, add Brussels spouts. Cook sprouts 2 to 3 minutes to begin to soften, then add broth. 
4. Cover skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Cook 10 minutes, or until sprouts are tender. 
5. Transfer sprouts to a serving dish with a slotted spoon and top with cooked bacon bits. 
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. 

Chef's Note: For a vegetarian option, substitute bacon fat with extra-virgin olive oil, and use vegetable broth. 

Trimmed Brussel sprouts (left). Chopped up bacon slices (right). Brussel sprouts with bacon (below). 

Cycle 3 - Candied Ginger

It's been almost 2 weeks since I finished my 3rd cycle of chemo. Overall, I'd say it went pretty well. The side effect that I experienced most this time around was extreme fatigue. Doing simple tasks such as brushing my teeth was very difficult to do. I'd spend a good few minutes contemplating whether it was actually necessary, and then convincing myself that I could do it. By the end of it, my brain was exhausted from all the thinking!

The nausea was much more controllable this time around. Aside from the daily prescribed medication, I found that ginger tea really helped. I would drink about 1-2 L of ginger tea per day. It does seem excessive, but it was the only way for me to stay hydrated since water alone tasted so awful. The fact that I enjoy ginger tea so much is surprising considering I used to have unfriendly feelings towards it. I found that it had such an overpowering spicy taste. I could never get used to the strong flavor profile, and thought that it wasn't complementary to other spices because of its potency.

I love ginger now. Steeping is the best part, while eating still takes some getting use to. It seems that ginger is not all the same, and that there's a difference where you purchase it. Some grocery stores sell the young ginger which are fleshy with a very mild taste. Others sell the mature ginger roots which are fibrous and nearly dry. The older ones have the spicier flavor.

My favorite place to buy ginger has been Trader Joe's. The only downside is that it's very expensive in comparison to most grocery stores. With me going through as much ginger as I do, it's not very economical to buy it from there all the time.

PS. They also sell candied ginger as well!

Ginger Tea 

• 2 ounces fresh ginger root 
• 3 cups boiled water
• Honey (Optional)
• Lemon (Optional)

Directions

1. Peel the ginger and slice thinly into small pieces. 
2. Bring the water to a boil. Add ginger. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Let stand for 3-5 minutes. 
4. Strain the ginger slices. 
5. Add honey & lemon if desired. 

Chef's Note: For an easier approach, you may also steep it for 10-15 minutes. 

 

Trader Joe's delicious ginger. 

What do I have control over?

I don't know why I have cancer, and neither do the doctors. It's just one of those things that happen. Before I got sick, I've had a very healthy and active lifestyle. I've always tried to live my life with high moral standards and believed in universal karma. I've come to understand that sometimes the good and bad don't always balance out. Sometimes terrible things happen to good people as a result of no fault of their own. Life is unfair like that.

We don't have control over the awful things that happen and the deep pain that we experience, but what we do have control over is our attitude towards it. We can either go through life bitter and angry at the world, or we can accept the fact that something bad has happened to us, and move forward. I've chosen to do the latter. Don't get me wrong. I definitely have moments when I'm feeling down, but I try not to let those feelings take over my life because in the end feeling sorry for myself doesn't change anything.

I always thought that everything happened for a reason. I don't know if that's true anymore. Perhaps there is no important life lesson in all this. What am I suppose to take from this experience then? I'm not sure, but I can make it meaningful for me.

Throughout my life, I've always been very school oriented. Consequently, that didn't leave me much time for family and friends. As I got older, I let more time let slip by and unintentionally put those important people on the back burner. Having to abandon my dreams of a Ph.D. in Philadelphia, and returning to California for treatment of my cancer allowed me to rekindle these relationships. During this whole ordeal, I've had wonderful support from my amazing friends, my caring family, and my loving boyfriend. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by people who give me the courage to stay strong and help see me through this. This is what meaning I take.

Two of my close friends, Amy and Tammy, sent me beautiful fruit bouquets from Edible Arrangements. I'm not sure if you've ever noticed, but aside from the delicious fruit, kale is used as the greens at the base. Although it has a slightly bitter taste, it's very nutritional. I thought I wouldn't like it at all, but turns out, my taste buds love it.

Krispy "Kale" Chips (Courtesy of Melissa d'Arabian)

• 1 head kale
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt
• Black pepper 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
2. Washed and thoroughly dry kale. Remove the ribs and cut leaves into 1 1/2-inch pieces. 
3. Place leaves in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss until completely coated. 
4. Arrange leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet . 
5. Bake approximately 10 minutes, or until crisp. 
6. Remove from oven. Turn the leaves and bake for additional 10 minutes, or until crisp. 
7. Serve as finger food. 

Chefs's Note: To ensure the kale chips remain crisp, place in sealed container. 

Uncooked kale leaves seasoned with olive oil, salt, black pepper (left). Kale chips (right). 

Cycle 2 - Carb Loading

I finished my 2nd cycle of chemo, and I'm now back at home. A cycle consists of 1 week in the hospital for my chemo treatment and 2 weeks at home resting. In total, I'll have 6 cycles. During this stay, the combination of all the stress and side effects of the medications on my body caused me to have low blood pressure, and I fainted in the shower.

In all honesty, I never thought that something like that would happen. This seems to be a recurring theme. Even though I knew to watch out for lightheadedness, and blurred/gray out vision, by the time I realized what was happening, it was already too late. It was a really scary experience, and the last thought I had was I need to unlock the bathroom door so that someone can find me. Thank goodness I was able to do that, and that someone did.

Considering what happened, I came out pretty lucky. I only had a few stitches on my chin and a bump on my head, and nothing more serious. I suppose me being unlucky and lucky goes hand in hand. In addition to the battle scars, I received the fancy yellow "fall risk" bracelet and socks and was confined to the bed for the rest of my hospital stay. I'm hoping that the 3rd cycle will be less exciting than the last one. I need some boring in my life.

On another note, I've really enjoyed eating toasted bread lately. I've found that it makes a good pairing with many foods such as peanut butter, eggs, and deli meats. With my lack of appetite, increasing my nutritional intake any way I can is a good thing. Plus, it seems to keep my nausea at bay and my tummy happy.

Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese & Honey (Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis)

• 1 loaf baguette bread 
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 
• 8 ounces Gorgonzola 
• 3 tablespoons honey 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Slice baguette into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices. 
3. Brush bread with olive oil. Arrange on sheet pan in a single layer. 
4. Bake approximately 10 minutes until golden brown and crisp. 
5. Remove from oven and place cheese on toast. Bake for additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
6. Drizzle toast with honey. Serve immediately.