Cycle 4 - Bay to Breakers, San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden

A few days before I began Cycle 4, it was Anh's Master's graduation. Most of my relatives from around the country flew into Florida to celebrate this milestone with her. I wanted to be there too, but with the state of my health, I had to critically examine every best and worst case scenario, and the probability of each scenario occurring. After much thought, I decided that the risk was too high, and that it would be best if I stayed behind. As much as I wanted to be there to support my sister during this joyous occasion, ironically, she was the one that flew home and supported me through Cycle 4.

I love Anh's blinged out graduation cap.

Congratulations to the University of Florida 

2014 Aerospace Engineering Master's Graduates!

Anh's Master's graduation had me thinking of my own Master's graduation, or lack thereof. I left Drexel University a few months before my graduation ceremony, and I believed that once I was finished with treatment for my cancer, I would make it back in time. Little did I know how serious my situation was, and that once I left Philadelphia, I wouldn't be able to come back. To this day, I still haven't returned. Eventually I'll make a trip back to the East Coast.

The City of Brotherly Love. 

Sometimes I'm a little bit envious of how easier life seems for other people. They don't have the constant fear of cancer recurrence or dying young, but I know everyone has their own struggles and suffering, and that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side. I suppose envy is just a normal part of human nature. At least that's what I say to myself.

Despite all that that has happened, I feel extremely blessed to have such amazing friends, a loving
family, and a patient boyfriend. Overall, I'd say I'm pretty happy with my life today.

Cycle 4

The Three Stooges are now complete. 

We had lots of quality nap time together. 

No hospital food for me today. 

My taste buds aren't sure what to make of it. 

 

Thank you Amy and Francie for the thoughtful gifts.

You guys are awesome!

artMRKT San Francisco [Contemporary & Modern Art Fair]

artMRKT features highly reputable galleries from around the globe, 

bringing scores of unique artists and art exhibitors to San Francisco. 

Forum Gallery, New York

Brian Rutenberg, Reverie 2, 2012, Oil on linen, 50 x 72 inches

Bay to Breakers, San Francisco CA

Bay to Breakers has been quintessential to San Francisco since May 1912. 

It's the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world.

There were nearly 40,000 participants in the 12K race that ran west 

through the city and finished at the Pacific Coast's Ocean Beach. 

Runners dressed up in their boldest, brightest, and wildest costumes. 

D'oh!

Conservatory of Flowers: CHOMP! They came from the Swamp, San Franicsco CA

The Special Exhibits Gallery was transformed into a 

swampy paradise for hundreds of carnivorous plants. 

Carnivorous plants once filled the wetlands of North America, 

but only 5% remain due to the destruction of these wetlands. 

We got a bug's eye view of the Sarracenia psittacina and 

learned how they adapted to attract, capture, and eat prey. 

The future's so bright with Natasha and Amy!

Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco CA

The San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest Japanese garden in the United States. 

In 1894, it was created as a "Japanese Village" exhibit for 

the California Midwinter International Exposition. When the fair 

closed, it was given to Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara. 

The garden features classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, 

pagodas, stone lanterns, koi ponds, and a zen garden. The Cherry 

Blossom trees bloom throughout during March and April. 

Cycle 3 - Point Reyes NS

Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer. The primary treatment is surgery to remove the entire tumor. Few people are completely cured by chemotherapy, and this treatment is normally recommended in advanced or metastatic disease, such as myself. 

Because of my many courses of chemotherapy, there was a high possibility of developing chemotherapy resistance. This occurs when cancer cells no longer responds to treatment, and begin to grow. Oftentimes, if the cancer becomes resistant to one drug or group of drugs, it's more likely that it'll be resistant to other drugs. Resistance to chemotherapy is a nearly universal, ultimately lethal consequence for patients with metastasized disease.

As of now, I had undergone two cycles of chemotherapy, not knowing its effect on the cancer. This fear of the unknown was paralyzing. It didn't help either finding out that my oncologist has not had any patients that have been "cured" from Synovial Sarcoma. Perhaps I should have followed the advice, "Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to."

In any case, I'm pretty stubborn and didn't follow the advice. I continued with asking the hardest question, "Is the chemotherpy drug working?" I had a CT scan, and the impressions from the Radiologist were the following:

"Interval decrease in size of several pulmonary nodules, consistent with treatment response. Other small nodules are stable. No new nodules." 

THE CHEMOTHERAPY DRUG WAS WORKING. I do have a chance of beating this!

Cycle 3

Passover Seder Day 1

Agriculturally, Passover represented the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. However, 

the historical focus shifted the emphasis of this holiday to the Jewish exodus from Egypt. 

The Haggadah contains all the rituals, prayers, and songs used in the Passover Seder. 

Passover Seder Day 2

The Seder Plate is used to tell the story of Passover. It includes karpas (parsley), 

charoset (chopped apples and nuts), maror (bitter herb), chazeret (romaine lettuce), 

ze'roa (roasted shank bone), beitzah (roasted egg), and salt water bowl. 

Shmurah Matzot represents the "bread of faith" and "the bread of healing". 

I should eat this more often!

Mom parting the white pages.  

Happy Passover!

Crissy Fields, San Francisco CA

In 1919, the U.S. Army established the first air coast defense station on 

the West Coast. The airfield is named for Major Dana Crissy, who died 

during the First Transcontinental Reliability and Endurance Test.  

Today, Crissy Fields is the park's "front door" with trails, wetlands, 

and picnic areas. It's the most visted area of the Presidio. 

Restoration of the marsh and wetland welcomed dozen of bird 

species migrating along the Pacific Flyway. These include great 

egret, great blue heron, caspian tern, and brown pelican. 

SFMOMA partnered with the National Park Service to display an outdoor 

exhibition of eight large sculptures by artist Mark di Suvero for a free yearlong event. 

The clusters of painted i-beams span up to 50-ft high and 40-ft wide!

Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County CA

On January 6, 1603 Spanish explorer Don Sebastian Vizcaino gave Point Reyes its name 

La Punta de Los Tres Reyes because it was the day of the Feast of the Three Kings. 

Point Reyes Lighthouse

In December 1, 1870 the lighthouse began operation at a total cost of 

$100,000, well over the initial $16,000 allocated. It was decommissioned 

in 1975 when the U.S. Coast Guard installed an automated beacon. 

The 6,0000-pound first-order Fresnel lens is divided into 24 vertical 

panels. It sits on a clockwork mechanism that rotates the lens using 

gears and a counterweight. One complete rotation takes two minutes. 

Descending the 300 steps to the lighthouse was easy. 

Going back up was the hard part. 

Time to catch my breath. 

Chimney Rock

Point Reyes is the windiest and foggiest point on the Pacific Coast. 

Springtime wind speeds can reach hurricane force, and winds exceeding 

130 mph (210 kph) have been measured at the headlands. 

Northern elephant seals basking on the rocky shelves below. 

Black-tailed deer graze peacefully on the steep hillsides. 

Point Reyes is the perfect destination for nature lovers!

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.