Curious? Watch Curious.

PBS's NewsHour last evening (5/20/08) had a bit about bisphenol-A that went so far as to suggest a link to the increasing breast and prostate cancer rates in the US. Bottom line, despite the famous line from The Graduate, the word today is not "plastics." It's glass, or any other known-to-be-safe, recyclable product. Why wait to find out more? Switch now. All the plastic we use - and we use tons of it - will sit in the landfills for centuries. It's not good for us or the planet. OK. Enough of that for now.

PBS also aired episode #101 of Curious last night which included two segments: one on capturing solar energy, and one on an important breakthrough in chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. I highly recommend watching the program if you can. It will air again in San Diego on 5/22 between 3-4 a.m., and on 5/27 between 2-3 a.m. That second segment concerns a woman with breast cancer, her husband (a researcher at Cal Tech), and a man from Long Beach, CA, who has pancreatic cancer that has metastisized. Having lost my own father to pancreatic cancer, the program was especially poignant for me; but I felt light as a feather after watching it. I hope you will see it.

Meanwhile, I'm slowly regaining strength following my chemo, and have now managed 3 of 5 injections of Neupogin. Will be glad to have the 5th done with on Saturday. Can't say I'm wild about it, but trying to keep a positive outlook all the same. Hair is gone and I'm learning scarf-tying tricks. Actually, I've only learned one, but perhaps it will suffice. I still shampoo my head. Old habits.... :D Saves a lot of time in the morning when you don't have any hair. Putting on makeup seems odd when you're bald, and jewelry, but at least I look a little more like a girl. I think. Hope you have a nice Memorial Day weekend - stay safe.

Round 2 this afternoon, plus link to video

I have my second infusion this afternoon, and what a difference from the first time. No jitters or anxiety at all. This time, I'll be receiving instruction in subcutaneous injections so that I may administer Neupogin, an immune system booster, 5 times over the 10 days following my treatment today. At least I know what to expect now, and will likely skip the day of feeling sorry for myself that I indulged in last time. I am armed with your love and good wishes, and a really terrific Netflix lineup. :D The current season of The Riches, which I had Tivo-d, pulled me through last time. This time, I've got Buffy (season 2), Twin Peaks (season 1), and both seasons of England's The Enemy at the Door; all being seen for the first time. Also got a couple of Eddy Izzard shows, for good measure.

Recently, NPR aired an excellent documentary entitled The Truth About Cancer, which was followed up by a fascinating panel discussion hosted by Linda Ellerbee and composed of four doctors who are all cancer survivors. While the documentary is heart-wrenching, it is also a very worthwhile thing to see. It offers a most honest and thorough picture of cancer and its treatment. I tried to watch it on my "poor me" day following the first chemo treatment, and found I couldn't stand it. But I gave it another chance when I was feeling stronger, and was so glad I did. It is an important film that needed to be made, and I hope you will see it, if you can.

Best wishes to all, and lots of love - I know I have yours and it means the world to me. Thank you!

Quick update

Well, as you know, I felt pretty lousy the first week after treatment, and then I gradually started feeling better. Then I entered the so-called "nadir" stage, or period of lowest white blood cell count and lowest immunity. This stage happens 7-12 days following treatment and chemo patients have to be extra careful not to get sick during this time. This past Monday was the 11th day and I did start to feel poorly that day. A fever developed and I ended up going to the hospital and was admitted. I received antibiotics and then after a day - when my white blood cell count (WBC) remained too low to suit my doctor - I was given a white blood cell production booster. That did the trick and I was released the following day. Mom was down at the hospital every day, supplying me with magazines and crossword puzzles. I had a comfortable room and good nurses. The food was terrible, and they don't give you enough (nod to Woody Allen). Actually, it was garbage, and I ate every bite. It's no wonder all those people in there are sick. Tip: Bring your own food, or have it catered. Anyway, I was very happy to get home to my own bed and to see Buster again. From here on out, I'll be using the WBC booster for 10 days following treatment. It doesn't eliminate the possibility of infection, but reduces it considerably; I'll still have to be careful. Next treatment: this Thursday. I'll be halfway done! I picked up a free wig and brimmed hat (chemo makes your skin sun sensitive) courtesy of the American Cancer Society. I think that's all the news for now. Happy Mother's Day to everyone!