I'm done with the 2nd chemo cycle. I decided to start taking the sleeping pills every night just because they make me sleep better and I don't get as fatigued. I also started decadron again to keep my energy up. I am now more motivated. Today, I plan to start my quilt. It's been 4 months since surgery.

Last week, I purchased 2 cranial prostheses (aka wigs). The bangs were too long for me to wear them, so I had to make an appt at the salon I go to for a hair cut and get the bangs cut.

I had been to a birthday party the weekend before. One of my friends was taking pictures as usual. I was looking at myself with a widened scarf to cover the bald spot in the front. Not looking too good. So, on Saturday, I went to the salon with my wigs and told Cynthia it was time to cut it off.

She cut the first piece off in the back, and I started to cry (again!). I didn't realize it was going to be this hard. She offered her support graciously. I composed myself and told her to keep going.

The gal sitting next to me asked me about my wigs. Were they long or short? I told her about them how they were highlighted which was something new for me. She asked me if I had breast cancer. I told her no, it was brain cancer. The bald areas were from the radiation. I apologized to her if I made her uncomfortable. She said no problem, she was empathizing. I asked her if she was a nurse, and she said she was the Director of Nurses at Banner Gateway. She was working on getting MD Anderson here in AZ. I asked her how she got them here. She just went to talk to them and that's how it all got started. There is no cancer treatment and research in this part of the valley. The need is far greater than what is here apparantly. They will be breaking ground this December. She is dedicating the next decade of her life to this.

There are no accidents!!

An Amazing Day!

My friends and their husband's were kind and generous to purchase a gift certificate for a helicopter flight at the Grand Canyon. It was on my bucket list!!

We left after a half day of work on Friday and headed north to Flagstaff. We stayed there for the night. We were at dinner on Friday night, when all of the sudden, the reality of why we were even there came roaring into my thoughts. I started to cry. It was one of these moments that come from time to time. They just happen. I had been looking forward to this weekend for some time. I knew why I was there, but it was yet another reminder of my diagnosis. I already see it every day with my bald spot in the front and side of my head. Whew!

My husband asked me why I was crying, and I just shook my head. I couldn't talk about it right then and there. I composed myself and we each ordered a piece of pie to go. We'd eat it later.

We watched the Yankees play the Angels in the first game of the ALCS. They won. It was also during the playoffs that my first daughter was born 31 years ago!)

The next day, we were up early to continue the trip to the Grand Canyon. It was a bright, beautiful and cool October morning. We got to the airport in plenty of time. We checked in at the desk, and were told to go to another area just down the road. My gift certificate was upgraded to the "better helicopter". I thought, only Barbara would choose that!!

So, we waited until it was our turn. There were alot of other people speaking foreign languages. It was a busy place. A constant stream of 6 people in a group to take the ride. I was in the back by the window!! Yippee. We lifted off and away we went. We traveled over the pines for a bit, parallel to the canyon. Then we turned left and headed towards the giant crack in the Earth. Over the edge we went, and it was awesomely spectacular!! Oh my God. We had been there before a few years back, so we knew what to expect (sort of). It is truly an awesome sight! My pictures do not do it justice, but they are my memory of the day.

It's amazing how the landscape is different. We left in the pines and went to where it was barren, crossed over to the north side and it was even different there. It looked like a fire or flood had overcome that area. The trees were toothpicks on the ground. Then we went back in to cross over to the south rim. The colors were unbelievable in the sun. The Colorado river was at the bottom continuing to "do it's thing". There were other areas you could see that had water running in them at some point. But it was now dry there. What a wonderful trip!! I wondered if the pilot ever got tired of the view!

I have always thought you get the best view from above.