Day 146: The Final Countdown

The only music I seem to have in my head these days is the cheesy song by the synth, hair-rock band Europe called "The Final Countdown."  See their photo below.  This is not the soundtrack I want to have as I cross the chemo finish line, but I can't help what has been programmed into my brain after years of listening to bad Top 40 radio stations during my youth in the 1980s.

Europe.   I wish these guys would just get out of my head!

ONLY ONE MORE TO GO!
I just finished my seventh chemo treatment on Thursday.  Only one more treatment to go - I can hardly wait!  I am really looking forward to getting my old energy level back and feeling a litte more like a member of the living.  These past seven treatments have put me through the ringer more than many people realize. Even though I'm out and about and I fix myself up for work, family, and social events, I still haven't really felt that well. So, I am looking forward to having a healthy body back!

As per my typical self, I had a pretty busy schedule over the last couple of weeks.  I'll talk about some of the things I did below but the best news by far was that when I went back in for my seventh treatment, my blood counts were better.  I am still on track for getting my very last chemotherapy treatment on May 5th. Woo hoo!

My sister, Suzy, joined me for this past session.  Afterwards, we lunched at RL restaurant and then hung out at my place for a bit. Here's a snapshot from our lunch. Thanks, sis!

Bonnie G Coming to a TV Program Near You...
On Friday, I was interviewed in my home by WGN on early cancer detection.  The show will air in a couple of weeks and I'll be sure to update you on when it will be on the air.

Great Books & Keeping up the Healthy Way of Life
I am a pretty healthy person. I try not to eat too many animal products and, when I do, I try and eat grass fed farm-raised products.  The book "Omnivore's Dilemma" opened my eyes to the ugliness of industrial farming and the toxicity in our food that is sanctioned by the FDA.  I read this book over three years ago and have drastically changed my eating habits since then.

Since discovering I had cancer, I have been extra conscious of what I eat. But there are also a slew of books out there on how to treat your body to prevent cancer from recurring.  This past week I zipped through a tremendous book called, "Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life" by David Servan-Schreiber, a seven year brain cancer survivor and an MD. 

Servan Schreiber talks about what fuels the growth of cancer cells and, in combination with conventional methods of surgery and chemotherapy, how to combine that with cancer fighting foods that can cut off the source of supply to cancer cells.  It's also just a more intellectual way to remind us all to eat more broccoli and drink green tea!  Just look at how beautiful these photos are!

Art and Easter.  A Perfect Combination
Saturday, Joe and I went to the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago to check out a beautiful Rothko painting and then met up with friends Robyn and Drew at the MDW Art Fair.   It was an impressive warehouse full of galleries and DIY artist shows in an out of the way neighborhood near the Back of the Yards on Iron Street.  For my information on this show, you can read about it at: http://mdwfair.org/

Joe and I saw one particular painting we are enamoured with by an artist named Ann Toebbe.  We are still talking about potentially purchasing this gem.   The image below does not do it justice.

Ann Toebbe's "Ich Weiss Nicht Mehr Genau"

Easter & Family
On Sunday, we headed to Wheaton to see my family.  We were a little late and missed the Easter Egg Hunt.  I am sad that I missed watching my nieces hunt for Easter eggs, but it sounds like some of the squirrels got to them first!

Two of my five nieces.  Aren't they cute?!

Me and Mom.  How lucky am I to have such an elegant mother?!

Joe and I in the Vermeer lighting of my parents' living room

It's Sunday night ane Joe and I are about to head into our den to watch "Upstairs Downstairs" on Masterpiece Theater. What joy these BBC dramas give us in our little corner of the world.  Why can't all drama be this good?  I don't know the answer to that question.  All I know is that we love to get lost in the drama that makes up 165 Eaton Place. Thank you, Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, for creating such a wonderful setting for such a wonderful production.

The cast of the new "Upstairs Downstairs"

You'll be hearing back from me in a couple of weeks after my chemotherapy treatment is over!

In the meantime, my very favorite day of the year will pass: May 1st.  MAY DAY!  The celebration of spring and a great excuse to shower everyone with flowers. That is next Sunday. Let's hope it's a beautiful, sunny day.

Peace and Love and Joy and Health...and Hope!

- Bonnie