June 2005

- Thursday June 30, 2005 -
What? No appointments?? Well, there was a support group meeting if that counts. Afte which a nice dinner at Isabellas. Petra is tired and has some other symptoms but wanted to go eat and I wouldn't say no to that.

At lunchtime I attended a rally in support of state workers like myself at the State Capitol. The news said a few thousand people were there. Comedian Will Durst was the host so it was entertaining. Lots of jabs at Gov. Arnold, who wants current state workers to lose about 14% and new ones to lose about 20%. Somehow, he thinks that by blaming the people who provide the services for the state, then he can scapegoat us and basically screw us over instead of attacking waste and closing tax loopholes. Even previous republican governors like Wilson realized you need a little higher tax rate for the super-wealthy instead of just cutting benefits for working people. State workers didn't cause this, but he sure wants us to bleed to help fix it. Vote the Governator out in 2006. State workers, nurses, firefighters, etc., these are working folks, not special interests. He probably won't read this, though, he will be at a fund-raiser with his corporate buddies, anxious to cut their fees and taxes while he wreaks havoc on the workers.

- Wednesday June 29, 2005 -
And of course more appointments. The reconstructive surgeon in the morning, using one of those big syringes like this one to add fluid, only one ounce today. And in the afternoon, the shot to bring the white blood cell count up. Petra is a pin cushion! No, no, not a voodoo doll...

- Tuesday June 28, 2005 -
Another day, more appointments. A colon doctor in the morning (more medication) and of course the chemoptherapy in the afternoon. Sadly, it is getting routine. But this is treatment number seven of eight so we are getting there. Also happy birthday to granddaughter Josephine (family) and happy half-birthday to me! And today also marks five years in our new house. Yay!!

- Monday June 27, 2005 -
Back to work. And Petra had her mammogram (on the 'other' side) today. Everything ok as far as we know at this point.

- Sunday June 26, 2005 -
It was a great weekend. It was a great weekend. I meant to type that twice. It is for EMPHASIS. We had a great time in Santa Cruz, staying at friends Larry and Robin's house. John M (friends) and his girlfriend Joann were there also and we hung out, talked, sampled some beverages, wandered downtown, went to the dog beach, and just generally had a good time. This was a welcome diversion before the six appointments coming up this week.

- Thursday June 23, 2005 -
The upcoming weekend is the "good" weekend and Petra is feeling much better so we are going to Santa Cruz for a couple days and nights. We leave tomorrow. Tell the ocean to be ready.

- Wednesday June 22, 2005 -
A nice, quiet week so far. Petra had her appointment with a nutritionalist today. It's tough when you are a vegetarian who doesn't really like vegetables that much, and now you have to limit your soy? Sheesh!

- Sunday June 19, 2005 -
We had a nice visit with my dad (family). Happy fathers day, dad!

What? Another movie? We watched the DVD of Seabiscuit. One review said "A strong story, exhilarating cinematography and outstanding performances make Seabiscuit a winner". I agree. Toby McGuire and Jeff Bridges lead a very good cast. I would give it about a 90 out of 100. Nothing weird here but a very entertaining, old-fashioned (in a good way) movie.

- Saturday June 18, 2005 -
She was feeling less than good again today and her hands were hurting, so we decided to stick around the house. Except for a couple hours, when we went to a movie at a nearby theater. We saw Mr and Mrs Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The film was entertaining and the chemistry between the two stars was good, as were the one-liners they used often. The special effects, shootings, and explosions were often way over the top but it was still fun. Angelina was drop-dead gorgeous and Brad wasn't that bad either. I'd give it about an 80 out of 100.

In the evening we watched a DVD of an older movie, The Truth About Cats and Dogs. Both Uma Thurman and Jeaneane Garofolo were really good and both very attractive in their own ways. The movie was a light romantic comedy but entertaining. I'd give it about an 83 out of 100.

- Friday June 17, 2005 -
Petra has been feeling the side effects a bit, mostly in her hands and nails but also dryness and some fatigue. But today is Jared's last day of working where Petra does. So when they invited us to lunch at PF Chang we went, even though Petra was far from 100%. Larry was in town from Santa Cruz and he went, along with Michael, Kirk, Rodney, and Jared's girlfriend.

Afterward we went to The Beat and bought some music, a couple Prince records that Petra did not have, along with a used 2002 CD from Chantal Kreviazuk, the latest from Gorillaz (Demon Days), and a Pretenders Greatest Hits DVD. Oh, and we picked up the new Black Eyed Peas recently also, forgot to mention it before. Then Larry and Robin came by and visited for a little while.

- Wednesday June 15, 2005 -
It was the Neulasta shot today, to boost the white blood cell count. Not too much in the way of side effects yet this time, a little fatigue but not bad. Knock on wood. After the shot we had an early dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. We hadn't been there before. Luckily, before 5:00 PM the prices were cheaper since the huge menu was otherwise a bit pricy (after 5). The portions were large, though, and what we had was very good.

Then we went to a local cancer-related event. Every month the local group Save Ourselves holds an event. The first 45 or so minutes is breast cancer women talking freely among themselves to share support, information, and emotions. Then there is a speaker. This time is was a female doctor discussing pain management. Now, Petra is not in intense pain but it was still a very interested talk.

- Tuesday June 14, 2005 -
The chemotherapy treatment took a long time today, close to three hours. Petra is feeling ok so far.

- Monday June 13, 2005 -
The start of another work week. Argh! And the next chemo treatment is tomorrow. Double argh!! We saw the oncology nurse today and, after discussing it with the doctor, they decided to keep Petra on the current drug. The side effects seemed managable and it may have better results in treating the actual cancer. Also still on the dose dense regimen, treatments more often but more effective.

But we did have dinner with our friends Karl and Betty. Chinese food at the formerly pink strip mall in South Natomas. Pretty good, they do at least have some vegetarian options. Of course Karl got a lobster the size of Rhode Island!

- Sunday June 12, 2005 -
During the week, Pera side effect were subsiding and she was beginning to feel pretty good. In fact, going a bit stir-crazy, so we took an overnight trip Saturday and Sunday to Santa Cruz, CA. We hung out with our friends Larry and Robin and had a nice time. This was very theraputic for Petra and it didn't hurt me either to see our friends and the ocean. It was a short trip but nice, we will go back soon if she is up to it.

- Tuesday June 7, 2005 -
Prince's birthday, Tom Jones's birthday, and Robin's (friends) birthday. We celebrated all those by going to a Sacramento Monarchs WNBA basketball game. I had never been to one, it was pretty entertaining. And they won.

- Saturday June 4, 2005 -
Today we went to the movies. First we saw The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. Having seen the previews, I thought this would be a teen movie and pretty lame. I was wrong. Well, the four main characters were teenagers but the movie is not lame at all. It was much better than I expected. The four main characters all go through difficult times and learn things in the process. Their friendship sees them through it. Is it a 'chick flick'? Well, maybe, but it is deeper than that and a good movie. I give it eight and a half, maybe nine out of ten. I actually recommend this movie.

Then we saw the remake of The Longest Yard, with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Burt Reynolds. I don't remember the original very well but this movie was pretty weak. Sure, people in the theater were laughing and hooting but I wasn't and neither was Petra. It was mediocre at best, full of dumb stereotypes and cheap laughs, many of which were not even funny. It moved quicky and had it's moments but overall it was not very good. Adam Sandler was less bad than he usually is, but that is not saying too much. Chris Rock was wasted and given some white folks, black folks jokes, a few of which were funny. It was mostly cheap shots and cliches, but had some entertainment value. I would give it about a five or six out of ten. Do you have an opinion about these movies? Write me here.

- Friday June 3, 2005 -
It was light, very light, but isn't that the way all romantic comedies are? It was still enjoyable. We watched a DVD of "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days". And I liked it. Maybe it had something to do with the hard-to-resist Kate Hudson. She was cute as a button, as they say. And Mathew McConaughey was good in the other starring role. The tag line is "One of them is lying. So is the other." And you know how it will end way before it does. But watching Kate try to lose Matthew is a hoot. Both had nice comic timing and gave enjoyable performances. Some of the Sacramento Kings are even in it! I'd give it about an eight out of ten. Do you have an opinion about this movie? Write me here.

Petra didn't have much nausea today but with these new drugs she seems to be having some other symptoms. Of course there is fatigue but her fingernails are hurting and mouth and throat are a bit off too. And her skin is very dry. But she is trying to hang in there and get through it.

- Thursday June 2, 2005 -
Karl's birthday (friends). Last day of work before a three day weekend. I work (career) an extra hour each day so I can have every other Friday off. Came home, ate, watched a little TV, packaged some ebay items (our ebay page) and typed this stuff into the blog.

- Wednesday June 1, 2005 -
Petra had her Neulasta shot today to boost the white blood cell counts. It only lasts a few seconds but tends to mess up the whole afternoon, what with the dreading it and a bit of soreness afterward. And then the fatigue began to set in.


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