June 24

This has been a great week. Last Sunday I went to the polo games with some tenants from years ago who were visiting the island for a week or so. They are Naval officers who were stationed at Barber's Point. Simon and Julie had been here Friday and Saturday so the weekend was most enjoyable.
On Wednesday my brother Phil and his wife Chiquis arrived. They will spend three weekd with me. Phil has been the ideal handyman and has already repaired the sprinkler system, a revolving dining chair, the bird feeder and some other neglected items. They drove me yesterday to Honolulu for my chemotherapy and we met Simon and Julie afterward at the Yacht Club. The good news was that my CA 19-9 blood test, which had been 3700 when the diagnosis was originally made and which went as high as 6100, had miraculously gone down to 375! This is not really definitive but it is certainly a good sign. I'll have a CT scan in mid July which should tell us how well the chemo is doing at killing cancer cells.
This is another beautiful day in Hawaii and the colors of the ocean are incredible. I am so lucky in every way and am thankful each day. Thanks for checking up on me and please keep in touch.

June 8

I thought I could add text to the pictures below but was unable to figure it out so here are the captions: Top pic is of the hair I have left. In the middle pic I am wearing the turban and the bangs that Chris gave me so I could have fun with a different look. At the bottom I am wearing the wig that was as close as we could get to my usual hair color and style. It s put away until I feel I really need it.
I will be starting the next four weeks of chemo tomorrow, Saturday. This week has been full of good times with friends, doctor's appointments, business in Honolulu and shopping at hardware stores, commissary, etc. I am feeling great and still find it hard to believe there is anything wrong with me. Although I get just a little more tired than usual, my optimism is undiminished. The ocean, sky and foliage are full of marvelous colors and the weather is perfect. Life is good! Let me hear from you by cmment here on the vlog or by e-mail. Aloha!

May 28 pics

Aloha from Hawaii!

The ocean and the palm trees were calling and there was a lot of business to tend to so I returned home May 29th. Simon and Julie stayed with me a few days while I settled in. A bushel basket of mail had to be sorted and lots of banking and bills had to be caught up but there has been time for visits with friends. Saturday night I enjoyed a beach bonfire with my tenants. Sunday I went with friend Tom McLaughlin to the Polo Club. There were two exciting games and a sky diving exhibition. This is the only polo field in the US on the ocean shore so the scenery is spectacular. After polo, we came to the house for a Scrabble game and were joined at dinner by ex-tenant and very dear friend Amy Leach. I was shocked and touched when Tom arrived with a shaved head to demonstrate his support for me. I am tolerating the chemo quite well. The hair loss and a wicked case of sun poisoning have been the most obvious side effects. I now have a gamin hair style but I've bought a wig for use . Since I wouldn't buy a red (or green!) wig, Chris gave me some hats, a turban and some faux light brown bangs so I can try new looks. I'll try to put some of the pix she took last week in my next blog. My next chemo series will be done in Honolulu starting in a week or so. I'll keep you posted. Aloha, Joan