Got in 35 miles of riding this weekend. Great weather between a couple autumn storms. Birds (and birdwatchers) everywhere. Saw the flamingo out at Coyote on Saturday along with hundreds of other birds. Went the other way on the trail with Ted on Sunday and saw a great blue heron and these pelicans, who were feeding up near the Mission overpass.
Talk about being lifted up! As you know, Barb is in the middle of chemo treatment. A process that is both physically, mentally and spiritually draining. We are looking towards the future in order to get through this. The problem is that we have to live in the present, and deal with all that is cancer treatment. Sometimes its not easy getting through the day if not for God’s grace and good vibes.
Then along comes the 4th graders at Holy Spirit.
Vicky V, who is a teacher there, accompanied Barb to her chemo session yesterday. The 4 hour session is a long one. So Vicky pulls out a huge envelope, stuffed with handmade get well cards made by the 4th graders. WOW! Barb showed them off when she got home. Her and Vicky read through each one together. Most were simple. All were lovely. They made our day!
4th graders are 9 or 10 years old. Still kids, still mostly innocent, with true love in their hearts. They don’t know us, most likely never will. Vicky V mentioned in her staff meeting that she was taking Barb to chemo. The 4th grade teacher said that her class would make some get well cards. Thats GOD’s hand in action!!!! The cards reminded me of the cards Kelly and Kate made for us when they were that age. Most of the cards were “Get well soon Mrs. Flaherty” on the front and “hope you feel better, my class will pray for you” on the inside. Then decorated with the usual artsy 4th grade stuff. Stickers, stamps or hand drawn or cut out shapes. We had the full range of cards. A few of my favorites were:
“Dear Mrs Flaherty, I hope you fell(sp) better. I will also pray for you and that your firends(sp) and family will pray for you”
“Dear Mrs Flaherty, I am sorry you are sick. I hope you feel better. Don’t worry, I will pray for you!”
Dear Mrs Flaherty, I’m sorry you are sick. I hope you can go back to your family soon I will pray for you every night”
and then the one that made us all say WOW!!! Remember, this is from a 9 year old girl:
“Dear Mrs Flaherty, I hope you will feel better. May the love hidden deep inside your heart find the love waiting in your dreams. Also may the laughter that you find in your tomorrow wipe away the pain you find in your yesterdays.”
~sigh~ I love those kids. Thanks for making this part of our life more bearable. God Bless those 4th graders, for they are good!
Last weekend we decided that this weekend we would go to the beach. Rain or shine. Barbie needed a beach day. I thought it was going to be a Pescadero day but it turned out to be a Santa Cruz day. Rolled over the hill and into Santa Cruz and Twin Lakes Beach right around noon. Sun shining and temps in the mid-70s. PERFECT!!! 
Barb’s girlfriends Colleen and Diane met us there. We threw the blanket down and set out the beach chairs, and chilled. Watched the waves roll in, the sailboats sail out and the people go by. Even saw four or five dolphins and a seal 
cruising the coast line. Couldn’t have asked for better weather. We brought some drinks and snacks. Had a veggie sandwich from the beach side deli and soaked up the sun on a glorious Autumn Sunday. Thanks to Colleen for lunch AND the great pictures. All the girls were taking “dolphin pics” and Colleen wins the prize for the best.
A good start to a rough week. Barb’s hair has started to fall out so she is taking the initiative and getting the Sinaed O’Conner today. Chemo round #2 on Wednesday. Got to keep those loving – good vibrations a happening with her…..
Smack dab in the middle of Barb’s war on cancer. Over two months since the double mastectomy and reconstruction and about two months away from her last “full on” chemo session. Although it seems like the last two months have gone by quickly, the next two seem like they will take for ever to go by. I had thought the surgery and recovery would be the hard part. I was wrong. The surgery was a one time deal and then recovery. Chemo is an ongoing battle. Over and over and over and OVER and OVER and OVER again! Good vs. evil at the molecular level. The meds kick cancer’s ass, but the body’s ass as well. The Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin pulse through her system 24/7. Almost to the point where her body could not take anymore. Then she is allowed to recover. Pull back and get ready for the next battle. Barb’s chemo sessions are scheduled three weeks apart. From what I read that is because her treatment is so potent that it takes a full three weeks for her body to recover to the point where it would be safe to give her another treatment. In a couple of weeks she will have her 3rd treatment and we will be at the half way point. We can then at least know that the end of treatment is nearer. If everything goes to plan, December 26th will mark the end of monster chemo, with 8 month of hormone therapy to continue. Like I said, its a marathon.
We have a lot of down time around the house these days. Resting and healing. Keeping it real and keeping it healthy. After Barb’s surgery, sister Sarah bought a jigsaw puzzle for Barb to do. Everyone and anyone who happened by helped with it. A fun and relaxing respite from the war on cancer. Since then we’ve gotten and completed two other puzzles. Kelly got so hooked that she bought a puzzle for her and her roomies to do at their place. Its Puzzle-mania!!
GOOD VIBES!
Never a dull moment on the Creek Trail with Vandenbusch. We were heading out like always on our Saturday morning ride. On the the last two miles of paved trail towards the bay and mile marker 11, Steve was just saying how his knee was bothering him a bit, how his back and neck were both sort of stiff. Low and behold, like a gift from heaven, what do we drive up on but a hot tub right along side the trail! 
We are guessing that the tub floated from somewhere in the bay and a little way up Alameda Creek. Someone must’ve dragged it the 50 yards from creekside to the trail. Nice little four person tub. Exactly the type we were thinking of getting for the backyard! I told Steve that we should head home and get some rollers and tow it back. Instead Steve took a quick soak to relieve his aches and pains. 22 miler today.
Today I gave away my first wristband without telling the person about the fuck cancer on the reverse side! I saw a lady from around the corner who had heard about Barb. We talked for a while and towards the end of the converstation I mentioned that I had some good vibes wristbands made so people can show support. I just showed her the good vibes side. I’m sure she will be pleasantly surprised at some point.
There will be but one question on everyone’s lips tomorrow; “Did you feel it?” Me and Barb were sitting on the couch, I was rubbing her head and….. EARTHQUAKE!!! 5.6 magnitude near Alum Rock park in San Jose. It was a long shaker. It started to shake and didn’t stop. It shook long enough for me to say “EARTHQUAKE”, then get up and go outside before it stopped shaking. We had a picture frame fall over but that was about it. Staci even felt it out in Stockton.
Its a marathon, not a sprint. Chemo #2 of 6 was today. Barb’s big sis Melinda is in town for the week. Took Barb to the chemo lounge today. Here is a pic of the Smith girls.
good vibes
In an ironic twist of fate, Breast Cancer Awareness Month starts on the same day that Barb decides to shave her head in a pre-emptive strike against the side effects of chemotherapy. Her and Kate made the trip to the beauty parlor for what had to be a strange visit. To tell you the truth, Barb came home looking pretty cool. Very Urban. And kind of Sexy! You are still a beauty !
