Diane copes

Good news

2012-02-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

Mom is out of the OR, transitioning to ICU and extubated. I saw her go by on the gurney and she opened one eye!Bruce, Ellen, Vicky and I will visit in 20 minutes. I will write an update tomorrow afternoon.

Almost done

2012-02-02T19:37:00.001-08:00

Mom is just being sewed up ...she made it without complications. In a few hours I will see her in the icu...I'm exhausted and appreciate all well wishes...just email them to mom and I will read them to her tomorrow.dianecopelandb@aol.com

Just gone in

2012-02-02T11:36:00.001-08:00

Mom has just gone in. We met with all the surgeons...Vicky and I... And feel confident in their abilities and good looks. The neurosurgeon will call when he dcides what approach to take to her case...he has to open her up to see. They estimate 8 hours. Stay posted!

health news

2012-01-31T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,
I have been having some problems with blogspot and I am trying to troubleshoot.

I had a GREAT time in Australia. Here are the 3 grandchildren with the climbing structure built by their clever father.

Upon my return I was unpacking, heard a loud crack in my back and then another one. I went to the doctor with Vicky and learned that the cage holding 3 vertebrae broke away from the rods holding it. Bad. Back surgery scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 2.

We will post updates on the blog. Go to www.dianecopes.blogspot.com and just read. Do not open, sign in or anything else. Comments not necessary.

Love you all, Diane

2012-01-27T13:32:00.001-08:00

hello friends,

New spine surgery scheduled for February 2nd. We will keep you posted on this blog.

xo, meg and mom

what's up with this?

2011-11-23T14:34:00.001-08:00

Hello all,
I have been working on writing a new blog for two days. Blogspot has changed its format and I am hopelessly lost. So here goes another try. I am going to pick up where I left off in "November already" and see if I can make it work.

I left describing how much I loved Prague and ended with a photo from a monastery library there. So on with the trip. We rode on buses to Nuremberg where we boarded a nice 80 passenger barge. In Nuremberg we visited the chambers where the Nazi trials occurred. The building has a museum about the Holocaust. I am interested the subject yet sickened by the crimes against humanity.

We visited many German towns on our way to France. Many were destroyed in WWII but have been restored. Charming intact villages still survive.

Our final barge stop was Strasbourg where we visited the European Parliament building and hear presentations by people who work there. There are two places where the representatives meet; the other is in Brussels. Strasbourg has a wonderful old section. I have tried to capture its essence from the barge.

From Strasbourg we took the fast train to Paris. Paris is always wonderful to me. I stayed a few extra days after the tour ended and pretended that I was an investigative photographer capturing images of Hemingway's first residence, Gertrude Stein's place and more. I had just read "The Paris Wife" from whence this mission became my thing.

Au Revoir from Paris' most famous icon.

Love,

Diane

November already

2011-11-21T16:45:00.001-08:00

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011

November already

Hello Friends,

First the health news: I had my 5th PET scan, blood work, and visit to the oncologist. All was normal. The doctor said "You are CURED!" Wow.

He said that the reason I still huff and puff when going up stairs or up an incline might be related to fluid on the lungs that I have had for a long time. He referred my to a pulmonary specialist. Report to follow.

I was off to Europe in September. Did you say, "Tell me more?" Okay. I started in Majorca where I met my friend Judy. She was delivering a paper to a neurosciences group meeting there. We stayed in Palma, the capitol, for 3 days. Majorca, a Spanish island near Barcelona, is a popular tourist destination for other Europeans because of its beaches and good weather. Palma also has interesting museums, cathedrals, castles, and old Arab baths. Here is Judy walking near the water and here I am in the Arab baths with my walking sticks and tummy pack.

I flew from Palma to Prague where I met the Stanford Travel Study group. I have heard from many people that Prague is beautiful. It truly is a "knock your socks off place." I am ready to go back any time. Just let me know!

0 comments:

November already

2011-11-21T16:37:00.001-08:00

September, 2011

2011-09-15T19:52:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

If anybody is still checking, I have been derelict in my blog posting. I have no great excuse. I have completed physical therapy. I do the assigned exercises every day. I take a walk using my trekking sticks every day and go to Curves 5 times per week. This is really paying off! I still have numb feet, but my endurance is much greater than before. I have strengthened my core muscles and my thigh muscles. All of this is good news as I am headed for Europe soon.

One of my favorite summer events is my annual rendezvous with my Texas friends. This year we stayed in a special house in Taos, New Mexico, once owned by an artist in the early 1900's. We love being together and exploring historical places. We also love to eat out!

I recently returned from a reunion of the Fontaine and Maury families in Charlottesville, VA. The Fontaines are my Huguenot ancestors who were evicted from France in 1685. Finally settling in Ireland, Jaques Fontaine sent 3 of his children to the Colonies in 1716. They settled in Virginia. I am related to his son Peter. In order to join the Huguenot Society, I had to give proof of this ancestry. Wasn't easy. I was rejected the first time, but then I found proof in deeds and wills that one relative was indeed the son of another. Finally, I was admitted. My college friend, Dee who lives in Charleston, SC, is the revered maven of Fontaine heritage as she retranslated the memoirs of Jaques (his spelling) Fontaine from French to English. Dee is married to John, another college friend.

Here are photos from my trip:

John and Dee's house in Charlestown

in Charleston, having great ice cream treats.

Charlottesville, University of Virginia and home of Jaques Fontaine's memoirs

I am so glad that I went to the reunion. Dee and I gave a short presentation on how we reconnected, 45 years post-graduation and how we discovered that we were related through Jaques Fontaine. Wonderful serendipity.

Back home again I settled into my usual routine - coffee at Peet's with my comrades, lunch with friends, writing, reading, movies, and more.

Cilla, one of my college roommates, visits often. Here we are posing in a new Los Altos restaurant.

Kate and Meg are doing well. I am blessed in many ways.

Love to you all,
Diane

2011-06-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
I started this blog a week ago and now I can't find it. Maybe it is resting in the iClouds.

First, health news: I saw the neurologist about my feet. He said that I have peripheral neuropathy. There is no cure and I will always have it. He recommended that I see a physical therapist about 4 times for walking exercises. I had my first session and can tell that it will help. He also suggested that I buy trekking sticks for walking long distances (I assume that is longer than from my house to the outside garbage cans) and for use on uneven terrain. I went immediately to REI and bought light weight collapsable poles. They are great. When people ask about them, I say that I am training for the Senior Olympics.

The family in Australia is doing well. Here is Olive's school photo. She is in kindergarten, called "prep" in Australia. Where did those years go?

Meg and I were treated to lunch by Vicky on Mother's Day. Vicky's mother is in her 90's and doing well. Here we are:

Meg has a new friend. I really like him. She sees him often. Time will determine what happens. Chris is very sportive. Here they are on the beach.

My friend and former college roommate, Cilla, comes to this area often. Her son, his wife and their son, Akhil, live in Palo Alto. I was privileged to attend Akhil's Bollywood performance in a local theater. As you see, Akhil is ready for the stage.

I trained to be a docent for the new exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center. It is called "The Art of the Book." Five small presses are included. The books are wonderful examples of old technology and new technology combining to produce an object of art. We were lucky to visit Moving Parts Press where Felicia demonstrated how she produces her books. In the photo she is demonstrating how she sets type for a letterpress.

That's about it. I was going to complain about our very cold spring, but learning about weather in other parts of the U.S. and the world I decided that I was acting spoiled.

Love to all,
Diane

long time since last entry

2011-05-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

It has been two months since I last updated the blog. This is good news. The only health issue concerning me is the neuropathy in my feet. Surely I have mentioned this before. Neuropathy is a loss of nerves and makes the affected body part feel numb. Lots of people have this following chemotherapy. I walk a bit awkwardly and would never pass the police test for walking the line. I talked to my oncologist about it and he referred me to a neurologist. I seriously doubt that anything can be done, but I do have an appointment in a couple of weeks. In the meantime I celebrate every day that I am alive. And now I can celebrate that Osama bin Laden is dead!

Kate and family in Australia are doing well. Meg visited them during her spring break. Naturally I have to share some photos, including that of the newest births in the family.

I gave another presentation, this time to the docents at the Cantor Arts Center. My topic was newly installed masks from the native people of the Northwest Coast. This is the art that interests me most. I wanted to do the presentation from my iPad and spent some time learning how to do this. Here is where you would find me:

The last two months have been filled with the expected jobs - income tax, car servicing, home maintenance. Added pleasures have included dining with friends, reading good books ("Moonwalking with Einstein", "Cleopatra", "Hare with the Amber Eye"), museum tours and a flower arranging class with Vicky. I'll close with a beautiful example:

I hope that all is well with you.
Love, Diane

2011-03-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Since last writing I have had my master bathroom redone and my bedroom repainted. Both projects turned out well and I am glad that I finally did this. I disliked my old bathroom tile from the beginning, twenty-five years ago. What was I waiting for? As you must know, the project took longer than expected and cost more. But I'm happy now that all's well.

I went to Australia in February, arriving 10 hours before baby BOY Hugh was born. What an exciting time for all of us.

Here are some photos of Olive and Keela and Hugh. I have also included a photo of the view from Kate and Murray's front door.

Murray's mom, Anne, asked me to give a presentation to her Rotary Club. I was glad to do so. I really like Anne. I gave her several choices of topics. She chose "Native Arts of the Northwest Coast of North America." I worked on this for several weeks, getting the Power Point project just right. The gallery at the Cantor Arts Center has a large collection of NW Coast art. As you enter the gallery you are greeted by two totem poles connected by a lentil. I appreciate this art and the cultures associated with it. The presentation in Warrnambool was a success. I was asked to give another on a different topic when I return to Australia.

Speaking at the Rotary Club is far from the Academy Awards ceremony. Soon after I returned it was time for that fun, long, glamorous event. I had a few friends over to watch the ceremony. I gave Meg a budget to decorate. She did a great job. Here are a few guests:

I came back from Australia a day early so that I could attend the wedding celebration for the daughter of my next-door neighbors. They immigrated from India about 30 years ago. The celebration was fun. The women were outstanding in their exquisite saris. Here is Smita in her wedding dress.

I've said nothing about my health. How about that!

Wishing all of you well.
Love,
Diane

2011-01-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

You are expecting photos from Vietnam? Sorry. We postponed the trip. I caught a nasty virus beforehand. Meg and I decided that we should go to plan B and not risk my getting worse on a trip to Southeast Asia. I was so disappointed that I "took to bed" for an entire day. I snapped back the next day and we designed a very nice alternative trip. I was coughing and had a runny nose for 3+ weeks so our decision to stay state-side seems wise.

We drove to L.A. and spent a few days there enjoying the Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Walt Disney Theater Center. We had delicious meals and enjoyed massages at a Russian Spa. One of our special meals was breakfast at the Chateau Marmont where the stars are supposed to cluster. If they were clustering, they were doing so rather invisibly.

Here I am holding part of an art work at a restaurant.

Meg is the star at Chateau Marmont.

The Walt Disney Theater Center was designed by Frank Gehry. The design is dazzling. Here is the back of the main stage. The acoustics are supposed to be wonderful.

We drove from Los Angeles to Scottsdale. I wanted to see Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's home, studio and center for training new architects. As usual, FLW surprises us with innovative, forward thinking designs. He incorporated the environment into the place. You know you are not in Spring Green, Wisconsin where he built his first Taliesin (Welsh for "shining brow").

Our last stop was in Tucson where we luxuriated at the Miraval SPA. We had facials, massages, wraps, scalp treatments, you name it. Everyday guests are welcome to participate in classes or attend lectures. I attended several lectures on nutrition, menopause, communication and sex (as if!), and emotions. Meg went to more active events such as dance class and Tai Chi. I participated in low key classes on breathing and meditation. The food at Miraval was delicious...so important for this foodie. The staff was friendly and helpful. I loved the place. The landscaping is beautiful with many water features.

I say goodbye with a full relaxed breath and a great attitude.
Love,
Diane

2010-12-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

It has been a long time since I entered a blog-post. That must mean that I am healthy. I am. I do "catch" bugs that are going around and seem to be sick longer than others who have the same bug, but I think that goes with the territory.

Olive is now 5 years old. She had her birthday in November. Keela is 2. She tries to do whatever Oli is doing. They made cupcakes for Oli's party.A face painter decorated the party goers.

I stay busy with the Cantor Arts Center and with friends. Recently one of my friends took me to her garden club. A guest floral artist demonstrated his skills. Who would think to add carrots to a floral arrangement?

Meg and I enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving with Vicky and family. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday. We should have it more often! Here is Bruce carving the turkey and a few of the guests waiting to serve themselves.

I continued celebrating post-Thanksgiving with Vicky's family. Liana's mother-in-law, Heidi, was able to join us for a Sunday night buffet.

Meg is as busy as ever teaching 5th grade at East Palo Alto Charter school. She continues to be a great support for me and she is lots of fun. She has some crazy friends and I enjoy seeing them.

This is a festive time of year. I love all of the colors, the music, the decorations. Just yesterday in downtown Los Altos I was happy to see local high school musicians entertaining shoppers.

Meg and I are going to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for the holidays. Look forward to exotic photos on my next blog.

Happy Holidays to all,
Diane

2010-10-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I see that I have been quite delinquent in updating my blog. I have been busy and have a few photos to share. First, my health. I am doing well. I still have issues with stamina and low energy. I signed up with a fitness trainer and have seen her a few times. We are taking baby steps, but I do seem to be making some progress. My latest marathon: yesterday I walked 3 blocks and back in downtown Los Altos and stopped to rest only 3 times. No awards, but it is an improvement.

In August, I went to Texas for my 50th high school reunion. This was a bitter/sweet event. Some of my friends have died. Others are the walking-wounded. The rest are fine, given our ages. An interviewer asked Woody Allen, "What's good about aging?" Woody's response, "Nothing." Oh well. I am alive. That's good! I do not have photos from the reunion yet. Are you saying, "Thank goodness?" After the reunion I visited my sister and her family. I am always glad to spend some time with them. I am trying to join the Huguenot Society and my mother's genealogy records are at her house. I was busy going through piles of loosely organized materials, but did find several documents to prove that some of my ancestors escaped France in the 1700's and eventually settled in Virginia. I still have to put all of this together before I send it to the committee that makes the decisions.

My next big event was the wedding of my goddaughter Liana and Will and all of the events surrounding the wedding. The big event was at the Fort Mason Officer's Club in San Francisco. The ceremony was outside and the reception was inside. San Francisco's climate is tricky but the wedding was beautiful with perfect weather. Liana was a gorgeous bride. Meg did a reading as part of the ceremony. Here are some photos.

Meg and I took a red-eye to Australia the night of the wedding. I really hate flying for 14 or more hours all cramped up in economy class, but I am not willing to pay for an upgrade so I should stop bitching. Seeing Kate and the darling granddaughters is a great joy. Kate and Murray are such good parents. Olive and Keela are well adjusted and know how much they are loved. Kate is 5 months pregnant with her third child. She has chosen not to know its sex. The baby to be is lucky to be part of her family, living on the farm with cousins and Grandma Anne close by. Meg and I joined Kate when it was her day to help out at Olive's pre-kindergarten. What a lucky day to be there. Wild Action Animal Zoo came to introduce the children to many Australian animals. I had never seen so many exotic creatures. Grandma Anne and I had a little get-away to the gold country of Victoria. We saw lots of interesting historic spots, a lovely lavender farm, and enjoyed fine cuisine. Dairy products, produce and meat are excellent in Australia. New chefs are pouring in to make the most of these fine ingredients.

That's about it for now. Wishing you all good health.
Love,
Diane

2010-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Here I am again with generally good health reports. I did recently catch a flu bug that has been way too persistent despite my arsenal of medicines. I think that I have been coughing for about 3-1/2 weeks!

I did have the dreaded colonoscopy. As you all know, the procedure itself is not so bad as you are heavily drugged. It is the day before that is so bad as you rush to the facilities all afternoon. I decided not to do this again ever. Then again I have identified lots of medical taboos and have retracted them when the doctors said to.

Meg and I went to Taos, NM for 3 weeks. My goal was to write for 4 to 5 hours every day. I am writing a memoir for my grandchildren. I am also trying to write about my medical history. I purchased copies of my medical records from Stanford Hospital and Clinics. The stack is over 7" high! I spent over a week organizing the records by date. I wrote about the first week that I was in the hospital. That was a dramatic and traumatic time. That is as far as I got on the medical history, but I am all the way through college with my memoir.

Meg and I took the high road to Taos. Here is the beautiful church at Chimayo. I should have taken some of the healing dirt there, but I forgot.

We stayed in a charming house near the Taos plaza. We loved the house and wanted to buy it. However, it is not for sale and we couldn't afford it if it were.

On one of our adventurous afternoons we drove to the Gorge of the Rio Grande. Here is proof!

That's it for now. More to come on Taos and vicinity in my next blog. I am waiting for more pictures from friends.

Love to all,
Diane

2010-06-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
My health continues to be good. Now I am participating in tests and procedures that many older adults are privileged to enjoy, such as colonoscopies, cholesterol checks, and mammograms. Enough about that. Let's have some fun.

Visiting Filoli is always a joy. Here is an artistic rose and Michael in and among some of the rose plants.

My friend Sally could be a chef with a Michelin star. She included me in a recent lunch at her house. Do your salads look like this?

Bruce's girlfriend was unable to accept an invitation to go to Sea Ranch with friends. With her blessings, I was the lucky one. Sea Ranch is a beautiful community of mostly second homes along the coast of northern California. Views from our friend's place are especially scenic. They took us on a drive up the coast where we stopped at a unique chapel. We enjoyed a visit to a winery as well as great meals with more friends.

Fun was had by all at my good friend Debby's surprise party. I concluded that she and her husband, Tom, were both Italian. Their gestures gave them away.

I do not see Judy enough these days, but we were able to have her birthday lunch together and loved every minute.

With love to all of you,
Diane

2010-05-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

My health news is all good. Last week I saw both the amazing knee replacement doctor and the miraculous back surgeon. Each says that I am doing fine, can do most activities and should return in one year. One year! Fantastic. I still have fatigue issues, a little wobblyness and annoying neuropathy in my feet, but, hey, that's nothin'.

I am busy busy at the Cantor Arts Center and with other related art activities. Touring the exhibit of Chinese ink painters is a treat. My two book clubs keep me reading. A balance class helps me stay straight and steady. I have signed up for an all day Stanford event called "Leading Matters." One of the speakers is Abraham Verghese who wrote "Cutting for Stone." I'll tell you about this afterwards.

Mother's Day was lovely with Vicky and her mother. Meg treated me to a bag of treasures and Kate called from Australia. I hope that all of you mothers had such a wonderful time.

Faculty friends convened for lunch in Mill Valley, CA. We were a small but dedicated group this time.

I feel so lucky that my college friend, Cilla, is able to visit me when she comes to see her son & family in Palo Alto.

Meg and I went to hear Emily (Stan and Judy's daughter) sing in San Francisco. She is a mezzo-soprano and sings beautifully.

And here they are, my precious granddaughters. I really want to see them. I am thinking of going to Australia in September.

I hope that you are doing well. Summer is coming. Great news. That's all for now.
Love,
Diane

2010-04-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a wonderful trip to the Southeast U.S. The John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina was great. There were about 200 students taking courses that ranged from blacksmithing to egg tempera painting. The school is set on a large acreage in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Old buildings as well as new dot the campus. Housing ranges from dorm-style to upscale in a downscale fashion.

While at the school, you take a workshop, participate in communal meals and other activities and have fun. There are no awards, no grades or competition. You are there to learn. Here are a couple of projects done by students.

I was in the writing workshop. I learned better methods for writing my stories. Here I am delivering them for an audience of fellow travelers.

After the workshop I flew to Florida where I visited friends from college who have homes in Jupiter, Vero Beach and Sanibel. We are still best of friends and pick up where we left off: slipping on the ice as we left for a long trip back from the girl's gym to our dorms, ordering only tea at a restaurant and eating all of the crackers in the basket, studying all night with the aid of coffee and No-Doze. I am beginning to notice, however, that we are getting older and do not always recall the same chain of events.

My last stop was Charleston, SC where I visited a couple, both of whom had been friends of mine at Northwestern, one of whom is my long-lost cousin. She is a scholar of French Huguenot history, has written many papers and spoken at conferences in the States and abroad. We have located a match on our family trees. My mother would be so happy. Mom loved to do genealogy research and I did not give a hoot. Look at me now - visiting the Huguenot Society in Charleston, reading papers and memoirs. Here are my friends with their loveable dog and their charming home.

Now I am home. I have vowed to write something every day. Does this count?

Love to all,
Diane

2010-03-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I am off for an exciting trip. I'll spend a week in North Carolina at a writing workshop. Next I'll fly to Florida to visit 3 of my former college roommates each of whom has a winter home there. Two are on the west coast and one is on the east coast. Finding them will be an exciting challenge. Visiting with them will be wonderful. My last stop is South Carolina where I'll visit a college suite-mate.

My mother was passionate about genealogy. I was bored with it. In cleaning up my desk I found a card with a portion of my family tree. Long story short, it turns out that my college suite-mate shares some of the same relatives and has written about them. We now refer to each other as "cousin," Next thing you know, I'll be at the reunion for long-lost kin.

Health-wise I am doing well. I'd say that I was about 85% toward normal. My new knee is fabulous. I'm still working on climbing stairs and increasing stamina, but I'll get there. Yeah!

Filoli is spectacular with daffodils and tulips. Here is Michael's photo of the house with a field of daffodils in front.

Meg is teaching 6th grade this year. She thought that the students were easier to manage in 5th grade, but she is still dedicated to her job. A couple of months ago one of the local papers wrote an article about charter schools in low-income areas. The paper included this shot of Meg in her classroom.

Meg and I had a "singles" event on Saturday morning. I have been collecting socks that come out of the dryer with a missing mate. I emptied all of the socks on the bed and we looked for pairs. When we found a pair, we shouted "match dot com." We found so many that our sock drawers are overflowing. How's that for excitement!

Everyone in Australia is fine. Keela has had successful kidney surgery and is doing well. Sorry I don't have new photos.

Wishing you all well.
Love,
Diane
P.S. I am receiving Spam on "Comments." I don't know how to get rid of it. Just ignore.

2010-03-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

It has been a long time since I made a BLOG entry. As my mother always said, "No news is good news." That is true in this case. My health continues to improve. I am able to walk without assistive devices, but not for long as my stamina is low. I have physical therapy 2X per week. I like it. Yesterday's visit to the knee replacement factory was satisfying in that the assistant said that I could do anything now that my knee would allow except for high impact activities. "Half-pipe," no.

Speaking of which, did you enjoy the Olympics? I did. Every night I looked forward to seeing the activities. Then I would think of what the parents had to do so that their athlete child could reach Olympic heights.

Here's some fun that I've had recently: The Super Bowl was exciting. My colleague and I completed docent training in Native American/First Peoples studies. I loved how the Canadians celebrated their First Nations in the Olympics. A public radio announcement told of a Chris Botti concert at Flint Center, nearby. I went all by my self and loved the concert. Chris Botti is a fabulous trumpet player and eye-candy as well. Saw "Daddy Long Legs" with a friend. Wonderful, touching play. I trained for the new China exhibition. I am very impressed with the ink artists and the exhibition is beautifully rendered.

I've saved the best til last. My Texas friends celebrate birthdays by taking the B-day girl out for an elegant lunch. I have never been able to participate. I looked at my schedule and last weekend I went to Texas to surprise Kathleen at her birthday lunch. I had to tell one of the friends that I was coming as I needed a ride to the event. She brought Kathleen to my sister's house to pick me up, making up a reason to be there. Here is a group photo and Kathleen's surprised look when she first saw me.

I had a great time at my sister's house. We were able to include a dinner with extended family at "Outback Steakhouse." I have not eaten steak in a very long time. My filet mignon was incredibly delicious! Here are family shots.

I close with some photos of Olive and Keela, my best Skype friends.

With gratitude to all for making my life so full and healthy.

Love,
Diane

2010-01-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Araby has her take on yesterday's doctor visit. Go Araby!

-------

Araby here with all the recent news. Yesterday Diane had a very successful – if brief! – visit with the knee surgeon and his able assistant. You would have been proud of Diane. She had all her questions written out (no surprise there) and was able to shoulder through asking all of them, even as the tall and dashing, if slightly aloof, knee god hung on the examination room door, never quite entering the room completely and poised to bolt at any second. But bolt he did not, since Diane, like the Columbo in the old TV series, continued to have “just one more question.”

He decreed that she is well “ahead of the curve” as far as healing goes and things are “fixed and in good position.” The x-rays are stunning – Diane is now more bionic than ever, so watch out. Can kickboxing classes be far behind?

A few contradictions were left in his breezy wake – she has permission to drive, but she’s still on the strong pain meds. Hmmmm. And he recommended Fosamax over Boniva for bone strength, even in light of new controversial findings about Fosamax that we’ve all heard about in Time, if not the Journal of the AMA. (Diane is on Boniva and plans to stay that way.) So, as we continue to realize, we must be our own governors and physicians even while basking in the advice of the experts. Sigh.

So buoyed was Diane by her blue ribbon visit that we zipped right over to the Cantor Art Center where she regaled me for an hour with wonderful insights on masterpieces from the Gilded Age right through some pretty scary contemporary sculptures. Great fun for me, but I had to pry her away, finally, to wander home to a “medley” of meds and more icing, icing, icing – the cold kind rather than the sweet kind. As you know, she’s sweet enough already.

Over the next month Diane will have regular PT and more exercises, and that ice will always be with her – didn’t realize it was such a big part of the healing process. If she shows up at your next meeting or lunch with Ziplocs full, just accept that the iceman cometh and make sure she remembers to elevate that leg and keep it iced even as she contributes and opines. She’ll definitely get back to 100% Diane (perhaps 110%), but this is going to be a team sport until April. Let’s hear it for Team Diane!

--------------------------
Back to Diane.....Topping off this week was our lovely lunch with Mary from San Francisco.

See you soon. Look for me in the salsa class.
Love,
Diane

2010-01-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
I did not mean to make you wait so long for new knee news, but time got away from me in this hectic schedule of meds, feedings, exercising, icing, resting, ultra-sounds, x-rays, physical therapy...need I say more? Dr. D. is the most organized M.D. on the planet and he gives you a full schedule after surgery. My best perk is my good, long-time friend, Araby's 10-day post-op visit. She flew in from Colorado on Friday. I was home on Thursday, but Araby had a conflict. Bruce arranged for his S.O. to be with me then. Great to have a back-up! Here are Araby and I on Sunday, doing the regular Sunday activities. We've had to make checklists to remember to do everything every day. There is a merit badge somewhere for all of this.

How am I feeling? Woosy. The pain medication is effective in making me nuts. I have vivid, ridiculous dreams. I say stupid things. The P.T. who comes here 3X per week is helping me adjust the dosage. Just in time. My knee is bending well beyond 90 degrees and is straightening to 0 degrees. I'm still using the walker and seem to be progressing as I should be. I see Dr. D. on Thursday and will give you an update afterwards.

Thank you for all of your good wishes. I am blessed to have you all in my life.
Love,
Diane

A friend in kneed

2010-01-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

Mom has a new left knee. It will be up and walking with her tomorrow we hope. She had a fine surgery. A peri-operative arterial fibrulation (post surgery heart funkery) had the cardiologist in to check on her, but things seem to be ok.
Every new doctor that looks at her health record gets to see something the previous one did not. "Oh, you've had a bone marrow transplant." "Oh, wow! That's a big scar on your back." "Tell me more about the fungal infection." It's a bit like baseball card "collect-them-all"; only wish you could trade up.
This surgery was by far the easiest, lasting only 45 minutes. The anesthesia wore off pretty quickly. The pain killers, however, are going strong. I'll leave you with the same quote my mom left me with this evening:

"Maybe you can go in the hallway, and then you can trip (at which point my mom gesticulated something not matching tripping at all) and a frog can catch you. And then you'll say 'it's a frog'." Nice mom, nice. Just keep pressing the button and I will see you tomorrow.

2010-01-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Meg and I had a wonderful time in Australia. We spent 3 days in Sydney. This is the view from our hotel room window. Sydney does not disappoint. We did all of the tourist requirements: visiting the Opera House, seeing the museums, taking Capt. Cook's harbour cruise, listening to a diggery-do player and more. We had some great meals as well.

Entertainment:

We flew from Sydney to Melbourne where Kate and family picked us up. Seeing the grandchildren is a great joy as you can imagine. We loved being with them and with Kate and Murray. Olive is now 4 years old and has great language. Keela is 15 months and is still practicing. Olive loves to draw and will stay up late in her room drawing herself to sleep. Both girls are happy and have a wonderful life living on the farm. Here's a bunch of photos:

I caught the swine flu in Australia. It is a lingering flu. I have been coughing for almost 3 weeks, but I feel fine. My doctors says that I am not contagious. I am ready for a Total Knee Replacement, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18. I'll let you know how it goes.

Wishing you all a Happy 2010!
Love,
Diane

2009-11-09T21:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

This is a short blog entry. I just wanted you to know about my health, as usual. I saw the knee doctor on Tuesday. He looked at my X-ray and said, "Your knee is trashed." He is worried about some details regarding the surgery: my fungal infection, a blood clot that developed when I was in the hospital for so long, and the severity of the knee injury. He will talk to the doctors at Stanford. If it is a go, he will operate in January. He did not want me to be on a long plane flight to Australia with a fresh surgery. Did I mention that Meg and I are going to Australia for 3 weeks?

I know that the surgery will happen. I feel so good, except for my knee. All of my tests results are encouraging. The surgery is scheduled for Jan. 18, MLK day. Meg will have that day off to be with me and she will take the next two days off. Then Becca can help some of the time and I'll come begging at other times.

Nov.8 was Olive's birthday. She is now 4. How did that happen? For her gift, her dad built her a fairy table with stools. All of her friends want fairy tables now. So do I. I close with the photo. Surely she was about to get ready for her birthday party and not stay in her birthday suit.

Love to you all,
Diane

2009-10-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for the wonderful lunches and visits. I truly appreciate your help and your friendship. As of Oct. 21 I can drive. Yeah! Now I able to zoom down to Draeger's and buy lunch, but it is not the same as having your company. Thanks also to all of you who gave me rides.

Health news is great (minus the knee)! My neurosurgeon and I are very pleased with the surgery results. The x-rays show that all of the screws are in place. He looked at the PET scan results with me. The news is "no metabolic activity." How sweet it is...no cancer, no fungal activity. I feel good, like I knew that I would..so nice.

I see the "5-star" orthopedic surgeon on November 3. I would love for him to say that he can perform a total knee replacement the next day. I am afraid that he is too popular for that. Now I have to use a walker most of the time. This too shall pass. The x-ray results from my left knee suggest that the knee is a total mess.

Speaking of messes....here is the view behind my computer.

Steve's brother's daughter Brigette (is she still my niece?) was married in Southern California this month. She told everyone to wear black, white or gray or a combination of these colors. When Meg and I arrived at the wedding site, we were adorned with orange marigolds. The wedding colors really stood out. Many members of the Barrager family were at the wedding and it was fun to see them again. Here are a few photos from the wedding. Meg's first cousins are in each photo.

Yesterday Meg and I went to Stanford to hear Charlie Rose moderate a panel of distinguished guests talking about the fiscal crisis. I've had a crush on Charlie Rose for many years. This is a non-reciprocal relationship. Afterwards we went to Filoli on its last day to be open until spring.

I joined a new gym last week. I am able to lift light weights, use the bicycles, and the swimming pool. The facility is fabulous. With a new knee I will enjoy all of the equipment.

On the social front, Vicky and I went to a musical last week ("Lost and Found"), sat on the first row and enjoyed watching the dancers and their great bodies. The next day we had a wonderful tour of the new exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center ("From Their Studios") and ended up at Bloomingdale's buying shoes. Michael and I both loved "Julie and Julia." Meryl Streep is incredible. When Bruce and I went to a French bistro for dinner all I could think of was Boeuf Bourguignon.

That's the news for now.
Love,
Diane

2009-10-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Let's get the health matters out of the way first. I am doing so well. Only the knee is bothering me and I use a walker to get around. I now have an appointment with the doctor that everyone recommends for total knee replacement. He sees patients in Palo Alto but operates in Fremont where he has his own operating room, sterile hallways and sterile rooms for post-recovery for only his patients. I saw my new oncologist this week. He called today to say that all of my blood work was normal. There are no signs of anything amiss, but he wants me to have a PET scan now and every 6 months until I am 5 years away from cancer. And adding more good news, my back feels great.

Meg is in NYC this week. Since her school is year round she gets some weeks off at odd times. She was able to get tickets to the Daily Show last night. Today she went to the Cloisters. She is having a great time.

All last week I enjoyed the Ken Burns' National Parks documentary. Now I want to see all of them.

Speaking of good documentaries, I strongly recommend "Young at Heart." Meg bought it on sale, but you can get it through Netflix.

Every year Hidden Villa has a Humanitarian Awards dinner. This is always a special event where individuals in the community and others from anywhere in the United States are honored for their good works related to the environment, for promoting better relations among people from diverse backgrounds, and for promoting love of nature in children. It is a feel good event.

Michael and I went together as guests of Jim and Vicky. Here they are and we are at the event. Michael wins the award for "going green."

I really enjoy good food and fellowship. So many friends have brought great lunches and we have had wonderful visits. I enjoyed celebrating my goddaughter's birthday at Jim and Vicky's. Thank you all for these experiences. I should also mention how much I appreciate Bruce. We enjoy dinners together once a week and he fixes everything that is broken.

I love fine dining and here are some photos from experiences at elegant restaurants with Meg and with the ladies who love to celebrate.

I am busy at the museum preparing for training the new docents-to-be in the arts of Native America. There is always something interesting happening at the Cantor Arts Center. After the neurosurgeon gives me a go-ahead to drive, I will be able to attend more of them.

Here is the schedule for October meals. I see that some have already happened. I so appreciate all of your help.

With love,
Diane

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Friday, Oct. 9: Mary Rose

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Marilyn Fogel

2009-09-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful reception Ansie (Vicky's mother) received at Kepler's when she discussed her terrific book, "Running with the Tiger." The crowd was expected to number 50, but at least 100 people were there! You can read about the book on Amazon.com.

Coincidently when we were at Keplers, Vicky noticed that my incredible oncologist was there. Vicky took a picture of the two of us. Dr Horning is leaving Stanford Hospital to join the research team at Genentech. I am sure that she will be a great addition to the team, but will be greatly missed at Stanford.

My friend, Sara from Texas was with me for a week. Now I know what it feels like to be a queen. She did so much to help me. She organized my life so that I only have to go downstairs (my nemesis) once a day. All of my breakfast needs are there in my bedroom, some in my new tiny refrigerator.

Here we are enjoying the beautiful weather on my patio.

We made many different trips to my meetings at the Cantor Arts Center, grocery stores and so forth, but we did include some fun adventures including a trip to the every changing, beautiful gardens at Filoli.

A report on my health...my back surgery was a great success and is causing me very little pain. This is in sharp contrast to the first back surgery. I was in pain for a year after that one. The only thing causing me real difficulty right now besides low energy is my left knee. It is a bone-on-bone knee brought about by a long-ago auto accident. I will have a knee replacement when I am surgery-ready again, maybe January. I saw an orthopedist this week and he injected it with cortisone, but said not to expect too much because the knee is so far gone. Knee replacement sounds like a piece of cake compared to everything else I've had done to me. And afterwards I expect to be as healthy as can be. You'll be seeing me walking briskly without all of those canes, wheelchairs and walkers!

I've certainly been spoiled with delicious lunches. The rule is - only store bought food. For those of you who know Sally P., you can imagine that she ignored the rule and brought fabulous homemade soup and chicken crepes. Here she is in my bedroom where we enjoyed this tasty fare.

October lunches. Here is the schedule. I hope to be driving near the end of the month. Then I can whip over to Draeger's and pick up whatever I need. Not being able to drive has been a drag, but I cannot thank everyone enough for being so helpful to me and bringing me such nice lunches and great company.

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Friday, Oct. 9: Mary Rose

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Marilyn Fogel

I wish all of you well. What a blessing to have you as friends.
Love,
Diane

2009-08-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
As Vicky explained we joined some of the figures on the "Gates of Hell" as we attempted to make scheduling so easy with a calendar. Now that we have recovered (and Vicky has left town), I'll be using the old tried and true Writing Tablet (designed for grade 3) to record luncheon engagements. I will be able to drive by the end of October so that will end my need for your generous lunches, but not my need for your friendship and companionship.

Before I get to lunches, I wish to advertise Meg's 30th birthday. She celebrated on different dates and enjoyed a nice pizza dinner at Bruce's. Here are some of us at that event:

Vicky's mother came to Kepler's for a book event. They were expecting 50 people and at least 100 showed up. It was a great success and all the books there were sold. Can you imagine doing this at age 95? She looks beautiful and her book is fascinating.

Vicky's birthday was yesterday and we were able to celebrate with her. My friend, Sara, from Texas was here for a week to help me and she joined in the festivities. It was great having her here. She is a wonderful friend and is extraordinarily helpful.

Back to business...here are dates in October when I would love to have a lunch with you. Nothing fancy. I have enjoyed every sandwich and salad (and occasional wine) with you. If you have signed before, please allow another welcome friend to participate.

Just send me an e-mail letting me know what date works. I am having problems with "comments" and that makes me a little bit nuts. I would apologize for the computer, but it doesn't seem to care!

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Mary Rose

I will send an e-mail to each of you, confirming your date.

I am thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing you.

Love,
Diane

Diane's September calendar

2009-08-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hello friends:

Vicky here, and I do apologize for any trouble with the google calendar. I was hoping to make life easier for Diane, but instead I have complicated things because I am having trouble making it work the way I wanted. So if you experienced any trouble with the google calendar, you were not alone!

Anyway, the good news is that Diane is one popular lady (you may have guessed that already!) Her September calendar is now completely full. You are wonderful friends to Diane, thanks to all who offered to help!

With gratitude, Vicky and Diane

2009-08-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Dear friends:

Vicky's mother, Ansie Lee Sperry, is presenting her recently published memoirs, Running with the Tiger, at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park this Saturday, August 22 at 2 pm. She is featured in an article in the Almanac News August 19, 2009 edition, and you can read it online at www.almanacnews.com. I will be attending the author event at Kepler's and hope some of you will be able to as well. Below is some information about the book.

Thank you to all those who have offered to come visit and bring a meal. I am covered through September 1st both with friends here helping out and with one of my Texas friends who is flying in to give care. We will be in touch shortly about how to sign up for future dates.

I am doing very well, just a little low on energy. Vicky and I just returned from seeing my endocrinologist who gives me high adrenal system marks. I'm signing off now because it's naptime!

Diane

Ansie Lee Sperry's beautiful and witty memoir combines passages from her personal diaries, historical research, photos and sketches to portray the fascinating life of a woman who lived in challenging times. Ansie grew up in a prominent Hong Kong family, one of fourteen children in a household with four mothers. Sent to England for her education at the age of nine, she returned to Hong Kong after her father's murder. When WWII broke out, she left her comfortable life in Hong Kong society to volunteer for the war effort in the interior of China. She went on to travel throughout the South Pacific until the war caught up with her in the Philippines, where she was interned in a Japanese POW camp. It was there that she fell in love with her future husband.

Ansie Lee Sperry was born in 1914, the Year of the Tiger.

Running with the Tiger is available on Amazon.com and at Kepler’s Bookstore in Menlo Park, CA.

2009-08-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, Vicky has devised a way to access the calendar to put in our names and when we wanted to bring lunch. Maybe I am too tired to figure this out. Let's try this simple system and maybe become more sophisticated later.
As of now, the following dates are available for bringing lunch and visiting:

Mon Aug 17
Thu Aug 20 - Sally Porter (noon-1:30 )
Fri Aug 21
Mon Aug 24
Tue Aug 25
Wed Aug 26
Thu Aug 27
Fri Aug 28

Go to "Comments" to make your entrees. I can eat anything!
Thank you so much!
All my love,
Diane

2009-08-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

C'est moi! I am writing my own blog tonight. This is certainly progress. Current medical update: I will see my doctors next week and the following week and will keep you posted. So far, so good. In fact so far, so much better than I ever expected. I think that not having to go to a nursing center doubled my rate of recovery. It is so nice to be surrounded by my wonderful family. Both Kate and Meg are very helpful, Keela and Olive are non-stop entertainment and Murray fixes everything. Plus they are all nice. I am grateful. I am not moving around very much, but I am trying to do a little more each day. I am trying to stay on top of the pain with the prescribed medications and am trying to increase my knowledge through audible books. Honestly, I am increasing the number of hours that I sleep while audible books are playing.

I will tell you more about my pre-surgery trip to Taos later. Being with my forever friends was great. I have always loved Native American art and appreciated the beautiful pottery pieces from the Southwest. I found some paintings of pots done by an Anglo lover of same. I bought 3 of his works. One of my friends bought 2. The gallery owner invited the artist to come to the gallery so that we could meet him. Interesting background. He went to Texas Tech, majoring in civil engineering, was best friend with the brother of one of our gang and knew many people that we knew. He started collecting pots that he loved and painting them, eventually giving up his engineering career. Here is a photo with me and the artist, Kevin McDermott.

When I returned from Taos, I got together with friends. Here I am with Helen, Vicky and Nadine.

I am beginning to think of some fine food as abstract expressionism. The colors and arrangements are very nice, but you have no idea what you are about to eat.

We got together with Vicky and family. Vicky's mother, Ansie, has just published a fascinating book about her life from birth through WW2. She was in a Japanese internment camp in the Philippines during the war. She has always been an enterprising, plucky woman. Here is her photo with Kate and Keela. She is 94 years old!

Kate and family are leaving on August 15. I will certainly miss them. You are welcome to come visit before they leave. Just call. After they leave, I will need your help. I will not be able to drive for a while and would love to see you and enjoy a simple deli lunch together. Vicky is preparing a calendar for sign-ups. I will give you the link soon. You must know how appreciative I am for your help and your company.

Meg is very busy at school. As she teaches at a charter school she has only a short time off during the summer. She started teaching 6th grade last week. My bumper sticker is "The children in Meg's class were second in achievement in the whole school last year (her first)!" Way to go, Meg.

Here is Keela in a precious good bye shot. We enjoy all of your comments and e-mails.
Love to everybody,
Diane

she's "back"

2009-07-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

I just had to show how awesome this scar is...but also how good a job the plastic surgeon did to reshape mom's back!
The second photo is of Olive and Kate looking at the wound.

Mom is home, at rest, peaceful, happy, managing pain. It's the best we could hope for. Now we just need to keep her wound dry and clean and keep her on top of the pain, entertained, fed, etc.

I think she'll be posting next!

well....pretty good

2009-07-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hey , I've got to be real quick because school starts tomorrow. Mom is still doing great, albeit a little loopy. She tried to change the tv channel with her catheter today! She is tired and pain free while on her current cocktail of meds. This is good.

Doc says maybe Wednesday at the earliest for release.

I just wrote my students a first day of school letter....here is part of it (certainly influenced by mom and our journey over the last three years):

I hope that as you walk through these doors in the morning, or afternoon, or anytime…that you feel like this is a place where you are glad to end up. Even though it will push you and challenge you when you are sad and tired and wrestling with puberty, you will say at the end of the day that you belonged here, with each other, helping to make things a little easier. And so I end with a quote from Desmond Tutu:

“ Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Ms. Barrager

so much progress in so little time

2009-07-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

The progress mom is making in such a short time is incredible.
Some events of today:

- Dr. says she should just go HOME and skip the nursing home
- Dr. says maybe Tuesday release from hospital
- Kate and I looked at the wound...it's kind of a miracle..mom's back is STRAIGHT! No humpback whale. For those of you who didn't see her back or wound, it was pretty bulky...now her back is straighter than mine
-nurse who looked at her chart reckons this is her fifth life
- Mom is up on a bedside commode!
-Mom is off the morphine IV and onto Vicodin tablets
-the arterial line is out..
- the wound drains are out.
- mom says she has far less pain than the last surgery.
crazy!

hilarious

2009-07-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Mom's ICU nurse Cory, who we love, just called to say, "Your mother insists that you bring the New York Times! She's definitely ready to get out of the ICU if she's begging for the NYT!"

Mom is doing great today (so says Cory). But I believe him because Vicky, Kate and I all saw her yesterday and she was eating soup and Jello. She was looking for cute doctors for me, talking about skipping the nursing home part of the recovery, and asking to sit up! She said that she felt better than when she got out of the other spine surgery.

I'm going in there momentarily...locked and loaded with the paper under my arm. She should be on a regular unit by this afternoon and receiving visitors as early as tomorrow.

muchhh better

2009-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

So mom's breathing tube was taken out at 6:30 this morning, which was a huge relief to her. She's able to talk. They've given her her own morphine pca (patient controlled pain relief). The nurse thinks she'll move out of the ICU today.
Last night was so rough and upsetting for me. I'm really relieved that she's doing better. Patients tend to not do well when they wake up and realize that there is a breathing tube in their throats, breathing for them.

hard moments

2009-07-24T23:06:00.001-07:00

Bruce and I just got out of mom's room. She was REALLY uncomfortable. I want to just share good news here, but it's hard because I wear my heart on my sleeve. It has got to be the hardest thing to see someone you love intubated. We were told she wouldn't be, but she was. REally really hating it. She is supposed to get the breathing tube out tomorrow morning. I hope for her sake she does. Just for those of you who don't know..I'm told that intubation feels like breathing through a straw while gagging. I've never seen mom so upset and agitated. I guess it's all part of the process. If it gets her a less painful life, without the risk of death from infection (because, let's be honest...that's what we faced), then I guess it's ok. But it feels so not ok.

good news

2009-07-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

We've just met with the doctor. He had good news about the surgery. The team was able to remove most of the former offending hardware, and replace it with more shallow screws and rods of a superior material.
She required two pints of blood due to blood pressure drop and length of surgery (6 hours). She did not have to be intubated, which is a relief. I am waiting a few yards from where she will be wheeled out en route to the ICU. We expected that she may need an ICU bed (as opposed to a normal unit bed) because of her age and condition.
My greatest concern for my mom is the pain management. Last time she had a spine surgery, she woke up in a great amount of pain. I told the doctor to feel free to use prolific amounts of Fentanyl and benzodiazapenes (Valium).
We had a great day at Stanford. We ate at the museum cafe and played on the lawn with Olive. Bruce and Justin remained vigilantly protective of our mental and physical health. Olive and Keela stayed on cute duty, making lots of friends. I read a book about teaching reading..

Olive: What are you doing ming ming?
Me: professionl development.
Olive: prufeshnal eloment is boring.
Me: Yes it is!

I'll give an update tomorrow...
I felt all of your well wishes and thoughts throughout the day. Ma has great friends and family.
To the Texas stars: Thanks for taking great care of mom. She came back in a lot better shape than she left and was more ready for surgery as a result.

xoxo, meg

2009-07-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, I am scheduled for another back surgery on July 24. Meg and I met with the doctor today and we both feel good about him. He is very thorough in his explanations and has consulted with other doctors about my surgery. He will remove the metal rods that are protruding from my back and replace them with thinner rods that follow the contour of my back. I certainly hate to have more surgery, but I am looking forward to less pain and more mobility.

In the meantime, Kate and her family are here. She has extended her stay until mid-August so that she can help after surgery. I am blessed to have two wonderful daughters. And the granddaughters, you ask? They are fabulous indeed.

Here is Keela being held by one of Meg's students.

And pipe cleaners were never so much fun as they were with Olive.

More trips to Filoli. Thank you Michael. The flowers are amazing.

My college friends, Harry and Evy, visited recently. Here I am with Evy.

We went to the Frank Lloyd Wright house on the Stanford campus (Hanna House) and Harry took these nice photos.

That's it for now. I am off to New Mexico tomorrow to visit with my long-time friends from Texas. We are going to stay in Taos for a few days. This will nourish my soul.

Love to you all,
Diane

2009-05-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Regarding my health, I was thinking that I was becoming lazy as I move so little and am so often fatigued. With that in mind I hired a personal trainer to help me get back on track. What a challenge. I am totally deconditioned. In the meantime my back is still painful. I will see the neurosurgeon today. The hardware seems to be even more prominent than before and I want him to check it out. I was using a wheelchair to give tours at the museum as I could not talk, walk, stand for 1 hour. Now I have graduated to a walker. This gives me more freedom. I am still in good spirits.

Meg and I enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day lunch with Vicky and her family. Her mother, Ansie, has just completed her book about her life from birth until the end of WWII. What a life! Today I am going to a party for the proofreaders. I was enjoying the book so much when I was proofing it that I wonder if I caught all mistakes.

Thanks, Jim for taking the picture.

Filoli is always wonderful. Michael and I try to go every two weeks. The roses are spectacular now.

Kate, Murray, Olive and Keela are coming in two weeks. Meg and I are very excited to see them. They will be here for 5 weeks. Isn't that wonderful?

I have had some special lunches with friends this month. What a nice part of my life this is.

I signed up for the Apple "one on one" tutorials as I bought a new computer. I wonder what these young computer guys think of the old people they tutor? That's all I see at the tutorial station...young guys and old clients.

That's it for now. I look forward to sending you photos from our visit with Kate's family.
Love,
Diane

2009-04-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends,

I am happy to report that there is not much to report on the health front. My back still bothers me, but I think that I just have to live with this. I now have a custom-made brace for it which resembles medieval armor, only made of fiberglass. I perspire profusely when wearing it and find it uncomfortable to wear. I have a little more energy, but not much. At least the direction is positive. I am able to walk short distances, but require a wheelchair for a long haul. I am trying to increase my stamina. I'm ready to go somewhere exotic and far away.

The family is fine. Meg lives with me still and this works out well for both of us. Meg loves teaching 5th grade and the students are enjoying her. They call our house often. Kate and family seem to be thriving in Australia. Recently their town, Wangoom, celebrated its 50th anniversary and had the oldest and youngest residents of the town participate in a tree planting. Keela was the youngest. Here are Kate with the two girls and the oldest resident.

And Olive, enjoying the festivities.....

I went to San Antonio for a week to visit my family. My sister, Connie, and her daughter, Dana, drove from the Dallas area to meet me. Connie's son, Brad, and his family live there. Connie's husband, Dan, met us in San Antonio at the end of the week. We had a great Texas time. We visited the Hill Country near San Antonio and enjoyed old German towns, a wild flower farm, Luckenbach (population = 3; made famous by Willie and Waylon and the boys), the LBJ ranch, a saloon, a dance hall, the Museum of Western Art and more. In San Antonio we liked the McNay Museum and the Witte. Connie and I had a fabulous dinner at "Le Reve," one of the 50 best in the USA, according to reviews. Everyone in the family helped me make the trip manageable and wonderful. I certainly enjoyed Brad's two boys, Hunter and Henry as well as the whole famdamnily. Here are photos:

I am still active as a docent. I just qualified to lead tours at Hanna House, the Frank Lloyd Wright home on the Stanford Campus. I hope you will join me there some day.

Love to you all,
Diane

2009-03-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Let me get the health news out of the way first. I had a CT scan and saw my neurosurgeon. The good news is that there has been no further deterioration of my spine so the doctors says that the anti-fungal medication must be working. The bad news is that there is nothing that can be done about the hump in my back where the hardware is sticking out or about the screw that is hitting the muscle. Surgery is out of the question. The doctor prescribed a new back brace that is being custom built for me. We will see if this helps. Otherwise, I am improving.

I was able to enjoy a lovely time with Michael at Filoli. We are going there about every two weeks to watch the beautiful flowers come into bloom. Michael knows so much about plants that it makes the experience even better. He is also is fine photographer.

I have not seen my sister and her family for quite some time. I am going to Texas in April to be with them. Travel is a challenge for me, but the rewards are many.

Kate and her family will be coming to California in June. I am really looking forward to that. As you can see, Olive and Keela are growing up and being adorable.

I continue to be busy as a docent. I am training to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house on campus. The house (Hanna House) was built in the 1930's, but the design is so contemporary that you might think it had been completed yesterday. I continue to give tours at the museum. Our new exhibit is called "Pop to Present" and has exciting works of art, some of which are challenging for visitors.

Michael sent me some photos from an event last year. You may enjoy seeing yourself and more of my friends.

I close with this lovely photo of Vicky.

Love,
Diane

2009-02-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Many of you have aked about Kate and her family in Australia. They live west of Melbourne. The fires are north of Melbourne. Kate's mate, Murray, is head of the volunteer fire brigade in their town, Wangoom. He has been summoned to help clean up after the fires, but is not fighting fires. What a tragedy this is for Australia. The winds, heat and drought have fueled the problem. On a happier front, Kate's family is doing well and moving to a nicer home on the dairy farm property. Olive started pre-school. Here is a photo from her first day.

Since I last wrote my birthday has come and gone. What was once old age to me is now youngish. I like to think of myself as youngish. Thank you all for your cards and good wishes. I enjoyed several lunches and dinners with many of you. Here is one delicious fillet of sole:

The Birthday bunch from former DFI days spoke highly of the cuisine at Bistro Basia on California Ave. in Palo Alto. We will next celebrate our mother's birhdays. We like any excuse to celebrate!

Bruce is always so thoughtful. We had a wonderful dinner at Chez TJ.

I have been enjoying learning more about Abraham Lincoln through books and TV programs. I went with Michael to a conference on Abraham Lincoln featuring noted scholars. The symposium was at Stanford and was excellent.

My health improves a little bit each month. I am being tapered off of steroids and that decreases my energy. I am still being "screwed," but learning to live with it. I'll have a CT scan in two weeks to see if anything new is happening to my spine. My doctors all seem to be pleased with how I am progressing, albeit at a snail's pace.

I still think of New Zealand and how wonderful it was. Vicky and Jim are there now. I look forward to their report. One last shot of Murray and Olive on the beach there.

Happy Birthday to Abe and Chuck!
With love,
Diane

2009-01-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
We returned from New Zealand last week. I loved New Zealand...what's not to like? Beautiful scenery, nice people, affordable, and easy to navigate. Naturally it was great being with Kate, Murray, Olive, Keela and Meg for the holidays. Adore them as I do, grandchildren are lovely to return to their parents when grandma is worn out. We stayed in Auckland for two days and had a top floor suite in a hotel overlooking the harbor. We enjoyed watching all of the activity below. We then flew to Nelson, a town at the north end of the South Island. We rented a house on the water in this great place. Nelson is an art center. One of the museums is the wonderful World of Wearable Art with wild and zanny stuff. There are other museums and many galleries. I bought a couple of interesting pieces and am waiting for delivery. Nelson also has lots of pubs and outdoor restaurants. These were perfect places for children and adults. We ventured out of Nelson to the Marlborough wine country and to a national park called Abel Tasman where we took a water taxi around many islands, interacted with a curious dolphin, and had a picnic on one of the islands. Here are lots of photos:

Here is the update on my health. My back is still painful. Evidently there is a screw in the hardware along my spine that hits a muscle when I stand, turn, lean, sit, or lie in a certain way. There is also a growth around this area which is quite visable. This is bad and there does not seem to be any thing to be done about it. I am in no condition to have another surgery. I still have fatigue. New Zealand set me back a bit. BUT I am alive, cancer free and able to travel. Counting my blessings.

I still participate actively in the docent program, giving tours in a wheelchair. I see friends often and enjoy movies and meals with them. "Milk" was excellent. "Doubt" was very good, but not uplifting. "Mamma Mia" was lots of fun. I read many books. I am now enjoying "Team of Rivals," but what a heavy tome. I just spoke with my friend Sara from Texas and she is now the proud owner of a Kindle. Maybe that is next for me.

That is about it for now. Love to you all and have a prosperous New Year (let me know how you do it!).
All the best,
Diane

2008-11-30T12:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I do not have much to report on the health front. I seem to be getting better, but so incrementally that a Walt Disney time-lapse movie would be more convincing. I have a sharp pain in my back when I sit, lie, or move a certain way. I will be seeing my surgeon to discuss this soon. I am doing tours at the Cantor Arts Center from a wheelchair as I cannot stand for one hour. I do get up to talk about chosen works of art. The audience must think that I am being cured for about 5 minutes at a time.

Jim and Vicky just returned from a trip to India. They were in no danger as they left the day before the trouble began. What an awful attack that was in Mumbai.

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Meg and I certainly did. We celebrated with Helen and David and their family in Oakland. What great cooks they are!

I still see friends often. Friends are food for my soul. About 3 times a year I get together with favorite female faculty members from my department at San Francisco State University. Here is a photo of one of these women (Vera) and me at Sutro's (nice restaurant at the Cliff House) at our most recent gathering.

After all of these years I am hearing from long-time college friends....the wonder of e-mail. I often get together with my former roomate, Cilla, as her son and family live in Palo Alto. We reviewed the recent correspondence and reminised.

And it is always fun when Meg's friends return for holidays. Here we are with Barbara and her terrific daughters.

Meg and I are so excited about meeting Kate and her family in New Zealand. We are renting a house in Nelson on the south island for the Christmas/New Year's holidays. Here is Kate and her family on their dairy farm house in Australia. I couldn't resist including a precious picture of Keela. Grandmothers are like that.

Wallaby is our wonderful cat. He likes to lick the Wallaby yoghurt cups.

Meg was a bridesmaid in a wedding yesterday. Wow!

That is all of my bragging for now.

Happy holidays,
Diane

2008-10-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I see that it has been about a month since I last made a blog entry. This will be my schedule unless something big happens. Right now all is right with the world.

Keela had her kidney surgery and it went well. Kate says that the doctors were quite satisfied with the results. We are all relieved. Kate says that Keela seems to be happy after surgery.

I had a PET scan on Friday and saw my immunologist on Tuesday. NO METABOLIC ACTIVITY! Great news. I am still being treated for the fungal infection, but otherwise I am okay. The dizziness seems to have gone away. I still am short of breath if I walk for any distance. A block would be too long. And I am fatigued, but both symptoms are improving very gradually.

Meg and I spent a week at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. Fabulous place. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will go back again. We met interesting people (most of the guests were women), attended educating lectures, had a hilarious bingo night, listened to live music, watched the VP debates on a huge screen, ate wonderfully wholesome organic meals, and treated ourselves to massages, facials, manicure, you name it. Here are some photos from "the Ranch."

I continue to enjoy going out with friends. One "birthday" group gets together regularly even if we are celebrating ancestors' birthdays. Here is this fun bunch.

That's it for now. Love to each of you.
Diane

2008-09-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Sorry to be so long between blog entrees. I'm still recovering from the major back surgery and just don't have the energy to do as much as I would like to do. I've also been struggling with shortness of breath and some dizziness. The doctors do not seem to be too concerned with these symptoms. They are just part of my recovery process.

Meg and I were happy to meet Robby, Jim and Vicky's grandson, recently. Robby and family live in Arizona. Here is a photo of Robby and Vicky.

Speaking of grandchildren, here are recent pictures of Olive and Keela and Keela with Kate. Keela seems to be very healthy according to Kate, but she does have a kidney issue that will require surgery next week. We all feel a bit distressed by this, but it is better to take care of medical problems as early as possible. Meg and I talk to Kate almost every day on SKYPE. Seeing Kate and her family is a real treat and because we are so far away SKYPE makes us feel as if we are able to watch the little ones grow.

And here I am with my baby!

Meg started teaching fifth grade at East Palo Alto Charter School in July. The kids only have 5 weeks off in summer. Meg has been extremely busy as you can imagine. She loves teaching and has really gone all out to make the best lesson plans for her students. They love her. Meg has a week off soon and she and I are going to Rancho La Puerta, a spa in Mexico, to relax and be pampered. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

That's about it for now. Wishing you all the best.
Love,
Diane

2008-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Hooray! Kate gave birth to Keela Dove Adams on August 1. She weighed 8.8 lbs. and seems to be very healthy. I am looking forward to seeing her. Meg and I will meet Kate and family around the Christmas holidays in New Zealand.

I have been delinquent in updating the blog. Here is the latest news. My health continues to improve, slowly. Still I have low energy, little stamina and not much strength. I am seeing a physical therapist and the therapy is helping. I just need to be patient. I have seen the neurosurgeon, the oncologist and the immunologist. All say that I am doing well. We assume that the fungus is responding to treatment, but as I have said, that is hard to track. I am still cancer-free!

I was able to go to Santa Fe to be with my long-time friends from Texas in July. They were all helpful and caring. Santa Fe was wonderful as always. We went to a cooking school, had massages at 10,000 Waves, visited the Allan Houser Sculpture Garden, ate at fine restaurants, and enjoyed each others company sitting around and talking. Here are some photos.

Fortunately we were able to see my friend Ann in Santa Fe. She is always on the go or competing in swimming events (Sr. Olympics hopeful). Her father, aged 105, was recently awarded the National Medal of Arts for his contribution of art to SUNY, Purchase. What an honor. What a generous gift. Here are Ann and I.

That's the news for now.
With love,
Diane

Just one more view of Keela.....

2008-07-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I did not have any recent photos to put on the blog so I selected some nuts from Paris. They look good to me.

Here is the latest on the medical front. I am out of the back brace. The immunologist put me on pills and discontinued the daily infusions. Yeah! She also took out the PICC line. Yeah! I'm feeling normalish except for that lingering although lessened back pain. The PET scan and CT scan do not show any cancer. Yeah! How does the immunologist know that the fungus is responding to treatment. Beats me! She says she will use the latest PET/CT scans as a baseline, but the comparisons must be diificult to make as I have so much metal in my back that the scans are hard to read. Meg and I were trying to read the interpretation of the results on the computer and we gave up. Anyway, things are lookiing good from the patient's perspective. That is the most I can say. The immunologist did notice a protrusion in my spine that she had not seen before and referred me to the back surgeon to check it out. Maybe he can just hammer the spot back in place. I'll see him Monday.

Enough about that. How about fun things. Vicky, Helen and I went to see the Chihuly exhibition at the DeYoung Museum. Wonderful, colorful, creative, exciting. We loved it. We had lunch at Sutro's, the newish restaurant at the Cliff House. Great views, tasty food, elegant atmosphere.

I enjoyed dinner with Bruce and Ellen last night. We watched "The Station Agent." Excellent movie. I had seen it before but it was just as good the second time.

This week a few docents began training to be able to give tours of the Frank Lloyd House on campus. This will be an exciting addition for all of us. What a creative genius he was...even if not always practical.

Next week I go to Santa Fe to meet my wonderful friends from Texas. I can hardly wait to be with them and enjoy the wonders of Santa Fe.

I hope you are all having a relaxing summer. That's all for now.
Love,
Diane

2008-07-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Here are Meg, her friend Tyler's mom Margaret, and me. Do I seem to be shrinking? I am able to go without the back brace now and that is a real relief. I still have back pain. I would love to be able to enter "no more," but time will tell.

Not much news on the health front. I go to Stanford every day for infusions, even on July 4. I will see the immunologist on Tuesday and she will determine whether I can switch to pills. That would be nice.

I am glad to report that the air quality in Northern California is better than it was a week ago. I assume that the fires are being contained. It is early in the season for so many fires. We just have to think that nature will cooperate to minimize future fires.

I am trying to keep my foot in the door at the Cantor Arts Center. I am training to be a docent for the Frank Lloyd Wright house on campus. This should be an interesting adventure. I am always amazed that FLW was so ahead of his time in his concepts. The house on campus is no exception. It could have been designed today.

Meg is busy preparing for tests to qualify her for an emergency credential. She needs to pass these to be able to teach her 5th grade class in East Palo Alto beginning soon.

Michael and I saw the movie "Mongol." The cinematography was spectacular. The costumes, yurts, language, and animals were impressive. The movie is about the early life of Genghis Khan and there is lots of blood, but tastefully delivered. I recommend the movie, but warn you that it is a bit tedious.

That's about it for now...more next week after I see the doctor.

Love to all,
Diane

2008-06-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Here are my friend, Kay and I. She left on Saturday and I miss her. It has been so great to have my Texas friends come here to help me. Kay is very involved in visual arts and we share that interest and vocabulary.

Here is my medical news. I had a PICC (peripheral infusion central catheter) placed in my upper left arm a week ago. The hospital called to say that I should start the anti-fungal medications on Wednesday of last week. Kay and I thought that I would have a simple and quick procedure. Ha! We were at the treatment center for about 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening. The treatment continued for two times a day until today. Now I have the infusion in the morning only and take a pill in the evening. While Kay was here we saw the neurosurgeon who did my back surgery. He says I am doing well in recovery although I will always have a very curved spine from the lymphoma damage. I am still wearing the back brace that you see in the photo, but he says that I can take it off at the end of June. Earlier he had said end of July so this is good news. I saw the immunologist yesterday. Unfortunately the Mayo Clinic results were not conclusive so she is treating a fungal infection that we hope is the fungal infection I have. Stay tuned.

Interspersed in all this we had Bruce over for dinner. We visited the Cantor Arts Center where the new exhibition is works of art from New Orleans that are traveling around while the museum there is being revived. We went with a docent friend to a spiffy restaurant, entertained my home improvement team with a pizza lunch and met Jim and Vicky for hamburgers.

Meg is home now and we enjoy our time together. We have watched several episodes of "The Wire," but are not exactly hooked yet.

There are many exciting art exhibitions in San Francisco right now-Chihuly, Kahlo, and Women Impressionists. I look forward to enjoying them.

All for now.
Love,
Diane

2008-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

My friend Sara from Texas has been here with me for about a week. She left today and I am missing her already. The good news is that another wonderful Texas friend, Kay, arrived this afternoon. I feel like a queen as I mostly sit in a comfy chair and respond to, "May I get you anything?" I am so happy (fortunate) that Sara and Kay have come to be with me while Meg enjoys Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Here are Sara and I out for the evening.

Last week the back surgeon said that I could now drive short distances, but not on the freeway. I practiced with Sara and would have passed the test except for attempting to run a red light after I had come to a complete stop and looked both ways. I was given a retest later and passed.

For fun we met some friends at the movie theater where we saw "Sex and the City." Loved it! Go with friends. We were surprised that we liked it so much. Friendship, love, forgiveness and sex. Is there anything more?

Oh yes, health. The big news on the health front is that I had my needle biopsy to determine the type of fungal infection. Sara and I spent about 9 hours at Stanford Hospital for the biopsy. Here is the disappointing news..the immunologist called today to say that the biopsy did not extract a sample of the infection! The results from the Mayo Clinic are not back yet. Nonetheless, Kay and I will go to Stanford tomorrow for the placement of a PIC line and for my oncology appointment. The immunologist will begin the administration of an antibiotic. I assume that the doctor is using her "best guess" to determine the antibiotic to use and will change the medicine if results from Mayo suggest something else. So, that's where things stand healthwise.

Meg reports a fun time in Jackson Hole and a lucky time in Jackpot, Nevada on the way. Her girl friend won a big jackpot in the slot machine! That never happened to me. But I have been having good luck with my health and that is most important to me.

Love to you all,
Diane

wallaby montage of cuteness

2008-05-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Wallaby with Michael, Angel our contractor's son and then Wallaby all by his sleeping self!

getting back to normal

2008-05-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Mom is now in the computer room , which to some may not feel Herculean but for mom is a real step on the moon. And she's on the phone with a friend..of which I've realized she has MANY! Who else has a google calendar JUST for social life? I try hard to out do her recovery social life but I can't seem to get anyone to bring ME lunch! I have to drive to SF to see friends, which is not bad. I had a crazy night this weekend when my old roomate Andi forgot her wallet 30 minutes before boarding a red eye to Ohio. She called me in SF where I was conveniently hanging out with my friend Tyler. There was no better friend to be with for the fast paced, high stakes delivery of her wallet because Tyler won the reality TV show "the amazing race" three years ago...(teams on the show race 59000 miles around the world in one month). Tyler and I jumped in my Honda and got to the curb at Continental 1 and 1/2 minutes before Andi had to pass through security. In 25 minutes we drove across town and then down to the airport south of the city. It was "amazing."
I've just graduated from driversed.com and we're going to have a mini- celebration. Wallaby continues to amaze us with his cute postures and his three kings style of bearing gifts at the doorstep...only instead of incense and myrhh..he brings beheaded rats and voles. Mom loves to use her "I can't bend over to clean that up" excuse!!

2008-05-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I am back on the Internet again. This photo is of Meg with two of her students from this year. She worked with them as part of the Decision Education Foundation and will be teaching at the same school next year with an emergency credential. I could tell that they were crazy about her.

I have limited energy so all I will do is give you a quick medical update. The fungal infection on T-10 needs to be treated, but the Immunologist does not know what the specific fungus is because the pathologists did not save enough tissue to grow a culture. Everyone was expecting cancer. Last week the doctor thought that she would treat the most common fungal infection that grows on bone. I spoke with her today and she has changed her mind. She learned that the Mayo Clinic may be able to identify the fungal infection from DNA from a very small sample of tissue. She will try this first. The treatment would probably involve two injections of anti-fungal meds/day for about 3 months and then tablets for about 3 years. She seems to be intrigued to solve the mystery and to clear up the infection. Good news. I will let you know what happens next.

Thank you all for bringing food, sending cards and staying in touch by e-mail. Love to you all.

Happy Memorial Day. Thank you to all of those who serve our country.
Love,
Diane

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

2008-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your well wishes. I think I nailed the silly test. The ratio of concepts studied to concepts tested was about 95:5 ...which is always a little disappointing. Maybe I should apply for jeapordy with all this useless knowledge!

Mom is doing fine but is still unable to come to the computer to check email, so she asks your forgiveness in not replying. The google calendar is working quite well..thanks!

I leave you with an image of our new heroes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They are an eighties cartoon with each turtle named after a Renaissance artist (Donatello, Raphaelo, Leonardo and Michelangelo). They are very inspiring little guys because they too wear heavy back braces and still manage to combat crime in the city. I have ordered mom a t-shirt (don't tell) ...I'll send you a picture once it's on.

I think it will look really cute.

Mom's home!

2008-05-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

Hi All

I am real busy studying for my test tomorrow but wanted to say quickly that mom is home and sleeping so soundly in her bed. We're going to order a pizza and call it a night pretty soon. Long day of getting her discharged.

This photo , so obviously!, depicts me studying...

the lonestar state pulls through

2008-05-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Ok! Thanks to Sara Jane and KAY, I've got coverage for my vacation! You Texas gals are the best!

A sitter for mom!/Meg is desparate for vacation!

2008-05-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all loving friends! Please do read Vicky's latest blog post below about the google calendar. I'd like to add a big calendar item myself. I have not been on a vacation without caretaking for over a year and I really want to take a road trip to Jackson Hole Wyoming this summer with my girlfriend Shannon, who lives there. Our plan is to head out June 5th and I would return via Salt Lake on June 12th. Is there anyone (or combination of folks) who would like to stay with mom during this 9 day period? I would really love to get away for some climbing, rafting, buffalo sighting and mountain bachelors! Anyone? Please write me an email at figseason@yahoo.com if you are interested!

Calendar for Diane

2008-05-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

Vicky here, reporting that the google calendar for Diane is up and running. Local friends, you should have received an email from me giving you the info needed to access the calendar. If for some reason you didn't receive it and would like to access the calendar, post a comment on this blog entry to let me know.

Diane is staying on for now at the Los Altos Rehab Center. The physical therapist is planning to visit her house on Friday to see what, if anything, needs to be adapted before she goes back home.

Diane is smiling at all of you from her bed at the rehab center!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, Vicky here, filling in for Meg who is studying for her tests. Happy Mother's Day! Diane celebrated by going with Meg to Jeannie's house for brunch today. Diane is still "in residence" at the Los Altos Sub-Acute and Rehab Center and the estimated date for her return home is now Tuesday, May 13. She is doing fine, she just needed more time to get her strength back before going home. Thank you to all who have called or visited or sent cards - your support gives her a big boost!

Many of you have asked what you can do to help, and Judy Ford suggested that we set up a calendar that is available online. I am doing just that, on Google Calendar, and we will list what friends can do in specific time slots e.g. bring meals on certain days, give a ride to the doctor's etc. I will be emailing the local friends with the username and password to access this calendar, and then you can sign up for any available slots that work for you. One request: she has very high blood sugar right now and has to take insulin so she is not supposed to eat anything sugary, so if you bring any treats, something savory is best (she loves cheeses). Thank you all!

news you won't believe

2008-05-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Are you sitting down? Are you ready for some big news?

I'll give you time to grab a cup of tea and a cookie.

Ok, now that you're back..... the doctor called today with the results of the biopsy. There was no tumor. There was no cancer. There was, instead, a massive infection in her spine (for the last 15 months it would seem she hasn't had cancer but instead a rare infection). So now we're back to the drawing board. What is going on ? We need to see more specialists? more biopsies and more conversations, more treatments. It's crazy! Just crazy! I can hardly get my mind around it. I'm up in San Francisco and I got to call my mom while looking at the ocean and say "you don't have cancer." I called my sister in Australia and said the same.
Mom simply said, "i'm thrilled." She is hands down the most incredible patient I have ever met. The infection would help explain the lack of cancer symptoms and the "strange progress' of her cancer. The doctors must have been shocked.

I'm taking her out of the nursing center on Saturday. I'll be taking care of her at home round the clock until she is safer on her own. And this is good timing because I'll be studying for the CSET. I've been offered a 5th grade teaching job in East Palo Alto! Very exciting.

Does anyone want to come and visit our house starting Sunday? Anyone want to fly in from out of town? It's a happy, healthy place with lots of cats and sunshine.

Talk to you all soon.

come visit~

2008-05-03T19:50:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

Mom is in room 319 at the Los Altos Sub Acute Nursing Facility on Fremont Rd. in Los Altos (the road runs parallel to Foothill expwy). Her cell phone is right next to her bed...just call ahead of time in case she is in physical therapy.
She's sharing a room with her friend Li, which is great for them!

I'm off to enjoy the film the Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

mom's doing great!

2008-05-03T14:21:00.001-07:00

Mom is doing great. She is unplugged from everything and off oxygen. In about an hour I'm going to pick up mom and take her to the nursing center in Los Altos. I'm actually not even sure which one! I have to find out from the social worker. It's not the Hyatt (the Hyatt rejected mom...another story!) but it'll do. This way she is close to home and can more easily ask me to bring things to her. And I can bike to see her now that I'm not working. My last day of work was yesterday and I am really so happy. My two favorite work mates and I are pictured.
Araby recommended baking soda for my poison oak and it has stopped itching temporarily...go Araby! (side note: Araby..can you give me a call?)
So I will let everyone know which nursing home mom is going to...and visitors are welcome. Please, come and keep ma company! She would love it. But she has a code word when she gets exhausted..."mango honesty" ....this comes from a narcotic induced brainstorm session two years ago! Mango honesty means "Thanks for coming, I'm going to sleep now!"

going well

2008-05-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

Progress is good. Mom stood up today and took a walk down the hall with the aid of a turtle-shell brace and a walker. I missed it! But she told me all about it. She is cheery as all get out again, her normal self. On drugs. But still, she's Diane again. She will soon be released to a skilled nursing facility which is a bummer because no more good looking hospital staff and a severe age spike in company.
Vicky brought mom a haagen dasz ice cream bar and that about meant the world to her. She's got a new and less crabby roomate. ONe of mom's friends just had a hip replacement and is a stone's throw from mom's room on the same unit. They unfortunately don't have a combined amount of working body parts to make it the 10 yards to see each other!!
The cats are lonely so I've come back to visit them today. I'm a little peeved at Wallaby because he's been wandering in poison oak and bringing me souvenirs that are on average four inches long, last ten days and itch like crazy.
Oli and I video conference from Australia. Olive showed me her pink underpants last night...I got about a three minute close up of her bum. Very cute! Then she went to get a piece of chocolate cake and just sat back in the chair and ate it in front of me. When her dad Muzz got home she said "I talk ming ming on puter." I would have said that I "watched" Oli go about her daily business while she occasionally asked that I bring Wall-da-bee (my cat) back into her view. That's probably how I got the poison oak!
Love to you all...

morning!

2008-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi all..
A few additions to last night's blog. I am not the best "Blogger" when I am exhausted. A few people asked about ma's punctured lung and I wrote a response on the comments section. No worries! A normal event in a posterior spine surgery.

Secondly, mom is no longer in the ICU. She has been moved to a surgical recovery unit. She is eating solid foods.

Stay tuned! I'm going in at 9.

better better better!!

2008-04-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Mom is doing so much better today! I am sorry I didn't write sooner. I know many of you are anxious to hear good news. Thanks for all your well wishes. She is just soooo far improved from yesterday. The doc made a round and said "I am surprised at how well you're doing considering the massive surgery." But at this point, are we really at all surprised by this? Diane/mom is SUCH an amazing patient. Her attitude is something we can all appreciate.
Her punctured lung is healing beautifully, her incision spot is doing what it's supposed to... she will work with a physical therapist to stand and walk tomorrow morning.

I am perhaps understandably exhausted. I just love that woman so much! How can you not? Especially when she is so doped up...she just cracks me up.

She looks forward to seeing all of you and told me to pass on the message "it will be fun to see all in the nursing home or at my home but I'm a bit exhausted right now and will put off visitation until I'm moved to the next place."

Thanks again for all your support.

9:30

2008-04-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Just tried to go into the ICU early and the nurse scolded me. Visting hours start at 10 but the the nurse did say she had a fabulous night. And from the corner of my eye, mom did look fresher. Still much like ET with about 15 tubes and cords, but fresher somehow. Last night the narcotics made visiting with her extra entertaining. Her nurse's name is Marika. Mom was singing "I've just met a girl named Marika!" (west side story). She also said "jello" was her favorite food! : )

I'll write more soon.

phew....

2008-04-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Meg Here...

Mom went in for surgery at 8 this morning and was out at 2. The doctor reports that it was a difficult surgery given the "mess" of her back, but overall he was able to remove two vertebral bodies and fuse five. She was transfered to the ICU due to the enormity of this surgery. She will probably be there 24-48 hours. I will let all of you know when she can receive visitors..not until she is in a regular unit. Right now she is in more pain than I have ever seen. I'm not going to spare the blog..it's not easy to see her in this much pain...she is struggling to talk (she was intubated for the surgery and is on oxygen now becase the amount of narcotics needed make breathing difficult ..narcotics slow your central nervous system and dry you out). They mercifully knocked her out again after she struggled for two hours of writhing pain on waking. However, the writhing is a good thing..meaning she did not become paralyzed during the surgery. And the doctor also said that the tumor in her back did not appear as "active cancer" but a mess o' necrotic tissue. This could be good!...really good.
Vicky and I were with her today. She made one very Diane comment in between gasps "I don't like to complain , you know!" I'll visit every two hours tommorow and send another update soon.
One cool tidbit today: Some girlfriends and I befriended a couple from Alaska whose son just had a heart transplant. He is 28, caught some rare virus that weakened his heart and waited a month to get a match. last night a perfect heart came in from Fresno by jet. The parents insisted that we three belles visit him in the ICU SIX HOURS! after he got a new heart. I don't know whether he appreciated that or not but it will be something to write home to Fairbanks about for sure. He was lucid and shook our hands! Amazing. His father said "I don't think you girls will ever get the opportunity to see this kind of thing again>" I think he's probably right.

Thanks to those of you who already sent cards. Best to send them here to 13220 Robleda and I will take them to her.

xoxo meg

2008-04-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

When I emerged from my bedroom on Sunday, I looked out at the walkway by the hill outside my kitchen and water was gushing from behind the walkway stairs with a wall of mud to go with it. I tried to remain calm and zen-like because I am now a firm believer in no stress, but this was a test. Long story short, the water is off. I had about 2 feet of mud covering the patio outside of my kitchen. I did have a carpet of mud in the garage and studio until Bruce and Ellen came over and cleaned up. What excellent friends. I had an army of men do major clean-up yesterday and today. What a sight. I felt like a Katrina victim, but fortunately the mud doesn't reek. It turns out that my next door neighbors' pipe broke and the water was from their property. They have a major mud slide on the back of their hill and plenty of mud and yuck too. They happen to be in Hawaii, however. They seem to be more upset about this calamity than I am. As long as people are not hurt, I am okay. The brawny guys are doing a great job of cleaning up. Here's what it looked like (thanks, Bruce, for taking photos).

Well, that's that. Now onto health matters. I saw my neurosurgeon yesterday (4/21) and he wants to do the surgery next Tuesday (4/29). I will be glad to have this done. It is scary, but I feel certain that I will have good results and at some point my back pain will be reduced. The surgery is called corpectomy and involves removal of part of the vertebrae and replacement with titanium, rod and screws. The vertebrae are thorasic 7, 8 and 9, I think....could include 10 as well. At the same time a biopsy will be done on the tumor we think is still there. Between now and then I need to have chest X-rays, an EKG and a CT scan. Scheduling all of this is a challenge.

On Friday, Vicky is giving me another luncheon to thank some friends other than docents who have helped me during my illness. I am truly blessed to have Vicky and other wonderful friends in my life.

I'll keep you posted. Love to all,
Diane

2008-04-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I am feeling a little high....is it the morphine? Or is it the recent news from the doctor? I saw my onclologist yesterday. Meg and Vicky both came for support. The doctor said that the PET scan from last week showed no change in activity. The only sign of lymphoma is on thorasic vertebra #10 and the "glow" has not increased since January. The oncologist recommends that I have the spinal surgery ASAP, have a biopsy of the growth and that the radiation oncologist review the results with the neurosurgeon and decide whether to "zap" the tumor. Now I am just waiting to be scheduled for surgery. I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

In the meantime I have been enjoying doing things with friends, including taking an interesting Cheese School class in San Francisco. The class concentrated on cheeses paired with tapenades and wine. Meg, Liana (my goddaughter; Vicky's daughter), Vicky and I learned about unique cheeses and thought that the idea of a cheese tasting would be fun to try with friends.

Tomorrow I will go to a charter school in East Palo Alto to celebrate Meg's project there with 5th graders. The students made a field guide to the Baylands. I am looking forward to this make-your-mamma-proud event.

So that's the news. All the best to each of you.
Love,
Diane

2008-04-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Michael took the photo above of pear blossoms. This says "spring" and lifts my mood. My mood can use this boost with the most recent medical findings and recommendations. I went to a neurosurgeon last week. He examined my MRIs and pointed out that vertebrae T-7,8 & 9 were collapsing because of the lymphoma damage. He recommended surgery with metal reinforcements to rebuild these vertebrae. I met with my oncologist yesterday and she supported this recommendation. The two of them have discussed this along with the cyber-knife radiation doctor. I will have a PET scan tomorrow to give them a full picture of the spine and cancer activity. Then I meet with my oncologist again on April 15 for a final decision regarding surgery and cancer treatment. In the meantime I am sending in all the positive healthy cells to defeat any cancer cells.....seems to have worked before. The surgery is a challenge and the recovery period is long, but as Meg pointed out the doctors wouldn't recommend this if they did not think that I would be around for some time.

Did I hear you ask about the Mediterranean cruise? We are taking a rain check. Those islands are going to be there when we are ready for the trip.

Nice things in my life include activities with friends and family. Vicky hosted a wonderful luncheon for my docent colleagues and me. Here we are on that lovely day.

If you want to see pure joy, here it is! I am counting my blessings.

Love to you all,
Diane

2008-03-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Spring is here! What a beautiful day.The fruit trees are in blossom and are glorious. Michael and I went to Filoli and enjoyed looking at the orchard where Michael lends his expertise as a volunteer. The gardens include an incredible display of daffodils, tulips and hyacynths. I am lucky that Michael takes me to Filoli as often as he does and that he knows so much about plants and shares that knowledge.

On the cat health front, some critter bit Wallaby on his tail. An infection ensued. Then there were antibiotics to be administered orally (always a hoot with a cat), that annoying cone around his neck, and the litter box (because he couldn't go outside). Finally, treatment over and cat door reopened. Now his tail is reinfected. Nobody is enjoying this!

On my health front, I went to the spine clinic on Monday and the doctor prescribed a new back brace called a Jewitt brace. It had to be built for me and I picked it up yesterday. This is a full-on brace and takes getting used to (which I am not). It is hardly a fashion statement, but if it does the job of helping my vertebrae heal and keeping the lymphoma tumor from being irritated until I can start treatment, then it is definitely worth the effort and the annoyance. I have to wear it most all of the time that I am awake.

My days are full with physical therapy, exercise at the Y, healing touch, lunches/dinners with friends, docent activities, conversations with Olive and more.

Happy Spring!
Love,
Diane

2008-03-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

With a sigh, I am sorry to say that the MRI results were not what I wished. The radiologist said that there was still cancer activity on vertebra T-10. My oncologist said that this was a slow growing lymphoma, but that she did not want to go without treating it because paralysis would be the consequence. She said that I had had a maximum amount of radiation, but mentioned chemotherapy clinical trials in which I might participate, starting in about 12 weeks. I will see her again in 4 weeks to plan treatment. I am feeling better each day which makes the MRI results hard to understand, but they are what they are. I plan to go on enjoying life in the meantime.

In fact, right after the doctor's appointment I drove to Stanford Travel and signed Meg and me up for a trip on a 114-passenger ship to visit islands in the Mediterranean. I had promised Meg a trip when she finished her master's degree and I had not yet delivered. The trip is in May and I will probably start treatment when I return. At least I'll have my own hair for the trip!

I have been happy with physical therapy which seems to be helping how I feel. I also enjoy my exercise class. And I continue to participate in docent-related events as much as possible. My friend Sally (far left in the photo) and I went to Marin recently to hear Winfield Coleman (shown with his wife) give a presentation on Native American horse masks. Winfield is an amazing scholar and knows an incredible amount about Native American customs and art. I had never even heard of horse masks and Winfield showed about 70 examples mainly from Plains peoples. Being a docent is so much fun!

That is the news for now. I need to get busy reading about Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, and more. Meg gave me a card today thanking me for this trip and saying, "I can't wait to pull your luggage!" Truly I am blessed.
Love,
Diane
P.S. Meg just reminded me to encourage you to sign up for the island trip. Check out: www.stanfordalumni.org
Click on Travel Study for information. No need to be an alum to go on the trip.

2008-02-25T14:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Look carefully and you will find Wallaby in the magnificient Valley Oak tree behind my house. He was great on the way up, but challenged on the way down. Watching him learn is really fun as long as he's not learning to scratch on the furniture!

I have had some very nice events and news lately. Around Valentine's Day, Vicky had a beautiful luncheon for me and my docent colleagues. The docents are still raving about the wonderful food, flowers and fellowship. What a special gift this was. I am so blessed to have Vicky as my friend and guardian angel.

On the good news front, Kate is pregnant! The baby is due in August. Olive will be almost 3 when the baby is born...an excellent age separation I think. Kate does not want to know the sex of the baby so we will all be surprised. Meg is thinking of going to Australia to help with Olive while Kate tends her newborn. That would be great.

Speaking of Meg, she and I started taking piano lessons. Our piano was just sitting there, untuned and unused. I had a tuner come and do the job, then we scheduled our lessons. We are using an adult piano book. At least we are reading adult instructions even though the songs are elementary. I am trying to practice 15 minutes a day. I think that is my limit. Jingle Bells sounds good only once or twice. Both of us have taken lessons before. Forgetting just about everything is easy. I'll let you know when I have a recital. Ha!

I started physical therapy last week. It is challenging, but I really need it. I have really contorted my back trying to get comfortable. The therapist is helping me break those bad habits.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I will not know about the MRI until I have the test next weekend and then see my oncologist next week. I will certainly let you know. Now think, "clear and clean." That's what I am doing.

Wallaby and I say goodbye.

Love,
Diane

2008-02-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Maybe everyone did not request a photo of Wallaby, but you'll wish you had when you see how cute he is. I really did not want another pet, but I changed my mind when I met Wallaby. He is so SOCIAL! Very special kitten with personality plus. I just wish he would sleep a little later.

A quick health update.....I went back to the Spine Clinic after my X-rays had been interpreted. I have compression fractures on Lumbar vertebrae 1 and 3. These are new...I had old ones related to my auto accident in 1965. The spine doctors do not know what caused the new fractures. They said it could be osteoporosis or cancer. They have prescribed physical therapy and aquatic therapy. I am wearing a "corset" for 2 to 3 hours a day. I never thought a corset would feel so nice. Thinking of you, Rhett.

I am to avoid bending forward or lifting anything of significant weight. I dream of travel. The cruise ship may be the best choice after all.

I will have a spinal MRI (oh, yuck) the first week in March and then see my oncologist again for her interpretation of the resuts. I'm thinking "clear image" and sending in the good cell troops to do their job.

All my best to each of you.
Love,
Diane

2008-01-29T20:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

This is my monumental birthday month.....the month I qualify for Medicare. I don't care what they say, 65 is not the new 30. I receive reems of ads for health care supplements and the like every day. Where do these insurance companies get my name? Does the U.S. government sell this information??

Actually, this has been a wonderful month for going out with friends and being treated to great lunches, splendid company, and lots of surprises. As I mentioned in the last blog, I have enough hair now to go au naturel. Are you ready? Here is a photo of me and friends, Lynda, Doria, and Carole. Some days are better than others for the hair!

I promised that I would give you an update on my medical news when I received my latest PET scan results. Today I got the news. My oncologist said that the scan showed a glow, suggesting cancer activity, on my 10th thorasic vertebra. She said that she could not rule out that the glow was connected with the radiation treatment in this area, but that I would need to have an MRI for her to have a more complete picture. I was disappointed by this news as I wanted to hear that I had a clear scan. I have been feeling better, have had more energy, and have been getting stronger. I will continue to direct my energies toward the positive outcome. I will let you know when I know the results of the yet-to-be-scheduled MRI.

Meg is moving back home. She decided that the commute from San Francisco to Palo Alto was not consistent with a low-carbon footprint. She rescued a kitten from the pound and our family now includes Wallaby. Did anyone ask for pictures of Wallaby? I'll have to request some from Meg.

Here is one more photo from Australia. Olive has her first "bouncy castle" experience and is a bit baffled at first. She did catch on later and getting her to abandon the castle was a challenge.

That's all for now. Love to all,
Diane

2008-01-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

It seems as if the docent party, holidays, long airplane flight, jet lag and procrastination have prevented me from adding a new blog entry until now. The docent party was quiet lovely, if a bit chilly as the heaters for the tent broke. The Dragons (my docent class) really know how to throw a great fete.

A few days later Meg and I were off to Australia. Flying is no fun any more. We had several unexpected flight problems that delayed our trip there and back. American Airlines in coordination with Qantas have you book your tickets from San Francisco to LA and then from LA to Melbourne. On our way to LA the plane started suddenly descending. The pilot announced that we were making an emergency landing in Bakersfield because a light had gone off indicating a fire in the cargo hold. Our too-big-for-the-runway plane made a fast bumpy landing and we were surrounded by fire trucks and emergency vehicles. No fire was found, but one of the fire extinguishers had gone off which means that the plane could not be used again that night. The Bakerfield airport does not serve American so no new plane could be flown in. We disembarked from the plane on a long ramp into a driving rain storm and then confusion ensued. No matter what, we were not going to make our connecting flight that evening. Finally the captain told us that a bus was being sent from LA to take us all to LA. It was going to take at least 2 hours for the bus to get to Bakersfield. We quickly rented a car and booked a seat on the next night's flight to Melbourne. Meg drove us to LA. We also asked a very funny lady from South Africa to join us. She kept us laughing all the way. We got to LA's Airport Embassy Suites at about midnight. As we were unloading our baggage from the rental car my way-too-heavy purse fell down on my arm which resulted in an ugly gash on my forearm. We ended up at the Emergency Room at LAX where you would not want to be. I concluded that everyone there hates their job. The doctor took a quick look at my wound and said dismissively "looks pretty superficial." The nurse hapharzardly bandaged the wound without pulling the skin together. I will be sporting a new scar when it heals. After a long day in LA we did make the trip to Melbourne the next night on a pleasant Qantas flight. I will not bore you with the details of our spending 7 hours in LAX on the way home.

All that aside, it was wonderful to be with Kate, Murray and Olive over the holidays. I rented a small house in a "resort" town, Port Fairy. Kate and family stayed there with us the whole time. Olive is so cute and so "two." I love being a grandmother. Murray has many relatives who live nearby and Olive has many cousins to play with. Murray's brother and his wife have a daughter, Eva, 6 months younger than Olive. She is called "Eeah" by Olive and they love to be together. And what did Eeah get for Christmas? A pony. Wonderful! Here are Olive and another cousin, Lydia, age 5.

The area where Kate and family live is like Texas in 1952. Not many people, flat land with grazing cattle, clumps of trees to give cattle shade, cars are few and far between, strangers are kind. Probably a great place to live, but the flies drive me nuts. I bought a net to wear over my face and that helped. A bee keeper outfit would be perfect. The Australians don't seem to notice them...probably evolution.

Olive is talking a blue streak. She is putting words together and lets you know that things have to go her way. For instance, she insisted on wearing Meg's ran jacket and her heart-shaped sun glasses on a drizzly day.

On our last day in Australia, Murray drove us to the airport in Melbourne. I said my goodbyes. Meg took a moment to tell Olive how special she was and how we were going and would miss her. Olive gave her a spontaneous hug. Meg hopped out of the car and waved to her. Olive called her back, "Ming Ming" (her name for Meg). Meg leaned back into the car expecting a touching farewell. "Close the door," was sweet Olive's message.

I have been recovering from jet lag and travel fatigue for several days, but I seem to be improving. I went to SF MOMA with Vicky and Helen yesterday. What an interesting exhibition is there. The artist is Olafur Eliason from Iceland with incredible creations using light and shapes. Choose a docent lead tour!

I am still enjoying lunches with friends. Here are Doria, Lynda, Carole and me.

This is probably the last you will see of me with wig. My curly gray hair made a debut a few days ago. I wonder if you will recognize me? I am also carrying the smallest purse imaginable.

I am feeling good with my same old symptoms a bit less bothersome. I'll have a PET scan later this month and let you all know the results.

Until then...A Votre Santé!
Diane

2007-11-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
I was looking through photos and came across this one from last spring when Meg visited Olive and family in Australia. I thought it was so Australian that I had to include it. Speaking of Australia, I had a talk with myself and decided that if I tried to wait until I felt perfectly well I might miss too much of Olive, Kate and Murray. So I bought tickets for Meg and me to go be with them over the holidays. I dread the flight, but I am very excited about the visit. I rented a cottage in a little "resort" town near the dairy farm where Kate lives. She and her family will come visit us there and we will visit them and Murray's wonderful family on the farm. We should have lots of photos to share.

Olive is so precious. Do I sound like a grandmother or what? Here she is dressing up for us. She talks a blue streak and is very much a two-year-old telling everyone what to do and insuring that we know what belongs to her. I talk with her on the telephone (when she feels like it!).

Life is certainly busy enough. I try to limit myself to one event per day, but sometimes I need to be involved in more. I have been working with Bruce in his Decision Consulting Workshops, providing feedback to participants on their speech and presentation skills. This is always enjoyable for me.

Our docent class is hosting the Holiday Party for docents and staff this year. This must be like putting on a small wedding. All of us have big jobs to do. My committee is arranging for the food.

Meg's company had a speaker give a presentation on what she had learned from playing poker. Her name is Annie Duke and she is a world-class poker player. She talked about using poker strategies in life. She was a terrific speaker and inspiring, reminding us to forget "sunk costs" and to know why we would put all of our chips in on a bet.

I went to one of the remaining independent bookstores, Kepler's, to hear Ken Follett speak. I loved "The Pillars of the Earth" which I read years ago. He has written another historical novel, this time about the plague in the 1300's calleed "World Without End." I would have bought the book that night except that too many people were waiting to have him sign copies. Standing up and waiting in line has to be the worst activity for me.

My fine friends, Helen and David, invited me to spend a wonderful weekend with them in Oakland. They took me to dinner at Chez Panisse. This is Alice Water's fabulous restaurant in Berkeley. There is a set dinner each night made with fresh, organic, grass fed, local ingredients. If I weren't such a foodie I wouldn't go on, but I am... dinner included spiny lobster tail salad, potato gnocchi with corn and wild mushrooms, grilled lega nd loin of lamb with green olives and herbs and vegetable jardiniere and Meyer lemon ice cream profiteroles. None of us brought a good camera, but the waiter did take our picture with a cell phone. I am thinking that we all look better in the dark and out of focus as we age.

Meg and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Jim and Vicky and friends. I always look forward to this holiday with people I love and good food.

My health is okay...good days and bad days. As usual low energy and back pain are keeping me from the Senior Olympics. I will see the doctor again next week.

Love to everyone,
Diane

2007-11-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I have been waiting for some good photos and some more news. At last I have both.

Meg and I went to Portland for a long weekend. She wanted to see some long-time friends and hear her local friend, Justin, play with his band, "Or, the Whale," at Portland venues. I wanted to see my friend Araby and to enjoy some of the cuisine from Portland chefs I read about recently in the New York Times. Little did we know that Portland would be spectacularly decked out in fall colors and that the weather would be sunny and mild with no rain. We had a great weekend.

Araby drove up from Eugene where she is living this year. We enjoyed a great brunch at Bijou. Afterwards we visited the Portland Art Museum which had a special exhibition of works by Chuck Close.....think bits and pieces made into large portraits. The musuem has an exceptional collection of works by Northwest Coast First Peoples....always a favorite of mine. Here we are enjoying our time together.

Meg took me for a drive to the Columbia River Gorge where we enjoyed a view of Mt. Hood on the way, a beautiful waterfall, and those lovely fall colors.

We ate at a lovely upscale Mexican restaurant, Nuestra Cocina, one night and "the best restaurant in Portland," Paley's another night. We met some of Meg's friends at a fun pizza place for our 3rd dinner.

I felt good everyday, although I still have low energy and, you guessed it, back issues. I have more to tell, but I'll save it for the next blog.

Love to you all,
Diane

2007-10-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Meg and I are very happy with my latest medical news. The PET scan showed a little glow around the cyber-knife spots on my spine (probably the lingering effects of radiation), but was otherwise clear. This is amazing. The tumor on my lumbar vertebra found on the MRI is gone! I do have a few small blood issues, but no lymphoma tumors. I assume that all of the prayers, meditation, healing touch treatments, John of God crystal with mantra, positive thoughts and love from family and friends are working. Please keep it up.

My doctor does have a way of putting a slight negative spin on things. She said that my current condition could be a "honeymoon period." I said "No, it is a long successful marriage." I only think in one direction.

I am getting stronger, but the progress is slow. What I need to do is to start exercising. TODAY!!

Since my last blog entry I have had lunch or coffee with many friends, given a tour at the Cantor Arts Center, helped in the planning of the Docent Holiday Party, attended a Volunteer Recognition Tea, and ordered new metal garage doors to replace my now non-functioning wooden ones. I have been using a cane or a wheelchair for activities that involve much standing or walking. That's going to change soon.

Meg just bought me some new Wonder Woman underwear. How perfect. I'll be sure to wear these for exercise.

Love to you all,
Diane

2007-10-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear Friends,

I haven't written for a while as I have been busy without much news to relay, and I have had no pictures. At last I have a photo of Gus, Claudia's shih tzu. Claudia is Marc's daughter and a friend of Meg's. Meg and I bought him a bumble bee costume for Halloween. He seemed to like it.

I feel pretty good; some days are better than others. Still it is my back that bothers me. Vicodin is my friend. I had a PET scan last Thursday, but I will not find out the results until I see the doctors next Tuesday. I will let you know what I learn. Keep the positive thoughts.

I am trying to be self sufficient although more of my Texas friends are willing to come to help. I think that I will wait until I need more help (never, I trust) or until we can have one big party. Meg comes to spend about 2 nights a week with me and that is great. So many of you have been helping me in various ways. I really appreciate it. I have not called everyone who volunteered to help as I am taking care of most of my needs myself. I would love to take each of you out!

As I mentioned before, Sara's visit was followed by Harry and Evy's. They left about a week ago. On their last night here, we enjoyed seeing "The Jane Austen Book Club" together and then having a Thai dinner in Palo Alto. The movie was fun, but requires a bit of knowledge of Jane Austen's books. Thai food requires only a good appetite.

Last week was the opening of the Willie Cole exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center. Willie Cole gave a tour and a lecture about his work. He is charming, engaging and handsome. The exhibition is unusual with lots of irons, ironing boards, scorch marks, shoes and hair dryers. Amazing what Willie Cole can do with found objects!

That is all for now. I am so grateful to have you as my friends.
Love,
Diane

2007-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
My long-time friend, Sara, came from Texas to help me for a week. Sweet! Here we are with Vicky who had us over for dinner last night. Wonderful dinner, wonderful friends, wonderful California.

I feel so good today that everything seems wonderful. Usually mornings are the most difficult times for me, but today is different and I am grateful. I will go for another PET scan next week and expect the results to be excellent.

Sara and i have had lots of fun together and she has been very helpful. You'd think I hadn't done laundry for months. There she is is folding, sorting and putting things away. She has fixed great meals and helped in all sorts of ways, but it hasn't been all work. Yesterday we met some of my friends at a newish Vietnamese restaurant in Mt. View for lunch. The food was deliciouus with artistic presentations. On Monday, Sara joined me for a Docent Forum and for a presentation on the upcoming Willie Cole show. My Texas friends are going to be ready to give tours on this exhibition! On Sunday Vicky treated us to a musical version of Emma at the Mt. View Performing Arts Center. It was terrific, true to Jane Austen's work. The production will be traveling soon, but I have no idea where it is going. Don't miss it if it comes your way. I don't watch much TV, but Sara has introduced me to "Dancing with the Stars" and "Boston Legal." I see that I have been missing out on lots of fun.

Sara leaves on Friday and I will miss her, but Harry and Evy are coming again from NYC and will arrive before she leaves. They will only be here until Saturday as they are visiting Evy's cousin and Steve in San Francisco.

I look forward to reporting good news again soon. Love to you all.
Diane

2007-09-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

Diane here......
Dear Friends,
Gay left for Texas yesterday and do I miss her. How wonderful it was to have her here helping in every way. The great news is that I kept getting better each day that she was here. I have more energy, feel better and am enjoying life more. We went to the Cancer Center on Tuesday and the tests confirmed my feelings---my blood pressure is normal, I have gained weight and my heart rate is slower. I still have low platelet count and low red blood cell count, but otherwise the signs are good. This calls for celebration. The doctors want to see me again in 3 weeks and for me to have another PET Scan in October.

Gay and I packed in many activities while she was here, including massages, lunch with Vicky at Tamarine, a terrific ichibana demonstration, a visit from Meg, dinner with Bruce, dinner complements of Carole, dinner with Li and a trip to the beautiful Filoli gardens with Michael as shown below.

I also had Gay join me for an excellent presentation on the art of Willie Cole by Sally S. Our next special exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center will feature his work. He uses irons, ironing boards, iron scorches, shoes and other found objects to create his art. This should be a provocative and entertaining exhibition.

Gay and I watched lots of movies On Demand and from other sources. We particularly enjoyed 16 Blocks and Return to Me. Bruce and I heartily recommend Fracture. I have been reading many books as well and think that 1000 Splendid Suns was well worth reading. I have read many books lately dealing with women and Islam...something has got to give!

That's the latest news for now. I look forward to reporting more good news soon.
Love,
Diane

2007-09-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Diane here.....
Dear Friends,
Kate and family left on Saturday. We had a nice send-off dinner with them, Meg, her freind Andi, Bruce and me. Olive is learning new words at an astonishing rate and it is so much fun to watch. Note the little mouse toy in her hand. We had been enjoying sending it running off the coffee table. When we played the game of "where's Mommy?", "where's Dee?" she would point appropriately and we'd clap for her. When we asked "where's Bruce?" she immediately held up the mouse toy. We really laughed and had to make the distinction between "mousey Bruce" and "Uncle Bruce." Here are Uncle Bruce and Olive.....

Thanks to all who brought me meals between the time that Kate left and Meg moved back to the city and September 5. On that date, my long-time friend Gay from Texas arrived to be my caregiver for a little over a week. Having her here is just great. Wherever I need to go, she takes me...sort of like "Driving Miss Daisy." She has been fixing delicious meals for me and helping with all of my chores, but most of all she has been a loving, fun friend who is great to have visit.

I have six special friends from Texas whom I have known since 6th grade. We have been close friends since then and get together every summer, usually in Santa Fe, for a reunion. One or two more of these friends are coming to California to help me over the next month. I am blessed.

My health is improving. I am still not back to full strength and energy by any means, but I am slightly better every day. The new medication seems to be working. I also have a healer who comes to the house once a week to apply a "healing touch." She came yesterday and Gay said that I seemed to have much more energy afterwards.

That is the news for now. As always, I thank you for your friendship and support. All my best to each of you.
Love,
Diane

2007-08-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hello friends...Diane here....

Here you see Meg with Olive and another friend, Sophia. I have loved spending so much time with Oli and family and will miss them when they go on Saturday. Little ones learn so much so quickly at her age - 21 months. I hear her say new words everyday. I am still Dee and Meg is still Ming Ming. I hope that these stick.

A note to all who responded to my request for help...I am not able to keep up with my e-mail. Just know that I appreciate your e-mails and will get to your messages in due time. Thank you for being so responsive!

The latest medical news.....Meg read a book by a woman who beat cancer through diet. We also have a friend who says that her nutritionist gave her a new lease on life and that she has had no recurrence of her breast cancer with her special diet. We made an appointment to see this nutritionist at UCSF. The diet she gave me was low fat, low protein, and high on fruits and vegetables. I started it, keeping careful tabs on everything I ate, being sure to use Omega 3 and not Omega 6 oils and restricting my sugar intake. Yesterday I saw my oncologist and her nurse practitioner at Stanford. When I told the nurse about the diet, her mouth dropped open and she looked at me as if I had run off with Carlos Cataneda to see Don Juan and try a peyote cure without telling her. "You don't need to be on this diet. We know nothing about it and lymphoma. You need to gain weight. Go out and have a hamburger and a milk shake!" The oncologist agreed. Meg and I went to Peninsula Creamery and had a chocolate shake and a turkey melt with fries. Wow, did they taste great! Now I can eat anything. My major health challenge right now is low blood pressure. I am lightheaded when I stand up. The doctor does not know what is causing this.I am not dehydrated. She put me on hydrocortisone to see if this would help. I'll let you know.

Meg and I saw a funny movie.."Death at a Funeral." Total slapstick. Belly laughs are good for all of us.

With that thought I'll sign off. All my best to each of you.

Love,
Diane

Meg here...

2007-08-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

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First of all the good news! Kauai was perfect. The place, the company and the weather were all in our favor. This was a much needed rest and vacation for all of us. Also an extreme act of generosity on mom's part. Our accomodations were so nice! Mom's health held up throughout the trip...kind of plateaued anyway. And today we found out the reason for many of mom's symptoms. For those of you who haven't seen mom recently, she is VERY tired. She needs a wheelchair to get places because standing and walking are miserably lightheaded and exhausting. The pain in her back is now a dull discomfort, better than acute (as it was before). Appetite is low and getting enough fluid on board has been difficult. Today at the clinic she registered a 64/40 blood pressure. Yikes! due to dehydration. So she was given iv fluids for three hours!
So the cluster of symptoms represents 1. dehydration 2. cumulative effects of treatment and radiation 3. Her body's depletion of "natural steroids" and 4. Our old friend lymphoma. This time the scan lighted up (meaning cancer activity) in her lower spine. Not good. The doctor said that rather than chasing this place or that with radiation, she will wait to see if mom has lymphoma activity in more places and then maybe try a clinical trial. It's not great news, never really "what we wanted to hear".. I won't sugar coat. Although I will say that our optimism never dies, and mom's spirit is as graceful and hopeful as ever! We always look on the brightside. THe doctor's said that in some cases with "recurrent lymphoma" patients do recover and live for years. And medicine isn't everything. This afternoon we sat with Vicky in our victory garden and discussed novels and kauain vegetation. Kate and Murray are down for the night making dinner. Little Olive and her grandma "D" (Oli calls her dee dee) have the same nap schedule (right now). Oli just loves Dee Dee! The itsy bitsy spider was a real hit.
Mom will email all of you and tell you what she needs as far as transportation, meals and I'll add to that....company! I would personally love to have time to get up to my city apartment (haven't slept there for almost a month) and know that mom was with a friend. Besides Ginger.

off to kauai

2007-08-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

before...

after....

I thought i'd add a before/after of the victory garden...the garden is so big i could not take the same picture angle and fit the flowers in. the hollyhocks have jack-in-the-beanstalked (i'm sure beanstalk is a verb) their way above the roof.

My high school friends Kim and Andi (my roomate in sf, on the far left) and Vicky came over monday with lots of food and good company. Huge spirit lifters, all of them. we are truly so lucky to have all of you as friends.

Mom has had a rough recovery from last week's traumas. And yet, in typical fashion her spirit persists and we make jokes constantly. She has been able to see a lot of her friends this week. And her energy is crawling up every day. I can hear her in the background talking and her tone is well up from where it was over the weekend. We don't have any results from MRI's to share. We dropped a note for the doctor but have not heard back. bummer? Although, who knows? Maybe ignorance is bliss. Mom loved the rental film "Wondrous Oblivion" and wanted to share that with you all. Last night we watched "Not Without My Daughter." Not the most uplifting.
On Saturday we are off to Kauai to get lei'd. : ) Mom's lists of to do's today: 1. arrange toys for oli 2. pack a toy a day for oli. I think she will be so happy to be with the little one.
I am bringing my computer to the islands and will try to send really tropical photos. love to you all..
In the meantime, check out our friend Josh's blog : jlilienstein.blogspot.com He is wonderful and we've learned from each other this year. I met Josh in an art therapy class for survivor's and caretakers. We grew up in the same neighborhood.

animal house

2007-07-26T11:51:00.001-07:00

Meg here.... I am lounging with my friend's dog "gus" as my mom and friend take a little nap. Ginger is absolutely terrified of Gus, who has been here for a couple of days. Poor kitty.
Mom's officially done with her cyberknife treatments. It's possible to see the place on her back where they have been treating her...a big red camel hump. It's all so interesting! She feels better already, but the treatment will take some time to kick in. Watching her go through the treatments I was reminded of her bravery and her patience. She has so much to teach us about attitude! The process was not easy...lest you get the impression that it was an "in and out in a minute" job. She had to be prepped with all kinds of pain killers and endure an hour at a time on her back...the most uncomfortable of positions! Still, she was smiling and tough till the end. Tonight I am taking her to an MRI so that the docs can make sure the lymphoma isn't anywhere else in her body. We certainly hope not!
I have been granted a leave of absence from my work for the month of august so that i may enjoy some respite from the last 14 months of constant turmoil, a graduate degree and a new job. I've really wanted this break and will be so happy to spend lots of time with my sister, muzz and olive...who have extended their stay by a week! It's Winter in Australia and I believe they are really looking forward to summer here and on the island of Kauai. Which besides being difficult to spell is meant to be gorgeous.
Be welL!!!

2007-07-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

First, my health. I am certainly in the right place for treatment. I have many choices as one might in the Paris market.

On my last report I mentioned that my doctors wanted me to participate in a clinical trial with another drug that sounded promising. The lymphoma specialist and the radiation oncologist discussed my case further and decided that I should have a targeted radiation treatment first and then see whether I need to participate in a clinical trial. The radiation treatment is a cyber-knife procedure. "Cyber-knife" sounds a bit hostile. I'm thinking that Batman and Robin would want to be sure that they had captured all of the enemy's cyber-knives before leaving the scene of the crime.

I learned more about the procedure on Wednesday when I met with the radiation oncologist and the neurosurgeon. Vicky came with me an took notes. I am so lucky. It turns out that there are no knives involved in the procedure. Radiation is beamed at the target spot(s) from many different angles. My lymphoma is in the soft tissue around the spine in at least two spots. Because the radiation comes from different directions the area around the tumors is not affected as the heavy concentration is at the specific sites. The doctors seemed to be very encouraged that this treatment would be effective for me. They did notice that I had very low blood pressure and thought that I might be dehydrated AGAIN. Oh, nuts.

I had to sit for a two-hour IV fluid injection and it was all my fault. I have been drinking water since then with a renewed fervor. Thank you, Vicky for your amazing patience!

On Friday, Meg and I went to the radiation treatment section of the Cancer Center where I had a mold of my back made and had both a CT scan and an MRI. All of you art scholars would appreciate the fact that I could have a bronze sculpture made of my back from the mold. Any buyers? Meg was a real trooper as I was in great distress following the MRI - just lying flat on my back on the narrow metal platform and getting up were very painful. Meg nursed me through this agony.

The procedures should take place this week on 2 to 4 occasions. The doctors are working on the treatment plan and will let me know their decisions, probably on Monday.

In the meantime, I had to miss my reunion in Santa Fe with my wonderful friends from Texas. Even if I did not have the M.D. appointments my back hurts too much for fun.

Friends and family have been so important to me during this ordeal. I thank you for your offers to bring meals. In addition to bringing meals, Vicky folded my laundry and Helen cleaned out my refrigerator. Bruce fixed my kitchen drain and put in lots of new light bulbs. What a team! Here is a photo of Bruce and me at the CAC where I lead a tour in a wheelchair for him, his girl friend and some long-time friends from our biking trips.

The day is coming soon when I will be able to make nice meals for you!

Love to you all,
Diane

2007-07-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
This blog update is about my health, but I am including a few photos (thanks, Judy) from Paris for good measure. This one is of the Musee du Quai Branly which we really enjoyed. I recommend including it in your next trip to Paris if you enjoy art from native cultures.

I went to the doctors a week ago today. The first thing I learned was that my blood tests show that my anemia is not from an iron deficiency, but due to an insufficient production of red blood cells by my bone marrow. All of that iron-fortified cereal, spinach and liver did not help. The doctors thought that I might have lymphoma in the bone marrow and ordered a bone marrow test on that very day. What a nasty test that is! I called Meg at her work to come hold my hand and she did. What a wonderful daughter. I will not spoil your dinner by describing the test. Let it be enough for you to know that Meg fainted while watching it!

A few days later I received the results of the biopsy. No cancer in the bone marrow. Great news! Now the doctors think that I have lymphoma in the spinal column. Today I received a phone call from the Fellow who said that the lymphoma specialist along with the radiation oncologist they thought that I should have more radiation treatment for my spine. I am waiting for a phone call from the radiation lab.

Somewhere along the way I will have an MRI. The next step after the MRI and radiation will be my chance to participate in Phase 2 of a clinical trial with a new antibody drug. I am enthusiastic about participating in this trial.

In the meantime I am taking pain killers and muscle relaxants for my back. And I am getting plenty of rest and eating fresh fruits and vegetables such as those shown from Paris.

And eating out with good friends like Judy.

All my best to everyone. Happy summer.
Diane

2007-06-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Here is precious Olive saying that she loves to go camping. It is winter in Australia so she is keeping warm by layering. Being so far away is difficult for Grandma Diane (we'll see what she actually calls me). I will see her and her family in August. Meg and I will meet them in Kauai for an 8-day vacation. I have rented a house in Waimea for us and think that this will be perfect.

And how was Paris, you ask? Paris is always beautiful and Judy and I saw more of it than usual as we took taxis to all of our destinations. We chose this mode of transportation rather than the Metro because of my fatigue and back aches. Judy was a wonderful, understanding and helpful roommate. Every morning she brought me pastries from a bakery and coffee from a cafe. She hailed the cabs (not easy) while I sat nearby on a bench or large flower pot. At Paris' new museum, Quai Branly, she pushed me in a wheelchair which made seeing the museum objects much easier for me. I really enjoyed this museum with its collection of pieces from Africa, Oceania, the Americas, and small culture groups from Asia. The Cantor Arts Center's current exhibition, "The Art of Being Tuareg," is showing objects from the Quai Branly. There were only a few Tuareg pieces left in Paris. When we discovered how easy (for me) getting around in a wheelchair was, Judy found a place to rent a "fauteuil roulant" and that' s how we covered more ground than would have otherwise been possible. I will admit that the cobblestones in the Marais were a bit challenging for both of us! We enjoyed the Picasso Museum there. I never cease to be amazed at Picasso's prolific output of fabulous art. Did he sleep? Other outings that we enjoyed included a cooking class where we shopped at the open air market first and then cooked the ingredients at the instuctor's charming class kitchen in her home, a shopping trip to the arcades on the right bank, a visit to Jim's salon (Jim is an ex-pat who opens his home to all visitors on Sunday evening), small museums/homes and many delicious meals. Judy took all the photos, including many shots of food. I will share some photos with you soon.

After returning home, I had another PET scan and then a visit to my doctor. The PET scan showed "activity" on my spine, but the doctor was unsure whether this was still radiation aftereffects or lymphoma. I am scheduled for an MRI in late July to clarify the situation. My blood tests showed that I had a low red blood cell count, meaning that I am anemic. Do you remember "iron poor, tired blood?" That's what I have. I am trying to increase the iron in my diet. Vicky brought me a spinach-chard soup, one of Popeye's favorites for lunch today. Now I am hungry!

Thinking of my wonderful friends and family. Love to you all.
Diane

2007-06-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Some news from the medical front...my blood test results from May 15 were fine except for my low platelet count and for my elevated LDH (lactate dehydrogenase). LDH is a lymphoma marker. My blood tests from June 4 still showed a low platelet count which goes with reduced blood clotting. I bruise if I look at a hard object! AND the results from June 4 revealed near normal LDH levels. Yeah! I still have back issues, but I will avoid complaining and think "painfree back." I will have a PET scan later this month and then see the doctors a week afterwards. Positive thoughts....

I leave for Paris next Tuesday. I will meet Judy somewhere in the DeGaulle Airport and we will have a fun week visiting old and new sites. We are staying in an apartment on Boulevard St. Germaine in the Latin Quarter. A full report will follow.

Meg moved to San Francisco on Saturday. She has two roommates and lives in a section of the city called the Panhandle at the end of Golden Gate Park. Of course, I miss her. She has been a stellar care giver and a loving daughter. But I am glad for her to be with friends and to have a more exciting social life than living in the suburbs with Mom.

Meg gave me a bon voyage gift. I am now the proud owner of an iPOD. Talk about a 21st Century woman...a blog and now an iPOD! Meg will give me a tutorial on Saturday. I think that listening to books on iPOD will make the flight to Paris go much faster.

Since I last made an entry, I have been busy at the Cantor Arts Center and socializing with friends. Here is a photo from a recent lunch with X-DFI (Decision Focus Inc.) friends.

That's the news for now. Paris is calling.
Amicalement,
Diane

2007-05-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
My former faculty colleagues (actually only my female colleagues) from San Francisco State University and I get together for lunch about 3 times each year. Here we are this week on the patio of the Olympic Club on the Great Ocean Highway. It is always fun to catch up with each of them and to remember some of the fun and funny experiences at the University. I am very happy to continue our friendship over the 33 years since I first taught at SFSU.

On the health front, I am doing well with a little less back pain. As Meg mentioned in the last blog entry, I am tapering off of steroids as stopping completely is not advised. I find that I have less energy as my dose is reduced each week, but this will correct itself over time. At least I will get rid of my moon face!

Meg is buying items to furnish her room in San Francisco. She moves into her new apartment on June 1. I will miss her very much, but am happy that she will be living with young people and having a great social time.

My social time has included a preview of 2008 Stanford Travel Study trips (how tempting they all are) and walks, movies, lunches/dinners with friends. My docent time has included training to be a "part-time" docent for the upcoming exhibition "Art of Being Tuareg." This promises to be an interesting exhibition of art objects from a nomadic people in sub-Saharan Africa who inhabit Niger, Mali, Algeria mainly. Just about every docent is sporting Tuareg jewelry now!

I am excited about my upcoming week-long l'aventure in Paris. I leave on June 12.

That's it for this entry.
Love to all,
Diane

moms are for celebrating

2007-05-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

So it's Meg here writing again while mom cooks up some salmon. I am moving to San Francisco June 1st, a big marker of mom's improved health! and will miss the daily meals. There are lots of little bits of news that mom suggested I include. First off, we had a warm and loving mother's day celebrated half with Ansie and Liana (the youngest and oldest of our Godfamily members) and half with Barb, Allison, Shannon and Andi (Meg's adoptive family [in the pictures]). Happy belated Mother's day to all the moms on our blog. We love you all!
Mom's vanity is threatened by the bloating effect of steroids. Here is photo disclaimer number one...mom's real face is half this size. As she is tapering off steroids, expect more and more beautiful photos to come forth! Photo disclaimer number two...my stomach and mom's stomach are often half the size they are in the photo as well. Again, a combination of steroids and gelato.
I also want to mention that our lovely friends Bruce and Ellen stopped by for Grey's Anatomy.

There is one more episode this season if you are interested. A provocative show exposing the truth about doctor's lives...everyone is beautiful and everyone is complicated. And surgeries in real life are so often performed with a backdrop of sexual tension. I'm so glad there is a show that is finally showing us what really goes on behind the curtains!
The last bit of news is that mom's doctor recommended a quarterly maintenance dose of rituxin which she will get again the week after her Paris trip. This is good news as Rituxin has always been well tolerated by mom and is a WONDER drug....and very much part of the reason mom is still here with us to celebrate mother's day. Thank GOD!

more good news

2007-05-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Diane here.....

Lots to tell since Meg's last blog. We had a great time in Philadelphia as she told you. I am a foodie and we enjoyed wonderful, creative meals there, plus Philly is a treasure trove of America history and fine art. Too bad that Meg had an outbreak of hives, but they are now gone, her feet have recovered and she is able to enjoy life again.

Speaking of enjoying life to the fullest, that is what I am doing. I saw my oncologist last week. All of my test results were good and she wants to see me again in 6 weeks! Six weeks.....I am having Cancer Center withdrawal. I have been going there every week forever. I feel well now with just a bit of lingering back pain. That may be part of my story as is the case with so many friends who suffer from back problems. Regardless, I consider every day a gift and will continue to do so.

Some of the activities I have enjoyed recently include two movies: Miss Potter-beautiful-I must go to the Lake District in England; The Namesake-excellent film that I enjoyed with Jim and Vicky and members of Jim's bookclub and their significant others. They said that the book was excellent and that the movie was true to the book. Stan's friend, Linda, is an artist and has opened a gallery in downtown Palo Alto. Meg and I went to the artists' reception and were impressed with the art. The Peninsula Volunteers Annual Authors Salon included interesting authors discussing their works and there I met a woman who is having a great adventure, living in Paris part-time. Doesn't that sound inviting? The Humanitarian Awards dinner at Hidden Villa was inspiring as always and I enjoyed seeing many long-time friends there. I have been helping train new docents in arts of the First Nations of the Northwest Coast. I love being back at the Cantor Arts Center and working with my wonderful docent friends.

And, thank you MIchael for another visit to Filoli. The roses are almost in full bloom and the wisteria is spectacular.

I hope that we will return soon as Filoli gardens are always changing in beautiful, dramatic ways.

Meg and I spent a weekend on the coast in Pacific Grove near Carmel. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else? I looked on the Internet at several places to stay there. I should have done better research. I picked a place that looked very nice and was priced at a level for good quality. But when we arrived, we found that we were staying in a, shall we say, dump. Then there was no escape as the cancellation policy was 72 hours in advance, plus finding another place to stay would have been impossible. We have to laugh about it, but it was disappointing, especially when the pot-smoking frat brotherhood partied until 3 AM outside our subterranean unit. The ocean was nice.

I have read some good books lately and would recommend The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai, and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

That's it for now. I am looking forward to sharing more good news with you soon.
Love,
Diane

The wonders of Philadelphia

2007-04-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all, It's Meg again. Back from a long blog absence. Mom and I were in Philly for three days together this week, before I had two days alone there for business. Together we had a great time, ate incredible food (Yucca root fries, baby barramundi, flourless chocolate cake with dulce de leche whip cream) and saw some beautiful art including the fountain below our 16th floor hotel room (logan square). Mom did incredibly! She had more energy than I, but also better shoes. I had brought the fashion-before -comfort loafers which proved to be a big museum-foot harbinger. Thankfully a Philly Rite-Aid sold ten dollar inserts, those beautifully formed fake feet that slide so perfectly into the loafers. So as mom's health held up just great (absolutely impressive!), mine took a hit. Not just the feet. The day she left I developed a wicked case of hives. We're thinking this was an allergic reaction to strawberries but the culprit is still unknown. At any rate, I nearly called 911 from my hotel room at 3 in the morning when my hives had crawled up to my lips (swelling them to New Jersey housewife standards) and my blood pressure dropped (and the panic set in). Luckily I called a brilliant doctor friend who talked me down from the panic and encouraged the on-boarding of sedatives. Today I am back in California, bumpy like a satelite image of a swamp, but happier. And mom and I are on our way to Carmel tonight for a two day relaxation session on the beach. Philly was entertaining, but not relaxing. I can't wait!! Love to all, thanks for the never-ending warm vibes.

Diane copes

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Diane copes

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011

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