I’ve always wanted my posts here to come across as informational, but also as a creative expression of my optimism. So those times that I don’t feel very creative, or optimistic, or either, I avoid writing. But then people miss out on the information and perhaps that’s a bit unfair. If you don’t know how I am, you have no choice in how to respond to me. So I’ll write to at least be informational.
The chemo I started back in June didn’t work very well. Granted, I did hike the Sierra’s with the family, and it kicked me pretty hard, but I did it! So the doc recommended Radiation in September. Through all that time, my right lung was developing a pleural effusion (liquid in the lining around the lung *not In, just Around* is produced more rapidly than it can be removed by the body, it compresses the lung and makes it hard to breathe) so doc recommended a surgery after radiation that would prevent that problem. Radiation was really tough, but worth it. The surgery was really really tough and not very worth it. I still get the fluid buildup and now it’s on the left lung a bit as well as the right.
Also through all this time I made the decision to switch from Kaiser to UCSD so that’s my big challenge right now and I’m doing what I can (with the help of some great people like Cathy G and Cathy S) to make the switch smoothly.
Work has definitely taken a back seat. Thanks to my angel from above, John Ray, I have been able to refocus my energy and efforts on my health and not worry about school at all. I will be out most days of the rest of this semester and have admin working on a schedule that will only give me 4 classes next semester instead of 5. Although I’m not even really thinking about semester 2 at all until I get set up at UCSD.
Days of late have been spent moving really slowly, trying to get food into my belly, and talking less since it makes me lose my breath. Family and friends have been helping tremendously with visits that get me outside (gosh our backyard just keeps getting better and better), dinner deliveries that allow Morgan and I to spend some quality time together, chauffeur duties that let me stay on my pain meds, chemo visits that keep me in good company, and in general lots of love, patience and understanding.
So thanks to those that have been in the know and have been helping out. I hope this updates those of you who maybe didn’t know how things were, and I hope it helps us stay closer, because really it’s the love and concern I get from you that helps with the creativity and optimism 
Love you Anitra!