"the game's afoot, Watson..."

Sunday, April 5:  After a rather intense week of finalizing our decisions, including much discussion and consultation with various doctors,  I will be starting treatment this upcoming week here at the Herrick Comprehensive Cancer Center.  I will have 6 1/2 weeks of radiation and concurrent chemo (twice during the 6 weeks) , and I have been running around with the help of various friends/family getting prepared for this next journey in my life.  

Counting the Omer:  I will be starting radiation on Passover, and Chemo the next day, so I will be "counting the omer" to Shavout in terms of the time period during which I will be in treatment.  I have been thinking about the very intense preparation that I am going through now, and the many analogies to the Passover journey.  I think however that the ancient Hebrews did not have quite as much time or shopping opportunities.  As part of this past week, I have been talking to others who have been through cancer treatment; went  shopping for everything from food supplements for smoothies to comfy clothes for feeling crappy in;  I am investigating various accompanying therapies, such as acupuncture; meeting with a nutritionist, ordering videos (I am going to start on the West Wing, which I have never seen.), buying various pharmaceuticals, etc.  (Oh, and did I mention the fender-bender?)

On the other hand, I have also been busy at work, trying to close out some projects (thank you State of California for the budget freeze!); eating as much as possible (thank you local restaurants!) and spending lots of time with friends--even made it to SF MOMA which was a treat.  Of course much of the preparation is really inside my head, and that is on-going as well--hence often forgetting what I am doing in the middle of it...

Hag Sameach--Happy Passover to everyone!