Hello friends

I have a favor to ask of able and willing friends: please donate blood.

I’ve been dragging my self around, very sloth like, much of the time these days. Ever since I was in the hospital in February my blood count has been just above anemic, just above the numbers that would allow me to get some extra blood in my system. On Wednesday, when I went in for chemo my numbers had dropped. So, yesterday I went back to Swedish and was infused with two bags of blood. As someone's generous donation was dripping into my system I thought I would request you all to donate blood and help others in need. I’m hoping this blood gives me at least a little more pep in my sloth like ways. I felt a little boost yesterday evening, for a few minutes and again for a brief period this morning. But, mostly I remain extremely sloth like. It is not my natural state and I’m having to learn to cope with having very little energy. Right now I consider it the cost I have to pay to stay alive. I believe it is the effect of the chemo and hopefully, with the next scan we’ll find this chemo is working a little better and it will all be worth the cost.

In West Seattle there is a blood drive coming up at Holy Rosary School. I cut and pasted this out of the West Seattle Blog. I so appreciate the folks who have donated the blood that I’ve needed over these last few years. Life saving, for sure! Here is a chance to donate in West Seattle.

Holy Rosary School is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold our first community blood drive on May 22 between 2 pm and 7 pm.

Giving blood is giving the gift of life. Please consider donating with us to support this life-giving organization. To register and reserve your spot, please visit: www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code HolyRosarySeattle (upper right of the page). The event will be held at the Holy Rosary School Hall, located at 4142 42nd Ave SW.

I’m not sure if I mentioned in March that Dr. Standish asked me to be a part of a video promoting Bastyr’s Integrative Oncology work that they would show at a luncheon in May. She asked if I would play the role of a “grateful patient.” Well, I am a grateful patient and was happy to be able to do her a favor. I put on Jathy, one day in late March, and went to Bastyr to be filmed. I can rarely talk about my cancer without crying and knew this would be no different. It was not an easy task, to be interviewed about my shit show cancer fight but it was for a good cause, so I mustered and I cried and I was interviewed by lovely Sarah, and I was filmed and edited and now I’m a part of a video. The luncheon was this week and my friend Beth picked me up and escorted and supported me through the event. It was a delicious lunch in the beautiful banquet room of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, formerly the Four Seasons. The luncheon turned out to be quite an event! Many people who had worked on the video were there and recognized me and thanked me. Sarah, who had interviewed me, introduced us to the president of the university. The room was filled with local folks who are fighting cancer and who support Bastyr and alternative ways of healing. We sat at a table  with Dr. Standish and mostly young women associated with the university. It was not easy to watch myself in the film, but Beth was very supportive and we made it through. I’m sending you a link, so you can see Dr. Standish in person, learn about why I’m such a big fan of her and Bastyr and watch me struggle not to cry when I talk about this cancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnAm8rFU95I

We have a busy rest of the month of May ahead of us. Mike’s birthday is a week from today and celebrate we must as he turns the big six O! I have my third chemo at this dosage on May 24th. Mike has surgery to fuse his first joint in his big toe on his left foot on May 31. I’m hoping I can leave him at least a little while on June 2 to go up to Pathfinder for Lou’s annual Make-a-Wish run. I never want to miss that event! Haven’t been to Pathfinder since Elder’s Lunch in November…it is time for a visit! And on June 5 I have a scan that will show that this chemo is working! 

It was a dark and dreary winter on so many levels. Now that it is spring, I feel so much better in spite of my sloth like ways.

Love to you all

Janet