Reprieves and Vacays
Tickets to Disneyland had been purchased months ago, long before I started chemotherapy with a broken arm. But Dr. Poh assured me that she would try to work my infusions around the trip to California. And she did. I was determined to weather all the discomforts of airplane travel with a broken arm in a sling. My cancer team not only cleared me to go, they arranged the chemo cycles around it so that I would be feeling my best during that week. I’m just amazed by the humanity of the staff at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. I’m much more than just a cancer patient in need of a remission to enjoy a few more years. I also want to have fun with my family as often as possible, and they fully cooperated with my wishes.
We flew into Santa Ana Airport the Saturday before Thanksgiving and spent a whirlwind week in Los Angeles. Sunday we drove to Santa Monica to have lunch with Gene’s sister. That’s a lovely town. Tuesday we visited the La Brea Tarpits in downtown LA, where the remains of Ice Age animals had been found by paleontologists. On Wednesday, we returned to LA for a visit into Universal Studios. A bit overwhelming for two old fogies like us. We took a few rides, but really enjoyed the studio tour. I was amazed at my stamina after walking three miles. But my feet were starting to swell.
The next day was Thanksgiving when my family flew in from Seattle. We all met at a restaurant for turkey and all the fixings, which tasted great. We said our goodbyes and planned to meet the next morning at Disneyland.
Six hours of fun and frolic, I don’t remember when I’ve had so much fun. My son was especially solicitous and protective of me, particularly after he saw my feet. Not painful, just unsightly. By 6:00, we had walked six miles and I was still full of energy. My son was amazed at my stamina. But my feet were so swollen from edema that I had to put on some uncomfortable sandals just to keep walking. We all went out to dinner, and I surprised and delighted my grandkids by taking my hat off.
“Oh wow, Bela, you look amazing!”
“You look like Captain Picard!”
Cameras flashing, I had finally overcome my shyness at being bald. I proudly sent a picture around to my friends to see their reactions. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed. It’s my sign of hope that I may stay alive.
My feet required ice and elevation to return to normal. And flush out my kidneys with lots of water to shed the edema. I’m not sure what the lesson is for me. I can’t walk long distances?
A totally worthwhile trip. I’m so glad I made it. Life is too short to put things off. You never know when yours will end. And I’m nothing if not determined.