Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times

Round three of chemo has been tough so far emotionally for Peg. We weren't prepared for that aspect, naturally focusing on the physical effects, but it's just as important. 

Friends brought us dinner, company and a fun TV show on DVD tonight. Helped turn things around. 

This is apropos of nothing, but a friend shared it with me this morning and I got a good laugh out of it.  It's a quote from Oscar Wilde: "Be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken."

Protein Packin' Peggy

Mahalo to our friend Ted in Maui, who steered us away from the "steak in a  can" stuff from Carnation.  Peg's doing much better with smoothies-- yogurt, almond milk, frozen fruit and protein powder from GNC.

When I brought this stuff back from the store, none of us could believe how huge the package is.  Four  one-cup scoops is 720 calories, 13 servings in a container.  (I didn't Photoshop in the crepe myrtle trees behind my truck-- they're in full bloom and we're really enjoying them).

Peg's rounding out her diet with the wonderful food our friends bring by and has a good appetite.  

Today's chemo went well.  Outpatient for this round, and probably the next two. She got a shot to boost her red cell count, which will help her energy level, which is already better than it was a few days ago.

Peg and I were talking in the car on the way back to the house about how much it means to have so many people keeping her in your thoughts and prayers.  We are truly blessed having you in our lives.

Zoë started 9th grade today

Zoë and I spent a fun two hours yesterday at our neighborhood Starbucks with our friends Bruce (who took this photo), Mary, daughter Julie and Eddie, The World's Officially Cutest Dog.  This was the day before our daughters entered high school.  

Unseasonably cool weather for Sacramento, perfect for reflecting on life and enjoying one of its gifts-- a long and rich history with friends of many years.  Mary spotted Peg when she and Zoë were at a neighborhood coffee shop twelve years ago, when our identically aged squids were tiny... introduced herself, and the rest is history.  So glad Peg had a hankerin' for a mocha that particular day.  Can't imagine not knowing these wonderful folks.

Zoë's doing well with braces and doesn't complain.  I'll be honest-- if I had braces, I'd be whining all the time and you'd be plenty tired of hearing about it.

Wednesday is Peg's halfway point for chemo, third of six.  We'll keep you posted.

Headed in the right direction

Peg was able to handle multiple visitors today and even suggested we do a sunset walk at Lake Natoma, about two miles  from our house.  It was stunning.  NIce delta breeze, just chillaxing (as Zoe would say), watching the geese coming in to roost for the night.

She's definitely a creature of habit these days, by her own admission.  Disruption in the routine we've cobbled together as a family  the last two months stresses her out and drags her down.  No California State Fair this year for the Pegster-- we'll do our traditional family portrait for our New Year's letter at the local WalMart, where they have photo booths just outside the store.

She's  starting to put weight back on, and has a bit more energy, but has a deep and aching desire for this to just be over and done with.  It's a grind for Peg, and for Zoe and I as well. Looking forward  to  mid-October, when the last chemo is done and we're off to who knows what but it's better than this.

As Cap'n Jack Sparrow said at the end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl": 

"Bring me that horizon."