An Israeli Feast

Last Saturday night I helped host an Israeli feast (with three friends) to benefit Hadassah. We raised some money for a worthy cause, enjoyed a wonderful evening with friends old and new, and had the pleasure of sharing our love of Israeli food and culture.

Debbie and I dressed up in beautiful embroidered dresses; Rik wore a shirt with the collar open at the throat to show off his hairy chest and gold chain. We enjoyed appetizers in the salon (that’s the living room), then adjourned to the dining table for dinner and dessert. I even made Turkish coffee and "read" the coffee grounds for those who so wished. We listened to our favorite Israeli music throughout and after dinner danced a few Israeli folk dances.

Unfortunately our third partner was sick and couldn’t attend at the last minute, but I brought leftovers the next day and shared the photos.

Layl Yisrael-- An Evening in Israel
Benefiting Seattle Chapter Hadassah
27 January 2007 - 8 Sh’vat 5767

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Pita with Za’atar (Wild Hyssop Spice Dip)
Israeli Olives from Kibbutz Beit Hashita
Crudités with Feta Cheese
Ajvar (it’s not Israeli, but we like it a lot!)
Hummus with Tahina
Salat Hatzilim (Eggplant Salad)
Spinach-Cheese Borekas
Zhoug (Yemenite Red Chili Relish)

Malt Star “Black Beer” (non-alcoholic)
Golan Winery Moscato Galilee 2005
Mount Tabor Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Galilee

Israeli Salad with Shamenet (Sour Cream)
Halibut Cheeks with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Artichoke Hearts with Fava Beans
Ajlouk de Courgettes (Zucchini Salad)
Mejadara (Biblical Lentil Pottage)

Oogat Shokolad “Sabra” (Chocolate Cake with Chocolate-Orange Sauce)
Halvah
Mint Tea
Turkish Coffee with Hel (cardamom)
Nescafé
Carmel Israeli Brandy “777”

No XRT

I saw the radiation oncologist today and he says he does not see much of a change between the May and December bone scans, so even though the PET/CT scan shows some activity, he would not treat me at this time. If I have increased pain, he would of course consider treating, but at this time, no radiation (XRT) for me.

Let's hope that the tamoxifen kicks some cancer butt and that my brief stint with pain disappears soon!

Scan Results

Got my PET/CT results yesterday -- I have 3 spots of active disease in my sternum, spine (T12) and right scapula. The scapula is the only one which hurts. The spot on my right arm which has been bothering me did not register!

I will see the radiation oncologist on Friday about radiating the spine and perhaps the scapula. And my medical oncologist has switched me from Aromasin to tamoxifen, which I never took. We'll try it for a month, see how I tolerate it, and then maybe try it for a longer period of time.

I'm back on the pony that goes up and down on the merry-go-round.

A new cancer image

Yesterday I thought of a new cancer image:

I'm on a merry-go-round with my cancer. Sometimes I ride on a bench and hardly move at all; other times I'm on the horses that go up and down, up and down. And I'm staying on this merry-go-round until there's a cure.

No more roller coasters for me -- my ride with cancer doesn't end, it just goes 'round and 'round...

New Year, Same Cancer

We rang in the new year with Rik's parents at their winter home in Florida. After a relaxing visit, and a hectic trip back, I slept for 13 hours! Who knew it takes a vacation to recover from your vacation?

I had a bone scan in December, but the results were inconclusive. I may or may not have new or active metastases. So on this Thursday I will have a PET/CT test. This test measures the uptake of glucose. Since active tumors absorb glucose more rapidly than regular tissue, it gives a good measure of tumor activity. It's also VERY expensive -- about $4000. Thankfully our health insurance will cover the costs.

But over the weekend I noticed some discomfort in my right arm, which to me indicates tumor activity. So I have called my oncologist and hopefully will be able to see him within a couple of days of the scan, to get the results, see if the pain in my right arm really is active disease, and talk about treatment options.

I tihnk we are about to take another ride on the cancer roller coaster. Are you ready?