I am so lucky to work for such a great employer and have such great insurance. I shudder to think if this had happened last year when we were unemployed with only catastrophic insurance!
So - I arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area to get this lump taken out. After traveling 30 hours, I arrived at my doctor's office with all my luggage. Everyone was super nice, letting me call family to let them know I had arrived safely (cell phone not yet hooked up to US carrier) and giving me a place to store my luggage.
My doctor spent a lot of time with me making sure that I understood everything that was going on, and that could go on. I am really impressed at the effort he made to ensure that I am well educated about the situation and am able to make informed decisions. The only problem was that after all that travel - I was not really in a place to hear it all. I had left Brazil thinking I'll just zip in, get this taken out, and zip back - no big deal (I know - sometimes I don't really take in the whole picture). Sitting in his office learning about different types of cells and their reactions to hormones and the body's life cycle - not to mention discussion of survival rates - was all a bit much. All I could think of was that I wanted a Manhattan, a nice baguette and some good pate (foodie to the end!).
When my appointment was over, I used their phone to call my good friend A. All I had to do was say "Come get me" and he was there, whisking me away and finding me a good Manhattan and a great burger (pate being hard to find, and burgers being my go-to survival food). A. and his husband D. and their two great children enveloped me in their cozy home and made me feel so much better. If I couldn't be with my family, it was nice to be with theirs.
The next day, I had an MRI to determine the location of the cancer and the extent of it. They give you a contrast that under the MRI makes the cancer cells light up - kind of like streets and cities at night from an airplane. I've heard many stories about MRI's - how it's claustrophobic and people often panic. The folks at the imaging center couldn't have been nicer. They hooked me up and got me in machine, giving me earplugs and headphones. The hardest part is that you have to remain still. But since I was face down - it felt like a massage table - I just shut my eyes and was grateful I wasn't claustrophobic. The machine makes a lot of very loud noises that are somewhat rhythmic and I found oddly soothing. There was even one sequence that sounded like the beginning of the song "CarWash" (the part with the jackhammers).
After the MRI I had another mammogram and then was free until the next day when I had to do all my pre-op stuff. That day, I made the rounds (kind of like a scavenger hunt). I had blood drawn and X-Rays and EKGs - they need to make sure that everything is in order before they take you to surgery. Then we met with the surgeon again. I say "we" because my wonderful dad drove up to be with me for all of this. Not only was it nice to have my family here (especially since K. and the kids were back in Brazil), but since my dad is a doctor, I had someone with me whose eyes wouldn't glaze over with all the detailed medical talk.
The next morning we were up bright and early to have all the procedures. My dad got breakfast, but I couldn't eat past midnight (it always comes back to the food!). First we went to the MRI center where I got another MRI. Since the cancer isn't totally obvious to the naked eye, they needed to mark the cancerous area with wires so the surgeons know where to cut. Unfortunately, they couldn't put me to sleep for that. I did get a local anesthetic, and once again, the nurses were amazing - giving me little massages in between times in the MRI.
After the wires were in place, they took me to the hospital where they got me ready for surgery. They give you this great paper blanket that gets filled with hot air - very cozy. And I got these cool leg wraps that massage your calves - very nice. The anesthesiologist came and made everything go away and the next thing I knew I was waking up and having a great conversation with the post-Op nurse about the best restaurants in Oakland (the foodie part of me just doesn't stop!). Soon after that, they took me to recovery where I got to see my dad and Skype K. (I am so thankful for modern technology!). Once I was able to move around, they let me leave with my dad. I'm very lucky in that anesthesia doesn't leave me sick like some people. The drugs they gave me left me happy and silly - so I was quite amusing to my father as we picked up my prescriptions and headed back to the hotel.
And then, especially since I was feeling no pain - and was super hungry - we went out to dinner to one of my favorite places. The following day, my sister came to join us and we all hung out as I rested and started mending. Since I was doing so well, my dad headed back home to his life after a few days and I continued to rest and recuperate and see some friends.
But, at my follow-up doctor's appointment where I had expected to get the "good-to-go", I learned that the good news was that I only had DCIS - no invasive cancer, but that the bad news was that the margins were too small (1mm) and that I had to have another surgery.
So - we did a repeat of the previous week. My dad drove up again (the man is a saint - the best dad ever!) on Thursday and I had surgery again on Friday. Luckily, I didn't need the MRI wire procedure again. Other than that - the same plan, hopefully the same recovery, and hopefully I'll head out to DC at the end of this week for radiation.
My dad and I even went to the same place for dinner on Friday. We joked about our Friday tradition - surgery and dinner at Oliveto's - but it's not a tradition I want to start.
February 21, 2012
February 10, 2012
Community
Community has always been very important to me.
I've worked to create it wherever I've lived whether consciously or not. It's what made our wonderful neighborhood in Berkeley so fantastic. It's what initially drew me to the Junior League and I loved being a part of "Women Building Better Communities".
With the business that K. and I created, community was at the heart of our mission statement.
But I also knew that I'd become a part of a larger, worldwide community. I'd seen examples of how the Foreign Service community reaches out to one another from all over the world - whether it's evacuations, or personal health issues, the FS community really comes together.
And then we had our most recent whirlwind hit. The out-pouring of love and support has been tremendous!
I've had tons of offers of places to stay both in Berkeley and in DC (when I undergo radiation); my father has driven up to be with me for the surgery; my sister is coming in for the aftermath; my mother has arranged things with her work so that she can Skype my kids whenever they need. When I started to lose it after traveling 30 hours and then having a 3 hours doctor's appointment, all I had to do was call on my dearest friend to come get me and he did - he and his partner plied me with burgers and Manhattans (my favorite cure) and a cozy bed (and then fresh eggs and coffee for breakfast).
My Vibrant colleagues have reached out from all over the world. Their love and support makes me feel so warm and cozy! I know that when I do my TDY at the Mothership, I'll get to hang out with some of them and that's a wonderful thing to look forward to.
The outpouring of support from the FS blogging community has been wonderful. I've seen it in action before, but never (since I don't think of myself as a writer and since I'm fairly new to this life) felt truly worthy to be in their community. People I've never ever met - only read about - have reached out to me with their support. I may even get to meet some of them when I'm in DC.
And our tiny Consulate community in Recife has been amazing! People we've barely met and have known for less than a month have been helping to take care of my family - playing with the kids, helping my husband tackle life in Brazil by himself, setting up our cell phones so we can maintain contact (thank you Viber!). I can't be with my husband and kids, but I know they are being very well taken care of.
Even the official channels and positions who have the responsibility of making sure that the US objectives are being met and taxpayers monies are being spent appropriately are also making sure that I'm being well taken care of and that my family and I are in a good place. It's nice to be working for such a great employer.
I head into surgery today knowing that my family and I are being taken care of and loved and supported from every possible angle. It doesn't take the burdens away, but it definitely makes them lighter (and more fun) when they're shared by so many people!
Community is a tremendous thing.
I've worked to create it wherever I've lived whether consciously or not. It's what made our wonderful neighborhood in Berkeley so fantastic. It's what initially drew me to the Junior League and I loved being a part of "Women Building Better Communities".
With the business that K. and I created, community was at the heart of our mission statement.
Speakeasy Theaters nurtures and grows local communities by entertaining, challenging and feeding the mind, body and soul through irreverent, respectful and whimsical entertainment and tasty, local, housemade food and drink.I knew that joining the Foreign Service would stretch many of the physical bonds of the communities I've been a part of - it can be difficult to keep those connections fluid when you're removed from so many day to day interactions. Facebook and Skype are wonderful tools - but they're not a substitute for running into a friend at the Farmer's Market and catching up.
But I also knew that I'd become a part of a larger, worldwide community. I'd seen examples of how the Foreign Service community reaches out to one another from all over the world - whether it's evacuations, or personal health issues, the FS community really comes together.
And then we had our most recent whirlwind hit. The out-pouring of love and support has been tremendous!
I've had tons of offers of places to stay both in Berkeley and in DC (when I undergo radiation); my father has driven up to be with me for the surgery; my sister is coming in for the aftermath; my mother has arranged things with her work so that she can Skype my kids whenever they need. When I started to lose it after traveling 30 hours and then having a 3 hours doctor's appointment, all I had to do was call on my dearest friend to come get me and he did - he and his partner plied me with burgers and Manhattans (my favorite cure) and a cozy bed (and then fresh eggs and coffee for breakfast).
My Vibrant colleagues have reached out from all over the world. Their love and support makes me feel so warm and cozy! I know that when I do my TDY at the Mothership, I'll get to hang out with some of them and that's a wonderful thing to look forward to.
The outpouring of support from the FS blogging community has been wonderful. I've seen it in action before, but never (since I don't think of myself as a writer and since I'm fairly new to this life) felt truly worthy to be in their community. People I've never ever met - only read about - have reached out to me with their support. I may even get to meet some of them when I'm in DC.
And our tiny Consulate community in Recife has been amazing! People we've barely met and have known for less than a month have been helping to take care of my family - playing with the kids, helping my husband tackle life in Brazil by himself, setting up our cell phones so we can maintain contact (thank you Viber!). I can't be with my husband and kids, but I know they are being very well taken care of.
Even the official channels and positions who have the responsibility of making sure that the US objectives are being met and taxpayers monies are being spent appropriately are also making sure that I'm being well taken care of and that my family and I are in a good place. It's nice to be working for such a great employer.
I head into surgery today knowing that my family and I are being taken care of and loved and supported from every possible angle. It doesn't take the burdens away, but it definitely makes them lighter (and more fun) when they're shared by so many people!
Community is a tremendous thing.
February 07, 2012
What to do at LAX at 2 in the morning
So - I find out I have to medevac out and my super organizing / control freak nature kicks in. The next days become a flurry of arrangement making - flights, hotels, locations to purchase US sim cards so my cell phone will work, friends to stay with for the nights that there's no hotel room in the entire Bay Area (glad the convention business is booming!) I've got confirmation emails all over the place, bags packed for the various possibilities and then we head to the airport.
My first flight is fine - long and boring - but no big deal. And I have an hour and a half to make my connecting flight. No big deal I thought.
Oh - how wrong I was!
Not only is Miami International Airport huge, but the signage can be a bit confusing. You walk forever, and then take a mini-train, then walk a forever again before you get to the Homeland Security check-in. And then of course, I picked the wrong line to stand in. It looked short, but I got behind several people who required significantly more scrutiny from the DHS people who keep us safe.
Finally I was through and headed to get my bags to go through customs. I still didn't think I had a problem. Usually when the airlines are concerned people won't make their connecting flights, they have agents standing by to facilitate the process. Since there was no mention of any of that, I wasn't concerned - but I should have been.
After getting through customs (again stood behind the wrong people), I followed the yellow dots to the connecting flights area. But - what's this?? A woman is shouting at me that people going to San Francisco need to go someplace else. Huh?
Well - it turns out that my flight had already loaded and boarded and was taking off in 15 minutes. There was no way to make it. And it was the last flight of the night. The very relaxed airline agents told me I could take a flight the next morning at 10 AM. 10 AM - that's when my doctor appointment is - West Coast time!! I explained my situation, trying to keep my emotions in check (stress, annoyance, frustration, sadness, tiredness - you get it). The agent got me on the LA flight with a connecting flight at 7 the next morning to SF. But - no hotel, no nothing. Oh - and the LA flight was starting to board in about 10 minutes and I still had to check in my bags and go through domestic security.
So I'm off - again trying to find my way through Miami airport as fast as I can. Also trying to login to the airport WiFi as I'm walking along so I can at least Skype my family to let them know what's going on and that I've made it part way.
I get to my gate as they're halfway loading the plane, quickly Skype my husband (not my best conversation - I was way too stressed).
I had to revise my plan - since I wouldn't be getting to SF and checking into a hotel where I could get some sleep, I thought I'd try to sleep on this leg of my flights. That way, I wouldn't need to sleep from midnight to 5 at LAX. As luck would have it, I sat next to the screaming baby that everyone dreads on night-time flights. I felt so sorry for his mother - she did everything she could, but he was having none of it. But since I'd had a super screaming baby - and he wasn't mine, I was able to sleep through it.
So now, here I am, at LAX waiting for morning and my flight to come. Everything shuts down here. The best place to be is the International Terminal. There the McDonalds stays open until 2 AM and T-Mobile has WiFi spots and there's some lounge type chairs. And then at 3:30, the security guys reopen the domestic side and I can head back to wait by my gate.
The lucky things are that I was able to sleep for probably 4 hours or so between Miami and LA. And since I'm still on Brazil time, I'm pretty awake. 2 AM LA time is 7 AM Brazil time - about the time I arrive at the Consulate. And I got to properly Skype my family this morning and apologize for my crankiness last night. And I'll be setting a new personal record - 30 consecutive travel hours.
My first flight is fine - long and boring - but no big deal. And I have an hour and a half to make my connecting flight. No big deal I thought.
Oh - how wrong I was!
Not only is Miami International Airport huge, but the signage can be a bit confusing. You walk forever, and then take a mini-train, then walk a forever again before you get to the Homeland Security check-in. And then of course, I picked the wrong line to stand in. It looked short, but I got behind several people who required significantly more scrutiny from the DHS people who keep us safe.
Finally I was through and headed to get my bags to go through customs. I still didn't think I had a problem. Usually when the airlines are concerned people won't make their connecting flights, they have agents standing by to facilitate the process. Since there was no mention of any of that, I wasn't concerned - but I should have been.
After getting through customs (again stood behind the wrong people), I followed the yellow dots to the connecting flights area. But - what's this?? A woman is shouting at me that people going to San Francisco need to go someplace else. Huh?
Well - it turns out that my flight had already loaded and boarded and was taking off in 15 minutes. There was no way to make it. And it was the last flight of the night. The very relaxed airline agents told me I could take a flight the next morning at 10 AM. 10 AM - that's when my doctor appointment is - West Coast time!! I explained my situation, trying to keep my emotions in check (stress, annoyance, frustration, sadness, tiredness - you get it). The agent got me on the LA flight with a connecting flight at 7 the next morning to SF. But - no hotel, no nothing. Oh - and the LA flight was starting to board in about 10 minutes and I still had to check in my bags and go through domestic security.
So I'm off - again trying to find my way through Miami airport as fast as I can. Also trying to login to the airport WiFi as I'm walking along so I can at least Skype my family to let them know what's going on and that I've made it part way.
I get to my gate as they're halfway loading the plane, quickly Skype my husband (not my best conversation - I was way too stressed).
I had to revise my plan - since I wouldn't be getting to SF and checking into a hotel where I could get some sleep, I thought I'd try to sleep on this leg of my flights. That way, I wouldn't need to sleep from midnight to 5 at LAX. As luck would have it, I sat next to the screaming baby that everyone dreads on night-time flights. I felt so sorry for his mother - she did everything she could, but he was having none of it. But since I'd had a super screaming baby - and he wasn't mine, I was able to sleep through it.
So now, here I am, at LAX waiting for morning and my flight to come. Everything shuts down here. The best place to be is the International Terminal. There the McDonalds stays open until 2 AM and T-Mobile has WiFi spots and there's some lounge type chairs. And then at 3:30, the security guys reopen the domestic side and I can head back to wait by my gate.
The lucky things are that I was able to sleep for probably 4 hours or so between Miami and LA. And since I'm still on Brazil time, I'm pretty awake. 2 AM LA time is 7 AM Brazil time - about the time I arrive at the Consulate. And I got to properly Skype my family this morning and apologize for my crankiness last night. And I'll be setting a new personal record - 30 consecutive travel hours.
Mercado Sao Jose
The Mercado Sao Jose in Recife is one of the oldest public markets in Brazil. There is the original market in a former train station, and then there are all the other vendors that have set up around the market radiating out for several blocks.
We went last weekend and it was quite an experience. The streets are very crowded with everyone getting ready for Carnaval. It feels like you could buy just about anything.
Heading towards the market, you first reach the outlying shops. There you can buy household items, clothing, snacks, etc.
As you get close to the market, there are many fruit and vegetable vendors.
And dry good vendors.
We even saw a woman selling what looked to be medicinal herbs. I made a mental note to go back another day when my Portuguese is better and I have more time to learn more from her.
When you get into the market itself, there are the fish vendors
and the meat vendors
It was a bit much for the kids.
We also found some more household goods and artisan crafts. We got some great woven placemats and hot pads for our home.
We went last weekend and it was quite an experience. The streets are very crowded with everyone getting ready for Carnaval. It feels like you could buy just about anything.
Heading towards the market, you first reach the outlying shops. There you can buy household items, clothing, snacks, etc.
As you get close to the market, there are many fruit and vegetable vendors.And dry good vendors.
We even saw a woman selling what looked to be medicinal herbs. I made a mental note to go back another day when my Portuguese is better and I have more time to learn more from her.
When you get into the market itself, there are the fish vendors
and the meat vendors
It was a bit much for the kids.
We also found some more household goods and artisan crafts. We got some great woven placemats and hot pads for our home.
Mall Fun
Recife is a great town with lots to see, do and explore. But then there are those days you just need to go to the mall to get stuff (school supplies, sim cards for your cell phone, etc.). Recife has one of the larger malls in Brazil - Shopping Recife.
Shopping Recife has loads of stores, restaurants, and services. There's a giant grocery store, an Ikea like furniture store, gazillions of shoe stores, a movie theater, video arcade - I could go on.
Lots of people go there and enjoy themselves. One thing I find very interesting is the amusements for the kids. In the center of one of the mall areas we found this:
That's right, kids in giant plastic balls floating around in the water. It looks like a lot of fun - except for one thing - how do they breathe? I seem to remember my parents telling me not to put plastic bags over my head. And yet people are lining up to put plastic bags on their kids heads!
So - our kids did the water boats. It made me feel much safer!
Shopping Recife has loads of stores, restaurants, and services. There's a giant grocery store, an Ikea like furniture store, gazillions of shoe stores, a movie theater, video arcade - I could go on.
Lots of people go there and enjoy themselves. One thing I find very interesting is the amusements for the kids. In the center of one of the mall areas we found this:
That's right, kids in giant plastic balls floating around in the water. It looks like a lot of fun - except for one thing - how do they breathe? I seem to remember my parents telling me not to put plastic bags over my head. And yet people are lining up to put plastic bags on their kids heads!
So - our kids did the water boats. It made me feel much safer!
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