I haven't yet checked in with PV how her radiation went. How she took it lying down. She did mention that there is quite a bit of preparation before the actual radiation. The latter is very quickly done. Nevertheless, it makes for a long day.
Today I watched a part of the Democratic Convention held in Denver.
I also thought of the American athlete with leukemia who competed in the Olympics, who won and now returns home to take his treatment.
Incidentally PV actually misses the fact that she no longer has to commute to South Bombay as her office has moved closer to her. She loves the Nariman Point area.
I am personally happy that there is less of commuting for PV only because I hate commuting in Bombay. It's messy and harrowing. But PV is a very seasoned commuter.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
PV this a.m.
Did get to Chembur to meet PV this morning. It was a wet day! I had a lovely cup of coffee that Celine prepared for me. It was lovely seeing PV after all her intensive chemo. I examined her head in some detail. She starts her radiation from August 25, five times a week, I think, and intends getting to the hospital straight after work. This is the true spirit of the work force in Mumbai today.
Friday, August 22, 2008
What passes the time
This is what I did during the months that I did not work...rediscovered past hobbies. With good results I think!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Of Celtic Knots
PVs celtic knot does have an authentic piece of history. The knot was carefully tattoed in Ireland, yes the real thing
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Fry em all!
Today marked the start of 'the radiation process'. I say this because they don't just start with the radiation immediately after chemo. There are SEVERAL steps involved, and when you don't live too close to the hospital, it seems like each step is multiplied into two!
There are meetings with the radiation therapist, there is mold to be made for your specific body type, then there is a CT Scan, and finally - they fry your insides!
Today was the mold day. And after waiting for five months for my next tattoo (I meant to get one in february), I finally got one! It's a tiny dot on my chest which helps the doctors to make sure that I am positioned correctly before they start the radiation. Not exactly the celtic knot I have on my back, but at least it's a start!
In anticipation...(of the CT scan anyway)
There are meetings with the radiation therapist, there is mold to be made for your specific body type, then there is a CT Scan, and finally - they fry your insides!
Today was the mold day. And after waiting for five months for my next tattoo (I meant to get one in february), I finally got one! It's a tiny dot on my chest which helps the doctors to make sure that I am positioned correctly before they start the radiation. Not exactly the celtic knot I have on my back, but at least it's a start!
In anticipation...(of the CT scan anyway)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Dr V's Correct Version
Thank you Celine for filling in the correct information.
“Asha, I have attached the diet again. A bit of it, from lunch to green juice is missing in your diet on the blog; a) Cancer patients MUST contact Dr. Vijaya Venkat or her office: telephone 2436 1672/ 2432 0788; email: thacindia@yahoo.com. or contact THE HEALTH AWARENESS CENTRE, C/O STREEHITAVARDHINI, LOKMANYA NAGAR, K GADGIL MARG, MUMBAI 400025, before following this diet. PV did it after her chemo sessions. We are not sure if it is different when one is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.”
DO’s
Deep Breathing. About 30 minutes throughout a day, especially on waking up and before meals. Breathe in and push your abdomen out and breathe out and push your abdomen in.
Have only POSITIVE THOUGHTS.
Watch 2 – 3 comedies a week.
Listen to Music and/ or DANCE!
DONT’s
No Refined, Processed foods
No wheat or wheat products
No milk and milk products
No sugar (only gur or honey)
No iodised salt (use black salt or sea salt or rock salt)
*NB: PV. is allowed l cup of coffee with a little sugar and a little milk.
Fruit – To be eaten on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal
On waking : Have a fruit – any fruit
20 Minutes later: Coffee
Till 12 Noon: Have 3 rounds of fruit
One round of sweet fruit – banana, chikoo, mango, papaya
One round of melons – musk melon, or watermelon
One round of citrus fruit – mosambi, orange, pomegranate, guava, kiwi
(Or juice one round of the fruits)
12: 30
One glass of RAW red juice with lemon
Put l small Carrot/ a small raw de-skinned Beetroot/ 1Tomato, with ginger, mint and coriander. Juice it, or if you do not have a juicer, blend it with a little water.
Squeeze one lemon into it – NO SALT
45 mins later: have lunch
Start with a raw salad ( with sesame seeds and nuts)
Then have rice or non-wheat roti with lots of vegetable (cooked with minimal oil) and curry.
End lunch with a lime shot – one part lemon with an equal quantity of water
2 hours after lunch: Have fruit or fruit juice or dry fruit
DRY FRUIT: Dates, Figs, Raisins, Apricots
Around 4 p.m. One hour later: have a handful of nuts – walnuts, almonds, pista, peanuts, cashew, black channa or Phool channa (the channa the guys sell along Bombay streets, with peanuts)
45 minutes before dinner: A glass of RAW green juice
Raw Spinach/ or Celery/ with a little Cucumber/ White Pumpkin/ Tomato, with ginger, lemon juice, mint and coriander. NO SALT.
DINNER – Start with raw salad with sprouts. Use lots of chutney/ coconut. If you are strictly following this diet, then you are allowed coconut and coconut juice in the curries. Bring on the Thai curries and the Goa/ Kerala Fish/ Prawn curries!
Potatoes are excellent. You can add steamed corn as well.
Have soups (home made, not packet soups) , stir fried vegetables, or a Non-veg dish.
Have a roti made from moong dal, or besan. NO CEREAL AT NIGHT.
End your dinner with a lime shot. (Only PV does this).
ENERGY SHOT – Boil 2 cups of water with ¾ inch of grated ginger. Strain. Add 12 chopped dates (pulped) and the juice of 2 lemons when cool. Drink throughout the day.
(Only Priyanka does this bit. A good source of iron)
Celine adds,
“I have to check with the Centre about eating Dals – the plain and simple yellow dal, which I love, and which I have, but Priyanka does not include in her meals. I might also add that Priyanka is on HOLIDAY – for the first few days we were going crazy with all this eating and drinking, and falling way behind the schedule. If, you feel FULL at the end of the day – reduce quantities the next day. But believe me, it is GOOD!”
.
“Asha, I have attached the diet again. A bit of it, from lunch to green juice is missing in your diet on the blog; a) Cancer patients MUST contact Dr. Vijaya Venkat or her office: telephone 2436 1672/ 2432 0788; email: thacindia@yahoo.com. or contact THE HEALTH AWARENESS CENTRE, C/O STREEHITAVARDHINI, LOKMANYA NAGAR, K GADGIL MARG, MUMBAI 400025, before following this diet. PV did it after her chemo sessions. We are not sure if it is different when one is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.”
DO’s
Deep Breathing. About 30 minutes throughout a day, especially on waking up and before meals. Breathe in and push your abdomen out and breathe out and push your abdomen in.
Have only POSITIVE THOUGHTS.
Watch 2 – 3 comedies a week.
Listen to Music and/ or DANCE!
DONT’s
No Refined, Processed foods
No wheat or wheat products
No milk and milk products
No sugar (only gur or honey)
No iodised salt (use black salt or sea salt or rock salt)
*NB: PV. is allowed l cup of coffee with a little sugar and a little milk.
Fruit – To be eaten on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal
On waking : Have a fruit – any fruit
20 Minutes later: Coffee
Till 12 Noon: Have 3 rounds of fruit
One round of sweet fruit – banana, chikoo, mango, papaya
One round of melons – musk melon, or watermelon
One round of citrus fruit – mosambi, orange, pomegranate, guava, kiwi
(Or juice one round of the fruits)
12: 30
One glass of RAW red juice with lemon
Put l small Carrot/ a small raw de-skinned Beetroot/ 1Tomato, with ginger, mint and coriander. Juice it, or if you do not have a juicer, blend it with a little water.
Squeeze one lemon into it – NO SALT
45 mins later: have lunch
Start with a raw salad ( with sesame seeds and nuts)
Then have rice or non-wheat roti with lots of vegetable (cooked with minimal oil) and curry.
End lunch with a lime shot – one part lemon with an equal quantity of water
2 hours after lunch: Have fruit or fruit juice or dry fruit
DRY FRUIT: Dates, Figs, Raisins, Apricots
Around 4 p.m. One hour later: have a handful of nuts – walnuts, almonds, pista, peanuts, cashew, black channa or Phool channa (the channa the guys sell along Bombay streets, with peanuts)
45 minutes before dinner: A glass of RAW green juice
Raw Spinach/ or Celery/ with a little Cucumber/ White Pumpkin/ Tomato, with ginger, lemon juice, mint and coriander. NO SALT.
DINNER – Start with raw salad with sprouts. Use lots of chutney/ coconut. If you are strictly following this diet, then you are allowed coconut and coconut juice in the curries. Bring on the Thai curries and the Goa/ Kerala Fish/ Prawn curries!
Potatoes are excellent. You can add steamed corn as well.
Have soups (home made, not packet soups) , stir fried vegetables, or a Non-veg dish.
Have a roti made from moong dal, or besan. NO CEREAL AT NIGHT.
End your dinner with a lime shot. (Only PV does this).
ENERGY SHOT – Boil 2 cups of water with ¾ inch of grated ginger. Strain. Add 12 chopped dates (pulped) and the juice of 2 lemons when cool. Drink throughout the day.
(Only Priyanka does this bit. A good source of iron)
Celine adds,
“I have to check with the Centre about eating Dals – the plain and simple yellow dal, which I love, and which I have, but Priyanka does not include in her meals. I might also add that Priyanka is on HOLIDAY – for the first few days we were going crazy with all this eating and drinking, and falling way behind the schedule. If, you feel FULL at the end of the day – reduce quantities the next day. But believe me, it is GOOD!”
.
Dr Venky's food...
Celine has written in to say that I need to add some important details to Dr Venky's diet-so wait for me to post the rest. I have to rush out but will get back to you.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Dr. Venky's Menu
To add to Asha's post...this diet is hell to follow. And if it weren't for Connie the Cook (her name is just connie...but it's more fun to tag her profession along with it), we wouldn't be following it at all! She does all the chopping, mixing and other such. But I have to admit it worked like a charm, and in record time to bring my blood counts back to normal. After trying several VERY expensive medicines, injections etc, the diet was the cheapest, and yet most effective alternative.
That being said, I have fallen off the wagon several times and indulged in sugar-foods, the occasional slice of bread, and true heaven - some cheese!
Here is the Food Plan that Celine got from the best person in town: I hope Celine will tell us how she put it in place, and PV will tell us what she thinks of the ritual of food these days.
DO’s
Deep Breathing. About 30 minutes in the day, especially on waking up and before meals. Breathe in and push your abdomen out. Breathe out and push your abdomen in.
Have only POSITIVE THOUGHTS. Watch 2 – 3 comedies a week. Listen to Music and/ or DANCE!
DONT’s
No Refined, Processed foods, No wheat or wheat products, No milk and milk products
No sugar (only gur or honey), No iodised salt (use black salt or sea salt or rock salt)
*NB: PV is allowed l cup of coffee with a little sugar and a little milk.
Fruit – To be eaten on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. On waking: Have a fruit – any fruit
20 Minutes later: Coffee
Till 12 Noon: Have 3 rounds of fruit
1) Sweet fruit – banana, chikoo, mango, papaya
2) Melons – musk melon, or watermelon
3) Citrus fruit – mosambi, orange, pomegranate, guava, kiwi
(or juice one round of the fruits)
12: 30: One glass of RAW red juice with lemon
Put l small Carrot/ a small raw de-skinned Beetroot/ 1Tomato, with ginger, mint and coriander. Juice it, or if you do not have a juicer, blend it with a little water.
Squeeze one lemon into it – NO SALT
45 mins. later: have lunch
Raw Spinach/ or Celery/ with a little Cucumber/ White Pumpkin/ Tomato, with ginger, lemon juice, mint and coriander. NO SALT.
DINNER – Start with raw salad with sprouts. Use lots of chutney/ coconut. If you are strictly following this diet, then you are allowed coconut and coconut juice in the curries. Bring on the Thai curries and the Goa/ Kerala Fish/ Prawn curries!
Potatoes are excellent. You can add steamed corn as well.
Have soups (home made only), stir fried vegetables, or a non-vegetarian dish.
Have a roti made from moong dal, or besan. NO CEREAL AT NIGHT.
End your dinner with a lime shot. (Only PV does this)
ENERGY SHOT – Boil 2 cups of water with ¾ inch of grated ginger. Strain. Add 12 chopped dates (pulped) and the juice of 2 lemons when cool. Drink throughout the day.
(Only PV does this bit. A good source of iron)
That being said, I have fallen off the wagon several times and indulged in sugar-foods, the occasional slice of bread, and true heaven - some cheese!
Here is the Food Plan that Celine got from the best person in town: I hope Celine will tell us how she put it in place, and PV will tell us what she thinks of the ritual of food these days.
DO’s
Deep Breathing. About 30 minutes in the day, especially on waking up and before meals. Breathe in and push your abdomen out. Breathe out and push your abdomen in.
Have only POSITIVE THOUGHTS. Watch 2 – 3 comedies a week. Listen to Music and/ or DANCE!
DONT’s
No Refined, Processed foods, No wheat or wheat products, No milk and milk products
No sugar (only gur or honey), No iodised salt (use black salt or sea salt or rock salt)
*NB: PV is allowed l cup of coffee with a little sugar and a little milk.
Fruit – To be eaten on an empty stomach 20 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. On waking: Have a fruit – any fruit
20 Minutes later: Coffee
Till 12 Noon: Have 3 rounds of fruit
1) Sweet fruit – banana, chikoo, mango, papaya
2) Melons – musk melon, or watermelon
3) Citrus fruit – mosambi, orange, pomegranate, guava, kiwi
(or juice one round of the fruits)
12: 30: One glass of RAW red juice with lemon
Put l small Carrot/ a small raw de-skinned Beetroot/ 1Tomato, with ginger, mint and coriander. Juice it, or if you do not have a juicer, blend it with a little water.
Squeeze one lemon into it – NO SALT
45 mins. later: have lunch
Raw Spinach/ or Celery/ with a little Cucumber/ White Pumpkin/ Tomato, with ginger, lemon juice, mint and coriander. NO SALT.
DINNER – Start with raw salad with sprouts. Use lots of chutney/ coconut. If you are strictly following this diet, then you are allowed coconut and coconut juice in the curries. Bring on the Thai curries and the Goa/ Kerala Fish/ Prawn curries!
Potatoes are excellent. You can add steamed corn as well.
Have soups (home made only), stir fried vegetables, or a non-vegetarian dish.
Have a roti made from moong dal, or besan. NO CEREAL AT NIGHT.
End your dinner with a lime shot. (Only PV does this)
ENERGY SHOT – Boil 2 cups of water with ¾ inch of grated ginger. Strain. Add 12 chopped dates (pulped) and the juice of 2 lemons when cool. Drink throughout the day.
(Only PV does this bit. A good source of iron)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Onwards
On the medical front, I found out I need a minimum of three weeks of radiation. Both my oncologist and radiation therapist were thrilled with my latest scan and think that it shows excellent progress. While this is good news, and I was pleased on some level - a big part of me just wants this all to be over, and not have my life dictated by medical appointments. My next one is on monday...
On returning home, I saw an email in my inbox from a college I was keen on attending this year in the UK saying that as a part of their policy, they cannot allow me to defer my place in the programme into which I had been accepted and that if I were unable to attend, I would just have to re-apply next year.
When you've had your life mapped out for the next two years in your head - it is really hard to imagine what to do with yourself for the next ONE YEAR... Even more, it is hard to accept that your plan just isn't working out like you were certain it would.
On returning home, I saw an email in my inbox from a college I was keen on attending this year in the UK saying that as a part of their policy, they cannot allow me to defer my place in the programme into which I had been accepted and that if I were unable to attend, I would just have to re-apply next year.
When you've had your life mapped out for the next two years in your head - it is really hard to imagine what to do with yourself for the next ONE YEAR... Even more, it is hard to accept that your plan just isn't working out like you were certain it would.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Citizens for peace
Attended this meeting today-Javed Akhtar, Shabana, Nandita,and other wonderful people read their poetry and shared their narrative. It was a very moving event without any speeches. The blind children's singing from Abide with me to current songs we hold dear was special. I met Devika Bhojwani and asked her to share in our blog. I'd like her to share it with different kinds of people.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Just waiting
Tonight we will have some news of what PVs doctor has to say about how she is doing. We are happy that most of PVs medical consultations are in her neighborhood. Though she has had her fair share of doing the rounds of different hospitals. She found one hospital terribly clinical. Could we please have more humane hospital design? It's been raining and raining. So I followed PVs prescription of beating the blues by eating ice cream, not yet the chocolate.
Friday, August 1, 2008
PVs Mom
PVs Dad
"My daughter has more to say to my friends than me...anyway, please read my books more than my lips."
Celebrating the 37th
Spoke to PVs parents who sounded still very much in love after 37 years of married life. There was laughter in the background as they were wending their way to Bandra. My husband and I tried wishing them through all this. PVs parents are very old and dear friends with whom I have giggled endlessly on occasions!
PVs mom informed me that the PET scan results will be out tomorrow afternoon. I will check in with her and inform all of you.
It's the togetherness of 37 years that helps PVs parents take in all that life brings their way with grace.
In response to PVs mom's text message to me a little while ago, I'd like to thank her, too, for the precious friendship.
PVs mom informed me that the PET scan results will be out tomorrow afternoon. I will check in with her and inform all of you.
It's the togetherness of 37 years that helps PVs parents take in all that life brings their way with grace.
In response to PVs mom's text message to me a little while ago, I'd like to thank her, too, for the precious friendship.
Dear Anonymous
To whoever left the comments about getting through the shit days,
Ice cream and chocolate help more than we give them credit for! On other days, I had a good solid cry by myself and completely indulged in self-pity - but within a time frame.
More often than not, I just got as many hugs as I could - given that I was advised not to get too close to too many people otherwise I might catch an unnecessary infection.
I know that doesn't help much, and sometimes time just seems to stretch on and on and on...but this is the greatest lesson in patience you will ever have. And hopefully, the last!
Ice cream and chocolate help more than we give them credit for! On other days, I had a good solid cry by myself and completely indulged in self-pity - but within a time frame.
More often than not, I just got as many hugs as I could - given that I was advised not to get too close to too many people otherwise I might catch an unnecessary infection.
I know that doesn't help much, and sometimes time just seems to stretch on and on and on...but this is the greatest lesson in patience you will ever have. And hopefully, the last!
Comments coming in
First of all, I am no longer paranoid about Comments not registering on our blog. Magically the technical issue has resolved itself. I appreciate each of your comments. They add to our perspective. Thanks a lot. Do keep writing in.
PV I guess has been rained in some times, snowed under with her work load and has been sending e-mail to me. So she has not fallen off the map! I have not set eyes on her since her Dubai visit. We were hoping to meet for a photo shoot but the monsoon has been a real spoil sport.
The top of PVs head looks like it's been manured and is sprouting hair. Fuzzy and cute.
On August 4 she goes in for her next PET scan. Our thoughts and good wishes will be with her and her family. I will keep you posted.
PV I guess has been rained in some times, snowed under with her work load and has been sending e-mail to me. So she has not fallen off the map! I have not set eyes on her since her Dubai visit. We were hoping to meet for a photo shoot but the monsoon has been a real spoil sport.
The top of PVs head looks like it's been manured and is sprouting hair. Fuzzy and cute.
On August 4 she goes in for her next PET scan. Our thoughts and good wishes will be with her and her family. I will keep you posted.
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