Chemo #7 - The LAST ONE!!!!!

October 16, 2008, I received my 7th chemo (4th one with the red stuff). Thank God this was my LAST ONE!!!!! WOO HOO!!! Unfortunately, it was far from fun. This one packed a big bang. I started getting nauseous from the moment I sat down. Perhaps it was in the air? After all, the suite next door was remodeling. And with my sense of smell still on the blink, I didn't smell any fumes, but I surely felt it in the pit of my stomach. But, I was not alone. Dorothy, my chemo buddy, said she felt the same way. That should have been my cue to run, but I sat there, and got it over with. For the most part, I had stayed green in the face for the next four days!!! Ughhhhhh! Oh, what a feeling!!! On Monday, I was able to eat a little, but it really hurt. My stomach was not used to having food in it anymore. Can you imagine that!?!??! Good thing it was my last and final chemo, so I knew there was a light at the end of the porcelain tunnel. Thank you for all those praying for me during those moments. I couldn't have done it without God on my side. He was my strength, my all. My poor family just watched me helplessly, but I'm so thankful they were there for support. Stevie said he was helping me hold up my invisible hair! ha ha ha


Jessie-Lin giving me my last three tubes of this red liquid poison. Hopefully, it's doing it's job to kill those cancer cells!!! It sure did kill my taste buds and my meals.


Dorothy, Tracey, and myself are comforting one another. Doesn't Tracey and I look cute with our matching round heads?!?!?!? I'm looking forward to seeing her in my Tuesday night support group with The Wellness Community. We just have so many "issues", ya know?!?!?


***IMPORTANT MESSAGE*** Please read:
Some of you may have already heard me say this, but I think it's important enough to enter it on my blog... just in case I've missed a few ears in these past few months. This sign, or something simular to this, is posted in every restroom in the MRI and cancer treatment centers. It caused me to think how toxic we patients must be. Could we be causing someone serious harm, if we forget to flush twice?!?!? WARNING!!! When you go into ANY public restroom, FLUSH BEFORE USING!!! You can be sitting down after a chemo patient, or worse, after someone who is radioactive (which can cause sterility in children, especially in girls!!!) So remember, for your health and the health of your loved ones, FLUSH BEFORE USING PUBLIC TOILETS!!!!! Why take the chance, right?


After chemo, Bobbie and I ran into this cute place in Redondo Beach. Unfortunately, it was closed!!! The nerve, huh??? I was so bummed. Gelato, gourmet crepes, and coffee are right up my alley! The cute chubby penguin was a bonus. (Kathy, this is for you!)


We ended eating a great relaxing lunch at Joe's Crab Shack in Redondo Beach. This was the funniest sign to keep the parents under control!!! Hilarious, huh? Unfortunately, the sign worked, because I couldn't find a baby to purchase at bargain prices!!! ;-) hee hee hee


Bobbie and I enjoyed our lunch in the warm afternoon sun. It was just a bit bright without my sunglasses. Little did I know, my suffering was just around the corner...


Dana, Leslie, and I got together for breakfast on Tuesday morning. It was my first real meal in days! It helped having such wonderful company too! Now, all three of us has retired from AT&T... hip hip hurray!!! Congratulations Ladies of Leisure!!! We can run around the South Bay, looking for those great shopping deals! There's sheer strength in numbers! Marukai, Costco... here we come!!!

Finishing chemo was a milestone for me. It was so unpredictable, in so many ways. Hank decided that we needed to "celebrate". So off we went to Las Vegas... just the two of us... without kids... and we headed straight for the buffets!!! I really don't need to make up for lost meals, but it sure was fun trying!!! Oh boy, the joys of eating again!!! ;8] Oink oink oink!

While we were in Vegas, we went to a show called, "Tony n' Tina's Wedding". It's an interactive show, where we participated as guests of this make believe wedding. Our table had a blast, as we all got into character as friends and family of the bride and groom. Hank and I enjoyed the Italian buffet, champagne, and wedding cake too! The oinking continues!!! ;8]

On our way home from Las Vegas, we went to the cemetery to visit my Dad's grave site. It would have been his 87th birthday today. It was only a month since he passed away, but it feels like such a long time ago. I really miss him. Happy Birthday Gung Gung! We love you!!!

We love you, Gung Gung!!!

Family and friends are the people who makes our lives worth living. Here are a few more of my peeps:


Betty, Katy, Brandon, and Kevin


Sammi helped Lauren and Ryann collect their winning tickets at Chuck E Cheeses. This is how we spent our District Wide Student Free Day (no school).

Is that a really big horse, or did the kids shrink?!?!?


On this ride, the faster you pedal, the higher up you will go. It was a favorite ride for many of the kids that were there, and many of us parents approved of it too. It's great that the kids get exercise hidden in all that fun. I thought this was the best ride in the whole place!!!


David Fong was coming to Torrance!!! Yippee!!! He surprised us with a visit from Washington. We had dinner with him, Angel, and the Lais at Sango's Sushi Restaurant in Los Alamitos. It had been over a decade since we've seen him. We had a great time catching up with each other's news.



JoJo, Timmy, and Auntie Tiffany came to visit again. We like how you boys play the piano!


Tyler, Allison, Christy, and Brandon. Great job kids, on the Guitar Hero!!! Thank you Darren for sharing your family with me!!!


Jean, Justin, Sammi, Carissa, and me!


Grace and Amanda


Helen representing our Ambassador Church family. Thanks for the huge gift basket everyone!!! You are all toooooo generous!!! I can feel God's love through you!!!


Lisa and Noelle


Baby version of "OPEN, OPEN, OPEN!!!"


Tae and sleepy baby Aaron.

"Happy Birthday Sammi," from Auntie Tae!

If we are fortunate enough, our road through life can be full of cherished memories. What makes life worth living are God, our families, lasting friendships, and the people that He puts in our lives along the way. Our lives on Earth may have some trials and tribulations, but hopefully our joyful, happy times outweigh the sad ones.


This weekend we had funeral services for my Dad. Our families are so blessed to have so many friends and family to support us during this time of grief. Many attended the services, many were with us in spirit. It was also a time of celebration, for my Dad is now in the hands of our Lord. We thank God that He gave my Dad a very fruitful, and long life of almost 87 years. His legacy continues in the lives of his wife, five children, and twelve grandchildren. We will miss him, but we will see him again in heaven. We love you, Gung Gung!!!


Dad's obituary came out in last Sunday's LA Times


David Tong Chan
October 27, 1921 - September 27, 2008

For the next 90 days, you could go to http://www.mem.com/ and type in search for CHAN, David and view my Dad's history and all 30 pictures/movie (music is called ROSE GARDEN)

Chemo #6

Chemo #6 - October 2, 2008. Hank and my sister-in-law (Bobbie) took me to my treatment. I got the red stuff again for the 3rd time. All went well, and it only took about an hour and a half. I was happy to see my chemo partners, Cindy (with hubby Tim) and Trish. My nurse, Joann, surprised me with a goodie bag, filled with breast cancer support stuff. I really enjoyed sharing it with my buddies! Dr. David Chan gave me the good news. He informed me that my next chemo treatment will be my last. Yippee!!! I'm looking forward to celebrating that day!!! Nausea will soon be a thing of the past, so I'm hoping!!! With God's help, I know I can do it!!! I can now start preparing for the next step in my treatment, my double mastectomy. I'm waiting for my surgeons to schedule me a date, sometime between mid November to mid December. For personal reasons, I'm hoping for early December. Please pray for my date of choice!!!

Angel and I went to check out Asaka Japanese Restaurant in Rancho Palos Verdes for lunch the other day. The food was quite yummy, and the view was gorgeous. We had the perfect breeze blowing and the sun shining, but not hot. In fact, the clouds covered up Catalina Island.


After lunch, Angel took me to a place that had some pretty scary warning signs, but it was all worth it. Palos Verdes Pennisula has a special location for whale watching. There were no whales today, but we still had a wonderful time, talking with other visitors and taking in the views.







If you look closely at the top left hand corner, you'll see Angel posing for the shot. Silly Uncle Angel!!! Thanks for cheering me up!!! There's never a dull moment when you're around! God is the true artist, blessing us with the beautiful scenery's. We just have to sit back, acknowledge His awesomeness, and soak up views!!! WOW!!! It's food for our soul!!!