Looking for Distractions

Brain cancer is...

 ...as of yet, un examined.

Above is a screenshot of Darrell's health portal...without MRI results from the radiologist.
His patience and good humor are running a bit thin.

Look Darrell! Sparkly things!

Here are Andi, Teresa, Kim, and Ginger, conquering the education world with coffee!

Look Darrell!  Holiday lights!  So sparkly!

Maybe you need to go put up our lights!

Look Darrell!  Summer and Zach are having a backyard fire!

Let's not look at your computer screen!  The world is so sparkly!

(Help me Team D!  I am not sure how long I can keep this up!)

No, No Results.

Brain cancer is...

 ...making the most of scan day.

We are posting at 8:30 p.m., and there is no news yet of the radiologist's report.  Perhaps tomorrow.

Nonetheless, Darrell did a great job of making the most of scan day.  Above you see him modelling the latest in MRI wear.  (New hospital rule:  scrub pants are required. They have no pockets for hidden metal, and neither do they have zippers, which can confuse the machine's signal.)  Who cares about the reason?  Darrell makes this look work!

We celebrated at...Which Wich (not Panera) for the sake of a little variety.

Darrell gave the double meat gyros a thumbs up...before he ate the whole thing.  Afterwards he said, "Oof!  I just ate a lamb cow!"  We recommitted to our "always split a sandwich" rule.

The great attitude that Darrell conveyed yesterday, in lieu of outward scanxiety, continued today.  I was thoroughly cheered by his laughter and jokes ("More lasagna?  Don't get any on 'ya!") and his conviction that the radiologist's report is not critical in the interpretation of the thin-slice MRI or the overall treatment plan.

You go, Big D!

Optune War!

Brain cancer is...

..battled by an Optune Warrior.

Yes, Darrell achieved another 98% Optune compliance rating today.  Optune Amy says that Darrell should get a plaque for his stellar compliance.  I think a medal is more in order for this warrior!

And look.  We filled up another set of array maps--our battle plan. The maps tell us where to place the arrays and help me keep track of which placement I use for each change. 

 


The last time we filled a set of maps was January 12, 2017 (click this link for that day's post).  What a privilege to need to print out another set!

The "small slice" MRI is tomorrow morning.  Darrell's doing a great job of managing the scanxiety and remaining positive.

Thanks for waging this war with us!

See You Later, San Francisco!

Brain cancer is...

...back home.

We snapped the above pic on our way out of town this morning.  Look waaay up that street for some San Francisco elevation changes.

Darrell drove the whole way, like a champ.

It was a really good trip all around, particularly the part where Keiva and Kristine gave us this tasty treat:  Harvey the Sourdough Sea Turtle.  His face was delicious!

Happy Delicious Sunday, Team D.

Still Here.

Brain cancer is...

...still here.

Kristine and I did our back-to-back sessions starting at 8:00 this morning.  The sessions went well.  We love hanging with art teachers; they continue to wonder about the world, take risks, and see beauty in the different ways one can be human. 


Rather than ending our post here, I need to tell you two stories.  The first is mine; the second is Darrell's.

Story One:  Andi's Story

As you know from yesterday's post, Darrell planned to sleep in while Kristine and I presented.  If you know Darrell, you were with me in doubting the likelihood of that plan coming to fruition.  At 6 :00 this morning, I had trouble making the Keurig machine work.  (Why did I think I could instantly make coffee in a foreign city when I don't make my own coffee at home?)  And I couldn't find my fitbit.  Sure enough, by 7:30, Darrell was downstairs, fitbit in hand, checking my tech, hanging pictures of beetles. Andi hearts Darrell.

Story Two:  Darrell's Story 

A bit leery about the competence of a woman who can't operate a Keurig machine, Darrell pulled up a chair and sat in the back for our sessions.  It wasn't long before I sent him up one flight of stairs to the food place to refill Kristine's cup and my cup with coffee (again with the coffee!).  He was back in our room, 10 minutes later, security guard in tow.  I stepped into the hall for a conversation.


Upstairs, the guard had questioned Darrell about scrounging coffee.  (Disclosure:  Darrell was not wearing a conference lanyard.  San Francisco is full of people who need coffee and don't have a way to pay for it.  Darrell might have been one.)  Upon questioning Darrell, the guard heard his speech and asked, "Have you been drinking?"  Darrell led him back to our session. 


Back in the hallway outside our session (thank goodness Darrell got the guard there!), I explained Darrell's super hero status.  Darrell doffed his hat to share his arrays.  The guard accepted our explanation and wished Darrell all his best.


Darrell wanted you to hear this story. 


He felt bad.  He's a super hero.  He's a PhD in mechanical engineering.  He's a department chair.  Or, maybe if you're a security guard, he's just another homeless guy, drinking, looking for a cup of coffee.


I am so proud of my husband for sharing this story.  He is a constant reminder for me to check my assumptions.  I never know what another human is facing. 


Brain cancer:  Still here.  Brain cancer:  A reminder that if you CAN afford the extra 30 bucks for this view...

...you should do it.  Worth it.

Hey, Bay!

Brain cancer is...

...the long haul driver.

Here is the 7:10 am photo, in the driveway in Fullerton:

Yes, those the the Quinns in the backseat, Keiva and Kristine.
Here's the 3:27 pm photo at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco.

Darrell has mad driving skills!

Here is a pic on our trip north, including water in the Central Valley.  Bakersfield?  Weird!

We enjoyed happy memories in the lobby.

Here's the view from our balcony.

A and K present tomorrow, first thing, at the California Arts Education Conference.
Keiva plans on helping with set up.  Darrell plans on sleeping in.

You should definitely do what you want on Saturday morning.

Congrats and Happy Birthday!

Brain cancer is...

 

celebrating our family.

Sue, our soon-to-be co-parent, came down from Carpinteria on the train today to celebrate.

This is our first time together to celebrate Summer and Zachary's engagement, and it's her birthday! The fun started with Del Taco on the patio for lunch, above.

Click here for a slideshow of the day unfolding to a pleasant end with dinner at the Yard House.

Here's to family!