Along with cancer treatment, comes worrying about developing lymphedema. Lymphedema refers to swelling that occurs due to the removal of lymph nodes and radiation as part of cancer treatments. I had lymph nodes removed and radiation.
Continue reading “Radiation Recommended Item: Does this Match my Outfit?”
August 8, 2019
Dear Friends and Family,
T and I have been really busy in Amsterdam and I feel that there is always “something” going on… PRIDE Week in Amsterdam was from July 27th-August 4th and all I can say is “WOW!”. The city of Amsterdam came out in full support of all of the activities, especially the PRIDE Canal Parade held on Saturday, August 3rd.
Continue reading “Amsterdam Adventures – Edition 5: PRIDE Parade”
I volunteered to participate in the SAPHIRE Trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Some participants received radiation for twenty minutes for six weeks and other participants received radiation for thirty minutes for four weeks. I was randomly chosen to receive radiation for thirty minutes for four weeks. Before my first radiation appointment, the radiation technician used a permanent marker to mark my body indicating which area would and would not be radiated. My markings changed throughout my treatments.
Continue reading “Radiation Recommended Item – Healing Ointment, PLEASE!”
I am back tracking a bit regarding the posts about Italy, I didn’t have time to write until now.
I am backtracking a bit regarding the posts about Italy, I didn’t have time to write until now…
I am backtracking a bit regarding the posts about Italy, I didn’t have time to write until now… Continue reading “Travelogues – When in Rome…”
August 1, 2019
T and I went to Delft, Netherlands for a day trip. It was a quick one hour train ride. We were starving when we arrived so we ate lunch at a place called Kek. I received the restaurant recommendation from another blogger.
Kek did not disappoint. T and I ordered the delicious American Pancakes. Four small sized pancakes were stacked on top of each other. The fruit, syrup and topping added a nice touch. We each ate dragon fruit (the small triangle piece of fruit on the right side of the pancake) for the first time. T made the comment “notice that the portion sizes are smaller” and I laughed and said “I was still hungry”, so I drank my juice – ha, ha! My pressed juice was filling and I ordered an energy shot of who knows what. I definitely drank my recommended amount of vegetables and fruits for the day – ha, ha!
Delft has two churches in town. One church is called Nieuwe Church or New Church.
The other church is called Oude Kerk or Old Church. Oude Kerk is called the Leaning Tower of Delft because it leans.
Of course we had to purchase Delft Blue (Delfts Blauw) items. Delft Blue items have been produced in Delft since the 17th century.
T was a knight with a wooden sword and shield – ha, ha!
We ate dinner at Het Konings Huys. We enjoyed a beer made by monks called Trappist Beer. T really enjoyed his ribs as they fell off of the bone while he ate them. He was STILL talking about the tasty ribs the next day! He stayed warm with a blanket that the restaurant offered, which was a nice gesture since it was cold outside.
We enjoyed our day trip to Delft!
July 31, 2019
Dear Friends and Family,
The Netherlands had record breaking temperatures last week. At one point, when I looked at my watch, it was 101 degrees Fahrenheit! It was warmer here, while Houston was having a “cold front”. The apartments in Amsterdam do not have air con (short for air conditioning, as the locals call it), ours being one of them. Our apartment has been remodeled and is pretty energy efficient, but still can get really HOT.
The dogs and I escaped to WeWork, where T’s office is located. The front office staff at WeWork are always so welcoming. The concept of WeWork is that everyone rents office space so that they have a place to work. Start-up and established companies are located throughout the building. The companies at WeWork may have many employees or one, etc. WeWork offices are located all over the world and even in Houston. Often times, I go to WeWork and write for my blog.
The dogs and I were very happy to be in the air-conditioning at WeWork!
Continue reading “Amsterdam Adventures – Edition 4: The Dog Days of Summer”
July 27, 2019
Dear Friends and Family,
In Amsterdam, there are bicycles EVERYWHERE! Bike riders in Amsterdam are very skilled, I have seen people holding hands while riding their bikes, riding their bike with one hand or no hands, and riding their bike while pulling another bike. One person may pedal his/her bike while another person rides on the back or front of his/her bike. You may also see one person pedaling his/her bike with a rider in the front of the bike AND a rider on the back of the bike. Bike riders eat, drink, smoke, and text while pedaling too. A new law has been put into place regarding no texting while riding a bicycle. Also, most of the bike riders do not wear helmets. If you are accidentally walking in the bike lane, the bike rider will ring their bell which is a signal telling you to “get out of my way!”. I upgraded my mountain bike and made it “Amsterdam friendly” by adding a kickstand, bell, etc. I was very intimidated to ride my bike for the first time, but I took the plunge on a Saturday morning when people were not commuting to work. Many locals know that you are American if you wear a helmet. I figured that maybe the locals would be a little “nicer” to me since I was a beginner bike rider in Amsterdam wearing a helmet!
July 26, 2019
T, Macy, Moxie (aka The Littles), and I left Amsterdam for an early train ride to Ghent, Belgium. We prefer to take early train rides because it is less crowded and we get the most of our day when we arrive at our destination.
Anchored in HOPE 