Round 3, Day 1

I'm glad the chemo is not like a professional boxing match... only 4 rounds for me and not 12! I continue to amaze the doctors. No horrible side effects, no pain, no pain medication etc. I know it is the fact that I continue to do yoga, meditate, and most importantly have faith. I have such incredible friends, students, clients, and family. Thank you all. I think somehow the reason I am not more "sensitive" to the chemo is that when we were growing up my mom had an almost pathological aversion to taking us to the doctor, so I was not one of those kids that got tons of antibiotics and medicine. Lois was big on more over the counter stuff...bandaids, calomine lotion and some wierd paste called KIP that was used for practically everything. So thanks mom, on some level I think I am tolerating this well because of you too...
Ruthie is leaving for Costa Rica tomorrow morning, and I am so happy for her and so sad for me. I will miss her. I will be visiting though as soon as they tell me I can fly! I want to see the pacific ocean and the whales and the beach and all wonders of a country with no standing army that can afford to offer really comprehensive health care to all who live there. hmmm
A cancer diagnosis really changes your life. I am of course stating the obvious here, but I mean it in a way that has to do with how you define your life. I am a yoga teacher, I am Lois's daughter and Rose's granddaughter, I am a healer, I am Steve's mate, Yogi Bhajan is my teacher and I am a cancer survivor. None of these things will ever change. All these things define who I am. My projection is shifting to include the cancer. I think that is what I was trying to get at when I struggled early on with the idea that I did not want to do violence to the cancer. No it is not my buddy or anything, I want it gone with the wind, but it has changed me in a positive way as well. I know I am strong, I know the power of prayer, and I know the teachings that Yogi Bhajan gave to us and jewels to be savored and shared.
Blessings to all, Dyal Kaur (Martha)