" if I fail to practice patience
hindered by my own deficiency

I am myself the obstacle to
gaining merit,

yet so close at hand."
Pema Chodron

" Four Joys of Patience

1. Patience is stainless

2. Patience brings happiness

3. Patience is praised by the holy ones....Buddha nature etc.

4. Patience is the perfect way to help others"

Pema Chodron

thank you for the wonderful cards and well wishes for my birthday....I had a wonderful time at the celebration with Master Gu on Saturday...due to the chemo on friday and a white count shot on saturday...I didn't feel well enough to celebrate more...so we came home and I rested all weekend...another day to celebrate will present itself as I also continue to embrace that I am still alive...

I also just received news about my MRI from this past Friday...I am cancer free from the MRI as well as my ca-125...I could feel the healing has worked and is working...nice to know the test results agree...Many blessing to all of you...

I have much to think about each day and I love to write and I love to read spiritual work...I was thinking about these words and came up with a new way of thinking about CPR...CPR for the soul

C Calm

P Patience

R Release


Use this for moments when you are about ready to react to something...then perhaps you'll pause enough to respond with honor to any situation or emotion ...

Sending love and gratitude for all that you have done for me...I have now stepped into my 50th year of life because of so much love ...

Namaste,
Summer

On my way to chemo #2 Taxol....new regime...just wanted to say hi !!!! Have a beautiful day...Love Summer

Dear Friends,

As you know..my chemo schedule has been slightly altered. On friday the 13th... a lucky day for me was chemo # 7 with the combination of the two drugs...I was given 1/2 dose of the white count shot on Saturday. I think this lesser dose was so much easier on me regarding the side effects from this shot that are usually very challenging...much more tolerable this time. The next 2 fridays I will go in and have a 1/3rd of the dose of Taxol instead of all the Taxol at one time. More running around ..more Dr's appointments ....but doable...if you read the previous blog you will understand the 8th cycle...I will have June off then start the one year in July.

My 5oth birthday is Saturday April 28th...I will begin the celebration by attending Tai Chi and Qigong Day in Carlsbad...following will be a level one workshop for saturday afternoon and Sunday with Master Gu. If anyone would like to join me for the earlier celebration...I will be there to celebrate my life ...I will also be repeating the level one workshop with Master Gu and friends.

8th World Taichi and Qigong Day
Wisdom Healing Spirial
April 28th 9-11:30 am
Magee Park(Beach Ave and Carlsbad Blvd. (101)

www.chicenter.com for details

I also want to remind you about the Spirit Tone class that will be held at a private residence for 11 classes starting May 1st...this class is now full. Thank you for your quick response.If you are still interested in this class ...please email me to be placed on a waiting list. There will be more classes to follow...if you're interested in future classes...please email me at spiritsummer@cox.net ...the other classes will begin again soon...most likely in the fall or late summer.

" Joy is the net of love by which you catch souls"
Mother Teresa

Dear Friends,

There is so much to share with you!!!

As most of you know, I went to an important meeting with Dr. Bahador yesterday...this was a meeting to discuss how to proceed. We have a new plan.

Great News continues.... my ca-125 is down to 5....AMAZING!!!!!

The new plan:

Return to the original plan of 8 cycles of chemo with the two drugs of Carboplatin and Taxol...only with a slight variation...

This friday...I will receive the full dose of carboplatin and only a 3rd of the Taxol....I will return one week later to receive the second dose of Taxol...and then a 3rd time for the last dose....one week break and then repeat this cycle exactly until the end of June....July will be a full break from all treatment and then in August we will begin the one year of Taxol only once per month....there is concern that the Taxol will produce peripheral nueropathy and the above suggested alternative treatment may be helpful in that area...of course all treatment is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

While this has been an interesting time for me and for those close to me...I am finding that it really has been OK...I am learning so much !!!!

...from the words of Pema Chodron...

"ordinary human suffering has value. It can humble us and teach
us compassion. The pain we go through while changing our old habits
is not only worth tolerating...

it is worth celebrating!!!!!!!"
Much love to all,
Summer

Dear Friends,

Starting May 1st I will be teaching Spirit Tone at a private residence in Fair Banks Ranch...if you are interested and you didn't get the email...please let me know asap...this class will be on tues/thurs @ 9:15 am...pre- registration is required.

This Wednesday I have an important meeting with my Dr...Dr. Bahador to evaluate my current and future treatments....I have lots of questions as we come to this juncture of treatment and healing...as you know...the plan is to continue chemo for one year with just Taxol...

I have been hiking ....biking indoors and pilates reformer as well as pilates mat at home...I just started doing Yoga again at home ...just for 45 min....it felt great....my incision has healed well...I am able to do upward facing dog without pain...yeah!!!

I am interested in selling my wonderful road bike....Specialized Rubouix...if anyone is interested let me know...I also want to sell my mountain bike....I can offer details to anyone interested...

Chemo is this friday ....chemo gatherings have become a healing time for me...very positive ....

I turn 50 in less than a month now...WOW...time is such an interesting view ...this right of passage is very meaningful for me...We can all continue to BLOG in our 100's...what will be available to us then???

Sending continued love to all,
Summer