Radiation starts tomorrow

I'm back from Kauai, and hit the ground running. I had to get all caught up on mail, laundry, and get a tree up, which I accomplished yesterday. It's darling; smaller than usual because I just didn't want to fight with a big tree, but it's about four feet, a very full and symmetrical Noble Spruce. I like it.
The trip was too short. Geez, for a small island there's a lot to see! The helicopter tour the first day was money well spent. We got an overview of the entire island, which included the stunning Napali Coast, which you really can't see like that other than from a boat. We had such a good pilot. It was a little windy, but we never bounced around at all. We flew up Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) up the Napali Coast, very close to a volcano crater - everywhere. It was spectacular, and we never would have made it all by car or foot in five days.
I really scored on the condo. It was a Living Social deal; we were supposed to have a two-bedroom, two-bath partial ocean view. Well, it was three-bedrooms, three-baths, corner unit with a wrap-around deck, top floor, full on ocean view. They are really new, and very luxuriously appointed with nice furniture, granite counter tops everywhere, A/C, flat screen TVs in each bedroom and the living room, full laundry, AND we had housekeeping service. My bedroom (I took the master suite) had a bath of my dreams. Huge tub, huge walk-in shower, two separate vanities, walk-in closet, and a safe. I loved it. It's called Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach and it is a Wyndham Resort. They are for sale, too, but holy crap, the two-bedrooms start at $925,000 and the condo dues - brace yourself - are $1,400 a month! Geez, that's more than I pay in rent! But I got this palace for $220 a night and Col and I split it. At least I had five days living in the lap of luxury!
The other high point was my kayak/hike adventure. Because of my weak left side I was worried when I started to paddle, but actually it got better, and I am much stronger now, and feel more mobility coming back. It was 2.5 miles each way, then a mile hike to "Secret Falls." The hike actually was the painful part! The trail was very slippery and muddy from the rains, so I had to tread very carefully. In addition, there were roots everywhere to navigate around. Once we got to the falls, they were spectacular. By the time we hiked back to the kayaks, it was clear my right knee was hurting. It still hurts a little, but I went to Pilates yesterday morning and did some stuff that helped. But, I didn't fall in the mud! However, my shoes and legs were covered in mud. For those who think I never get dirty, you would have been so proud! I was happy I challenged myself and I made it.
So, we ate, drank, shopped, chilled by the pool and went to the beach one day. The weather was sort of on and off, but it was fine. Just to be somewhere else was great. And to be with my dear friend, Colleen. We had great fun the first night with Linell. She made the flight over a real treat, too. She was working first class, but would slip back to coach, bringing us champagne, then mai-tai's! We also got our food free. Thanks Nellie!
Anyway, back to reality; radiation starts tomorrow. I'm sort of nervous, but I know it won't be as bad as chemo. It's just going to be a pain in the ass because I have to go everyday. After that, it will just be the Herceptin every three weeks until September 2012. And of course, reconstruction next summer sometime.
I still worry about the cancer coming back. I guess this is normal. The death of my friend in my support group has me thinking more about death, too. I know I'll die one day, but I'm not ready yet.
In keeping the spirit of moving forward and learning new things, I forgot to mention, I bought a ukulele in Kauai! I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I thought, what better place to get one. I got it at a little place called Kamoa Ukuleles in old Koloa town. The owner designs all of them himself, but the demand has been so great, he's having them made on the mainland now. His mom, Gigi, waited on me, and she was wonderful! They are shipping it, so I don't have it yet, but it's what they call a pineapple shape, made of mahogany. It's a starter uke, not terribly expensive, but I'm so excited! I think I can do this! I learned a few chords just standing there with Gigi. I'm having my nails done tomorrow after work, and they are going to have to be cut shorter for this to work. But it's okay. That is one of my goals for 2012 - learn to play the uke, get well, and a few other gems.
Merry Christmas!