UPDATE with a video - Public art at Kaiser--I like it and what I believe it says about my current situation.

Today's video and a new hat! Lamont will be here in less than 30 minutes, ready to take me on this latest field trip, y'all! Thanks for the continued prayers, love and concern. I'll need them today since I've been awake since 2:30 a.m.--it's 6:40 a.m. as I typed. However, I did take all of my prescribed pre-chemo meds, including the Decadron which oughta rev me up like well-tuned muscle car engine! Hey, I've got lots of photos of those that I can share, not that I will know what sort they are, unless I took a photo of the windshield placard at the vintage vehicle event. I have a new goal as I search through my photos at Flickr. I love it!



The sign that explains the public art in the courtyard at Kaiser Interstate. I had to read the quotation twice to really get it, so I'm typing it here, just in case you're having the same difficulty - Anchored in the Future: I always have to dream up there against the stars. If I don't dream I'll make it, I won't even get close. Henry J. Kaiser. This interpretive historical sculpture commerates Henry Kaiser and his family, the physicians and countless others who have contributed to the health and growth of Portland and Vancouver.



The sculpture itself. The sign is on the leftmost rust-colored tip of what looks to be a ship aground. I prefer to think of it as a ship that has arrived for refurbishment, which is exactly what I'm doing at Kaiser Interstate, first at the Oncology Center and after that at the Radiation Center. I don't know if those are the official names of both, but you get my drift.

UPDATE with video & photo - Look at these four fine young people enjoying one of my Portland Trail Blazers' season ticket holder perks!!

Update: Well, I got my hair clipped down to a Velcro-like stubble yesterday, professionally and in no time flat, by Rosa, my sweet friend and hairdresser.



Here's the big reveal! It's video, so when you click on it, you'll go to my Flickr account and have to click one more time to see and hear it. Thanks! Now, over 24 hours later, I'm completely at ease with how I look and ready for whatever is next. Chemo Round Two is Wednesday.



A photo that I took today, wearing a scarf which soon became loose. I'm not so sure about scarves. Maybe I'll come around because I believe I'm gonna have plenty of time to find out!



Back on August 5, I had hoped to go see the Portland Thorns play soccer at Providence Park. However, it turned out that my chemo port placement procedure got scheduled for first thing that morning, be at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. to check in. I knew I'd be very tired, still recovering from the July 29 Chemo Round One, plus the early rising to make that appointment. So, Lamont, Leland, Rachel and Brody enjoyed the soccer outing instead. They had a blast! The Thorns won 5-2! The kids also got a meal voucher for a hot dog, chips and soda. Oh, and the each got a cool pair of shades!

Getting ready for chemotherapy side effects.

I decided to go proactive and asked my hairdresser to cut my hair shorter than she's ever cut it so that I won't have clumps of hair coming out later on during the six rounds of chemo, one round every 21 days, as the schedule now stands. The first one is July 29.



Once she finished cutting and styling my hair, Rosa started to sweep up all that she'd cut from where it had fallen on the kitchen floor. I walked into the bathroom and got my first look in the mirror over the sink. Wow! I loved it!



I walked back into the kitchen, and we took this selfie, the first of two. The photo on the wall behind us is one of my favorites--I got it at a junk store in Portland. The caption, handwritten center bottom says: American Culinary Federation Incorporated. Fifth Annual National Convention Grand Ball. Los Angeles, California - 1958. It's a great big crowd of people all dressed up in their suits and ties, the ladies in their cocktail gowns, seated at giant round tables covered with white tablecloths and lots of glassware and plates and silverware and all that stuff waiting for their banquet to begin and then there's a giant dance floor in the background also. They must've had a lot of fun. I just loved the photo when I saw it, and it wasn't too expensive, so I bought it. It goes great in the kitchen.



The second selfie came about because I still had the phone camera on so that I could see myself as I was about to put it down on the desk. I noticed this shot and got Rosa to come stand by me so that we could take it. I like it a whole lot! I like both photos a whole lot! I'm going to get used to this short hair, and if I have to get it shorter because of the chemo, so be it. I'll like however that turns out, too.