Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

First, a bit of unfinished business. These are the flowers that my sister sent me for my birthday. You can tell I'm old because I didn't think to take them right when I got them, when they were at their best. It was about Monday when I realized, "Oh, can take their picture and share them with everyone and enjoy them forever. So, here they are, a little past their prime, but then, many of us are.

Tuesday I had intended to leave straight from my doctor's office, but I overslept, so that didn't happen. I barely got to the doctor's office on time. I'm doing as expected, blood counts are all low, hence the exhaustion. But I was given the full steam ahead for Sonoma (I was going anyway) and a referral to the radiation oncologist. I came home, made an appointment with said radiation oncologist for the 30th, finished packing, let Glenn load the car, picked up some prescriptions, got two Jamba Juices for the road, and I was off around 12:30. I debated about going around by the ocean, but opted to take 19th Av through San Francisco, thinking that there couldn't be too much traffic at that hour. Bad idea. It took me longer to get to Sloat Bl than from Sloat to the Inn. Still, I got to the hotel around 2:30 and my first appointment wasn't till 4. I had time to check in, get to my room, gather my toys for the spa, and be off.

The first bunch of pictures are of my room, a Mission Suite


The bedroom

This is the view from the bedroom to the bathroom, over the in room spa.

A view from the bathroom to the bedroom.

This would be the living room area.

These next two are the view from my balcony.

Now we are walking to the Spa.

Here we are in the Spa concierge. If you are lucky, Victoria greets you. Victoria just graduated from massage school and does massages on the weekends. As you can see, she is absolutely beautiful and the beauty starts inside at the very core of her being. I love Victoria.

My first treatment was a Watsu massage. This is the Watsu pool, maintained at a constant 98 degrees F. I've had Watsus in all sorts of weathers--it is special in the mist with droplets of water hitting your face like champagne bubbles. It is also lovely in the summer moving from light into shade. For those who don't know about Watsu, here's what the brochure says about it: "Relax with a nurturing 'floating' massage in our beautiful, 'al fresco' Watsu pool, filled with our unique thermal mineral water and perfectly maintained at 98 degrees. Supported by the arms of your skilled massage therapist, experience flowing movements, stretching and shiatsu. You will feel rested and relaxed with a restored sense of harmony and creativity. " It is just the most amazing thing. I may be the Watsu queen because I think I've had more than a dozen in the last year. It is an exercise in total trust, living in the moment, nurturing, comforting. You feel like you are back in the womb and that you are the most loved and cared for being in all of creation. Did I say I love Watsu? My provider for today's Watsu was Soledad--picture to follow. I didn't have my camera with me for the treatments I had that day.

Here's another shot of the Watsu pool:

This lady greets you and says good by on your way to and from the bathhouse. I followed my Watsu with the bathing ritual, since I was already wet. After that, I had a Bodycoffee Spa Scrub. Adobe Acrobat doesn't seem to want to let me copy and paste, so I'll have to plagiarize: "Using a sumptuous blend of ground coffee, Arabica...dead sea salt...and soothing essential oils, coffee extracts help improve blood flow and circulation. Nourishing shea butter and aloe vera restore the skin's radiant softness. Emerge rejuvenated, renewed, and positively glowing." My provider was David, who is the best at the "massage application" of the lotion at the end. I didn't get David's picture--I hoped I would see him later in the week, but that didn't happen. Not a problem. I'll be back and get him then. David is on my list of preferred providers.

Feeling thoroughly relaxed, with five months of dead skin cells scrubbed off, I was off to dinner. Spinach salad and a New York steak. I'm anemic so I tried to get lots of iron.

Wednesday morning and time for a full day of pampering. First thing on the day was a Hungarian Moor Mud Kur. My provider was Glenn. Glenn is two weeks younger than I am, so we speak the same generational language. Glenn is also one of the few who give Watsu massages--in fact, he gave me my first. He is also multitalanted--and incredible photographer of very tiny things. I love Glenn. The Hungarian Moor Mud Kur is not one of the more glamorous treatments, but it sure does make you feel good. Here's the official word: "Celebrate the strength of your body with this centuries old tradition of combining medicinal mud, healing waters and light massage. Begin with a body wrap using moor mud infused with the uplifting aroma of fresh rosemary. Immerse in medicinal waters of potent minerals and relax in a massage of a soothing mineral crème mixed with fennel, juniper and essential lavender to aid in relaxing and detoxifying the body."

The mud was followed by a Chardonnay Olive Oil Sugar Scrub, with Soledad. So here's Soledad. for some reason she wanted a picture with me, so we did that.










Soledad is the pretty one.
Here's the official word on this treatment: "An aromatic and stimulating exfoliation that moisturizes while promoting new skin growth. Using products hand made in the Sonoma Valley, this combination of olive oil, sea salt." It feels wonderful and smells heavenly and I had Soledad, who is loving and nurturing and gentle and glows from within with a heavenly light. I love Soledad. I was supposed to have another treatment with her on Thursday, but she wasn't feeling well later in the day on Wednesday, so they sent her home. I hope I didn't make her sick.

I had pre-ordered a spinach salad (more iron), so I sat in the snade and eat my lunch and read waiting for the next treatment, which was a Sonoma Stone Massage, again with Glenn. Again, the official word: "For hundreds of years Native American people came to this sacred ground from surrounding valleys and the coast to partake in healing rituals honoring the earth and the waters, and the spirit of all the elements. Today we offer you our ritual of warm stone therapy to bring deep relaxation, improve muscle tissue and soothe the nervous system. Aromatherapy, a blend of 'hands on' techniques and the flow of warm stones over the body, produce an unparalleled sensual experience. The energy of the stones creates a magical extension of hands and heart. Warm and cool stone 'tools' work specific areas of tension and inflammation, creating a balanced effect for body, mind and spirit. All of this is set in an atmosphere that honors your presence in this special place on earth. " Now, here's one of the benefits of being on chemotherapy and losing your hair and going to the spa. You don't get "Spa Hair" Many of the massages include wonderful scalp work, which feels like you've died and gone to heaven but leaves you looking like the Bride of Frankenstein. I just whipped off the cranial prosthesis and let them massage my scalp to their heart's content. I felt glorious and came away with every hair in place.

That was my last treatment of the day, so I sat in the sun for a while and read and knitted. Then I went back to my suite where I napped on the balcony. I had a poached sole for dinner. I don't like fish, but I know it is good for me, and sole is one of the few things I can handle.

On to Thursday. First treatment of the day was a Spirulina Body Wrap, with Bill. Bill wanted his picture taken with the tools of his trade. Bill's probably about my age too, or close to it. We've been known to sing camp songs together that very few other people know. I love Bill. Oops, I'm forgetting my job as tour director. Here's the skinny on this treatment: "Spirulina, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes, is harvested from pure salt lakes in California. This treatment helps to nourish, stimulate and revitalize the body." This is a 100 minute treatment--another that is not so glamourous, but really nourishing and probably uses more lotion and potions than anything else. Bill is the head trainer and really knows what he's doing. He also loved my scalp and gave it much TLC. After the wrap, I lounged till it was time for Reflexology with Reike with Diane.

There is no way to describe Diane. She's fabulous at what she does. She's a hoot, she's intuitive, she makes me feel very special. I love Diane. If you get the feeling that I love everyone there, you would be right. Diane has several years of spa experience. She has designed some of the treatments at the SMI. If you are lucky enough to get Diane, you are in for precious time. Diane is a Reike Master. She told me that while she was setting up the room, before she saw me, something said "Cancer" to her. She was gentle and has a wonderful healing touch.

My last treatment of the day was a Tandem Massage, which is just downright decadent. One receiver, two massage therapists. It was supposed to be Bill and Soledad, but since she was out ill, it was Bill and Arlene. I didn't get Arlene's picture either. That's another maybe next time. This is another that I have to plagiarize "Take your relaxation to a new level an two therapists massage you in synchronicity to work both sides of the body simultaneously. Throughout the massage, smooth movements along the length of your body create the illusion of one therapist rather than two. As a luxurious finish during the final 15 minutes of the treatment, one therapist massages your scalp while the other performs balancing reflexology on your feet."

I had such a treat for dinner. My friend Luanne (whose picture I didn't take either) lives in San Rafael. She came up to take me out to a belated birthday dinner. I took her on a tour of my suite, the grounds, and the spa before we ate. I had another spinach salad and ribs, which I have learned to eat with a knifeand fork. They were very yummy. I had warm berry cobbler for dessert, with ice cream and a birthday candle. I blew it out in one breath! After dinner, we went back to my suite to talk. Before we knew it, it was after 9 and I sent her home.

Friday morning started bright and early with Fitness Training with Karen at 8 in the morning. I've worked with Karen several times. She's wonderful an working within her client's limitations. Last time I saw her I was rehabbing my knee. This time, I'm rehabbing my whole body. She showed me things I can do and stressed doing short bursts throughout the day rather than try to do it all in one session. She also advised me to rest between repetitions while I'm rebuilding my strength. Karen has been taking classes preparing to go to graduate school for nursing, so she knows more than your average personal trainer. I love Karen. I just don't know what I'm going to do when she gets into nursing school, hopefully at UCSF, and I have to break in a new trainer.

Off to the bathhouse and the bathing ritual after the workout, then another Watsu with Laura. I'll get it out first this time. I love Laura. Her Watsu technique is a little more vigorousthan Soledad's. There's a little more stretch, but just as much nurture. Laura gave me my second Watsu last year. All the people that give Watsu have a passion for it. They each have adapted it to their personality, so it doesn't seem like having the same thing over and over. Each one is new and special.

I had lunch--Spinach salad--I can just feel those red blood cells growing. After lunch, it was time for my Revitalizing Kur with Diane again. Yeah! Here's the scoop: "Our Ayurvedic treatment used to restore vitality and stimulate circulation. Ayurvedic herbs create a body masque to exfoliate the skin while removing toxins from the body. A warm, full body, aromatic massage and relaxing, heated wrap nourish your body, leaving your skin with a healthy glow and your mind and body feeling totally refreshed. " I slithered out and waited for my Beyond Botox Facial with Andrea--and yet again I didn't get a picture. It was a 90 minute facial, brand new to the Spa, so it isn't in the brochure or the web site. The products were made by a chemist in Canada who uses maple in his products. If I was lathergic after the Kur, I was almost comatose after the facial. There is this approach-avoidence thing where part of you wants to drift into dreamland and the other part wants to be awake to experience every wonderful minute. I managed to make it out to a lounge chair by the pool to work up the energy to go back to the room and dinner, then back to the suite to pack and get ready for boo-hoo day.

I've learned to save fingers and toes for the last thing I do at a spa. If you do it early, then you are always worried during the scrubs that your expensive polish will need to be touched up. If you wait till the end, you can leave glamorous.

This is Rudolfo. I love Rudolfo. I didn't have him for anything this trip, but I got at least a hug a day from him, so I just had to include him in the pictures.

Bebe took care of me on Saturday. I was scheduled for the Sonoma Stone Pedicure furst followed by a manicure. Bebe is a wise woman. She did the fingers first so they had time to throughly dry before I did anything. I love Bebe.

My fingers and toes are OPI's Deer Valley Spice, a bleuish red that will be perfect for chemo on Tuesday. The Stone Pedicure is amazing. "The Scen Tao Sonoma Stone Pedicure takes you on a journey of scent and balance of the mind, body and spirit. This is our ultimate pedicure experience including exfoliating scrub, hydrating foot masque, warm paraffin dip, reflexology and the deep relaxation benefits from the ancient techniques of the warm stone massage." It was a badly needed pedicure. My previous polish had mostly grown out and my nails were like daggers. Not to worry. Now they are perfect. I sat in the shade and knit and read and chatted with strangers for an hour after the pedicure to let my toes dry. I made the rounds, wished everyone farewell, and checked out. Sigh.

On the way home, I'd made arrangements to visit with my old violin teacher's daughter, who lives in Novato, so it was literally on the way home. We had a nice visit. Faith is a professional artist. She is doing a series of panels for several of the California State Parks. She showed me several of her panels. They are beautiful. Each set for each park has its own style. She said that this has been a tremendous boost to her business and she's officially no longer a starving artist. I have three of her paintings in my house and gave one to my sister one Christmas.

I got home before dark, just as the Giant's game was beginning. Even though I was only gone four days, I had a pile of mail, e-, voice, and snail, to deal with and the constant wonder "What am I going to do with this now?"

So now it is back to reality. I start steroids tomorrow, preparing for my last chemo on Tuesday. I see my gynocological oncologist and my primary care tomorrow. And I probably have some bills that think they want to be paid. On the whole, I think I'd rather be back at the Spa being pampered.

xxooxx