Cabernet and Carboplatin

To prepare for chemo, On Wednesday I had a port implanted in my chest. i know in the long run it will make my life easier, but yikes! I had no idea how painful and uncomfortable it would be! I have been told it will get better, and I sincerely believe that, but my neck hurts and the pain even radiates up to my ear. Ice helps, ibuprofen helps, and wine helps. I so hope I still enjoy wine after my chemo starts. My clinical trial nurse told me it was perfectly fine to have a glass of wine, and I have a cellar full of bottles I am looking forward to enjoying. Tonight we are going to a very nice restaurant that happens to be BYO, and I’m going to look through the collection to decide what to take. I have a Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet I’ve been holding for a special occasion, and while it is still young, I think with decanting it could be pretty delicious. So tonight might be the night. I have a fear that even after chemo I might not enjoy wine as much as a I do now, so I may as well “drin

Because I am in a clinical trial, I am getting much more testing than I would otherwise, and that’s good. Yesterday I had a CT scan and today I had an EKG and bloodwork. After the testing I had my first appointment with my gynecological oncologist since my surgery. I knew he would have my CT scan results and I was a bit nervous. What is there was new cancer growth? What if things didn’t look right? My fears were not realized. The scan was fine and my meeting with Dr. T was great. His confidence and optimism was infectious. I pulled out my list of questions and we went through everything. Jerry, my husband had some questions as well, and both of us left feeling far more confident of what lies ahead. Still being in pre-chemo week, we thought it would be fun to go to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, Rachel, for half-price wine night. We had a really nice Barolo. Italian wine loves food, and we ate simple flatbreads loaded with vegetables and comforting, gooey cheese. Gary

The last six months had been trying. No matter what I did I was gaining weight, and for the first time ever, I was developing quite a belly. So, first things first, I joined a gym and started working on my eating (and drinking)habits. You have to know I love wine. Especially red wine. Though on occasion give me a good Viognier or Sauvignon Blanc and I’m happy, particularly on a warm summer day. Having lived in Northern California for 20 years and after several classes at Culinary Institute of America in Napa, I have a strong affinity for Napa Cabernets. Yes, those big fruit bombs— lush, mouth filling, heady dark Cabs. But I’m expanding my palate. After a trip to Priorat near Barcelona, I fell in love with the Granaches and Carmenieres of that area. One can literally taste the granite in which the vines grow. But I digress. I cleaned up my eating,cut way back on wine and started working out at a gym. and all the while, the weight kept going up. I even went to my primary care doc, and