Commonweal

I have been accepted to spend a week at Commonweal Retreat Center in Bolinas California,( http://www.commonweal.org/programs/cancer-help.html) founded by Jim Lerner and Rachel Naomi Remen (author of two wonderful books, Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather's Blessings). I will be with 8 other cancer patients for an intensive week of intentional healing. Should be interesting experience.

I was very interested in attending this program when I first got melanoma, but when Stef got sick as well, it never happened. I became reacquainted with the program last February right as I began IL-2 therapy. I thought that it might be something that I could really benefit from and so I applied. Over the last 10 years I have discovered much of what they address on my own but felt that there is much more that I can do for myself and for others with cancer. I am going with an open mind to see what I can learn.

The side effects from the radiation seem to be minimal, fatigue, some tingling and pain down my arm, and swelling and soreness in my neck. Very manageable with ibuprofen...hopefully this will be all.