I’m back from San Francisco, where I had some Tantalum Marker Rings surgically placed in my eye in order to prepare for Proton Beam Radiotherapy. The markers will help guide the laser to the exact spot to get rid of the Melanoma in my eye. I’m sorry to say that it was a bigger deal and much more painful than I expected – but I got through it, and I’m so happy to be home again!
I had mixed feelings about San Francisco. On the one hand, the weather was wonderful! It was always around 50 degrees and gently humid. On the other hand, the homeless problem was beyond shocking. People were lying on the sidewalks, wrapped in plastic sheets, not even alert enough to beg for money. It made me very sad.
Pat and I were able to enjoy a couple of things prior to my surgery. We went to the Wharf and Pier 39, walked around, and took a short boat tour of the San Francisco Bay, where we saw the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. We celebrated my birthday with some delicious Red Velvet cupcakes from the nearby Whole Foods. Then I had the surgery and slept A LOT.
Now, I’m waiting for the call to schedule the next part of the process. I’m feeling grateful that step one is complete and behind me.
So glad that step one is behind you and I hope that the other steps go smoothly too!
The homeless issue in San Francisco is bad, and it is also bad throughout the Bay Area, unfortunately. It also seems like the city (cities) have given up trying to do anything, as often some of the encampments are pretty permanent looking! They did try to put in some areas with bathrooms and tiny homes but they got trashed FAST and I think that it may not have really done anything to help in the end.
Thank you so much, Kyria! I appreciate your kind thoughts! The homeless issue is very complicated and made worse by drugs and mental illness. It’s heartbreaking, but I don’t know what the answer is. San Francisco’s mild weather makes it a perfect spot though. I really enjoyed the weather there!
Happy belated!!! Glad the surgery went well and you had time to rest. The pictures are beautiful and yes, SF has many unhoused folks. So very heartbreaking.
Thank you so much, Daria! 💕 I appreciate your kind thoughts and birthday wishes!
I have been thinking about you SO much. I’m so glad you’re home and you’re ready for the next step. May it all go smoothly.
On another note, happy birthday!!! I’m glad you got yummy cupcakes. There is a truly shocking homeless issue, a “tent city” here and I am always overwhelmed with sadness and helplessness when I drive by. I guess this is the opioid crisis, and also, so much mental health troubles as well.
Thank you so much, Nicole! ❤️ Things are healing up nicely and I’m getting excited to get the next step in motion! Yes, drugs and mental illness have broken so many people. I wish there was some way to cocoon them up and make them OK again.
Glad the surgery went well. Hope you recovered easily.
That photo of the SF street is amazing. Love it very much. Next time in SF I definitely want to do a boat tour. Must be amazing.
Thank you so much, Tobia! The boat tour was cool, and there are many options to choose from. Ours was a one-hour tour of just the highlights, but there are ones for several hours up to a full day.
Your pictures are beautiful. I am thinking of you as you go through this. Sending you love. 😘
Thank you so much, Kari! I appreciate your kindness.❤️I’m feeling better and more healed each day and looking forward to getting the next step done with!
Ugh. I hate it when a medical procedure doesn’t go exactly as I thought it would. I am glad it’s over and you can move on to the next step in the process. Good luck!
Thank you so much, NGS! I’m feeling better with every passing day, and grateful to be through that part of the process.
Your photos are lovely, but the homeless situation makes me very sad that we can’t come up with a way to help this segment of our population. With all the brilliant minds and extremely rich minds we have in this country, you would think they could come together with potential solutions. On the medical front, congrats on making it through step one. Good luck with the next step.
Thank you so much, Judy! ❤️ I’m feeling so grateful for everything as things are healing. Yes, I also wish there was a solution for those people who are so broken.
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this eye issue (and especially story that treatment is so painful), but it is good to know one step of the process is behind you. Wishing you peace and physical comfort in the next stages <3
Thank you so much, Elisabeth! I can feel my eye healing day by day, and I’m looking forward to getting the next step accomplished!
I’ve never been to San Francisco and while it looks beautiful the homeless problem would make me wonder about it. I’m glad you’re making progress with your eye problem. Always good to see that you’ve posted.
Thank you, Ally! My eye feels better with every day that passes and I’m looking forward to getting the next step in motion! Waiting is hard!