A Beautiful Day in L.A.

The morning sun made it clear that today would be a gorgeous one in the City of Angels, and I was determined to go out and enjoy it. By the early afternoon, Will and Winston and I were at the La Brea Tar Pits, soaking up the sun. 

Going back to the Tar Pits was especially meaningful for me. The last time the three of us were there, on Labor Day of last year, I wasn't feeling too great. I soldiered on, having fun with my hubby and puppy, but my belly felt heavy and almost every meal didn't sit well with me. I remember walking around the Tar Pits and feeling anxious -- I knew something was off with my body and I really wanted a resolution. At this point, I had already gone to a general practitioner who heard about my symptoms (gas pain, ungodly sounds emanating from my gut, frequent and unhappy daily bowel movements) and had dismissed me, advising that I should look into taking some probiotics. As we spent Labor Day in the sun, I remember hoping that somebody -- anybody -- could help relieve my symptoms and get me back on track.

That was six days before I was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital. It was the last holiday I experienced without realizing that I was battling cancer. I'd say ignorance is bliss, but it wasn't. Learning about my diagnosis about two weeks later was a welcome relief compared to the upsetting uncertainty that I experienced prior to that.

Coming back to the Tar Pits today was an entirely happy experience, a triumph, and a big "up yours" to cancer. I felt great as I walked the grounds, knowing that I had conquered the beast -- the uncertainty, fear, and pain -- and that the rest of my cancer-killing adventure would be smooth sailing. 

One might think that going back there would be a sad experience, a reminder of my carefree life prior to my diagnosis. But it wasn't so. The truth of the matter is that I'm a happier, more carefree person now. I've been through a character-testing and character-building challenge -- perhaps the biggest challenge I'll ever face -- and here I am, on the other side. Happier, stronger, and living a richer life. 

As we ate lunch at Cafe Gratitude, grabbed vegan ice cream at KindKreme, and cruised around Echo Park, I could feel my life coming back to normal. A new normal. A better normal. And it was beautiful.