We left Dr Kims’s office on Tuesday 22nd to see him again on Thursday 24th at 2:30 pm and receive my first cancer treatment. (Did you really think I would jump straight to the food?) We might have stayed over another night with the kids but we had tickets to see ELO at the Golden One Center Wednesday night. Great Concert. We splurged for floor seats. Well worth it.

I foolishly thought we can still get a decent night’s sleep before our trip back to the city. I received a mid-afternoon call from Alya, my ‘cancer concierge’. She is highly educated and one of the kindest, most patient people I have ever met. Not sure of her official title but oh so grateful for her. The point is I had to get yet more lab work done prior to my cancer treatment so we headed out early Thursday morning. Nothing quite like Dr appointments the day after attending a rock concert to make you feel old.

11:30am and lab work is done. Time for lunch and for Mela to wander thru the countless shops while I wait outside in the sun with hat in hand. One more thing before all that great food. Mela and I went to see Dr. Kim for my 2:30 appointment. He described the medication and process for the infusion treatment but insurance said I was out of network. Gut Punch. We went home with head hung low and figured in the next week or so I would hear from any attempt at appeal. I will speed this up a bit. I got a call Friday afternoon. I will be covered. Tears of joy!

OK. Finally food. The medical center where I see my oncologist is at Webster and Clay. One block from Filmore St. A mini-mecca of food and shopping. Our first lunch after appointments on Tuesday was the Taco Bar, Johnny’s Donuts and Salt & Straw Ice Cream.

The Taco Bar is a quite casual establishment. You order your food at the counter and they bring it to your table. I ordered one steak taco, one grilled shrimp taco and Mela ordered one grilled shrimp taco as well and one fried fish taco - and we shared a side of guacamole and chips. All Delicious. The steak, fish and shrimp were all seasoned nicely and perfectly cooked. The tacos were street style tacos and generously filled. We both love guacamole and thought theirs was excellent.

Johnny’s Donuts - I honestly never eat donuts from your normal donuts shop. Probably at least a decade. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of a glazed old fashioned but they don’t like me. Johnny’s is another whole level. They are so good but a tad expensive for a donut. So worth it. Mela and I each got one but she saved hers for the drive home.

As if that is not enough. Time for ice cream. In my defense - I did have to fast and had no breakfast. Salt and Straw Ice Cream. I got the chocolate gooey brownie. The flavor, the creaminess. Ice cream nirvana.That said - not sure I am an over all fan. They only have maybe 12 flavors - which is fine. But half of them are really weird. Like pear and blue cheese or olive oil and basil. Not my cup of tea. We did go back on Thursday and after trying two other flavors I went back to the chocolate.

This will conclude a modest attempt at reviewing sweet treats in that I will be eliminating sugar and alcohol for at least 3 months of my treatment so they can get a good sense of it working. Apparently very moderate alcohol is Ok after that.

But I can eat more lobster rolls. The Woodhouse Fish Co. Yummy. I ordered a cup of the clam chowder, warm lobster roll with butter and an Arnold Palmer. Mela ordered the fennel salad and the cold lobster roll with mayo and celery. All so good. Well I have to assume Mela liked her roll since I never got a bite. The lobster was served on a perfectly toasted classic lobster roll bun. That will not be my last lobster roll but might have to try the crab cakes next time - or maybe both

Gob Bless, Stay Strong, Be Humble!