I used to be quite confident about my mental health since I was young and I could self-adjust mentally if anything went wrong, at least I thought. Also, I’m aware of the stigma toward mental health issues. Therefor, I stayed away from psychology and psycho-oncology. As I was diagnosed with lung cancer for more than seven years, I was not sure anymore. Maybe I need a psychologist. This is my journey to understand psycho-oncology. https://lungcancer.net/living/psycho-oncology
This is one of the scenes from my alma mater. Pictured by Yin Bai (印白）
I attended a formal Tea Party for the first time yesterday, not to mention it’s Manitoban’s largest Tea Party. It’s called “Guardian Angel Benefit for Women Cancer.” Here are some Tea Party organizers’ words about the event.
“For more than three decades, the Guardian Angels have been raised funds to support advancements in treatment and patient care…”
“The theme this year is to celebrate hope and wellness.”
“All funds raised through today’s event support research into life-altering cancers, clinical trials, and the best possible physical and emotional care for women with cancer in our province.”
“Nothing brings people from all walks of life together like tea. Tea provides comfort.”
We spent most of the time in Montreal with our daughter. In Montreal, I visited the Montreal Museum of Fine Art and the labs at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the University of Montreal. Last but the least, we tried different cuisines.
Montreal Museum of Fine Art
One thing that impressed me is that Montreal people like to go to museums. This time was not exceptional, and I’ve not seen so many people in the museum. The highlight of this visit is Seeing Loud: Basquiat and Music, which is“the first large-scale multidisciplinary exhibition devoted to the role of music in the work of one of the most innovative artists of the second half of the 20th century”. The artist isJean-Michel Basquiat from New York, but his work didn’t speak to me. Classical art, impressionism and early modern art echo better with me.
Research Labs at U of Montreal
I’m involved in a Canadian Cancer Society Breakthrough Grant Application by the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the University of Montreal. It’s a large research project which has basic research and clinical research. I’m honoured to be one of the grant applicants. Here are pictures of visiting two labs.
Food
As usual, we explored different cuisines, tried two restaurants’ Iranian food and Greek food and, interestingly, tried several Jewish foods.
My husband and I visited our daughter in Montreal, QC, who is doing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Meanwhile, I visited the labs at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at the University of Montreal because I’m involved in their current research project. We also visited Ottawa, ON, for several days. The trip took us about 12 days, and many activities were happening. I made a photo diary of the trip. This is Part I.
Visiting Ottawa
I visited Ottawa, ON, many times for work before I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I’m always admiring Ottawa because it’s not a mega-city like Toronto, but it has all that the big cities can offer, such as museums, art galleries, concerts, sceneries, cuisines…
Scenery
It was at the end of autumn. From Montreal to Ottawa, it takes two hours by car. For the first time in almost 30+ years, I enjoyed and truly appreciated the colour of the fall of Canada.
The beautiful scenery on the road from Montreal to Ottawa.
National Gallery of Canada
One place I have always visited is the National Gallery of Canada. This is the first time I have come to Ottawa since I have lung cancer. The Gallery evoked a lot of memory.
Parliament
The first time I visited Parliament Hill was almost 30 years ago. At the time, we visited the parliament inside and out, but the atmosphere was totally different this time. Firstly, Parliament Hill is not accessible due to repair. Secondly, there are three demonstrations, one for handicapped people, one for abortion and the third for some men shouting about some language (English or French) issue. However, we went around Parliament Hill, viewing the beautiful scenery around Ottawa.
Hotel
The hotel we lived in was excellent both at night and daytime. It has all the advantages, and it’s connected to a Casino. It’s super luxurious and waterfront.
I attended IASLC/WCLC2022, also called World Lung Conference 2022, from August 6th to 9th in Vienna, Austria. I would like to talk about my experience with the difference between the WCLC and engineering conferences based on my observation and how I adapted to WCLC2022. https://lungcancer.net/living/attending-wclc2022
My friend HaoPei (斐皓) was a Stage 4 lung cancer patient, 38 years old. He passed away in early February 2020. These pictures were taken by him when he travelled in rural China after his diagnosis. 斐皓, 一路走好。
I’m a city slicker, not a cottage goer, but my husband and I spent much time at our cottage this summer. We closed our cottage last week, and here are some pictures which help me remember the sweet summer.
Morning at the cottage.Daytime at the cottageEvening at the cottage
I can’t help thinking that my plants and my lung cancer go hand in hand. I denied it several times, but it surfaced again. If you think I’m crazy, then be it. https://lungcancer.net/living/plants-healing
This is one of the scenes from my alma mater. Pictured by Yin Bai (印白）
I attended IASLC/WCLC2022 in Vienna, Austria, from August 6 to August 9. Since I’ve been writing articles about the conference with lungcancer.net, here I will focus on sightseeing in Vienna, one of my dream cities. I was in Vienna several days before the conference.
St. Stephson’s Cathedral (Stephansdom Wien)
St. Stephson’s Cathedral (Stephansdom Wien) is a must-see place. It accompanied Vienna through much of the city’s history.
A concert of Wiener Royal Orchester
I planned to go to Vienna to listen to concerts and operas. Unfortunately, most of the venues, like Austria’s leader opera house (Wievv Staatsoper) and world-famous acoustics (Musikverein Brahms-Saal), were not open while we were there. The concert of the Wiener Royal Orchester we attended was great. Too bad we couldn’t take pictures.
Kunst Historisches Museum Wien
Numerous world-class works of art live in Kunst Historisches Museum Wien. Among them, the third-row and first painting remind me of the winter in my hometown of Winnipeg, Canada.
Parks and streets
I spent a lot of time on the streets and parks. It was beautiful except that it was too hot.
Dining in Vienna
The top two photos are from a Chinese restaurant (新四川) not far from our hotel. Amazingly, they made authentic Sichuan food. We also tried several famous restaurants like Figlmüller Bäckerstraße and Café-Konditorei Aida, Café Central and Vienna Marriott Hotel.
Prevailing with ROS1+ Lung Cancer 