Research update: Month 3

• Accomplishment of the week: Submitted one of the three grant proposals for the telomere study. 
• Next on to-do list: Submit the two other grant proposals and write yoga study protocol for IRB approval. 
• When I feel pessimistic about actually being awarded one of these grants, I think of my mentor telling me “If you don’t apply, your chance of getting it is 0%.” 
• I really like my Fridays with the oncologist in the breast cancer clinic. I’ve met some amazing patients. Beautiful, strong women. And incredibly devoted husbands, friends, and family members. I like watching the oncologist work. I like seeing his responses to various questions (and in my head, comparing them to what I would say): When can I dye my hair? When can I start exercising? What can I do about my fingernails? Should I change my diet to improve my bone density? Yesterday he even recommended Epsom salt baths for a patient with fingernail infections (chemo can make the skin under the nail bed slough off which predisposes it to infection). I do wish there was more talk about diet and exercise. They have “nutrition after breast cancer” discussions for patients – I’m really curious to go to one of these and see what they say. 
• One of the best parts of this research year is having relative autonomy to make my own schedule. When else in my life will I be able to indulge in a two and a half hour yoga practice every morning?! This will probably never happen again except on vacation (if pre any potential babies) or retirement. But I have to say, the workshop last weekend and practice every day this week has really wiped me out (so glad to have a rest day today). My sacroiliac joints are especially feeling it… I must be careful with these! 
• A bunch of Ashtangi friends are in India right now and I’m feeling the itch to go back…