Some Wisdom

I am in the midst of reading a dear friend's journal - it is astounding - but I found some words in it, that I am going to put here - give full credit to H. for them - they are perfect! There are days that I am home and the phone never rings. I have had people say they are coming by for a visit - and they don't show. My email inbox is just full of jokes (not that this is a bad thing).


To our friends:

1. We want to know that you care. Tell us, phone write us, hug us.

2. Cards and flowers are visible symbols of your caring. Cards especially are keepers. We relish them.

3. We are living with cancer, not dying from it. Treat us the same as you always did.

4. Don't be afraid to talk to us about the disease and the treatment. We're not. We will be honest. Honesty comes with the territory. Then, lets get past it and be ourselves.

5. Please don't drop by unannounced. By calling first,we will have the option as to whether or not we feel up to seeing you. We may have had a bad day or we may be dealing with a really serious matter and need to work through it. I may be tired.

6. If you have problems and want to talk about them, don't think that they are insignificant next to ours. We care about you too. We need to be helpful in order to be worthy of your friendship. There is no need to deny us the opportunity to demonstrate our love for you. It will make us feel good to help. It will also allow us to see that we are not the only people in the world with problems.

7. Listen to our cues. If we tell you that we don't want to talk about something, please stop.

8. We need lots of hugs and squeezes.

So, there it is.... I know this has been said before, but we really do miss people calling and coming to visit. I may have cancer, but I am still me and that is not going to change!

Roni and Brian

Something Fun!

As many of your know, it was my birthday on the 24th. Brian decided to take me out for dinner to the Saint St. Grill on Saturday - much to me grumbling, "but it's not my birthday". Oh well, we went and a wonderful dinner - and of course ate too much! And we had such a wonderful time!

I was too stuffed for dessert and Brian kept looking at his watch more than normal! So off we went and he said let's have a drink at the pub - we were to have gone to a movie after the drink.


When I got into the pub - Brian snuck to my left side so that I couldn't see people! But when I turned the corner, I saw my coo-worker Tina there - that is when he got smacked on the arm!

He and Meghan had arranged all of this! I was so totally blown away from the number of people who came out for me - on a rather cool night! I had my morning train friends (Wendy. Mike, Robin) my afternoon train gang (Lisa and Suzanne - and Gary whom I hadn't seen in months). Some earlier morning train friends (Stephen and Annette) - all complete with spouses (those that have them). All three of my kids were there plus my two special adopted kids, both of Brian's boys where there. A set of our neighbours, co-workers, my ex-hubby and his wife (Rick and Chantal) Colleen, Rae, Jasmin and Jorge and so many others, too many to mention!!


Suzanne and Lisa brought the cake - it was sooooooo yummy - and we are still eating it (it is for dessert, girls on Saturday - LOL).


I was totally amazed and loved by the showing of these very special people! You all did so well in keeping the secret - I was had big time!


There are a few pictures below to show the fun time had by all!! (f you want to see more and you are on Facebook, they are there under My 55th).

Thanks again to all of you who made this a special 55th birthday!

Roni




Me, jut prior to leaving the house for dinner



Shannon, Dwayne, Me and Sarah



Eleanor and Robin



Chantal


With Lindsay and Shannon

Shannon, Me, Lindsay and Corey in the background

Meghan and I

Brian and I at the restaurant

Round 4 of Chemo

Roni just chilling will the drugs go into the system!

Round 4 went well. But then they are always rather boring. IV in, drugs drip in, IV out and you go home!



This time Chantal came with me - so those of you who know what her and I can get up to - we had a lot of fun. Donna and Colleen, the chemo nurses had a blast with us. Donna actually flew out from behind a screen on her chair when I mentioned that Chantal was married to my ex-husband - lots of laughs and giggles over that one - her comment was I want to hear to that one. She got an edited version!!!

Chantal and Roni after the chemo session was done!

And this time, Donna actually posed for a picture - better than fuzzy ones! She doesn't like getting her pix taken she said because they were not great - well Chantal got a good one of her.

Donna and Roni after session done!

Then Chantal and I dropped by Brian's shop to say hi and go home - except I forgot it was Wednesday and he had his networking dinner. So, I went over for a nice visit with Chantal and Rick - with a wee drink and some lovely cheese - mmmmmmm.



Next blood work is Dec 1 and meeting with Dr. Pansegrau same day. Dec 3 is chemo number 5 - and that just leaves one move on Xmas Eve - #6 and then we are done! A CT scan will be done a couple of weeks after treatment 6 and then we will see how those tumours are shrinking!!!

Fantastic news!!!

Mom went in this morning to get her usual blood work done and then went and saw Dr. Pansegrau shortly after that. This is when Mom and Brian got the great news... Dr. Pansegrau got the results from Mom's CT Scan that she had done last week and it showed that the tumors are shrinking!!! Some have had SIGNIFICANT shrinkage-which is fantastic!! Mom's tumor markers are also down, which again is great!!

Dr. Pansegrau asked Mom if she has had any of the side effects from the chemo drug-to which Mom responded 'which one?' He told Mom and Brian that they are going to keep her on the same chemo drug and at the same level they have had since the second round (75% rather than 100%), as he figures if they put her back onto the 100% level she will end up back in the hospital again (the full dosage of Docetaxel basically wipes out the blood counts).

Mom will be having another CT Scan either just before or just after her 6th round of chemo to see if there has been any more shrinkage-at this point Dr. Pansegrau will determine if Mom needs to have more rounds of chemo. Finally some GREAT news!!!

Just me - to add my two cents worth to a "comment" that was made here - and has since been deleted.

I found it hurtful, nasty, offensive, distasteful and cruel. And it hurt me very much. I guess you get the point.

The person who left this message, did not have the guts to leave his/her name. So, showing what a coward they are.

I don't mind people writing and voicing an opinion - but not when it gets mean and nasty- then I draw the line.

Now, I am sure that there will be a good comment from Brian. But if you can't write anything nice, then don't write at all. This blog was written to inform people, to cry and laugh with people and to just stay up to date.

Roni