#19 and more

Hello everyone!

A few things to report but nothing really exciting - oh yeah, just my birthday!

Tuesday was my birthday and a rather busy day at that! My gf Sandy came over for a glass of wine some wonderful cheeses. And as usual, great conversation. When I was on Facebook, I was blown away and humbled by the number of wonderful birthday wishes I had from around the world! It was great. Then Brian and I headed out for dinner to one of our fav little hang-outs, The Saint St. Grill in Port Moody. Unfortunately our favourite host, Jay was off that night, so we had Pavlina instead. And as usual - the food was great and we came away stuffed and contented.

I decided to get brave and try some acupuncture to help with the pain in my arms and such. Mila came over on Wednesday morning - and I was a little apprehensive to say the least. But after she straightened my back and neck it was ok. She injected 13 little needles into me - one between the eyes - this one is hard not to laugh at! You can see it all the time and it wobbles. One on each foot, two by each knee and three on each arm. She let them stay in for about 40 minutes and took them out. She also placed some magnets in key points - pain, relaxation and nausea. So far pain free - the neuropathy is still there but nearly as bad. The arms haven't fallen asleep at all since Wed and I love it!

Then went to see the oncologist. My regular doctor was away so met with Dr. Johal - very young and reserved -as one of the nurses said, "he is still shiny". He didn't seem to mind I had tried the acupuncture and wasn't concerned on my weight loss. Though Lesley, who took my weight and such was a little concerned - I had lost 10 lbs since seeing the oncologist the last time. No complaints from me, but guess they will keep a check on that. He mentioned that maybe there would be a bit of a break from chemo at the end of this round - which is fine with me, 16 months of steady chemo is hard on a body believe you me. But will all depend on the CT scan and what Dr. P has to say when I see him Dec 29.

Lisa and Shelley

Had chemo this morning - and Jaimie came with me. He has been a friend since we were in high school - so long time friend. We got to the chemo waiting area a little early - about 1/2 hour and Phil came out and go this patient and said hi to me and then came out again when it was now past my time to have been in the chemo lab. He asked why I was there and still waiting. Said I was there for 11:15 chemo - and he said that is not a normal time but he would check for me. Came back out and said Shelley would be my

Jaimie

nurse today and she was running a wee bit behind. Shortly thereafter, I was in Pod 4. She was busy so let her finish with her other patients and then she asked how I was doing. She was a little concerned on the acupuncture but mainly worried about infection. No problems with that. My numbers were fantastic - haemoglobin was 126, neuts were 2.15 and platelets were 2.16 so all in all pretty damn good. For a lot of cancer patients these can be considered low counts, but for me they are right where I want them. For the pre-meds going, which took about 15 minutes and then the 30 minute wait to get it all into my system and then 30 minutes for the chemo to go through and we were outta there. Will be back next Thursday for #20 and my last of this round and maybe for a few months!!! And for the last half of my chemo, I had Lisa Marie for my nurse - I met her the first time I was in the hospital and she was a student nurse!!!

Friday was my birthday lunch over at Shannon's - Meghan and her two little ones were there. And got to meet Marla, the newest puppy in the family. She is a cutie - a little crazy, but she is 3 months old. Tucker is great with her. And Ryan, just wasn't sure at time about her - same size and craziness! Chasing each other - and Marla in into kisses. The lunch was wonderful and very tasty - I even got a birthday cake - it was yummy.

Well, that has been it for this week. Will update again next week on my last chemo. Twenty chemos in 16 months is a lot and will be nice to maybe get a bit of a break and let the body heal on its own for a while. And get rid of some of the toxic chemicals which are in my body now.

All for now

Roni

What a difference a year makes

Got another fill up!

Hi there

Well, went yesterday for my usual fill-up!

Ok, I went for another transfusion! This was number 3 and then 2nd in 6 weeks. Had a wee bit more fun in the room this time, though still the youngest one there!!! Brought water and snacks with me this time which did help pass some of the time away. And had two different books - though can't remember what I read! Lot of good that does, huh. So will have to go back and re-read. I was in bed by 9 and asleep very quickly. The poor heart didn't know what to do with those extra two pints of blood - so figured it was time to shut the body down and rest and I did!

Next chemo is on the 26th so nothing to report till then - hopefully.

Madelynn is doing well - though haven't seen her since Monday.....LOL... will have to see if the family will come over for a visit on the weekend - like Sunday. Subtle aren't I!

I have put my name in for some volunteer work and have been picked for three different events. One will be a lot of fun - working for the Arts Club Theatre during the Olympics on Granville Island. Working the green room - which will be a lot of fun for sure! As well as a greeter/rover. Two others haven't really heard what I will be doing, but should be getting a phone call soon.

Well that is about all for now.

Call me, write me, email me, poke me........ I am bored people.... never hear from anyone.... seems like all my friends have gone poof. Though my FB friends seem to be around!!

Roni

Baby Days and Chemo!

Hi Everyone

Everything should be in pink - we have a brand new granddaughter!!!

Madelynn Sierra arrived at 11:51 on November 4 at Surrey Memorial Hospital. She weighed 9lbs 1oz - which may seem large but, remember, Ryan was 13lb 7oz! She was 21 inches long (we had that corrected - proof was in the measuring tape!!). Had a beautiful head of hair and lovely dark blue eyes at this point. Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother are all doing well and smiling from ear to ear!!! I am babysitting Ryan till Meghan comes home on Saturday - will need Sunday to recoup!!!

I have been up to the hospital a few times - and Meghan is making a great recovery - much better compared to the first one. Ryan loves his little sister as you can see in this one picture - he was checking out her fingers.

Had chemo #18 today. Two more to go! My neuts and white counts were great - wahooo..... ok so they were low but good for me..... neuts were 2.1 and whites were 3.5!! But my haemoglobins were low - 81, Darlene called Gary and he has now put in for another blood transfusion - yippeee - not. That will be three since May. Mila came with me this time. We got talking about acupuncture - and she does this as part of her clinic. Darlene says they have had some good results with it for neuropathy - so I am going to bite the bullet and let Mila stick pins in me.... and hopefully it will help - I have nothing to lose for sure. I also got a bunch of tapes, cds and books from the cancer library yesterday when I was there... Will try out the first cd tonight - need some mental downtime. Next chemo is Nov 25 and then Dec 3. CT scan booked for Dec 31 - may try and get it moved up a wee bit - and will see the doc the week following the CT scan to get the results.

Guess that is it for a while... will update if anything exciting happens... and exciting in a good way.. ..no hospital stays allowed...LOL

With Darlene

This is Trudy, one of the cancer volunteers - she is a sweetie