BBQ and Firemen!

Well, not a whole lot has gone on these past two weeks. Which is nice at times!

Last Saturday (the 17th), we went to The Grands picnic. This was the casino Brian used to work for for many years. Nice to run into old friends and of course my cousin was there and I hadn't seen her in 2 years. She looks fabulous! Some of the gang hadn't seen me in a few years, so had to explain the story and got some very welcome support.

Last week I was interviewed for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundations for their fundraising letter which thy send out before Christmas. This year, the story will be my story and my picture. I think it is kinda cool. I have gone over a few drafts of it so far. Will be nice to see the final letter once all the powers that be, have a look over it. I am also looking forward to doing some speaking on behalf of the foundation

This Friday was a chemo Friday. Now you know, that I normally take someone with me. Well - this time I didn't - whoops! I had had to fast for 12 hours for a glucose sugar test as my numbers were a wee bit hit. Well, then they give you this horrid stuff to drink - sweet and very carbonated. On an empty stomach. Then they tell you to drink more. So went down to have my chemo, but the nurse suggested holding off as the anti-nausea meds have a lot of sugar in them so that wouldn't help my test. So we waited an extra hour before doing the chemo. Got the chemo done, ate my yogurt and banana and went home. That is when things sort of went down hill. I felt horrid. At one point felt as if I was going to blank out - and there is no real spots to pull over on this particular section of the highway. But made it into Port Moody and pulled into a side street and puked and puked and puked. I phoned Brian to let him know I would be home in a few minutes. Duh- stupid move on my art - should never go to chemo alone - just for reasons like this! I lay down for a couple of hours and just ate some plain noodles for dinner. Even Saturday didn't feel that great, but was ok for Sunday. So, yes, I have my drivers booked for the next two Fridays that I need to go to chemo.

Sunday - our annual bbq - and what a great time we all had. Had a short visit from Samantha and her Mom, Cathy was great to see them both - Samantha is such an amazing young woman and her Mom is keeps the house organized and straight as well as keeping track of where Sam has to be all the time! Including the firemen! How to make your bbq smokin!!!! The little kids loved it, they got to sit in the truck and play with the bells and whistles and horns. Tried on the fireman's uniforms - they were so tiny in the outfits! We didn't have as many people this year which was unfortunate, but there is alawys next year for sure. Think we had, including kids about 55. So down a wee bit but still a lot of fun! And tons of great food - thanks everyone for all the yummy dishes that were brought. And thank you Mike, for the funky bottle of wine from Tunusia - Brian and I can't wait to try it for sure! The kids were in and out of the pool though more just splashing. It will be there for when any of them come over again or when Gammie wants to wiggle her toes in some cool water.

I did have a visit from my home care nurse earlier this week - and she got after me for not managing my pain management. So I did go and see my family doctor she changed some of the meds and it does seem to have helped. I was supposed to have had a visit today from the OT, but so far, she has not appeared. My home Care nurse wants me to have a safety bar put into the bath and she figures she can get it put for free, if there is a recommendation from the OT. And for those of you who hae seen how I have to get into my tub, it could be a a done deal. When I as talking with Jackie my home care nurse, she said that normally you only get put on the palliative care program if you have less than 6 months 0 her comments was, yeah right, you ain't gonna be gone that soon!

My friend Heather had surgery this week, so we are praying that she gets good results and that they can get on with their lives and building a family.

And hoping that Shannon's foot is feeling much better, not a fun place to get a cut - barnacles on a clam shell ripped her foot apart - owie! Sent her home with a bug bag of Epsom salts and hope that made her feel a little bit better!

Well, time to add in some pictures here and then go and have a wee nap!
More in two weeks unless something exciting happens!

It has been an interesting two weeks!

Summer has at long last arrived, a little late, but that is OK, she is here now and almost everyone is happy - I know I am!


Lot of strange flowers coming up in the garden – a huge 6ft free lily – she is beautiful and smells great too. We also have this other HUGE purple flower growing in the back garden. It is large as well – blossom is bigger than my hand and has a think trunk. We are thinking another lily –but who knows and there are a few pictures of her here.



Had a visit with the gals from work two weeks ago - Deb was up from Florida and NJ was about to start her holidays. We had a wonderful visit and lunch at Rogue - which is in Waterfront Station. Beautiful reno for sure!

Sunday, I landed at Lions Gate Emergency department to have my hip checked. Seems I have sciatica. I had been talking with the palliative care nurses over the weekend and they thought I might have a fractured or broken hip. I would think that would be extremely painful. But the pain I had was enough to call Meghan and have her drive me to the hospital. Now in case you are wondering why we drove there and not to my usual Surrey Memorial Hospital, I had a bone scan done on the Wednesday before so figured might as well get it checked there. The young doctor I had wasn’t the friendliest but he got the job done. Sent me for an xray of the right hip and leg. He said it looked good and then I mentioned the bone scan and he took a look at it and said it was OK – meaning no cracks or breaks. He sent me home with an Rx for an anti-inflammatory. The home care nurse came to see me on Tuesday and did a check of me and had a lot of paperwork filled out that hadn’t been done originally. She had a form for me to take to the Red Cross to get crutches and a raised toilet seat. I am slowly figuring out the crutches – sometimes I think they are more of a pain than anything else, but if it helps take the pressure off the hip, then they will have done their job.

Wednesday was my group support day and we had a good day – two new ladies joined us, not sure if they will be around long, as one didn’t have metastatic cancer and the other is 84. But all the power to the two gals!! I then went to a new support facility – Friends for Life. It is a not-for-profit facility – and you can get all sorts of treatments done – i.e. reiki, massage, therapeutic touch, yoga, counseling, hypnotherapy, art therapy and so many other alternative therapies. I will be signing up for a few of them this week. It is in a beautiful heritage home in the West End – a bit of a drive – but worth it I think if I take 2 things in a day. And the view is stunning. They offer brunch two days a week and a family dinner on Sunday.

I saw Dr. Klimo on Thursday after my blood work. He checked me out a little more thoroughly than normal but that is OK. Told him I had been to see emergency on the Sunday. He took me back to his office and together we checked the one scan – there are three spots that have him a little concerned. Not sure if they are breast cancer spots of if they are bone cancer spots. One is on my hip, knee and one on my breast bone which is bothering me a little. When I told him about the sciatica, he said he would refer me to a neurologist and book and MRI. I know I will be seeing Dr. Cameron and should hear from him this week. I feel pretty good for the most part but do have my tired days and I know enough to go and lay down and have a rest.

Friday was my chemo day and nothing exciting happened. Down another couple of pounds which I am happy about and they don't seem to concerned at the clinic, though they are watching it. Got my needles for my injections which I start on Sunday - right, that is today!! And at chemo ran into one of the women I met at the Relay.

I have stepped down from the CCS Relay for Life Steering Committee – time for some new blood in there. I will be doing some volunteer work with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and meet with them on Wednesday afternoon to see where I can fit it. I am looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead of me – sounds like a lot of fun!

Speaking of the Relay for Life – our total raised according to Division was $685,000 – that is only $25k off of our original total! So thanks to all of those who donated to my team and to all of the other teams. I am still short donations from a couple of people.

We will be having our annual bbq on July 25 and that should be a lot of fun – especially seeing as we are having the Port Coquitlam Fire Department in attendance –wahhhho

Well, that is about it for now – nothing too exciting but not too dull either!

Roni