Slowly But Surely

Ok, so it has taken me a while to sit down and write this. Just had too much going on!

Chemo went as chemo does!! Slow and boring. Val came with me for the first time and as usual we had a good time. It was suggested by me Pain Management Specialist to have an x-ray taken of my lung to ensure that I didn't have a clot in it. Of course this took bit longer than we anticipated – was put on a Stat, but you forget that emergency cases bump Stat cases. So we didn’t get our nice lunch as planned but it tasted good nonetheless. I did get a ct scan taken the following week and will get those results on Sept 30!

Sunday, Sept 19, was the 1^st Annual Terry Fox Run in Coquitlam and I was honoured to have been asked to be one of the two key note speakers. The weather wasn’t the greatest, but as I said in my speech, Terry ran in far worse weather and for greater distances. I managed to deliver the speech with a few sniffles here and there. It was great to have all my kids there plus the few extra. Shannon did a great job and took a video of the speech. It was fun making the front page of the local commuter newspaper as well as the local paper again! The run was amazing - 427 people and over $16.000 raised - wait till next year!!!

Friday, Patrick made a 6 course tasting menu for the family! It was so yummy! And I had a blast shopping with him on Thursday at Lonsdale Quay and Granville Island Market. He is an amazing chef and you can see his passion in his presentation and in the taste. The game hens were the yummiest I have ever had!!!

Saturday was our neighbour's wedding. Donna and Deni – and it was a beautiful day – the sun shone down on the bride and groom. The reception was great – and the food – Mama Mia…. Traditional Italian wedding – lots and lots and lots of food. We even got a little bit of dancing in – though the lungs didn’t like trying to do the twist! But we did have a slow waltz and it was wonderful.

I have a busy week coming up. Going to have coffee with Vera Monday, she used to teach me belly dancing – oh stop laughing, I was pretty good! She was far better. Time to sneak a few things from her closet – seems I did this before!! Wednesday is coffee with Kim at the CBCF and then lunch with Lori – we will have a blast as we always do. Thursday is blood work day and visit with Dr. Klimo – have lots of questions for him and hopefully he will have some answers for me and good results. And then chemo on Friday and Pat is coming with me – time to take a peek at a few hats down on the Quay. I am hoping to get a visit with Samantha, who is in hospice - maybe some sour skittles will make her feel better!

That is all for now.

Love

Roni/Mom

Chemo, Filming and the PNE

Interesting combination isn’t it!

Well, my Friday started normally for my usual chemo day! Colleen came to drive me and to also be my filming partner for the day! Chemo was bright and early – though once there, Gabbie got a bit behind – she had a lot of patients that morning. Went and weighed myself and was down again. On Thursday when I saw Dr. Klimo I was 64.2kg but on Friday was down to 63.7kg. Not much to worry about. My red count was up but still not at the magic number of 110 so had to take the injection once I got home. Chatted with an older fellow, Frank and he was a hoot. Compared constipation solutions – none of which work it seems! Once the chemo got going, we weren’t there long. But agreed to meet up with Frank on my next chemo visit - we are on the same schedule.

Then we jumped on the bus to catch the sea bus and head for our filming session. What a blast that was – though it was long and extremely hot. The first part after they did our makeup, was just Colleen and I and for her to say three words – took us 30 minutes or maybe a bit longer. Not that she wasn’t doing them right – but they wanted a certain tone and then for us to act funny – we had no problem with that. We then got a 30 minute break to go and grab some lunch. And then back to the set - which was Jack Poole Plaza down towards the water – a stunning view for sure. We had to wait a few minutes for Pamela Martin to show and get the rest of the commercial done. This commercial, by the way, is for the CIBC Run for the Cure which is on October 3 this year. The commercial itself will start to run on September 12. The next part took about 2 hours – you would get set up and someone would walk through the set – duh – since when does “filming in progress” mean walk through the people in the shot – including bridal parties and bike riders! And of course, we would get ready and then a plane would land. We had to wait numerous times for the float planes to take off and land – they are rather noisy to say the least. But at about 3:30 it was a wrap and we got to leave!

I wanted to stop by my office to say hi to ever happened to be there on a Friday! Luckily Lori and Heather were there, so had a wee chat with them and the new president, Allen! Then downstairs for a glass of wine – I mean what else do you do on a Friday afternoon at a parking company.

Then we headed back to the sea bus to catch our bus back to the hospital. The two blocks I had to walk were slightly uphill and I had to stop numerous times to be able to catch my breath. The fluid is building again so it does make walking difficult. Into the hospital we went and downstairs to the CT scan area. I had an appointment to get a ct scan done of my lower spine. It was a piece of cake. No contrast dye - just lay down for 5 minutes and it is done!

The next time I see Dr. Klimo, he is going to get asked when he is going to refer me to Dr. Bond to remove the fluid which is building up and to insert the talc which he put in 2 years ago. I am having difficulties walking and even walking up the stairs. Carrying laundry can wind me big time! But that is for the next blog!

Colleen and I called it quits and headed for the highway – and lucky for us, wasn’t too bad a ride home. And when I got there, Brian had made a very nice dinner complete with wine for me. Was a welcome surprise to say the least. And then into the hot tub for a bit to soothe the body.

Saturday, another early morning – but a much welcomed one! We were off to the PNE – the fair with Rod and Colleen. Ran into Colin on the bus and he stayed with us the time we were there. The Naval Tattoo was pretty good though they could have had more of the pipes and drums – as there were three pipe bands there. The United States Marine Corp band from Hawaii was there and they were awesome. As was the Royal Band from the UK. The Naden Band from Esquimalt entertained us prior to the show starting and then during the actual show. This show was part of our admission to the fair, so we got our money’s worth. We wandered down to the barns to check out the animals – there were some beautiful horses and some huge cattle. Zeldo and Zorro – both pure white and I forgot to see what type they were. Not the largest cattle I have seen there, but pretty big none the less. Of course Colin and I are thinking of items we could purchase for a certain little boy – and well, we did!

That was about it for my last two weeks. I am going to visit Samantha this Tuesday after she has radiation. Will be great to see both her and her Mom, Cathy. So, that is all, and look for the commercial (well those of you who can) to air as of the 12^th. And getting ready for the Terry Fox Run on the 19^th. I need to get my speech ready – at least it is short and for that I am grateful! Talk to you all soon and hope to see lots of comments. And hope that you enjoy the pictures!

Hugz

Roni