Just a quick update here....
Mom is being released tonight from the hospital. I'm sure she will love to have visitors once she has settled in. Just call first is all she's asking, to make sure she is up to having company.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Surgery Updates
Hi Everyone,
Sorry to have not gotten this up sooner, it's been a bit busy the last couple of days.
Mom went in for surgery between 9 and 9:30am on Thursday morning. The surgery was supposed to last about 6 hours, however, it didn't end up taking quite that long. After a VERY long day waiting for news, the surgeon came out to talk to Shannon, Lindsay, Brian and Patrick to let them know how the surgery went. He was able to remove 3 tumors from the right side of her brain and she was stable the entire time. Mom then went into recovery for the next hour and a half and then was taken up the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit.
As the anaesthetic wore off and the pain meds kicked in (she was on patient controlled medication), Mom was quite the source of amusement. She even told Patrick he had to leave because he was too hot. . .
We have all been taking our turns to go in a visit with Mom and bring her anything she needs-magazines, pillows, chocolate, etc.
The nurses have been quite happy and surprised with how well Mom is recovering. The plan was that Mom would be in the NCCU for 48 hours and then in different ward for another 3-5 days, depending on her recovery. Well, the surgeon came by early last night to change the bandages and remove the iv/drainage tubes, (she had a central line in her neck, a line in her
port, an arterial line in her wrist, and a drainage tube from her brain about the size of an old style mouse cord), and was very happy with how well she was healing. So happy that he has said she may be able to come home on Sunday.
So what this then means, is that she won't be able to have any hospital visits from anyone other than immediate family. Mom will however be able to have visitors at home, once she has settled in and is feeling up to it.. For those who would like to come by and visit, please call first to make sure Mom is feeling up to it.
Mom wanted me to say a HUGE thank you for all the prayers & thoughts!!! And that she is looking forward to being home, in her own bed and talking to all of you again soon :)
Sorry to have not gotten this up sooner, it's been a bit busy the last couple of days.
Mom went in for surgery between 9 and 9:30am on Thursday morning. The surgery was supposed to last about 6 hours, however, it didn't end up taking quite that long. After a VERY long day waiting for news, the surgeon came out to talk to Shannon, Lindsay, Brian and Patrick to let them know how the surgery went. He was able to remove 3 tumors from the right side of her brain and she was stable the entire time. Mom then went into recovery for the next hour and a half and then was taken up the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit.
As the anaesthetic wore off and the pain meds kicked in (she was on patient controlled medication), Mom was quite the source of amusement. She even told Patrick he had to leave because he was too hot. . .
We have all been taking our turns to go in a visit with Mom and bring her anything she needs-magazines, pillows, chocolate, etc.
The nurses have been quite happy and surprised with how well Mom is recovering. The plan was that Mom would be in the NCCU for 48 hours and then in different ward for another 3-5 days, depending on her recovery. Well, the surgeon came by early last night to change the bandages and remove the iv/drainage tubes, (she had a central line in her neck, a line in her
port, an arterial line in her wrist, and a drainage tube from her brain about the size of an old style mouse cord), and was very happy with how well she was healing. So happy that he has said she may be able to come home on Sunday.
So what this then means, is that she won't be able to have any hospital visits from anyone other than immediate family. Mom will however be able to have visitors at home, once she has settled in and is feeling up to it.. For those who would like to come by and visit, please call first to make sure Mom is feeling up to it.
Mom wanted me to say a HUGE thank you for all the prayers & thoughts!!! And that she is looking forward to being home, in her own bed and talking to all of you again soon :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Unexpected News
Hello everyone,
This is not a blog I anticipated writing after seeing Dr. Klimo on Thursday. When I sent to see him, first thing is off to the exam room and he checks for lumps and bumps (as he calls them) and asks me if there is anything new I should be telling him. Unfortunately, there was something I had to tell him. Told him that I had been having some issues with my eyes - seeing funny lines and other things along that line. He took me back to his office and we chatted a bit more - and then he said, I needed to go and have a CT scan of the head immediately. So, off I went down to the CT department and was taken immediately to the set up area - IV's etc. Because my veins play hide and seek, they had to call for an IV technician. She did a great job and got it in the first try, Once they put a bag of saline through you it is into the room where they keep the CT scanner. I lay on the bed - opposite way of normal - head where my feet normally are. I was put into a head brace and given the contract dye immediately. Then told to just relax and lay still! I was so comfy - and then they took a second set of scans - that worried me right off the bat. But once they were done, I lay a bit till I got my bearings an then sat up - and again had to sit for a few minutes as I was a little dizzy. No comments from the peanut gallery!
I went back upstairs, had a little lunch and then waited for Dr. Klimo. He called me into his office and he pulled up the scan - first response - "uh oh not good, bring your chair over to me" - that way I could see the screen and I knew what I saw was not good. Large dark spot the shape of an egg on the right side of my brain and several smaller "tufts" as I call them scattered around. Paul said that I needed to see the neurosurgeon on call immediately. I burst into tears as I knew the cancer had spread. You don't know how to react or think. The call was put out for Dr. Mutut and I waited. Called Brian and cried - but he said 'Roni, we have made it through stuff like this before, we will make it again." Then called the kids - that was hard to do. Shannon and Lindsay left work and came directly to the hospital and was so glad that they did. The nurses were wonderful - lots of comforting hugs and head rubs. Laura brought the social worker to meet with me and I was glad that she did. After waiting a while, I asked when the surgeon would be here. He was in surgery the rest of the day and was booked for Friday as well. The earliest I could get in was 9:45am on Saturday. It would be a hard wait, but we made it through it.
Thursday night, I had all my kids at the house - we had some wine and some munchies and just talked and cried and said we would be ok. I thank my kids for coming over - meant the world to Brian and to me. They are great kids. And they also got me two dozen beautiful pink roses - they look stunning!
Then it was time for phone calls to people who should know - and a few tears were shed - but tears of love and fear. I have contacted my family and most of my immediate friends.
Saturday came - Brian and I met with Dr. Mutut - we both liked him. He explained what he was going to do and what the large lesion had affected - some of my dexterity had been compromised. He is going to talk with Dr. Klimo tomorrow to discuss some items which I won't go into detail here. He thinks I should meet with the guy who puts you to sleep (brain not working to spell it!!) to see if my lungs are going to be able to handle the stress of the surgery. Good idea. He went through some of the things that could happen - bleeding from the brain, infection, seizures and stroke. Scary to hear but necessary. He said that he would take the main tumour and if he could he would try and remove the smaller ones. They don't like to expose the brain for too long and risk infection.
Sounds like surgery will be later this week - 3-5 days in the hospital. I will have my bag packed with my own pj's and such - might as well be comfy in there! Messes up Thanksgiving - but someone can cook the turkey and still have a family dinner. I won't be posting here during my time in the hospital.
Meghan or Shannon will more than likely put information on my Facebook wall as to when I can have visitors, what room I am in etc. I will be in Lions Gate Hospital - which is in North Vancouver for those of you not familiar with the area. I am kinda hoping that they will drain the right lung - will make breathing easier for sure. Two drains - one for the brain and one for the lung - ok that one is a chest tube.
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed and hope that all goes well. Thank you so far for all of the good wishes and love and hugs. And from Sandy in England, the beautiful flower arrangement which arrived on Friday.
Remember to think of Brian too - some cooked meals would be great for him - subtle aren't I?
That is all for now.
Love
Roni
This is not a blog I anticipated writing after seeing Dr. Klimo on Thursday. When I sent to see him, first thing is off to the exam room and he checks for lumps and bumps (as he calls them) and asks me if there is anything new I should be telling him. Unfortunately, there was something I had to tell him. Told him that I had been having some issues with my eyes - seeing funny lines and other things along that line. He took me back to his office and we chatted a bit more - and then he said, I needed to go and have a CT scan of the head immediately. So, off I went down to the CT department and was taken immediately to the set up area - IV's etc. Because my veins play hide and seek, they had to call for an IV technician. She did a great job and got it in the first try, Once they put a bag of saline through you it is into the room where they keep the CT scanner. I lay on the bed - opposite way of normal - head where my feet normally are. I was put into a head brace and given the contract dye immediately. Then told to just relax and lay still! I was so comfy - and then they took a second set of scans - that worried me right off the bat. But once they were done, I lay a bit till I got my bearings an then sat up - and again had to sit for a few minutes as I was a little dizzy. No comments from the peanut gallery!
I went back upstairs, had a little lunch and then waited for Dr. Klimo. He called me into his office and he pulled up the scan - first response - "uh oh not good, bring your chair over to me" - that way I could see the screen and I knew what I saw was not good. Large dark spot the shape of an egg on the right side of my brain and several smaller "tufts" as I call them scattered around. Paul said that I needed to see the neurosurgeon on call immediately. I burst into tears as I knew the cancer had spread. You don't know how to react or think. The call was put out for Dr. Mutut and I waited. Called Brian and cried - but he said 'Roni, we have made it through stuff like this before, we will make it again." Then called the kids - that was hard to do. Shannon and Lindsay left work and came directly to the hospital and was so glad that they did. The nurses were wonderful - lots of comforting hugs and head rubs. Laura brought the social worker to meet with me and I was glad that she did. After waiting a while, I asked when the surgeon would be here. He was in surgery the rest of the day and was booked for Friday as well. The earliest I could get in was 9:45am on Saturday. It would be a hard wait, but we made it through it.
Thursday night, I had all my kids at the house - we had some wine and some munchies and just talked and cried and said we would be ok. I thank my kids for coming over - meant the world to Brian and to me. They are great kids. And they also got me two dozen beautiful pink roses - they look stunning!
Then it was time for phone calls to people who should know - and a few tears were shed - but tears of love and fear. I have contacted my family and most of my immediate friends.
Saturday came - Brian and I met with Dr. Mutut - we both liked him. He explained what he was going to do and what the large lesion had affected - some of my dexterity had been compromised. He is going to talk with Dr. Klimo tomorrow to discuss some items which I won't go into detail here. He thinks I should meet with the guy who puts you to sleep (brain not working to spell it!!) to see if my lungs are going to be able to handle the stress of the surgery. Good idea. He went through some of the things that could happen - bleeding from the brain, infection, seizures and stroke. Scary to hear but necessary. He said that he would take the main tumour and if he could he would try and remove the smaller ones. They don't like to expose the brain for too long and risk infection.
Sounds like surgery will be later this week - 3-5 days in the hospital. I will have my bag packed with my own pj's and such - might as well be comfy in there! Messes up Thanksgiving - but someone can cook the turkey and still have a family dinner. I won't be posting here during my time in the hospital.
Meghan or Shannon will more than likely put information on my Facebook wall as to when I can have visitors, what room I am in etc. I will be in Lions Gate Hospital - which is in North Vancouver for those of you not familiar with the area. I am kinda hoping that they will drain the right lung - will make breathing easier for sure. Two drains - one for the brain and one for the lung - ok that one is a chest tube.
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed and hope that all goes well. Thank you so far for all of the good wishes and love and hugs. And from Sandy in England, the beautiful flower arrangement which arrived on Friday.
Remember to think of Brian too - some cooked meals would be great for him - subtle aren't I?
That is all for now.
Love
Roni
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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 1st 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.
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!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
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 C
olleen. 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 Esq
uimalt 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 12th. And getting ready for the Terry Fox Run on the 19th. 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
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Two years have flown by, 4th Wedding, a visit with Samantha, Terry Fox Run, and Chemo again
It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we got the horrible news that my cancer had returned with a vengeance. Lots happened – lost my hair – and didn’t really care and still don’t. Tried multiple drugs through my original oncologist but to no avail. In March, was told nothing more they could do for me – well, I wasn’t having any of that. I changed doctors and it has changed my life! One lung is behaving itself and well the other one isn’t – but in time with the drugs this doctor has me on, I believe there will be a change. There is the possibility of another surgery to drain the right chest cavity and to add more of the talc which was put in in 2008, seems the stuff can dry up – how it does that with all the fluid is beyond me! That is fine with me, means Hopefully I will get Dr. James Bond again, and what woman wouldn’t want that! Will have more on this in the next blog. I have my appointment for the CT scan of my lower spine for the 3rd of September. This is just to check that there are no slipped or crushed discs and just the sciatic nerve acting up. It is still bothering me quite a bit but with the meds and the hot tub, it calms down.
Our fourth wedding of the year was held in Harrison Mills on the 14th of August. Leah and Colin had a beautiful wedding on the hottest day of the year. It was 38c! Yikes! But the venue made up for the heat – it was stunning for sure. I managed to get soaked – and not by falling in the pool or going into the river. No – I had a full glass of champagne dumped accidentally by the waiter down my dress – right from the top to the bottom. 
Poor guy had the look of I am going to be so fired! He stayed away from me the rest of the evening! It was a good thing it was not red wine – that would have just ruined the day and also good thing it was a light coloured dress! But it was sticky. So I wandered down to the pool and got my legs cleaned off – and the water felt so good too. My ex-husband picked on me off and on throughout the evening – asking if I had dried off yet!! Leah was such a beautiful bride and Colin a handsome groom.
Tuesday, Meghan and I went to visit Samantha and her Mom, Cathy! What a lovely home they have and the food was great and the wine was pretty good too. We didn’t know how Ryan would react to Sam only having one leg, but he didn’t care – she actually has three if you count the crutches!!! Cathy brought out some bubbles and that made Ryan such a happy little boy - he had bubbles going everywhere! My directions got me lost but not too badly – I was only a block or two off. Samantha is going through a pretty rough time right now and we were giving her lots of love and support. She is an amazing young lady for sure. We got to meet her brother Jeremy and her Dad, Shawn. We would have stayed longer, but Samantha was winding down and was in need of a nap. Can't wait to have them over for lunch to give Cathy a break and for Samantha to have a visit here - when she is up to it!
Wednesday evening, it was the first meeting of the Coquitlam committee for the Terry Fox Run. Coquitlam is a little behind the rest of the cities that have been having the run. This is actually the 30th year for it. Amazing what that young man did for cancer research. There were 11 members and 5 of us were from the Relay for Life. Time for a change! I will be speaking briefly at the opening of the run on September 19, so looking forward to that. This means I need to get in gear and write my speech. This run will be small this year, with it being the first, but we know that once it gets going, other years will have more participants. Port Coquitlam, which was the home of Terry Fox, has the Home Town run, and thousands come out to that one.
And another chemo day!! Sandy came with me this time – she has come with me several times to the Surrey clinic. First time for Lions Gate. Got my blood work done fairly quickly and then off to lunch we went to White Spot up the street. Both decided to eat healthy – salads and they were both really good!
Got back to the clinic and waited and waited for Mandy, my nurse, to come and hook up the drugs I needed. They were so busy this Friday; the nurses were flying all over the place. I went down an entire 4 ounces! 
But once we got hooked up it went fairly quickly. My red count went up to 113 from 104, so I didn’t have to take the injection of Eprex - long as it is over 110 I am ok. I have to go back this Friday and get my blood taken and numbers checked and if under 110, then I will give myself the injection. I still have the mark from the first injection of the drug!
Our weather for the most part has been great – though we did have a hot spell and our temperatures were in the high 30’s and when you are not used to those numbers, you melt! The poor flowers sure didn’t like it in the least! The province is going through another bad fire season, but thankfully no homes have been lost to date and that is the most important thing!
The PNE has started and it is the 100th Anniversary. I plan on going at least once or twice; gotta get those mini donuts and get in on some of the free shows. Terry Clark is on tonight. Loverboy is coming up soon too. And all part of your admission of $15. A friend of Meghan’s is playing on the 24th so will try and see if I can make it to see him play!
Well, that is about all there is to tell. Looking forward to lots of comments. I really do like getting them. Hope you enjoyed the blog and the pictures!
Love
Roni
Our fourth wedding of the year was held in Harrison Mills on the 14th of August. Leah and Colin had a beautiful wedding on the hottest day of the year. It was 38c! Yikes! But the venue made up for the heat – it was stunning for sure. I managed to get soaked – and not by falling in the pool or going into the river. No – I had a full glass of champagne dumped accidentally by the waiter down my dress – right from the top to the bottom. 
Poor guy had the look of I am going to be so fired! He stayed away from me the rest of the evening! It was a good thing it was not red wine – that would have just ruined the day and also good thing it was a light coloured dress! But it was sticky. So I wandered down to the pool and got my legs cleaned off – and the water felt so good too. My ex-husband picked on me off and on throughout the evening – asking if I had dried off yet!! Leah was such a beautiful bride and Colin a handsome groom. 
Tuesday, Meghan and I went to visit Samantha and her Mom, Cathy! What a lovely home they have and the food was great and the wine was pretty good too. We didn’t know how Ryan would react to Sam only having one leg, but he didn’t care – she actually has three if you count the crutches!!! Cathy brought out some bubbles and that made Ryan such a happy little boy - he had bubbles going everywhere! My directions got me lost but not too badly – I was only a block or two off. Samantha is going through a pretty rough time right now and we were giving her lots of love and support. She is an amazing young lady for sure. We got to meet her brother Jeremy and her Dad, Shawn. We would have stayed longer, but Samantha was winding down and was in need of a nap. Can't wait to have them over for lunch to give Cathy a break and for Samantha to have a visit here - when she is up to it!Wednesday evening, it was the first meeting of the Coquitlam committee for the Terry Fox Run. Coquitlam is a little behind the rest of the cities that have been having the run. This is actually the 30th year for it. Amazing what that young man did for cancer research. There were 11 members and 5 of us were from the Relay for Life. Time for a change! I will be speaking briefly at the opening of the run on September 19, so looking forward to that. This means I need to get in gear and write my speech. This run will be small this year, with it being the first, but we know that once it gets going, other years will have more participants. Port Coquitlam, which was the home of Terry Fox, has the Home Town run, and thousands come out to that one.
And another chemo day!! Sandy came with me this time – she has come with me several times to the Surrey clinic. First time for Lions Gate. Got my blood work done fairly quickly and then off to lunch we went to White Spot up the street. Both decided to eat healthy – salads and they were both really good!
Got back to the clinic and waited and waited for Mandy, my nurse, to come and hook up the drugs I needed. They were so busy this Friday; the nurses were flying all over the place. I went down an entire 4 ounces! 
But once we got hooked up it went fairly quickly. My red count went up to 113 from 104, so I didn’t have to take the injection of Eprex - long as it is over 110 I am ok. I have to go back this Friday and get my blood taken and numbers checked and if under 110, then I will give myself the injection. I still have the mark from the first injection of the drug!Our weather for the most part has been great – though we did have a hot spell and our temperatures were in the high 30’s and when you are not used to those numbers, you melt! The poor flowers sure didn’t like it in the least! The province is going through another bad fire season, but thankfully no homes have been lost to date and that is the most important thing!
The PNE has started and it is the 100th Anniversary. I plan on going at least once or twice; gotta get those mini donuts and get in on some of the free shows. Terry Clark is on tonight. Loverboy is coming up soon too. And all part of your admission of $15. A friend of Meghan’s is playing on the 24th so will try and see if I can make it to see him play!
Well, that is about all there is to tell. Looking forward to lots of comments. I really do like getting them. Hope you enjoyed the blog and the pictures!
Love
Roni
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Heat, E3 Wedding, EPO + Y&R
HEAT, #3 WEDDING, EOP AND Y&R
Atasha and Brandon were married last weekend and she was such a beautiful bride. Loved watching her walk down the aisle on the arm of her Dad and carrying her little baby Emery – all dressed up in his tux. They even had his soother matching the flowers – was so cute!
Patrick as well as Meghan, Corey and Madelynn were there. Ryan got to spend the day and night with Auntie Shannon and Uncle Dwayne!
Doc appts on Thursday went great. Dr. Klimo had me get another lung xray to compare with the one in June. Left lung clear - wahooo!! Right lung - damn pleural fluid is building up again, so it is a wait and see what happens. There is still a good sized mass in the front of the lung. My shortness of breath is getting worse. He will wait and see how I am the next time I see him. He is also putting me on another drug - erythropoietin aka EPO - the drug that Lance Armstrong was accused of using when he was charged with doping during his races. It adds oxygen to the red cells. Also saw the neurologist Dr. Cameron - and he agrees with the emerg doc and Klimo. I have done something to the sciatic nerve. He is sending me for a ct scan of my back and then will see what happens. When he was examining me, I had a back spasm - at least it did it when seeing a doctor! No heavy lifting, no vacuuming, now twisting or turning. Go easy on the back - I can do that :). Should have the scan in the next few weeks and will see Dr. Cameron afterwards to get the results.
Chemo on Friday went fine, though down another kilo in weight. They are getting worried on that - I am happy with it....LOL but I do understand where they are coming from. Colleen came with me, so didn't have to worry about driving. And my chemo has been extended till Oct 29. And it is helping me so that is ok with me. I have been told to drink more fluids - hell, I drink a ton of it now. And eat more - but it is hard to eat when you are not hungry, ya know what I mean. I went to talk to the System Management nurse, Laura, but she had taken her son for x-rays, - so I will phone her on Monday so that we can discuss the drug further. You take it 3 times a week and it is self injection and comes prefilled.
Colleen and I then went out to the pub for some libation! It was nice to have some girl time. She doesn't get to drive me often so nice when we can do it.
Saturday I was at a Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Tea with the Stars - some of the cast members from the Young and the Restless. Held at the Marriott Pinnacle in Vancouver. I was down for only working about 90 minutes, the rest I got to smooze, eat and enjoy the show. It was a riot! Kate Linder (who has played Esther, the maid, for 28 years) started coming to Vancouver 12 years ago.
Along with her were Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Stacey (Patti/Mary Ellen) and Michael (Adam Newman). The live auction was so much fun to watch! Over $25,000 raised I think – so that was awesome. I was one of the few lucky volunteers who got to sit with the guests - nice to have a “reserved” sign as to where to sit! And a great bunch of people at the table. 
What was even better, was hearing from the president of the CBCF, that there is a joint imitative with the CBCF, BCCA and provincial government to be announced that, by 2020 – Breast Cancer will no longer be a terminal illness, no more deaths from it but rather a 
chronic illness that is treatable. That was fantastic news to hear for sure. The room exploded with applause!!!
Our weather has been fantastic!!!!! Today is our first day of rain in weeks! It is much needed for both the lower mainland but more so for the rest of the province where a large number of forest fires are burning. It can rain all day today and then stop! I much prefer the sun and warmth. But guess beggars can’t be choosers!!
Well, that is about all for now. More after my next chemo treatment.
Hope to hear from lots of you - missing your comments and of course your stories.... guess with smummer still hanging round, some folks may be away!
Hugz and love
Roni
Atasha and Brandon were married last weekend and she was such a beautiful bride. Loved watching her walk down the aisle on the arm of her Dad and carrying her little baby Emery – all dressed up in his tux. They even had his soother matching the flowers – was so cute!
Patrick as well as Meghan, Corey and Madelynn were there. Ryan got to spend the day and night with Auntie Shannon and Uncle Dwayne!
Doc appts on Thursday went great. Dr. Klimo had me get another lung xray to compare with the one in June. Left lung clear - wahooo!! Right lung - damn pleural fluid is building up again, so it is a wait and see what happens. There is still a good sized mass in the front of the lung. My shortness of breath is getting worse. He will wait and see how I am the next time I see him. He is also putting me on another drug - erythropoietin aka EPO - the drug that Lance Armstrong was accused of using when he was charged with doping during his races. It adds oxygen to the red cells. Also saw the neurologist Dr. Cameron - and he agrees with the emerg doc and Klimo. I have done something to the sciatic nerve. He is sending me for a ct scan of my back and then will see what happens. When he was examining me, I had a back spasm - at least it did it when seeing a doctor! No heavy lifting, no vacuuming, now twisting or turning. Go easy on the back - I can do that :). Should have the scan in the next few weeks and will see Dr. Cameron afterwards to get the results.
Chemo on Friday went fine, though down another kilo in weight. They are getting worried on that - I am happy with it....LOL but I do understand where they are coming from. Colleen came with me, so didn't have to worry about driving. And my chemo has been extended till Oct 29. And it is helping me so that is ok with me. I have been told to drink more fluids - hell, I drink a ton of it now. And eat more - but it is hard to eat when you are not hungry, ya know what I mean. I went to talk to the System Management nurse, Laura, but she had taken her son for x-rays, - so I will phone her on Monday so that we can discuss the drug further. You take it 3 times a week and it is self injection and comes prefilled.
Colleen and I then went out to the pub for some libation! It was nice to have some girl time. She doesn't get to drive me often so nice when we can do it.Saturday I was at a Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Tea with the Stars - some of the cast members from the Young and the Restless. Held at the Marriott Pinnacle in Vancouver. I was down for only working about 90 minutes, the rest I got to smooze, eat and enjoy the show. It was a riot! Kate Linder (who has played Esther, the maid, for 28 years) started coming to Vancouver 12 years ago.
Along with her were Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Stacey (Patti/Mary Ellen) and Michael (Adam Newman). The live auction was so much fun to watch! Over $25,000 raised I think – so that was awesome. I was one of the few lucky volunteers who got to sit with the guests - nice to have a “reserved” sign as to where to sit! And a great bunch of people at the table. 
What was even better, was hearing from the president of the CBCF, that there is a joint imitative with the CBCF, BCCA and provincial government to be announced that, by 2020 – Breast Cancer will no longer be a terminal illness, no more deaths from it but rather a 
chronic illness that is treatable. That was fantastic news to hear for sure. The room exploded with applause!!!
Our weather has been fantastic!!!!! Today is our first day of rain in weeks! It is much needed for both the lower mainland but more so for the rest of the province where a large number of forest fires are burning. It can rain all day today and then stop! I much prefer the sun and warmth. But guess beggars can’t be choosers!!
Well, that is about all for now. More after my next chemo treatment.
Hope to hear from lots of you - missing your comments and of course your stories.... guess with smummer still hanging round, some folks may be away!
Hugz and love
Roni
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
