Fall is Approaching

Hello everyone,

Well, this week was rather quiet compared to last week!

Though, did have a wonderful Saturday afternoon spent with Shannon. We went to The Teahouse in Stanley Park - what a view from there - stunning. For those of you not from here, Stanley Park is our jewel in the middle of the busy city of

Shannon and I in one of the beautiful rooms at the Teahouse

Vancouver. Over 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of hemlock, cedar and maple trees (though we lost almost 10,000 in a terrible windstorm a few years back). It is home to the Vancouver Aquarium - set within the trees and the water. It also includes Lost Lagoon, Siwash Rock, Nine O'Clock Gun, Beaver Lake and the beautiful, almost 9km Seawall. But I must get back to what I was saying. We had a great lunch, they don't know how to do bad food there! Think we were there over three hours - good company, conversation, food and wine! And driving through the park, seeing the leaves as they are starting to change into their beautiful autumn colours.

How could I forget Monday!!! Went to the Vancouver Aquarium (also in Stanley Park) with Ryan and Meghan. Spent most of it outside watching the 4 Beluga whales - Aurora, Qila, Ticqa and No Name (she is only a few months old - and waiting for the school

Ryan sitting in amazement of the whales

kids to give her a name as has been done in the past). Ryan loves them and could sit and watch them for hours. He knows all of their names - better than Mommy and Gammie (we get Aurora and Qila mixed up - Aurora is Qilas Mom and is also the new calf's Mom). Stood and watch inside at the sharks and Schoona the huge sea turtle - love to watch the eyes of young ones as they watch this display. And with all of the years I have gone to the Aquarium, finally took a picture of the sculpture at the front by the late Haida Indian artist Bill Reid.

Bill Reid's Stunning Art Work

Baby playing with her rubber float

And today was chemo day! Went with Meghan - and this could be her last trip for a while as she is ready to have this baby any day now! Got to the Ambulatory Day Care to check in and of course my appointment is not there and this is not their fault - they can only do what they are given. But the staff got it all figured out and we were on our way to Medical Day Care for my blood work. This got a wee bit complicated as they didn't know what samples to be drawing for, so she figured, what the heck, will do them all - and if the requisition came in time, she could throw out what was not needed. Only one had to go, the tumour marker. Then time for a bit of lunch and off to chemo.

Meghan and I at the end of chemo

Had Trish again today, and always fun to have her, though seems like forever that I have had her as my nurse. She had everything set and ready to go when I sat down. First the anti-allergy meds and then the Gemcitabine. And it all went nice and smoothly! She commented that in the five years she has been at the Fraser Valley Centre, she has never seen the allergic reaction I had twice with this drug. It was a good chuckle for sure - though the new patient who is on the same set of drugs as I started on, didn't seem to think so!

That is about it! We are having a family Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. Should be a lot of fun, and will start preps tomorrow - get the pies out of the way as well as two other dishes which can be done early. Set the table and then Saturday, just cook the turkey and the ham and try to relax a bit! Again, it will be family and friends and of course wine!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!!

Roni