Balls, chemos, needles and fun shows!

Great introduction huh!

The past few weeks have been a little crazy to say the least. Went to Club Colour with Patrick and we painted some ceramics – mine is a stoned frog and Patrick’s was a monkey. They are fired and now ready for pick up. Great way to spend a few hours with someone and at a relatively inexpensive way.

On the 8th, we went to the 65th Garrison Military Ball held at the Hotel Vancouver. For the most part, it was a wonderful evening. Lots of fun getting to dress up in my ball gown and very sexy heels!!! It was the 100th anniversary of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada as well as the Royal Canadian Navy. We had a great evening, even if it was a bit long. And it is always fun to stay at a hotel downtown and just have a nice time.

I got the results of the CT scan which was one of the last things that I had done through the BC Cancer Agency. They sure weren’t what I was expecting. There are a lot of new spots and the ones that were there had grown. You know it is not good when your doctor calls you on your cell to tell you the news. I told Gary that I would not be coming back to the clinic and that I was going to see Dr. Klimo. I have had two chemo treatments so far with him and am pleased with how things are going. Other than with the insurance company, but that is a whole different ball game. When I went for chemo on Friday, my RBC was low, so I was immediately put on an immune system booster – damn expensive stuff I might add! $1000 for 5 little vials. Thankfully my insurance does cover 70% of it and the Victory Program covers the other 30%. I had a great nurse, Karen and she was a lot of fun and so helpful in explaining new drugs. I am booked till mid August for my chemos, so hopefully between now and then will have had a few CT scans and get good results. Even a small amount of shrinkage will be a welcome bit of news! The hospital (Lions Gate) changed my nausea meds and has me on new meds to be taken the day of the chemo and for two days afterwards. And my family doctor put me on new pain meds which work like a charm. Really happy with that.

This weekend has been busy. Saw Stars on Ice (Canadian version) on Friday night, with Patrick. And then Saturday, on a boat cruise with Shannon for the Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Appreciation. The weather was perfect – sunny and warm. Then a wee meander through the public market on Granville Island for some cheeses and meat for Shannon’s dinner. Then last night Brian and I went to see Celtic Women – awesome performance. They sing like angels.

Starting to get donations for the silent auction for the Relay for Life on Jun 5. Chantal made and donated a beautiful afghan. Cooks ‘n Corks are donating a gift basket as she has in the past. And Just Fine Wines is also donating a gift basket. We are slowly getting our team together – we have one full team of 15 and working on the 2nd team. Can’t wait – it will be a lot of fun. This will be my last year working on the steering committee for the relay – time for some new blood to come in and take over from the group that has been together for at least 6 years.

My garden is starting to look pretty – some of the flowers are huge this year, as you can see from some of the pictures. I think I am winning the battle with the clover in the front garden – try and go out every couple of days and yank some of it out. I think in the fall, we will pull up all the bulbs and then work the soil and get rid of the clover. Then replant the bulbs along with some that didn’t quite make it into the garden last year and hopefully have a stunning garden again next year.

Well, that is about it I think. Thought there was more, but guess not! Hope to see lots of comments from my friends and I will try and reply back to them all.