Relay, Birthday Party, CT and Chemo – what a busy two weeks

It has been a very busy two weeks since my last chemo. And it has just flown by. They say as you get older time goes by quicker – dang, they are right!!

19th Annual Coquitlam Relay for Life was held on June 6. $658,000 raised – pretty good! Best relay in Canada again!!!! And my team, the Country Dancing Boobies did such an awesome job – thank you to each and every one of the team – you helped raise $5700 – proud of the effort by all the team members. And what a beautiful day we had weather-wise. At one point it was 25c – perfect weather for relaying! And a very special thank you being sent to my “pink angel” Bonnie for the beautiful and amazing luminary she had sent down from Prince George for me. It brought me to tears! And we did a lap together via phone as she was doing the Kelowna Relay. Next year, she is coming down to do the relay here. Meghan commented that for 4 relays she has either been pregnant or had a baby at the track. This year with a three year old and a 7month old. We had fantastic music – especially the Crayons – it was their 18th appearance and we hope they keep coming back. And I made the front page of our local paper – ok – I made the banner on the top of the page - . I had my hair shaved off – for me and in honour of Samantha! It feels great!

And of course, the next day – as it has for the previous two years – Ryan’s birthday party. Forgot what the noise level can get when you have 6 or so little kids – they all had fun and that was what was important. Ryan was so cute – one of his first gifts was the big book on Thomas the Train – he sat down and just read the book – could have cared less on the other gifts he got. Though think he clued in later in the day. Meghan and Corey decided that next year – birthday party at a kid’s party place – kids can run around and make noise and not bother anyone! Unfortunately his Grandma wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it, but Daddy and Ryan went to see her the next day. And Grampa and Nana were on a business trip in Malaysia. Auntie Shannon and Uncle Dwayne got him a noisy toy – as did Uncle Patrick – but all learning toys!!!

Now, last week we got some sad news about my friend Samantha – she is an amazing young lady I met as a roommate when I went in the hospital for my first infection. The doctors at the cancer clinic gave her two months to live. This hit all of us hard. But this gal is not ready to give up and the cancer clinic should not give up on her. She was in the hospital this week for her chemo and we are hoping for some good results from her next scan. I suggested she go and see Dr. Klimo – she has life to gain. Now this gal is battling cancer and is also working hard to raise $30,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation (she has the same cancer that Terry Fox had). I am so honoured to call Samantha my friend! And same goes for her Mom, Cathy – so very glad to have them in my life. Rae and I went to visit Sam in the hospital and let Cathy get a wee break – she is an awesome Mom. By the way, did I mention that she is 19 years old.


Went yesterday (June 10) for my CT scan and met with the other oncologist as Dr. Klimo was out of town. Sasha is young and he is very nice but unfortunately he was running an hour late so my appointment was a little rushed as I had to get to my CT scan. He has ordered the scan from SMH so they can do a comparison. But man, did they ever make me drink water – three 12 oz glasses of water – two of which they didn’t say to sip – I downed them! And then a large bag of saline! I told the one technician that they only had one chance to get the needle in – she went and got an IV tech – told her the same thing – and she did it – thankfully! More pictures were taken than what I normally have had, but, if it shows shrinkage, I don’t mind. And I am thinking positive thoughts! Will do an update if I get the CT results earlier than the 25th.

Today was chemo day. Donna L came with me – what a hoot and what a lot of fun we had. My Neuts are down to 2.37, so will continue the neupogen shots. If they drop again, they may increase the shots to 6 or 7 rather than the 5. Julia was my nurse today – tried to get a picture but she was camera shy. And everything went so smoothly – first time for any of my chemos over the past two years! Wahooooo. Will have to change the time for my next chemo on the 25th and see if I can get it in the morning, as we have a wedding rehearsal to be at, at 4pm. Donna and I were in an out of the chemo room in just over an hour – very impressive. Then we went for a bite to eat at White Spot and just talked and had a good time. Thank you Donna for being my driver and for being a wonderful friend.

Our weather has been wacky – and so hard on the flowers. My lily garden is starting to blossom and the peony plant is bursting into bloom. Hopefully we will get some steady warm weather and then the rest of the flowers will come to life. The rain has been so hard on my roses – they are water logged – poor things! And I want to get out and sit in my garden and soak in the warmth of the sun!

So, that is about all I have to say at the moment! Time to go and have a glass of wine and just relax. Looking forward to your comments. Want to hear how your gardens are doing, your health, your kids, grandkids, pets or just how your life is in general!

Roni