Jan 25 Happy Birthday Rab

Jan 25 is the birthdate of Scottish poet Robbie Burns, a charming womanizing devil if ever there was one. However, we Scots choose to celebrate as it's mid-winter and a good time for shots of single malt Scotch and haggis. Haggis is of course a glorified sausage "great chieftain o' the puddin' race." It's made from sheep innards, half a sheep's head, oatmeal and spices, all packed into a "sheep's pluck" (intestine.) It's actually rather good.
I invited seven other trusty souls to celebrate the bard's birth for a lunch on Sunday Jan 27. To prevent starvation if the haggis wasn't up to snuff, I also cooked a venison stew (thanks to hunter Justin) and Lila made clapshot - a mix of bashed neeps (turnips) and champit tatties (mashed spuds) with lots of nutmeg and butter. This is the traditional accompaniment to haggis.
In true Scottish spirit, I addressed the haggis and splayed it open with a dirk (actually a Uigyr knife from Kazahkstan) - see photo.

Jan 15 - Plans

Today I met with Morag from our Chinese friendship group to plan our new program, Shou La Shou, which means Hand In Hand. Our association will sponsor a new program to link families who have adopted Chinese children with volunteers from the UofC Chinese Scholars & Students Association. So far we have 7 families and 12 kids from 3-14 interested. A volunteer student will spend an hour a month with their special child. It is a first in Canada that we know of, and we are looking forward to a reception in February to kick off the program. (right: Anna 17 and some of the other new Canadians.)

Jan 14 - Progress

On Jan 8 I had my regular cardiac workup. It's called a MUGA test. It's needed because Herceptin has a small (4%) risk of cardiac failure. Any result over 50 is good and mine was again 67 so I am happy.
On Jan 18 I had blood tests and my 3-month appt with my oncologist. Dr. Sandy Paterson, a canny Scot with a very caring attitude. (Rumour has it he is nearing retirement so I hope he doesn't do it before my treatment is over.) All my blood levels have returned to normal before I had treatment a year ago, so I am in better shape to fight all the coughs and colds than some of the others around me! However, I don't hug visibly impaired people, i.e. snifflers, any more. Dr. P. was a bit taken aback when I told him I had skied 3 days the previous weekend. He wants me to lay off anything taxing on my heart so I assured him I wouldn't climb any big hills. I am off to Kimberley in the BC rockies this weekend to do it again for 3 days - carefully of course. It's so marvellous to be out in the mountains again.
Some radiation damage to my right lung is now apparent. Dr. P says it usually shows up around 4 months after treatment. He ran a chest Xray to be on the safe side. He can hear a slight difference between my lungs now. He says the scar tissue will remain but the lung capacity should return and the cough will go. Good to hear that.
Nurse Debbie came up with good advice for the hands. My fingernails are pulling off but growing back OK at the nail bed, results of chemo damage. The remedy to improve the nails and skin? Bag balm, a rich gooey cream for cow's udders! Udderly great idea. Smother on before bed and wear gloves. Ted wants me to put it all over.....Just kidding.

2008 - Nowhere to go but up

Joined just before we came back from Puerto Vallarta by condo owner Nancy, we had some good times together. We also met up with Calgary friends Theresa and Sheldon for a tour of PV and their fav haunts.
I regained enough strength to plan a New Year's Day brunch before flying back to the snow and cold Jan 2. Above with (l) Texan 19-year old dynamo Emily, (c) Nancy, Sandy and Randy and (r) Bill, Sandy, Randy and Ted on Christmas Day.

Jan 9 - A 'Wild' celebration

Today I got together with several of the Wild Women to celebrate my one year anniversary of getting rid of cancer - I hope! It was great. We drank some bubbly, had a few nibblies, and laughed a lot. What a wonderful group of friends I have.

Jan 8 - One year milestone!

I am glad this annus horribilis is behind me and that I am coming out of it strong and healthy again. I had another cardiac test today to make sure the immunology drug Herceptin is not wreaking havoc with my heart muscle. Hope I aced that.
It has been great to read all the Christmas cards and letters. Many people still don't know about my year as I didn't send out a Christmas letter until the day before we left for Mexico, and only then sent to about half the list. We gave Christmas a miss this year, with a few bottles exchanged with close friends, who all understand. We have enjoyed some socializing but as I am bushed by early evening, there are no late nights. I still need siestas a lot of days!

Jan 7, 2008 - Back on skis!

I celebrated the anniversary of my diagnosis (Jan 2) by skiing 3 days in a row at Baker Creek Chalets at Lake Louise! No speed, no distance, but skiing all the same. A great group of Norseman Ski Club members occupied several cosy cabins and we laughed and enjoyed great camaaderie all weekend while getting in a bit of skiing too. Joined by Sally L, whose mastectomy had been a scant 5 weeks earlier, I was glad to be back in the mountains again. (Left. Sheila and Sharon at Baker Creek)

Dec 31 Feliz Ano Nuevo

We spent 2 weeks over Xmas/NY in Pacific Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta, our first visit. It's a quaint downtown spread along a touristy Malecon boardwalk, with great outdoor art. With tons of upscale restaurants and shopping, it's typical of a port city where cruise ships practically sail into downtown every Wednesday. We found good little cheap places along the waterfront at marina, housing multi-million $$$ yachts. Sheila had lots of R&R time, swimming most days, despite cool, cloudy weather. Ted walked north and south of our well-placed huge condo (3 bedrooms, 2 baths, huge deck) and checked out everything before we ventured out. Close to a big grocery store - cheap tequila, great bakery - pan dulces every morning - aaaah) Very restful. Made some great new friends, esp. Texans Sandy & Randy Barr and their lively 19-year-old Emily, with whom we spent Christmas Day. Good people living their faith, running a rural kids' feeding program.
Joined just before we came back by condo owner Nancy, we had some good times together. Also jointed by Calgary friends Theresa and Sheldon for a tour of PV and their fav haunts.
I regained enough strength to plan a New Year's Day brunch before flying back to the snow and cold Jan 2.
With some medication, I was able to drink margaritas and eat Mexican food again, yippee!
2008 has nowhere to go but up and we sipped champagne at midnight Dec 31 to give that year a thorough kick in the pants.