Apr 25 - Oncology windup - but more tests

April 25 I see the windup of my active treatment with my oncologists. Although Dr. Paterson still oversees my treatment, I see Dr. Lisa Pickering for the second time. She is thorough about checking me over and suggests an ultrasound to check the lymph nodes in my neck, which shrank after the first chemo treatment. It is unlikely that cancer cells are lurking there but an ultrasound will provide baseline information. They both agree with our suggestion that as mammograms did not find my cancer, an MRI will be done alternate years with a mammogram on the remaining left breast. I am scheduled to see Dr. Paterson in six months in October an dshould have the MRI before then.
I am now returned to the excellent care of my GP, Dr. Pat Waymouth, who I see every 3 months, and who will now check my lymph nodes at the same time.
Arriving back from UK on Wednesday night, Thursday morning I discover a note in the mail arranging a final MUGA cardiac test appointment for 1pm that day! I jump into my clothes and Ted drives me up there and waits the hour or so that it takes to remove some blood, add radioactive trackers and video my heart 10 minutes each side. All seems well.

The Bandy Family at Chiswick

Last Saturday Mary hosted a crowd of Malcolm offspring. It was great to see family and meet new and prospective family, especially wee Frank, (2-1/2) who speaks Spanish to his Dad and English to the rest of us. He kept us hopping with his questions which always began "What means...?"


We got to meet Simon's new significant other Julia (they will visit us in September) along with children Robert (9) and Nell (7). Sadly older brother George never gets out to meet his relatives.





At left, Liz & Clive's other son Nicholas with 14-year-old Sarah and mum Soofia. Sarah is now singing in two choirs, one of which performed at the Alberta Hall a year ago. Obviously following in the footsteps of the Malcolms, who are all singers, some of them confined to the shower nonetheless. We weren't favoured with a trill or two that day.







Soofia, Nicholas and mother Liz







Ted, Clive and Sarah

Malcolm family get-togethers - The Moseleys

It was great to again spend a week with sister Mary & Ivan in west London at their Chiswick house. It's a block or two from the Thames near scenic Strand on the Green, great for walks and three good pubs. The cormorants and herons (and lots of ducks and geese) are testament to the clarity of the Thames again. After a lengthy lunch one day, we had to duck down an alley to avoid the fast tide rising over the footpath home. A day at Kew Gardens with Mary's 2.5 year old grandson Frank and Mary was a delight - hear the birds and see the spring blanket of bluebells in the video. (I guess it would not load so you will have to enjoy the photo.)
Outside Mary & Ivan's city house with Hannah and Frank - just joking - this is Chiswick House.
Below, left (Little) Hannah and James, middle: Nacho and (Big) Hannah.

Foster reunions

It was great to be able to spend a week in Ewell (Epsom) with Ted's mum - at almost 88 a going concern and happy to host the family for our visit. It was lovely to meet prospective new family members and significant others - namely Jo and Jono. Drives a different direction each day to enjoy country pub lunches and walks in Richmond and Nonsuch Park, the Downs and for Ted the neighborhood were lovely. Notices in Richmond warned to be careful of baby Roe deer, we saw plenty of adults but no young yet. We were a bit early for the rhodedendrun show in the Isabella Plantation but lucky enough to get a view of St. Paul's cathedral dome from Harry's Mount (about 10 miles away.) Look carefully!

Between their trips to the west country and Turkey, we managed to catch up with Ted's brother David and Shelagh and fit in another country pub lunch near their home in Great Bookham.










Richmond Park looking
towards
Windsor Castle and
Heathrow airport



Sarah and Jono. Neil and Jo

April - spring weddings - so romantic

After spending the previous day talking and sitting on the big white telephone, I was grateful to shake off the bug I'd picked up in England. Fortunately, the wedding was at 2pm so I was able to keep some breakfast down, get my glad rags on, and put on a decent show until 9:30pm. It was great to see friends we've known for 40 years and meet many of the lovely Torr family again. It was a splendid wedding and a fit sendoff to Jo and Stuart. Flanked by all their handsome and gorgeous cousins and family, they surely looked like the happiest couple of earth. Apart from us in the picture frame at the wedding reception of course!

APRIL 7 2008 - FINISHED!!!

Today is like Magic Flute Day - I have walked through the fire and survived the ordeal. At 11:30am today I walked out of Tom Baker Cancer Centre - cured! It was an uneventful last session, I got my $2500-worth of liquid fire and hopefully closed my port for the last time. I will need to schedule minor surgery to remove it some time soon, otherwise I have to have have it swished out with heparin blood thinner every 3 weeks. All the staff were happy for me of course. I still have to see my oncologist for sign off Apr 25.
After I got home my dear friend Jackie ("Master of Silly Walks") arrived with my Graduation Certificate! I have received full honours summa cum laude! No more treatment. Yippee.
Now for FUN stuff. We leave on the 6:40pm plane to London. I hope they have champagne on board! I'm ready to celebrate big time.

April 1 - approaching the finish line...

It's April 1 and my Herceptin treatment will finish April 7 not the end of April after all. I celebrate by flying to London that night. No doubt I'll be fingerprinted next morning in delightful Heathrow but that will be the least of my ordeals. The real ordeals are over and there is nowhere to go but up now!
At a wine society dinner last Wednesday, I look almost like my old self again.