June 15 - My radiation plan

Today I met Dr. Theresa Trotter, my radiation oncologist. She took great pains to explain my cancer stage and situation, prognosis, and the advantage of adding radiation to my 'cure' mix. I have full confidence in her ability to get me the best radiation treatment possible. She has a wonderful warm personality and great experience, credentials and reputation. I am lucky.
So of course, I will start radiation daily from on July 13 for 5 weeks, the maximum recommended. When I was diagnosed, without treatment I would have had a 50% chance of breast cancer recurring. By having surgery, chemo then radiation I have reduced that to 10%. Presumably Herceptin immunology treatment improves those odds too.
This week is side effects week and not fun, but the Taxotere is finished and I have nowhere to go but up. Eating is a challenge but will improve as each day goes by. Scallops go down easily and still taste great. I will plan more social events next week when I feel stronger.

JUNE 11 - Last Chemo - YIPPEE

C-Day for me - and the last. This afternoon I had an uneventful time at the Chemo clinic with my last blast of Taxotere, and third of the immuno drug Herceptin.
In future, I will return every three weeks for a half hour infusion of Herceptin, which has given me no trouble. Reduced from 1.5 hours the first time, to 1 hour the second, the drip only took half an hour today, with no extra time required to observe possible effects. From the Taxotere, I expect the usual side effects for three weeks but after that no more. This is a relief.
After my Jan 8 surgery, it looked so far ahead to this date and now it is here it doesn't seem to have been too bad. This Friday I will meet my radiology oncologist to see what plans she has for my next treatment plan, probably lasting all of July. Meanwhile I plan to enjoy summer with books in the backyard.

May 30 - I'll never see 60 again...

A beautiful day, blue sky and sun, about 23 and calm. Ted took me to an unspecified lunch but we ended up at our favourite Calgary restaurant, La Chaumiere - my parents' favourite too. I had champagne and put away a three-course lunch - smoked salmon, ahi tuna and limoncello soufffle. Begone mouth problems and chemo gremlins! Served by our good friend Raul's beautiful son Sean - a perfect occasion at an inside/outside table and few other people in the restaurant, which we closed. Now to the deck to loll in my new lounger...Ah summer.

May 24 Hannah & Nacho's wedding in Barcelona

Yes, we were really sad today because we were missing out on the nuptials of niece Hannah and Nacho. My sisters sent me flowers to cheer me up that day but it was still a low point. On Tuesday James got back and sent me some photos, then Wednesday IT guru Clive sent me another lot. What a happy family. Hannah, it's been a long time coming but we are sooooo happy for you both, and your two little ones, Jan and Frank.
(left, my sister Mary & husband Ivan with Hannah, Nacho, Frank and Jan)

May 24 - Do blondes have more fun?

I'm about to find out. Now I am blonde with streaks. Now that I have three wigs, my hair will probably start growing in. It's so easy not having to do hair, I may keep them permanently.
Great to look good for my date with Don D last night to hear diva soprano Renee Fleming with CPO and the witty Bramwell Tovey conducting. A stunning evening of marvellous music to lift my spirits. Don kindly left the second seat available for me until the last moment, to see how I felt after chemo Tuesday. Such a wonderful friend.
We woke to a field of white again today - it snowed last night! Yerks! Les and Sandy arrive today from the Okangan and will probably wish they had stayed put. With mud slides closing the TransCanada highway, we are having road fun here. They are here for Kayla's graduation, can't believe that little soul is 18 already! We are looking forward to some social time with them since we didn't make it down the valley this spring.
Sadly, yesterday most of my family left for the wedding of the year in Barcelona and today bride, groom and inlaws arrive but without the Fosters. I hope you all have a wonderful time together and we will raise a glass of bubbly Saturday now that I am finished my steroids for 3 weeks and can afford to drink a little. I had a glass of bubbly last weekend and it went down well.

May 22 - Chemo 5 under my belt...

Friday I had blood tests (good!) and saw my two docs. They were so concerned at my serious side effects on Taxotere (a nasty drug) that today they dropped my chemo dose 25% ,so I am hoping that will avoid repeat of the problems. My feet and hands have returned to nearly normal, delicate finger and toe nails, can't put hands in hot water and have lost the skin off both hands but the rash and itching has gone too. Sore mouth still in the background but under control with Dr. Paterson's magic mouthwash. When blisters even threaten, I go into my act rinsing several times day and it seems to work.
We spent the long weekend with Gerdy & Jacques in Edmonton, a lovely change of pace, despite cold weather, and enjoyed being spoiled rotten. Had a nice trip to the market and found provincial design yellow tablecloths to cheer my days, and home-grown herbs to start my collection. Too cold to leave anything out yet with zero degress forecast for a couple more days this week! Yerks.
Just talked to Mary, my big sis, and sad we are going to miss her big event when her daughter Hannah gets married Saturday in Barcelona. I send them all our love and warmest wishes for their big family get-together. Most are leaving London tomorrow but bride/groom/in-laws leaving Thursday. How lovely that father-in-law Ivan has composed a collection of clarinet music for the wedding and reception! I guess Aunty Liz wasn't available to play it, she will be crying into a tablecloth-sized hanky by then...

May 12 Somebody is happy BBQ season is here

Ted is delighted BBQ season is here again. This week we had Jacques and Don for dinner, and Ted BBQed port ribs both days.
Our little feathered pal is happy it is getting a rib from one of the guys every time one of them little piggies goes on the gas! When we bought Tikal in Guatemala 32 years ago (yup it's older than most of our friends' kids..) they told us they eat fruit, nuts and seeds. Of course, once it roomed with the Aussies, it ate lamb chops and it's been a carnivore ever since. It's favourite food, of course, is male index fingers - doesn't like men.
Isn't it fascinating they like to hold their food to eat it. Occasionally when the rib is a bit big it hits itself on the head...Not good for that nice spring plumage while it thinks it's looking for a mate...fat chance. But it does go into nesting gear and chews its cage paper for a month or so. Never having laid an egg, it is definitely male, even though we taught it to say 'pretty girl' many years ago. It's very vocal, sings and talks, some days it's Pavarotti, others Kiri Te Kanawa.