On Jan 2 when my surgeon lowered the boom it all looked so bleak ahead. June 11 I finished chemotherapy, July 13 I started radiation, Aug 20 I finished radiation. What looked like an insurmountable set of huge mountains are now hills in the background. Not without its side effects lingering still, the worst treatment is behind me.
Thanks this week to my merry drivers Mary, Robbie, Jackie, Ann, Ali and Ted.
My big sis Liz arrives from Cambridge Thursday and after a few days of acclimatization and a bit of socializing, we are off to the Banff International String Quartet Festival Monday for a week. As resident audience with some 600 others, we'll hear 10 quartets perform for 6 days in one of the most idyllic music centres in the world. What's not to like.
On Monday we return for my Herceptin shot Tuesday morning, after which Ted joins us for 5 days in the S.Okanagan to drink wine, eat well,visit friends, and celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary at historic Naramata Inn and Spaaaaaah. Quite a milestone and we haven't slain one another yet. A miracle considering the past 8 months.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Aug 16 - Run to the finish 5-4-3-2-1
Approaching the finish tape on this radiation treatment. This week I thank Mary, Robbie, Jackie, Ann and Ali for their limo duties! It has been great to spend time en route to treatments with all my wonderful drivers and has made the time pass quickly.
The radiation is taking a bit of a toll this week, week 5, with itching and what looks like a bad sunburn. The staff have reacted fast by providing a steroid cream for the itch and modifying the treatment pattern to avoid the area of skin which is deteriorating. I am still feeling good and not too tired at all.
This Monday I also had another uneventful Herceptin treatment. If I don't have to wait for a seat in the chemo room, I can be in and out in an hour. Mary bravely accompanied me this time.
With radiation, if I'm early, I am often treated early too. They are improving the turnover in both clinics. Some days, my team has not had lunch at 1:30pm but they are always bright, cheery and compassionate towards the clients.
This week I recognized the young mother who attended the same info session as me, two weeks after my surgery. Like me, her hair is just starting to grow back and she looked well and bright, pushing her 9-month-old baby in the pushchair. This must have been a much tougher 6 months for her. I feel fortunate that this blip in the road hit me at this stage of life.
Sadly our friend Julie's sister was diagnosed with BC and had surgery this week too. She too is doing well. Having been given 24 months to live after contracting Hep C seven years ago, Wendy is beating all the odds.
The odds are l in 9 for BC in Canadian women, a horrible statistic.
The radiation is taking a bit of a toll this week, week 5, with itching and what looks like a bad sunburn. The staff have reacted fast by providing a steroid cream for the itch and modifying the treatment pattern to avoid the area of skin which is deteriorating. I am still feeling good and not too tired at all.
This Monday I also had another uneventful Herceptin treatment. If I don't have to wait for a seat in the chemo room, I can be in and out in an hour. Mary bravely accompanied me this time.
With radiation, if I'm early, I am often treated early too. They are improving the turnover in both clinics. Some days, my team has not had lunch at 1:30pm but they are always bright, cheery and compassionate towards the clients.
This week I recognized the young mother who attended the same info session as me, two weeks after my surgery. Like me, her hair is just starting to grow back and she looked well and bright, pushing her 9-month-old baby in the pushchair. This must have been a much tougher 6 months for her. I feel fortunate that this blip in the road hit me at this stage of life.
Sadly our friend Julie's sister was diagnosed with BC and had surgery this week too. She too is doing well. Having been given 24 months to live after contracting Hep C seven years ago, Wendy is beating all the odds.
The odds are l in 9 for BC in Canadian women, a horrible statistic.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Aug 9 - Two thirds done with radiation THANKS!
I am faring well in the radiation schedule. The fatigue that often hits at half way point has not hit yet. The itch and sunburned effect have started.
Thanks to my drivers for their daily drives - Jackie, Elaine, Marie, Ted, Don, Joy and Ann. I am so much enjoying my social visits en route with them all.
Last weekend, Heritage weekend, we spent on our annual outing to Gull Lake. Mostly hot and sunny, with a few rain showers. We got out walking but the boat was sick so no problem keeping out of the sun on the water this time. Nancy and Colin are the ultimate hosts and we enjoyed our time with them, visiting the farmers market at Bentley for fresh produce and BBQing lamb and beef to satisfy my craving for meat. My visit to Calgary Farmers Market Thursday reaped a benefit of freshest veggies and the sweetest local Alberta strawberries, nothing like the imported Californian ones.
We enjoyed several lively rounds of Harry's game which kept me awake each evening. I slept like a babe in the new queen bed and left Ted to sprawl in his beloved VW camper.
Also picked up the new logo for our Chinese association, designed by local Chinese artist Dayu Liu. He sells cards at the market but will custom write names on cards, etc. too.
Thanks to my drivers for their daily drives - Jackie, Elaine, Marie, Ted, Don, Joy and Ann. I am so much enjoying my social visits en route with them all.
Last weekend, Heritage weekend, we spent on our annual outing to Gull Lake. Mostly hot and sunny, with a few rain showers. We got out walking but the boat was sick so no problem keeping out of the sun on the water this time. Nancy and Colin are the ultimate hosts and we enjoyed our time with them, visiting the farmers market at Bentley for fresh produce and BBQing lamb and beef to satisfy my craving for meat. My visit to Calgary Farmers Market Thursday reaped a benefit of freshest veggies and the sweetest local Alberta strawberries, nothing like the imported Californian ones.
We enjoyed several lively rounds of Harry's game which kept me awake each evening. I slept like a babe in the new queen bed and left Ted to sprawl in his beloved VW camper.
Also picked up the new logo for our Chinese association, designed by local Chinese artist Dayu Liu. He sells cards at the market but will custom write names on cards, etc. too.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
July 30 - Radiation - half way this week - thanks!
I sent out my radiation schedule Tuesday July 17 and my dance card was full Wednesday! thanks to all my great friends for helping me and Ted with this, as I go every day to Tom Baker Cancer Centre for treatment. Kudos first two weeks to Joy, Sally and Karen. It's great to visit with them all en route.
July 31: Some sad news today. Our friend Gayle Laird, 58, died while hiking in the Rockies last weekend. She roomed with our old pal Anita GilderHenneberry (now in Victoria) in Edmonton when they were both students. She was an exceptional woman, larger than life, amazing hiker and absolutely intrepid X-C skier. Who can forget the tale of her and her friend Nancy holed up at the 'Wolverine Hotel' skiing in to Assiniboine Naisset huts? (They got lost, could not get into the Bryant Creek Hut, spent the night in a tree bole, and a wolverine ate their sandwiches!)
I'll miss her competitive camaraderie at the Scrabble board on cosy Norseman Ski Club weekends.
July 31: Some sad news today. Our friend Gayle Laird, 58, died while hiking in the Rockies last weekend. She roomed with our old pal Anita GilderHenneberry (now in Victoria) in Edmonton when they were both students. She was an exceptional woman, larger than life, amazing hiker and absolutely intrepid X-C skier. Who can forget the tale of her and her friend Nancy holed up at the 'Wolverine Hotel' skiing in to Assiniboine Naisset huts? (They got lost, could not get into the Bryant Creek Hut, spent the night in a tree bole, and a wolverine ate their sandwiches!)
I'll miss her competitive camaraderie at the Scrabble board on cosy Norseman Ski Club weekends.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
July 23 - Zapping going well
After getting my zapping schedule last Monday, I circulated it to my pals asking for rides to the hospital, and it was full by Wednesday. Thank so much all of you, and sorry for those who offered to drive me and are on the standby list!
I see Dr. Trotter (my radiation oncologist) for the first time since starting treatment and she is really pleased with my progress, no skin damage and no problems. She shows me my Xrays and explains how the treatment on four sites is working. The actual zaps are anything from about 7 to 24 seconds, three techs check numbers every time, and in more detail once a week. They are all kind and compassionate. A highlight of waiting is listening to the repartee of the volunteer drivers, they are hilarious. I don't wait long, they run very close to schedule. Those 9 radiology machines (worth about $3 million each) are working all the time. July 26 we get a day off while they do maintenance on our Unit 8 system.
I see Dr. Trotter (my radiation oncologist) for the first time since starting treatment and she is really pleased with my progress, no skin damage and no problems. She shows me my Xrays and explains how the treatment on four sites is working. The actual zaps are anything from about 7 to 24 seconds, three techs check numbers every time, and in more detail once a week. They are all kind and compassionate. A highlight of waiting is listening to the repartee of the volunteer drivers, they are hilarious. I don't wait long, they run very close to schedule. Those 9 radiology machines (worth about $3 million each) are working all the time. July 26 we get a day off while they do maintenance on our Unit 8 system.
July 20 - Chemo behind me
After my radiation treatment, I am scheduled for last chemo blood tests and visit with Dr. Paterson. After several abortive attempts (even with my port!) we give up trying to get blood. My Herceptin shots are not dependent on blood tests so no big deal.
I see Dr. Paterson for my MUGA cardiac test results from last week. I aced it, and in fact my heart performance was better than when I had it done before I started on the drug. That's good news. Also good, I don't see Dr. Paterson again for 3 months as I am doing well 6 weeks after chemo has finished. Unfortunately, I still have side effects from the chemo which will take a few months to dissipate. The mouth sores don't want to go away and I am losing some of my fingernails.
I see Dr. Paterson for my MUGA cardiac test results from last week. I aced it, and in fact my heart performance was better than when I had it done before I started on the drug. That's good news. Also good, I don't see Dr. Paterson again for 3 months as I am doing well 6 weeks after chemo has finished. Unfortunately, I still have side effects from the chemo which will take a few months to dissipate. The mouth sores don't want to go away and I am losing some of my fingernails.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
July 13 - heatwave and culture in the mountains
After my first radiation (one down, 24 to go) we leave for Banff in a heatwave. It was +30 all weekend and +40 in our VW camper! We put back the upper bunk which I use to sleep so I can spread out, but it's hot as hell up there! I decide my days of camping in the VW van are over, it was cooler in Mazatlan last April!
We get a nice site at Tunnel Mountain campsite, about 5 minutes drive from the Banff School of Fine Arts, home of he summer festival. Friday we take in the mountain film festival winners, some stunning films shown in the comfortable air conditioned auditorium. Aaaaah
Saturday we spend the day in the shade, reading and snoozing. That evening is an "interesting" chamber music concert followed by stunning cabaret performance by Patricia O'Callaghan - and I hung in until it finishes around 11.
Sunday more lazing then take in the Coffee Concert in the marvellous accoustics of the Ralston hall, replacing the horrible new music from Israel heard Saturday with marvellous horn and wind pieces, albeit some a tad too long, wish I could play the flute like that...
Talking of which, I am playing again, and spent Thursday afternoon with Lila and her harp. We are going to do duets soon.
We get a nice site at Tunnel Mountain campsite, about 5 minutes drive from the Banff School of Fine Arts, home of he summer festival. Friday we take in the mountain film festival winners, some stunning films shown in the comfortable air conditioned auditorium. Aaaaah
Saturday we spend the day in the shade, reading and snoozing. That evening is an "interesting" chamber music concert followed by stunning cabaret performance by Patricia O'Callaghan - and I hung in until it finishes around 11.
Sunday more lazing then take in the Coffee Concert in the marvellous accoustics of the Ralston hall, replacing the horrible new music from Israel heard Saturday with marvellous horn and wind pieces, albeit some a tad too long, wish I could play the flute like that...
Talking of which, I am playing again, and spent Thursday afternoon with Lila and her harp. We are going to do duets soon.
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