Friday 30 November 2012

Sensory overload today!  I have quite a following of "White Rabbiters" now and must thank those of you who continue to forward me visuals I can use at the end of each month.  The first two pictures are courtesy of my friend Helen.  She dropped off these Chinese candies yesterday with a note that read....
"The Chinese believe in 'White Rabbit' too.  These candies are given out during Chinese New Year for good luck!  Enjoy! "  And enjoy I shall.  Thank you Helen!



The second picture is from Sue.....along with the caption White Wabbits!!!  Enjoyed both and hope you do to!

Today I am holed up at home waiting for my doctor to call.  I hate this waiting game.  I have called twice now and they have not returned my call so don't know what the plan is.  My doctor told me on Wednesday to all them if I hadn't heard anything by Friday.....I know they are busy and I'm not their only patient but it is so hard to not be impatient!  Fortunately it is cold enough outside that I really don't want to venture out today anyways so sitting by the phone isn't really keeping from something else.

Bill has gone over to help Mike unpack.  The movers arrived today.  What a horrible day to have to move in.  Geoff and Lindsey home!  Yahoo.  It was fantastic to see them both last night and considering they had just come off a 27 hour commute home from Thailand they looked pretty darn good.  It's great to have them home.  So signing off to play the waiting game while I chew my nails!

Don't forget your White Rabbits tomorrow morning!!!!

Thursday 29 November 2012

I do have a couple of "great" visual reminders this month.  Friday is "White Rabbits Day."  I'm really counting on lots of rabbit luck this month.  This photo took a lot of talking before it happened but Bill did rise to the occasion!  We did try to get him to show rabbit teeth as well but there he drew the line in the sand or should I say snow!  In any case,  thankyou Bill....some bunny loves you for being such a good sport!

A busy day today.  Started out at the dentist to finish off my Tuesday appointment which I had forgotten about and was consequently late resulting in the hygienist not being able to finish.  My punishment was I had to return for a second visit today.  Oh well, the pearly whites are cleaned.  I think that's my first visit to the dentist since all this business began.    From there I headed over to Market Mall to do a little more Christmas shopping.  Getting very close to finished and plan to get everything wrapped this weekend just in case things start to happen quickly.  That's the girl guide training surfacing....."Be prepared!"   From there I headed off the the hospital for my hydration.  Heard my name called and looked up to see the beaming face of none other than Ivy!  Well, talk about feeling bad about some of my previous blogs.  She took me in, got me on the first poke and then proceeded to tell me I was one of her favourite patients.  I never get mad when she misses, I'm always cheerful, I have a good attitude etc. etc.  She told me some of the patients get very impatient with her when she misses and after one poke demand a new nurse.  I must confess I myself have considered that but fortunately have never done it.  Anyways....made me a little ashamed of some of the comments I have made at her expense in the past.  She really is a sweet person and seems to be improving in her skill at finding the vein on the first try!  Spent my hour there then headed off to fill some prescriptions at Super Store.  On the way out I went by a mentally retarded fellow who was merrily ringing the bell for the Salvation Army donation.  (Oops...I stand corrected here....my daughter has informed me that my description is "politically incorrect"......he was a gentleman with cognitive deficits or perhaps developmental delays.  There I go again.....always saying the wrong thing!)   In any case you get the picture.  So there he was grinning happily at everyone and wishing all the customers an exuberant "Merry Christmas".  So nice to hear MERRY CHRISTMAS.....NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  At first I walked by as I often do (you could be donating constantly if you gave every time you bought something or walked by one of these people in the mall) but then I stopped and watched him for a moment.  The guy was truly enjoying himself and he just made you smile he was so happy.  I pulled out my wallet and emptied every single coin and a bill out of my wallet.  As I dropped it in the bucket his smile got even bigger and he wished me a VERY Merry Christmas and gave me a candy cane!  I left the store with a grin as big as his!

So tonight we are off to see Geoff and Lindsey at Lindsey's parents' home.  I can hardly wait to give them both a big hug.  They got home around noon today after 27 hours of travelling.  They will be pooped and I'm sure coming home to this after spending a week on the beaches of Thailand will be a bit of a shock!  Well perhaps a shock for Lindsey.  Geoff is more like Boomer...he loves the snow.....you know what that means....SKIING!  So remember your White Rabbits and stay posted for tomorrows' visual reminder!

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Oh baby it's cold outside and the only happy one in this house is Boomer.  He frolics along and sticks his face in the snow.  It's his kind of weather.  Not me though! I find it bone chilling and it isn't even really cold yet.
An interesting day.  As you all know I had an ultrasound and a PET scan last week.  The PET scan always terrifies me and to be honest I have been quite stressed all week worrying about today.  I knew they had concerns about my liver enzymes and was really worried what they were going to say.  Yesterday I got a call from my oncologists' office asking me to come at 8 AM instead of 10 AM and I actually had a panic attack!  Unbelievable for me to have a panic attack!  I was hyperventilating and had a pounding heart.  Got myself so worked up I almost didn't go to SAIT for my photography course last night.  Was up bright and early this morning and arrived at the Tom Baker on time this morning and waited about 45 minutes to see the doctor.  Again....starting to stress.  What's the hold up.  Kelli and Bill were both being incredibly calm.....(I found out later they have both been stressed as well......but we're all trying to hide our fears from each other)  In any case finally Dr. Esaw came in and quite honestly he looked quite dreadful this morning.  My immediate thought was "Oh no, this doesn't look good."  One thing I'll say for him though he does not beat around the bush.  He said he had my PET scan results and they were an interesting combination of both good news/bad news.  First I got the good news.  The cancer has been very receptive to the chemotherapy I have received and I have had an excellent response.  Pretty much all the spots that had been previously active had shrunk and become inactive.  In fact the doctor told me if it weren't for the other problem he was going to address they would be considering giving me a break from the chemotherapy and see what happens.  Now for the bad news.  The spot on my liver has grown but is contained in one lobe.  Because of my excellent response he is sending me for a consult with a surgeon to consider a surgery to remove the lobe and thus leave me with a cancer free liver!  It is not a small surgery but I have been through a big surgery and I am prepared for that.  He feels confidant that this is a good option for me and I should be hearing from them before the end of the week.  We are actually excited by this news.  They are still talking cure....words I love, love, love.  I was so afraid today they would tell me that they had exhausted treatments which would have been devastating.  So now it's a waiting game but I'm feeling much calmer in the wake of this news. All I want is a fighting chance and it would appear I may be getting just that!  My doctor told me today that my fitness has been a huge factor in my ability to handle the surgery and treatments they have thrown at me.  So lesson here for all of you is this.......exercise and fitness may not save you from getting something like this.....it certainly didn't spare me, however, should you ever be so unlucky to go down the "C" road know that all the hard work you have put into making your body strong and healthy will pay you back in spades!  Bill often looks at me and says "Whoever would have believed you were training for this all your life!"


So I need your WHITE RABBITS more than ever this month!  Will send you a visual reminder tomorrow!  In the meantime lace up those runners and hit the gym!

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Oh boy!  I should go back to work as a classroom teacher.  The kids would love me as I have a whole new perspective on "homework".  I have been taking this photography course as you know (the one I think I'm probably not going to pass)  and I am having a terrible time getting my homework done, reviewing the material, or in fact even looking at the material from class to class.  This morning I finally got up pulled out my camera, my notes, my cameral manual and my computer and sat down to "work" on it so I would be ready for tonight.  No sooner did I put my butt upon the kitchen chair,  the phone rang.  I jumped up to answer it and was surprised to hear the voice of my dentists' receptionist asking me what I was doing?  "Nothing" I answered which was true, at which point she reminded me I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago!  Yikes!  Am I losing it or what?  Geoff was always terrible at missing his dental appointments and I cannot tell you how many times I lectured him on how unfair he was being to the dentist and how lucky he was that he wasn't being billed for those missed visits!  Well, Miss Goodie Two Shoes here pulled the same stunt today!  I rushed out the door and down to their office and the hygienist did get started but I will have to go back on Thursday to get things finished.  A pain in the butt but what could I say?  Not a darn thing......So homework and review still not completed although I am planning to get at it here shortly (maybe).  Talk about procrastination.  I can't even believe it myself!

Geoff and Lindsey are heading home on Thursday and we are all excited to see them and hear about their fabulous adventures.  I just read Lindsey's post on Facebook.  It read "17 flights, 19 hotels, 2 trains, 11 boats, pedal bikes, motor bikes, countless car rides and millions of steps........and I'm tired."
Go figure that one!  They have had a trip few of us will ever experience in our lifetimes and good for them for going for it!  Well....time to do my work.  No more dodging.....


Monday 26 November 2012

Today, I finally bit the bullet and headed up to the Winter Club.  I have belonged to that club since I was five years old.  It has played a huge role in my life however, since I was diagnosed I have basically avoided going there, always finding excuses not to.  I'm to busy, I'm at the low point in my cycle and need to stay away from anywhere there might be germs, the weather's to good, the roads are bad, there is nothing I can do there, I don't want anyone to see me looking like this, my workout is embarrassing, etc, etc.  I think you are getting the picture.  I was just avoiding it.  Today I finally decided to get back on the horse and check it out.  I haven't even seen the new renovation so decided that this would be a good day to go and see what the place looked like.  I was quite amazed at what is there now.  It has been so long since I have been to the club I had to text Kelli and ask her what the combination for our locker was!  The fitness facility is huge!  I toured around and checked it all out and then headed down to the weight room to do my workout which consisted of some stationary bike and some weights.  While I was riding the bike I was thinking to myself "Why haven't I come here sooner?"  I had a bit of an epiphany.  I was avoiding the club because I knew it would remind me of how I was before all this started.  Going today was like clearing a massive hurdle.  I really enjoyed myself and am ready to move my workouts out of the privacy and seclusion of my basement.  Kelli dropped by this afternoon and I was telling her about my revelation.  She looked at me and said "Mom, I know exactly what you mean.  When I went up there last week and opened the locker and saw your racquets and runners I sat down on the bench and burst into tears."  We all feel sad at how this has changed my life and the life of my family but we all have to remember and focus on the most important thing....I am still here and I do have quality in the life I am living.  The really important things are still there and that is what I have to focus on.  "Just because you are attached to a burden does not mean you do not sometimes want to fly."  So I continue to fly.....maybe not as high but soar I will.  

Sunday 25 November 2012

Black Sunday I guess for our Stampeders.  I am not a huge football fan but did watch a good part of the game today and even I could see it wasn't their finest moment!  No celebrations in cowtown tonight I'm thinking.

Had our annual Sr. Officers' Christmas party last night.  Getting dressed up a little daunting.  For you ladies who do it on a regular basis I'm sure it's no big deal but keep in mind I'm basically a jeans girl and even all the years I went to work all I ever had to dress up in were track suits.  So when I need to gussie up it is always a bit of a big deal.  Had a few stumbles along the way.  Started with the new shoes I had purchased earlier in the week.  I have a pair that I have worn on many occasions and when I wear them I am suffering big time by the end of the evening.  My feet are just screaming at me!  Decided this year to buy a new pair and turf the old.  The shoes felt fine in the store but last night, almost the instant I put those shoes on my feet I could feel they just weren't going to work!  For once I showed some good sense and put the shoes back in the box for return and dug out my old ones.  Thank goodness I didn't listen to Bill and turf my old ones as soon as I got the new ones home or I would have been in trouble.  Got the shoes sorted out and then had to deal with the hair.  Decided to wear my fake real hair last night but didn't account for the fact I had washed it earlier in the week and it would need some work.  Well, I put it on my head and no matter how many times I did it it just looked weird.  I finally realized I needed to repart it and treat it like my real hair which I have never been good at doing either.  There I am spritzing it with water and trying to blow it dry the way I wanted it to go. It was not cooperating!   I finally came out of the bathroom whining that I was having hair issues.  Kept one eye on the clock as Barry and Wendy were picking us up at six and consoled myself that Wendy was always late so I had some extra time!  Yikes.....for the first time ever, they arrived early!  Well....got it pretty much together and headed out to the Earl Grey Golf Club for a very nice evening. Dinner was great and they even had a band this year so got a few dances in with both Bill and my Dad.  It was really nice to see people we often only see once a year at the party and I was really touched by how many of them came up and wished me well.  So often people just don't know what to say.  You don't have to say anything but know that I always appreciate it when people just talk to me!  It doesn't matter one little bit what you say!   I always wonder who's reading my blog.  I can check the numbers each day if I want to and typically 150-200 people read it each day.  Of those 33 are registered on the blog so I know who some of you are but must confess I'm often curious who the rest are?    Didn't think there were 200 people out there who would be interested in my ramblings.  I did, however, discover a few of my blog friends last night.  I am very touched that people are interested enough to follow along, especially given some of the content.
Today we moved a few things into Mike and Kelli's new place in Marda Loop.  Barry and Wendy gave them a lovely loveseat that looks amazing in their living room.   It is a beautiful place but they are having some frustrations with the property managers.  Here's a good one for you!  When they were signing the lease Mike and Kelli had them write into the lease the TV mount above the fireplace would be provided.  This was written and signed off on.  Today the guy said "Oh no, they wouldn't do that and that they had in fact scratched it off."  I'm no legal eagle but it would seem to me this isn't exactly kosher.  There were many questions asked today and this property manager couldn't answer one question.  He didn't know how the sound system worked, he didn't have the access to the garage (they have never actually been able to go into the garage),  he wasn't concerned about the dirty floors (hardwood floors get dusty you know.....believe me, it was more than just dust), wasn't sure how the security system worked, etc.   Mike was very calm......if it were me dealing with this guy I would have been screaming blue murder.   Most of these things weren't a huge deal in the big scheme of things but still a little frustrating.  When Kelli and Mike moved out of their condo in Vancouver they were required to hire a professional cleaner and a carpet cleaning company to clean as it was expected the place would be spotless for the next tenants.  Not the same standards here obviously!  In any case, it was just the floors and not a big deal to clean, it was just the principal of the matter!  The house is absolutely lovely and once they settle in it is going to be a great spot for them.  They just have to get over these early hurdles and get the move over with.

Had a lovely email from one of my students parents today.  It brought a massive smile to my face.  I'll share it with you!

Hi Leslie,

Abby, Jessica and Julia just made a double batch of your famous chocolate chip cookies as part of their math homework... they made the last cookie especially for you (it started out as a heart but got a little misshaped during baking!). They said they are going to give it to you for Christmas, but I thought I'd send you a photo just in case it doesn't get to you...

Looks good enough to eat!  I better get it for Christmas!  Thanks girls!  I'd give you high marks for this one!

Saturday 24 November 2012

Another good day! Yahoo!  Kelli moved back today!  Yahoo again!  I headed up to pick her up and only had two road rage incidents.  Traffic was really backed up along Country Hills and everyone was merging into one lane.  I was putzing along not worrying about the slow pace when this woman suddenly blasts her horn at me from the lane beside me and although I couldn't hear her I am pretty sure  she was yelling at me to let her in.  If her body language and her facial expressions had even been slightly different I would have gladly let her in but her rage became mine and I found words escaping my mouth that I didn't know I knew. Dr. Oz would say I had reached my boiling point.  In any case I did not let her in instead making her move forward so I could let the guy behind her in.  I'm sure I made her day!  NOT!  Then I got to the airport pulled into the "immediate pickup area" was there for about 30 seconds, certainly under a minute when the security guard approached my vehicle, rapped on the window and told me it was time to do a lap.  I looked at him incredulously and said "I just got here and my passenger is on the way out."  He shrugged and said "Do a lap!"   The thing that made me so mad here is there wasn't even anyone else around.  The place was totally quiet.  What harm would it have done for him to let me sit there for a couple of minutes?  Oh well.....did my lap and found Kelli when I got back.

Came home and headed up to Nose Hill for a beautiful walk in the sunshine.  Kelli left driving rain in Vancouver so coming home to bright sun and mild temperatures certainly made the homecoming sweeter.

Tonight we are off to a Christmas party.  Hard to believe we are heading into that season already!  Am reminding myself to watch what I eat.  I tend to get over enthusiastic when faced with an array of delicious foods and then I pay the price dearly.  Not tonight!  Planning to enjoy myself and suffer no consequences!


Friday 23 November 2012

Finally a good day....all day!  Decided not to plan anything much at all day.  Started out with coffee with my friend Rae who is back to Calgary for a visit from Houston.  Had a great gab!  Fun to catch up.  Left there and came home for lunch then headed up to Nose Hill with Boomer and Sienna.  Jenifer wasn't home so I just stole her dog.  She has been so good to me these past couple of days, picking Boomer up and taking him for his walk when I was too busy with appointments to do it.  I really appreciate it and so does he!  Delivered Sienna home and found Jenifer there so we had tea and a visit then home.  A most unproductive day but one I was really needing.  Think I should have a few of them here.

Heard from the badminton girls today and I actually laughed out loud when I read the email.  Sue has invited me to play with them on Sunday morning!  Now just to put this into perspective for those of you who don't know my badminton buds....these girls would have whipped my ass when I was at the top of my game so I couldn't even imagine stepping on a court with them right now.  I was totally flattered though that they invited me and suggested I meet them for coffee afterwards.  I miss the club and I miss the people there even more.  I have been pretty absent for the past year.   I'm doing lots right now but don't think the breathing machine is quite up to badminton yet!!!!  If any of you are reading this though....don't write me off.  I would totally love to join you at a future date.

The picture below pretty much sums up todays' blog!

Two of the greatest qualities in life are
   l.  patience
   2. wisdom




Thursday 22 November 2012


Another long hospital day.  You just sit or lay around so it's amazing the day wears you out like it does.  Had to be there at 9 AM for my test which went until about 11:30, went out for a bite of lunch and then back for hydration.  I'm feeling pretty crappy tonight.  Think it will be an early night and a quiet day tomorrow.  I'm due for a day of no rushing around with things to do.  I have been going pretty hard and it's time to settle down a little.

So tonight I'm going to dedicate my blog to Bill.  Today I was thinking, as I always do,  about all the people who have been so there for me over the past year.  I honestly do not think I could have gone through all of this without each and every one of you.  However, Bill is the one person who is there all the time.  He has cared for me, looked after things around the house that would normally be my responsibilities, he cooks,  he cleans, he listens to my rants, laughs with me, listens to my fears and shares my sorrows.  He makes a point of planning things for us to look forward to and gives me regular pep talks and words of encouragement.  We will have been married 34 years on December 22.  I have been married to this man for more than half my life.  We have raised two fantastic kids, have built a home we love, have a circle of friends who mean the world to us, have had incredible adventures ranging from horseback trips, to kayak adventures, to backpacking trips, sailing trips and assorted world travel.  Like any married couple we have had our periods where we have neglected each other putting more emphasis on other aspects of our lives.   No marriage is without it's challenges.  It is those challenges that make us stronger.  Over this past year we have come to realize you can never take each other for granted.  Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until there is a possibility we may lose it.  I look at my life quite differently now.  It is hard to plan for events in the far future.  Instead I look at life as a series of stepping stones.  It has been the hardest year of my life but I have come  to the realization it has not all been bad.  We have made the most of every minute.  My family has drawn together and supported each other.  We tell each other every day how much we love each other.  We celebrate small successes and share our hopes and dreams more freely.  Life is a gift and gifts should be shared.  That is what family is all about.

I have had a couple of emails over the past months from people Bill used to work with.  Each of these people told me what a wonderful person he was to work with and for. He appreciates people who work hard and are dedicated to the job they do and has no patience for those who don't.  He works hard and expects the same of others.   He is the always the first person to volunteer to help when someone needs his help.  He remembers his friends' birthdays and has a truly generous spirit.  Need something fixed, moved or built....he will always be the first to volunteer.

I know you all love the  funny in my blogs as I do but I would be so remiss if I didn't thank this man for all he has given me.  He is my rock!

Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we married.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Thanks to all of you who sent me notes re. my "Horrible, no good, very bad day" yesterday.  Today also a little off but not so much for me as for my Dad.  Bill and I were up and off to the hospital this morning for my ultrasound.  Of course no results on this probably until next week when I see my doctor.

Had the test then decided to go out for breakfast.  We have spent a small fortune on eating out since all this started.  One way to make a hospital visit palatable......dangle the carrot that we'll go out for breakfast or lunch, or dinner.  Today we tried a new spot called Dairy Lane, a tiny little spot down on 19th Street, close to Kensington.  One of my nurses gave me a list of her favourite spots to go.  We most often head over to the Lazy Loaf but today felt like changing it up.  Not disappointed.  It was delicious!  We left there and did a little Christmas shopping.  I'm pretty organized on this front this year.  Just about done the major ticket items now.  It's the little things, the stocking stuffers etc. that take so much time and I still have work to do on those although I do tend to collect those items over the entire course of a year.  A couple of years ago I bought Lindsey and Kelli humungous stockings (about 3 ft. tall).  Not as smart as I thought I was because now I'm faced with the task of filling them.  Nobody likes a limp stocking.....even if it is 4 x the size of anyone else's in the family!  The easier thing to do would be to cut the stockings in half!  Wouldn't that shock those spoiled girls!?

From there we headed up to my Dad's place.  He had asked Bill to come and replace a door handle for him.  We arrived to find my Dad favouring both hands.  He had taken a mighty spill on the tennis court this morning, put his hands down to break his fall and was now sporting a very swollen left wrist and a very swollen right thumb.  Both were painful and Bill and I were pretty certain me might have a fracture.  We checked what the hospital wait times were and decided to head over to the PLC.  I was really hoping that Kelli's boyfriend, Mike, would be working but when I called him he was enjoying his first day off in quite some time!  Shoot.....you have all this trained medical personelle in your family and where are they when you need them?  In Thailand, in Vancouver, and shopping for a guitar!!!
Got to the PLC and proceeded to go through the emergency procedures.  We finally got to see a doctor and he proceeded to question Dad on his health and well being.  Dad was sitting down when he came into the waiting room so the doctor had no idea about his mobility.  Questions are moving along...."Mr. May....do you walk independently or do you use a walker?"  No one had so far inquired as to how he had fallen and it was at this point I snorted "He was playing tennis when this happened!"  I could see the doctor smile.  I'm certain he doesn't have many 83 year old patients who make tennis a regular part of almost every day!  They took him to X-ray but the xrays did not show a break which surprised all of us, including the doctor.  So three hours later they decided to put him in a splint to make things more comfortable and sent us home.  As we were getting ready to leave Bill looked at the doctor and said "you never asked the most important question?"  The doctor looked surprised for a moment and then looked at my Dad and nailed it!  "Did you win?"

We decided it was late so rather than go home and cook we would stop for family night supper at the Winter Club. We weren't really thinking because cutting food is going to be a challenge for a while I'm thinking.  Oh well....we cut up the roast beef and had a great supper despite the challenges of a basically non-functional hand.  Think Dad is going to have to stick to lasagne, hamburger soups, etc, things that don't need to be cut up.

Got home to my long abandoned fur child.  He did not seem overly desperate as I was sure he would be so I'm thinking that Jenifer must have come by and taken him out.  If you are reading this and this is so....thank you Jen.  It is a true friend who volunteers to walk someone else's dog in this weather!
Tomorrow?   More tests so the stressful week is not yet finished but hopefully the bad luck is.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

I'll start by saying I had a perfectly fabulous weekend with a bit of a disastrous finish today.  Kelli and I slept in, ate late, watched junk TV, shopped, went to the Vancouver Aquarium, drank lattes etc. etc.  It was a weekend every Mom dreams of spending with her daughter!  Thank you "Mon Petite Chou!"

Then the wheels came off this morning.  My flight was to leave Vancouver at 9 AM.  We decided we would go to a little place around the corner where they serve a great bowl of oatmeal in the morning.  Didn't sleep all that great, fearing I might sleep in and miss my flight but shouldn't have worried because Kelli got me up in lots of time.  We headed over for our breakfast.  They served us massive bowls of oatmeal with granola, fruit, raisins etc.  It was really good but I don't think two of us could have finished one bowl.  It was definitely Papa Bear size, not Mama or Baby Bear size!  We were so embarrassed to have not eaten more of it that we asked for a take out container and then we dumped it once we left.  Kelli escorted me to the train station, bought my ticket and saw me get on the right train with instructions that this was easy.....just get off at YVR which is the very last stop.  I had done it before so wasn't concerned.  Well, off the train went and it was really full.  I kept looking for someone with a suitcase and spotted a girl at the other end of the car.  There were a lot of  people on the train though.  Guess everyone was heading off to work.  Then a lady sat down beside me and started chatting.  She asked me what time my flight left and got a kind of funny look on her face but didn't say anything.  I knew the ride was about 35 minutes so closed my eyes for a few minutes.  I don't think I drifted but maybe I did.  In any case I noticed the time on my phone was 8:30.  Figured that must be Calgary time. Then Kelli texted me to ask if I had arrived OK.  I answered no and told her which station I was at.  She texted back..."You're kidding, right?....Did the train stall?  Was there an accident?"  .... I am now in full on panic mode....realizing that I am not going to make it.  I am just about back to where I started that morning!  She calls me on my phone and I'm squeaking into my phone.  Although the train was very crowded, it was very quiet and I KNOW every single person was busy listening to my conversation but not person was even looking my way.  The interesting thing about this is that this is one of the conversations the two of us had had over the weekend.  A time back Kelli was riding the train and a very distraught woman who had clearly been beaten up was sobbing and not one person was looking at her.  Kelli finally went over and sat down beside her and asked if there was anything she could do to help.  Isn't it sad how nobody every wants to get involved in anyone else's problems or business?  Instead we feign indifference or pretend we don't notice.  To me that is a sad state of much of humanity when we can't even extend a hand, offer a condolence, try to help or even just offer up some reassurance.  In any case.  I hung up the phone and started to gather up my suitcase, my purse and my backpack and out of nowhere a man appeared, picked up my suitcase and said "Let me help you."  And that he did.  Wasn't much but it sure meant a lot to me.  He escorted me across to the other train and made certain I got on the right one.  This time I was super attentive.  I don't know how I missed the stop the first time.  On top of being announced you can actually see the airport and planes!  Despite the fact my flight had been delayed 15 minutes I was not in time.  Now this is where it gets kind of funny.  My friend Maureen's son, Paul was going to Edmonton this morning from Vancouver for his convocation.  They were announcing my name all over the PA system.  "Would Leslie Sherlock please report to the West Jet desk...."  He called his Mom to tell her I was missing....she called both Kelli and Bill.....Bill knew about it before I even told him!  I headed over to the West Jet desk and told the girl I had had a disastrous morning and that I had missed my flight.  I am so glad she did not ask for details because I really didn't want to share them.  I have never missed a flight in my life.  I'm always the one there two hours early just to be safe.  I told her this ranked up with one of the dumbest things I have done (which probably isn't entirely true) and she just laughed and said  to multiply that by four and you'd have her record.  She put me on the noon flight for a small fee ($50)  Terrible Tuesdays are becoming expensive Tuesdays.  Last week it was the little parking problem I had at Sait.....today this!  On top of that Tuesdays are the day I have my Chemo.  I'm thinking I hate Tuesdays!!!  Bill picked me up and brought me home.  Mike came for dinner but I had to head off early as I have my Sait photography course tonight.  Got to Sait and could not for the life of me find a parking spot.  Think if I had known what a challenge this was going to be I might not have signed up.  That on top of the fact.....I'm a little worried I'm not going to pass!   It's a little deep!  I finally looked at Brenda tonight and asked...."Are you getting this?"  She assured me she wasn't but she was probably just being nice.  I arrived 10 minutes late AGAIN.  You remember what happened last week.  The instructor gave me that It's OK look but I'm a teacher and I know he was probably annoyed!  It is pretty disrespectful to arrive late two weeks in a row.  I slunk in and sat down beside Brenda....but no sooner was I organized and trying to look studious did my damn phone ring!  My phone NEVER rings.  Of course you can just feel people's looks boring into your back.  I apologized profusely and scrambled to get my phone out of my pocket to turn it off without even checking who it was that was calling.  On the break I checked my voicemail and was so disappointed to see it was a call from Geoff from Thailand.  He was just calling to wish me good luck tomorrow.  I was so sad to have missed his call.  Got home and Bill told me that both he and my brother had called tonight and that Geoff would try to call again in a few minutes.  I was totally excited.  He and Lindsey have been gone since the end of October and I must confess I am starting to really miss both of them.  Well, the phone finally rang and I quickly answered it but the reception was soooo bad we couldn't talk.  We tried three times....No luck.  Oh well....it's the thought that counts and it meant the world to me that he called.  They are so lucky to be sitting on a warm sunny beach.........It is so cold here tonight!

Talked to Maureen about the day and she said I should have a screenplay done of the blog.  Her suggestion was to have Julia Roberts play me and Harrison Ford play Bill.  She wondered who would be a good fill in for my pal Kathy saying that Phylis Diller would have been perfect except she died!  Maureen wants someone young and voluptuous to portray her role!

In any case, I did get home.....everything turned out fine.  I only have the ultra sound tomorrow, not both the ultrasound and PET as I previously told you.  The PET is scheduled for Thursday.  In some ways I think it would have been nice to just get it all over with in one day.  Oh well.....it is what it is....
Will keep you all posted.  Signing off   "The Ditz".  (I knew I should have bought the blonde wig!)

Monday 19 November 2012

Where do the days go? Can hardly believe I have been here four days!  We have had such a good time.  We have been practicing pretty good restraint on the shopping front....until today.  Got up and had a good breakfast then headed out to "check things out."  Started off at Banana Republic where we both found things we liked.  I bought a nice pair of black pants and tried on a sweater but decided to practice restraint and did not buy the sweater.  Said "I would think about it."  Well, we got outside and I asked Kelli to go back and check the size in case I decided to come back.  That way I wouldn't have to try it on again.  Well, the little brat went in and bought me the sweater.  BRAT!  On a positive note we do share things so she can have access to it anytime she wants it.  We left there and headed down the street where I had seen a dress I thought might work for Christmas.  I'm a little concerned the dress I was thinking of wearing might not fit anymore.  Ended up buying a real cute dress that I really like so now I'm set.

The last time I was here to visit was just before my surgery.  We went to a great coffee shop called Artigiano's.  One of the best latte's I have ever tasted since our visit to Scotland a number of years ago.  We both remember sitting there that day and promising that after my surgery we would go back and enjoy another!  Must confess there were many times following my surgery I didn't think I would ever drink anything, let alone coffee, again.  Sat down and looked at my beautiful frothy cup of coffee and was almost afraid to drink it for fear it wouldn't taste as good as I remembered it.  No fears.  It was wonderful!  Drank it and wished I had ordered a bigger size!

Bought a wonderful gag gift for a friend....(a little skanky) not going to mention any names in case she is reading this blog but it was one of those gifts you are almost embarassed to purchase.  Fortunately, I don't embarass easily!!!!  My guess is many of my girlfriends are sweating bullets!  Don't worry the intended recipient will be over the moon!

Headed back home and stopped to study the Japadog Stand across the street from where Kelli lives.  These are the most disgusting things I have ever seen but they do an incredibly steady business.  The dressed up hotdog is smothered in seaweed.  Although I am pretty sure I'd gag eating it I am amazed at how many people eat it.  Perhaps because it advertised as something you must have before you die!  Not on this girls' bucket list that's for darn sure.
Now on the phone waiting for an air miles rep.  They are driving me crazy!
Home tomorrow.  A bit of a brutal day on Wednesday.  Ultrasound, petscan and Dr. appointment.  Not my kind of day that's for sure.  Good thing I'm treating myself to a fab weekend!
Dinner out at Simply Thai, one of the best Thai Restaurants I've ever been to.  We're stuffed!

Sunday 18 November 2012

Here I am writing from "sunny" Vancouver as Kelli and Mike like to tell me frequently! Quite the contrary this weekend, however, having said that I can see the appeal of the place even when it is cloudy and cool.  There are still leaves on the trees, there is still green and colour.  It really is quite the place!  We both slept in this morning which I rarely, if ever do at home.  Accidentally rented "Pride and Prejudice" last night, thinking it was a different movie.  If you have missed seeing it.....lucky you!  We toughed it out and watched it from beginning to end but it wasn't exactly riveting and a lot of the dialogue got missed because of the great musical score.  Sorry if you have seen the movie and loved it! It's not going down on my list of favourites, nor on Kelli's I'm pretty sure.

Kelli and Mike are in the process of packing up for the move home so we girls are using this as an excuse to eat out.  Everything's packed you know so we are taking full advantage.  Actually, interestingly enough, it is way cheaper to eat out in Vancouver than it is in Calgary.  Honestly, if I lived where these guys live I would probably give up cooking.  We started off the morning at a Creperie just around the corner.  I had a strawberry crepe and it was fabulous!  It was large, large, large but I ate the entire thing!  Could not believe how many people were having Spanish Coffees, Mimosas etc. at that time of day!   Left there and did a small amount of retail therapy before catching a cab to go to the Aquarium.  Our driver was a little erratic.  I thought it was just me and my queasy stomach but when we hopped out of the cab Kelli was also quite green around the gills.  What a pair.  Enjoyed the Aquarium tremendously.  Haven't been there in years and it is a fabulous place to visit.  Perhaps a tad anti climatic after our three weeks in Hawaii being up close and personal with assorted sea life but still a great way to spend a rainy, grey day in Vancouver.  The two things I enjoyed the most were the Beluga Whales (after all I am an alumni Beddington Beluga!  This was the mascot we chose for Beddington Heights School when I worked there back in the 80's so I sat down to watch and proceeded to sing "Baby Beluga in The Deep Blue Sea," which was our school song at the time.)
The other thing I really liked was the 4D Imax presentation on the salmon run and grizzly bears.  The 4D aspect included smell, being splashed with water and bubbles everywhere.  It was amazing!
We toured the entire facility and marvelled at the wonderful job they have done.  It is a place worth visiting, that's for sure.

We left the aquarium and decided to cab it back home to have a little down time before going out for supper.  Again, another erratic cab driver.  Got out of the cab and came close to losing it again but managed to hold it together.  We came upstairs and relaxed and visited for a bit and then decided we really didn't feel like actually going out for supper.  Kelli ran down to the Japanese Restaurant just around the corner and came back with a delicious batch of sushi, one of my favourites!

Lost some more money at crib.  And here I will diverge to say that not only is my daughter a poor loser....she is a VERY HAPPY WINNER!  Now, I can just hear some of you chuckling out there saying "Hmmmm......apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?"  Yes, I do agree......Bill is much the same!

Not a lot planned for tomorrow.  Perhaps a little shopping and we may go down to Granville Island.  I always love going through that market.  Sure glad I brought my red rubber boots this weekend.  I have been learning "Umbrella Etiquette".  95% of the people walking around downtown are carrying umbrellas but because Kelli and I are vertically challenged, our umbrellas are right at eye level of most people and I keep thinking I'm going to take off someone's face with mine.  So far that hasn't happened but I have had a few close encounters that's for sure.

This has been a lovely weekend for both of us.  Lots of good talks and no boys!  Every parent loves some one on one time with their kids and I'm so lucky to get as much as I do.  We all think we have the "best" kids on the planet......and mine are top of the barrel!

Saturday 17 November 2012

So sorry I missed my blog entry yesterday.  I have had a bit of a rough go this week.  Not sure what the problem has been.  Could just be a combination of jet lag, over tired and chemo all thrown together. In any case....gives me a whole new appreciation of what many people go through.

Was up bright and early yesterday morning to catch the 8 AM flight to Vancouver.  Bill looked at me and said he wasn't sure this was the best idea.  Guess watching me hurl for a day left him wondering what the plane ride might look like.  You know me though....a plans a plan and I have been looking forward to my Vancouver Girl's weekend since I booked it some time ago.  So on went the brave, "I'm feeling fine....much better, face."  Also on went the wig which truly does make me look much better than my unruly wiry, but still there natural do and off we headed to the airport.

Got the absolute WORST seat on the plane.  Last and I mean dead last seat on the plane, 21D, right beside the biffy!  So there you are subjected for over an hour to this antiseptic smell as people line up to pay their respects with a stomach that is threatening to spill.   Not nice, especially when you are a tad queasy to start with which I was.  Managed to get through the flight but did do a surreptitious check to make sure there was one of those convenient little already been chewed food bags in my front pocket.  Arrived in Vancouver and wanted to desperately get off the plane but for some reason the doors weren't opening and they held us captive for a good 20 minutes before finally opening the doors and letting us out.  Found Kelli and confessed I needed a quiet day...not too much action.  No point in fibbing to her.....she's become a master at reading me.  We headed back to her place and I am embarrassed to say I literally was on the couch for the better part of the day.  Watched Dr. Phil, the news, two episodes of Nashville etc. etc.  I honestly don't think I have ever spent an entire day parked in front of the television before, but it is about all I could muster.  We did get out for a short walk down Robson and that was about it.  Ate in last night and I my eyes were totally glazed by 8 PM.  Could hardly get into my PJ's, and to be honest even considered sleeping in my clothes.  How pathetic is that?  HOWEVER, I had a fabulous sleep.  Twelve hours of pretty solid shut eye.  Woke up this morning and assessed my status.  Still a tad queasy perhaps but that could just be in my head.  Still, popped one of my pills, managed a couple pieces of toast, booked our flight tickets to Mexico in January (my friend Maureen says you should always plan your next vacation while you are on vacation!)  What great advice.  Having said that I did take the flight insurance just to be safe.....We had planned to stay an extra week after Geoff and Lindsey's wedding with our pals Gary and Jenifer and of course that fell through given my condition at the time so we are looking forward to finally getting that one organized.  We have just decided as long as I am feeling good we will continue doing what we're doing.....living big!

Back to today though...Kelli has been wanting to take me to a lunch spot favourite of hers' called Finches so off we went.  Cabbed down and had the most delicious lunch!  Even emailed Bill a picture of my sandwich because he is always so worried I'm not eating enough.  Kelli will vouch that I ate every single delicious bite of it and we may go back before I head home on Tuesday.  Had a very leisurely lunch and then took a walk down to see the new Terry Fox Memorial statues.  They are spectacular!  There are four statues, the first one actual size growing up to a large version that represents that gain in momentum he experienced as he did his run.  Each statue is also representative of his unique gait.  Everyone knows how I have supported the Terry Fox cause for many years so to get to see this memorial was a real treat.



Thursday 15 November 2012

Good news.....I'm on the upswing!  Yesterday was a horrible day!  Couldn't keep anything down.  That is the first time that has happened to me post chemo.  Hoping it was just a combination of jet lag, lack of sleep and a long day at the hospital on Tuesday.  I know lots of people go through this nausea stuff and I have been so thankful to dodge that bullet.  I had lots of calls and emails from you guys today!  Great pick up to hear from each of you and I really do appreciate your concern.

Am taking it very easy again today, despite the fact that I am feeling better.  Still planning to head out to Vancouver tomorrow to visit Kelli for the weekend.  Don't think we will be too ambitious with our plans but will certainly do a little shopping, some lunch, watch a couple of shows and of course coffee!  A laid back weekend will be good for both of us.  She is busy packing up to move back here and hopefully I can be of some assistance in that area, although most will be handled by the mover.

Sometimes I shake my head at this blog and think should I continue to write it?  Who could possibly be interested in my days.   Then I check how many people visit the sight and I hear from many of you on a regular basis and am touched that you all care enough to read it and keep up on how things are going.  I also need to tell you that although I don't always respond to your messages I really do appreciate hearing from you.

"Life is better when you attempt to live simply and mindfully and really think about what you value.  Blogging heightens my sense of accountability of how I live!"  We have been keeping very busy but I must confess there are times I miss my old life.....seeing people, going to work, playing badminton, working out at the Winter Club.....some of these things are coming back but there are things I must let go and I do miss them.  I saw Lisa's clip on facebook today on how much she loves her job and it shows.  I loved the work too.  There is nothing more gratifying than working with kids!  They can be a challenge and a pain in the butt but they also fill your day with energy and love.  One of the things I always loved each day were the hugs and smiles that many of the kids brought to class.  Most elementary aged kids still love school.  They love to learn, to move, to sing.....they love their teachers and they bring a joy to school each and every day.   I found on our trip to visit Volcano National Park I ended up finding the kids in the visitor's centre.  There was one station there where you could jump up and down and create waves on an earthquake monitor.  I had several kids jumping up and down in unison.  It was great fun!  Bill and Kelli just shook their heads at the biggest kid in the group.....that'd be me!

Today I have eaten both breakfast and lunch.  Boomer was pleased that lunch included cheese because cheese always seems to fly off the counter in his direction!  I have my hydration session this afternoon which I think will also help perk me up.  Am actually looking forward to it which is a first!

Today I was looking at a training program for a triathlon.  Yes, I still look but don't realistically think I will be training for one in the near future.  However, it was interesting to read how to make it work for you and I was struck by the commonalities between what I am going through and training for a sport.

These were the recommended steps:
Create a long-term vision, Be patient, Build a plan custom- tailored to you, Think beyond endurance
Be consistent, Stay balanced, Work Hard
This pretty much describes my approach to dealing with this little bother I am facing, so maybe I am in training after all!


Wednesday 14 November 2012

Todays' blog will be short and sweet.  I am definitely not well today.  Experiencing chemo hangover big time.  Have wolfed my biscuits several times and am knocking back anti  nausea drugs like crazy.  Sure hope this is just a result of a little bit of jet lag combined with the treatments.  It really sucks!

Found a little excerpt  I really liked the other day and as I'm not feeling too chatty or creative will share it with you.

PLAN B:  Plan A was always my first choice.  You know, the one where everything works out to be happily ever after.  But more often than not, I find myself dealing with the upside-down, inside-out version where nothing goes as it should.

It's at this point that the real test of my character comes in.  Do I sink or do I swim?  Do I wallow in self-pity and play the victim, or simply shift gears and make the best of the situation.  The choice is mine.  After all....LIFE IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU HANDLE PLAN B!

(I'm swimming.....with snorkel and fins!  Plan B is in control!)

Kind of like "You are in charge of your attitude!"  Having shared this I'm signing off and heading down to my sunny chair for the afternoon.Tomorrow will be a better day!

Tuesday 13 November 2012

It's 10 PM and my day is finally over!  Started off getting up to use the bathroom.  It was still dark so assumed I could climb back into bed.  Glanced at our clock radio and it read 8:10 which of course was 7:10 because we had not changed it for daylight savings time.  Still, panic....In Hawaii it was totally light by 6:20 AM so I'm a little off kilter with this darkness thing then realize that I have 50 minutes to shower, have breakfast and be at the hospital for my bloodwork.  Didn't quite make it but I was there by 8:10 which was acceptable.  There was, as I anticipated a wait but not as long as I had expected so got in there relatively quickly.  Asked the tech how long it would take for the results to be processed and she said an hour to an hour and a half.  My treatment was booked for 9:30 so I'm already realizing it's going to be late.  Did my usual observation of patients....watched at least three throw various versions of hissy fits while getting their blood taken.  One was on the recliner balling, another bunched his face up and groaned and the third just looked at the roof with absolute terror.  All of these people were patients up in the daycare so can't imagine how they take their chemo when a simple blood test sends them into various fits.  (Here I should apologize for my callousness as I am sure there are readers out there who have this needle phobia.....I even know of a few of you but will be kind enough not to mention any names!)  Anyways...finished up there and headed up to the coffee shop to get a latte.  I have become quite spoiled since my visit to Maui.  Duane was up every single morning making us lattees before any of us even got downstairs.  This morning I didn't even have time for a coffee before leaving home so needed a little kick start at this point as I knew this was going to be one heck of a long day.  Got up to the daycare and found, as expected the blood work had not yet come in so was told to just sit and wait.  Well, you should have seen that waiting room this morning.  There was hardly a seat in the place, probably because of yesterdays closure.  I sat beside a man who was there for his first treatment.  He had tongue cancer and was quite nervous about what was to come.  On top of that he told me he was having trouble swallowing his pills so I shared the applesauce tip that Marion gave me and the crushed banana trick that I later discovered for myself.  I then told him about the dissolving anti nausea drugs that my daughter put me onto so he was pretty happy about that.  Finally got called in around 10:15 although my drugs had still not arrived from pharmacy.  You sit in cubicles with another patient and I had three cubicle mates over the course of the time I was there.  All, in my opinion were in a worse state than I.  And I gladly chirped away on advice and pep talks for the entire duration of my treatment.  I had taken my kindle, my i phone, my computer, and my journals to kill the time and I didn't pull one of them out of my backpack I was so busy chatting people up!  The funniest one though was the second fellow.  He was having chemo and radiation and had terrible sores on his lips.  I burned my lips in Hawaii and found that the polysporin lip stuff was an amazing cure for the problem so I asked him if he had tried that one.  Fortunately his nurse was there when I offered up this suggestion and countered my advice by saying you couldn't use polysporin because it is petroleum based.  I jokingly said "What happens....do you spontaneously combust?"  She looked at me with dead seriousness and said it was a possibility.  I don't recall getting that advice before I had radiation so am just grateful I didn't have lip sores as I very well not be here to tell this tale!  The second funny thing was I was telling one of my cubicle mates about the show of terror I had watched in the lab.  I then told him and the nurse that my Mom used to be a nurse and the one thing she didn't have patience for was people who carried on like Pansies!  For pete's sake it doesn't hurt a bit."  The nurse agreed with me and then proceeded to do this guys IV.  Oh boy....guess what....a pansy!

This was the first chemo I have gone to without the company of a family member.  Geoff of course is in China, Kelli is back in Vancouver doing a rotation and getting packed up to move back to Calgary at the end  of the month and Bill was heading out to our friends' place to pick up Boomer.  I was just thinking about this when my phone rang and surprised me. Upon answering there was my dear daughter calling to see how things were going.  Even though she couldn't be there in person she took the time to call me and check up on how things were going.  Thank you Kelli!  It made my day!  Then there were also several texts from Bill....again....thank you Bill!  He texted to ask if my drugs had arrived and I advised I was just having the appetizer (hydration), or as they would call appetizers in Hawaii pupus and I was awaiting the main course.  He texted back and said "You mean poo poos!"  My response....."Actually, Shit shits!"  Probably not funny to you but it was to me!

Finished up around 3 and discovered I had lost my parking pass for the day.  Oh well, not to worry, I knew I was at the maximum $13 anyways and that is what they charge you for a lost ticket.  Headed off, picked up a few groceries and returned home to discover my fur child, Boomer, had returned home looking fat and happy!  It's great to have him home, although the first few walks with him are painful.  On our afternoon walk (which was short) I figured he marked at least 21 spots to let all the canines in the community know he had arrived home.  Then tonight we did the short loop around the block and he managed to pee a dozen times along the way.  I am totally awestruck by this capability.  When I reflect on the good old urine test we have all been subjected to where you are told to void a small amount, stop  and pee in the plastic cup to a certain level, stop and empty the remainder of your bladder into the toilet bowl.....This I find a total challenge, don't know about the rest of you.  So I cannot even imagine doing it 12 to 21 times on a walk around the block. Boomer, you are my hero!

Had a quick dinner and headed off to Sait for my Basic Photography class that I am taking with my friend Brenda.  She said she would wait for me outside the classroom and gave me some instructions where to go.  I got to Sait and parking was impossible.  I tried three different lots and all were full.  I thought the course was at 6 so was in major panic.  Finally went down a road in the complex and miraculously found a spot where there was no signage and another vehicle was parked there.  Took a second and third look and couldn't see anything saying you could not park there so pulled in but put the steering wheel lock on thinking it would be difficult to tow the vehicle if the steering wheel was locked.  Found the class and all the students (except Brenda) were sitting outside the class at tables and chair awaiting the instructors arrival.  All  had tripods as Brenda had told me we would need one for this weeks class.  Well, the instructor arrived but no Brenda so I went in, sat down and saved her a seat.  The instructor counted how many people were there and said "One missing so we will get started."  Well the subject matter didn't seem to jive with what Brenda had told me they had done last week but I was madly scribbling down notes and resisting asking questions as it was probably stuff I should know from the previous week that I had missed because I was on holiday.  Then he asked a question about the assignment and although I had done the assignment Brenda told me to do, it didn't seem to be the same subject matter that this guy was talking about, however, I miraculously put up my hand and got the right answer.  There were three possible answers so I guess my guessing average was pretty good.  I'm sitting there wondering where the heck Brenda was when two other girls walked in.  "Ah, the teacher said....everyone is here!"  I'm thinking, Brenda's not here and he said only one was missing and two just walked in.  Do the math.....I'm starting to figure it out.  I'm in the wrong place.  Finally at 7 he told us to take a break because he was going to introduce us to some heavy stuff before we changed location to go do some shooting with our cameras.  As far as I was concerned we had already covered the heavy stuff.  I didn't have a clue what he was talking about.   I took this opportunity to slide up and quietly ask if there was another photography class happening tonight because I had suspicions I was in the wrong spot.  Sure enough, Basic Photography was next door.  So I walked in 30 minutes late with my tail between my legs and missed the first half hour of teaching.  There was Brenda sitting there wondering where the heck I was.

Good class though....lots of info to process and I am quite distressed there is an exam and assignment you need to do to pass the course.  I haven't written an exam since I took the open water sailing course with Bill, Jenifer and Gary when we did a week of Sail and Learn out on the west coast a few years back.  If it hadn't been for Bill not covering his test paper,  and the instructor looking the other way, I'm not sure the three of us would have passed the test!

Class finished at 9:30 and I'm starting to think about where I had parked, hoping I didn't get a ticket!  No SUCH LUCK!  I came around the corner and there it was pinned under my windshield wiper!  Darn, darn, darn!  I whipped the ticket off the windshield but couldn't read it in the dark, walked around and checked again for signage and couldn't see any, got into my car and turned on the light and tried to read what it was for....illegal parking on private parking whatever the heck that means!  Just then Brenda drove up and laughed at me!  I hopped out and said do you see a sign saying "No Parking" and she didn't at which point I said "I'm not paying this damn thing!"  The only problem is they probably won't let me sign up for future courses if I don't.   Think at the very least I should write a letter.  Maybe I could take a photo of the lack of signage (although I'm suspecting if I go back in daylight I may see it) or perhaps I could try the sympathy approach....I was suffering from chemo brain?" Or maybe I should take my lumps and pay the darn ticket?????!!!!!

So the worst thing that happened today....."I SPENT $53 ON PARKING!"  The best thing that happened today...."I'M GOING TO BED!"

Monday 12 November 2012

Well, we are home and not that happy about it I might add.  I know I am not going to get even a little sympathy from any of you so won't whine too much.  Maureen and Duane dropped us at the airport last night.  Our flight was supposed to depart at 9:20 PM.  Of course it was delayed.  We sat on the tarmac for an hour before we were finally cleared for take off.  When we arrived at the airport I commented to Bill on the number of young couples travelling with infants and young children.  It seems to be the thing to do these days!  The plane was full of young kids and many babies.  We had one right behind us and he howled for the first hour.  I was thinking we were in for a rough few hours with this little guy, with amazing lungs, but he did settle down and slept pretty much the entire flight.  Didn't think I would sleep on the plane as I usually don't, but did manage to grab a couple of hours of shut eye.  Thought I felt pretty good when we landed.  My Dad, bless his soul, came to pick us up and had been waiting for over an hour for us to arrive.  Got home, unpacked and decided to head over to the hospital for my blood work for tomorrow's chemo.  The lab was closed in lieu of Remembrance Day.  I was supposed to get my tests done on Saturday when I got back but of course with our flight being cancelled that didn't happen.  Figured that my doctor and his nurse would be quite unimpressed with me on this as my chemo is first thing tomorrow morning and they need those results before they will proceed.  There isn't much wiggle room on booked times and they are pretty much inflexible on changing your times.  No wonder when you consider they put 150 people through  that unit each day!  We called the on call medical oncologist to see what he thought we should do.  Turns out the doctor on call was my doctor.  He wasn't at all upset that I hadn't gotten this done and said to just show up at 8 AM tomorrow and get the testing done before my chemo.  It would all go ahead as planned.  Not sure they are going to be as easy going when I tell them I am in Vancouver the day they booked my Pet scan.  I'm not totally at blame here.....we did ask my nurse Sally to book it after the 20th but somehow she missed this request.  I told Kelli I'm sure they view me as this high maintenance patient but she thinks different.  She thinks they are probably thrilled I am able to function and do the things I do despite the treatment regime they have me on.  Hope she's right because I will have to tell them on Wednesday that I'm not back until the 20th!

Anyways....left the hospital and went out for breakfast.  By the time we finished that I was feeling wiped as was Bill.  We came home and crawled into bed for three hours of solid sleep!  I'm up now and hoping I'm not going to be wide awake when I go to bed tonight.  I had planned to tough it out until bed time but just couldn't do it.  When I finally woke up I lay in my bed looking at a series of photos we have in our room of various adventures we have taken over the years.  Of the 23 pictures that include Machu Pichu, trekking in Nepal, hiking the West Coast Trail, sailing and kayaking off the west coast, cycling the Kettle Valley Trail, golfing and hiking in the Kananaskis, horse pack trips in the moutains etc. etc......THERE IS ONLY ONE PHOTO THAT HAS SNOW IN IT!  Hmmmm....wonder if that's telling me something??!

So tomorrow I will pack away my summer gear for awhile and dig out my winter woolies and boots.  Bill will go out to Kim and Greg's to pick up our Fur Child.  I have missed him and hope he doesn't sulk to badly when he arrives home.  #1 favourite oldest child and wife, Lindsey,  are now in China seeing the last of their wonders, The Great Wall.  I think they enjoyed India but were not sorry to leave.  Kelli was there a few years ago and says India stands for "I'll Never Do It Again."   Once they have seen the Great wall and some of the sights in China, they will head off to Thailand for a week to rest and recover.  Do some diving and beaching before they head back to life's realities which include jobs! #2 favourite youngest child is back in Vancouver doing an elective.  She is doing a stint as the doctor for the BC ballet and attends the ballet in case medical care is needed.  Pretty good gig!  Her boyfriend, Mike, has just started his work here in Calgary as an Emerg doctor.  I'm thinking he's getting a pretty rough introduction to Calgary weather after being in Vancouver these past few years.  Fortunately he is a snowboarder so hopefully that will keep him happy with the snow.  They have finally found a place to live and are moving in December 1st.  I think both will feel relieved to have a place to settle as things have been very unsettled for both of them these past several months.

Time to sign off...Until tomorrow!

Sunday 11 November 2012

Parental Warning!  Todays blog contains subject matter that may be offensive to some viewers.  Strong sexual content!  (Just to give you a heads up....."Fifty Shades of Green"  Turtle porn!!!

We have discovered the mystery of why there are so many turtles her on Kamaole Beach.  As I mentioned earlier in the week,  Maureen and Duane have discovered what they thought was some sort of sunken scaffolding on the bottom of the ocean about 200 yards out from shore.  Turns out it is a turtle brothel where guys just drop in for casual sex.  Poor girl is trapped in the scaffolding!  (see photo below!)
Fifty Shades Of Green
Behind The Green Door

What Happens In Maui, Stays In Maui

We have also made an interesting discovery.  Supposedly male turtles have long tails....we don't think they are tails at all!  Go figure!

Sadly our week here has come to an end.  I am pretty much packed but have somewhere along the line lost my capri pants that I was going to wear home.  I said to Bill that I'm going to be that loser who arrives in Calgary that everyone will be going nudge, nudge to each other and commenting "Look at that loser..... showing off my suntan!"  Luckily for me, Maureen has a spare pair of long pants that she is going to lend to me....thank goodness.  Don't want to arrive home to snow and cold in a tank top and shorts!

Have had the BEST holiday!  Two weeks on Hawaii with Kelli and Mike and then another week and a bit here on Maui with our friends Maureen and Duane!  What more could we ask for! Special time with family and friends, great weather, fun activities, beautiful scenery, fabulous snorkelling with unbelievable turtle watching opportunities, snorkelling with Manta Rays,  swimming with spinner dolphins, volcanoes, great food,  afternoon iced lattees, etc. etc.  A FANTASTIC TRIP AND ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!
I guess I should be grateful that I am still here because according to the original plan we should just about be boarding the plane to head home right about now.  Instead we have been granted one day reprieve from the snow and cold.

Saw a quote my friend Lisa posted on Facebook and loved it!  If you haven't seen it here it is......pretty much sums up my view on life!

Life is a song-sing it
Life is a game-play it
Life is a challenge-meet it
Life is a dream-realize it
Life is a sacrifice-offer it
Life is love-enjoy it!
Sai Baba

These past three weeks have been full of song, challenge, dreams and love!  Not too much sacrifice.....that happens tomorrow when we board Air Canada to head back to Calgary!  This is a holiday we won't soon forget!

Today a low key day.  Started out with the usual routine. Bill and I went to the gym and Maureen and Duane went for their morning walk on the beach.  We all met back here for breakfast and then headed off to the beach.  The water was a little rough this morning but there were turtles to be found.

After lunch we headed into Lahaina to do a little shopping and stayed for supper.  So nice to sit on an outdoor deck overlooking the ocean.
We leave tomorrow night......Thanks to all of you who have been constantly reminding me of what we've been missing back home!  And an especially big thank you to our awesome neighbor Pat who has shovelled our driveway.  We owe him big time.

Hope you aren't getting tired of turtle pictures!  It has been such an amazing year for seeing them!  We never get tired of it.  Here's today's shots!



Saturday 10 November 2012

I have been here for three weeks and I don't think there has been a single day that I haven't exclaimed at the end of the day...."That was a great day!"  This morning we checked on the weather in Calgary and with the windchill there was a 55 degree difference in the temperature between here and there.  Duane's
daughter Danielle sent us this picture to get us ready for the trip home!

                                                                 Calgary today
                                           Maui today!

We played Elleair Golf Course today.  Bill and I have not played there before but it is a favourite of Maureen and Duanes'.  Beautiful course with ocean views and only a five minute drive from their place to get there.  We had a great time and the guys both had good games.  Got back home around three and Duane, Maureen and I decided to hit the pool and Bill decided to go for a run!  Crazy guy!!!  Cooled down and came back to get ready to go out for dinner.  As backwards as it seems, Maureen and Duane took us out for dinner to a beautiful restaurant at the Wailea Golf Course.  Three of us had the Catch of the Day which was Mahi Mahi (probably one of the most delicious fish dishes I have ever had) and Maureen had the Ahi.  It was a very lovely evening and one that we won't forget.


And the food was DELICIOUS!

Tomorrow Bill, Maureen and I will hit the beach and cross our fingers that the turtles are back in mass. Unfortunately, Duane forgot to reformat his card the other day when he was videoing the mass of turtles on the reef and we have no pictures.   If not, the memories of that wonderful sight will have to suffice!  Also plan to go to Lahaina and wander some of the shops tomorrow afternoon.  We are all starting to lament the return to Calgary.  Would love to just stay put!                                        

Thursday 8 November 2012

We are shaking our heads in disbelief knowing that the end of our wonderful vacation is drawing near! A bonus for sure that Air Canada has granted us one day reprieve but still I keep getting these emails from all of you at home describing the weather.  I had the funniest email from my friend Jenifer today.  She attached a picture of herself along with the caption "I don't hate you!"
Thanks for the chuckle Jenifer but I'm going to put a contrasting photo below of what my day was like today.
Hard to believe we are on the same planet isn't it?  I'd hate me if I were you!

Day started out with me opening my eyes to the most amazingly beautiful sunrise!  It is not hard to get out of bed here and we are all up bright and early every morning.  Today we had our surf boards until 10 AM so Duane, Maureen and I headed down to the beach to get a paddle in before the boards had to be returned and Bill of course, deeming this a "girlie sport" decided to do something manly and went for a run.  The ocean was like glass this morning and we all enjoyed our time on the water immensely.  After we all had a decent paddle, Maureen and I paddled out and anchored ourselves to a buoy where we could enjoy the sun and visit.  As we were sitting there chatting an elderly lady came swimming up to us.  She needed to get past us to touch the buoy we had tethered ourselves to.  I told her she was welcome to hold onto my surf board but she said "No, she needed to touch the buoy for Bertha.  Bertha was her friend and she was 101 and she couldn't make it today for their swim because their ride to the beach had arrived too late."  Apparently she and Bertha do this swim together on a daily basis.  The distance from the beach to this buoy was easily the distance of a football field, maybe even a little longer.  Maureen and I were both amazed at this and upon further inquiry discovered that our swimming friend was 94!  I exclaimed that I would be sending my Dad an email tonight to tell him I had found the girl for him.  She just laughed and said she had already outlived two husbands and wasn't looking for anymore!  What a gal!

Returned the surfboards and decided to head out to the reef to check out the snorkelling.  It was the most amazing morning for snorkelling with turtles today.  I found myself face to face with five large turtles.  Bill was a few meters away from me so I swam over and told him to come and have a look at the five I had found.  He looked at me and said he had five right in front of him.  Ten large turtles all around us!  It was fabulous!  The funniest thing is you get the distinct impression that they are checking you out just like you are checking them out.  We have seen turtles in Maui on previous visits but NEVER like we have seen them this year.  It is so wonderful to see the reef thriving and beautiful with all the spectacular sea life!  We never get tired of it!  I think Duane has some group photos of the turtles and will attach them later.

Came back to the condo for lunch.  Maureen and Duane had an owners meeting this afternoon so Bill and I went off to check out a carpet store in Kapelua where these guys had purchased a beautiful Hawaiian carpet.  We were just going to "look" but ended up putting a deposit on one for ourselves.  We often like to buy a holiday souvenir and this one will fit perfectly into our living room.   We now just have to figure out how we are going to get it home.

Tomorrow we are off to Elleair to play golf.