Sunday 30 June 2013

WHITE RABBITS!  WHITE RABBITS!  WHITE RABBITS!  WHITE RABBITS! And A HAPPY CANADA DAY TO ALL TOMORROW!!!



Still laying low which I know people find hard to imagine.  Today I parked myself under the deck in the shade with my book and enjoyed a pretty full day of reading.  Kelli arrived home late afternoon and begins work at the Foothills tomorrow morning at 6 AM!

Thought today would be a good day to revisit one of the scariest, perhaps most memorable Canada Days our family has every experienced.

Several years ago Bill and I were out at Mt. Kidd on a camping weekend with friends.  We were just heading back to the campsite after a great day of hiking when my cell phone rang.  You know it's a bad call when your son is telling you to be calm before he has even told you what happened.  Turns out my Dad was riding his bike into Invermere to drop off his taxes at the tax office.  When he reached the turnoff toward Invermere he was struck by a very large motor home.  Medical personnel had wanted to airlift him to Calgary however there were thunder showers in the region that night so they decided instead to transport him by ambulance to Cranbrook.  I have talked about his hospital experience at the Cranbrook Hospital in previous blogs so won't revisit that part of the story.  Suffice to say I have told my family if I am ever a trauma case shoot me before you take me to Cranbrook. Kelli has since worked here and assures us things are much improved but Dad and I had such a negative experience there I'm not sure either of would ever consider giving them a second chance.  When he was finally discharged we returned to Windermere for a long summer of recuperation.  I pretty much spent the summer out there with dad and although the circumstances of the visit weren't great we still enjoyed our summer together.   I learned the fine art of pruning (I'm not sure that's the right term) Begonias and became an expert at pinching off male and female parts.  Sounds a little sadistic doesn't it!?  After a few weeks of being back in Windermere we went to the RCMP office to see if we could retreive Dad's bike.  The office was quiet that day and when we walked in the officer the desk took a distinct double take and then exclaimed "You're alive! We thought you had died!"  The amazing thing is that I do believe most people Dad's age would have died from a collision of that magnitude.  Several weeks after the accident I saw a picture that had been published in the Valley Echo of Dad lying in the middle of the highway with medics and police everywhere.  I also saw a picture of the motor home that had hit him!  It was stunning to think he had survived that!  Probably one of the most upsetting and disturbing things about this whole thing was that we never once heard from the people who had struck him down.  I remember commenting to someone about this and they said that people would not do this because it might in someway hurt them should the case ever come to a law suit.  I myself cannot imagine hitting someone on a bicycle and never once making inquiries as to how that person was doing or if he had in fact survived.  There was no blame placed on the driver of the motor home so this seems like a very weak excuse.  You just have to give your head a shake.  In any case I watched my Dad go through his rehab.  One thing about Dad... give him a program to recover and he will commit to it 120%  I have watched him go through many things over the years, including his knee replacement.  He is totally disciplined and determined to do whatever it takes.  There are no short cuts, there are no days off....if anything we are always trying to rope him in!  I'm hoping I have a little of that tenacity in myself, although over this past week I haven't been inclined to do much.  Once I start to rebound a little though I will be back on the walking paths, back on the bike paths, back at my workouts, back on the golf course.  Once again the blog has pointed something pretty important out to me.  When you do nothing there is nothing to talk about...the days tend to run together into a series of grey days despite the sunny skies above.  I know I need to get back at it and I know it is frustrating for those who care about me to watch me happy to sit.  But sometimes you have to sit before you throw yourself into the activity part of recovery.   There is a fine balance and at the moment what I need is time for my blood to recover so that my energy levels will rebound to a level where I can start to enjoy the things I love to do.  This includes spending time with people.  So be patient.....I will be back....it's just taking a little time to get there.  All is good!

Saturday 29 June 2013

Not sure what happening with the dates on my blog.  I do put in the proper date but have noticed they are coming up differently.  Will have to check with one of my techy kids in the next couple of days and see if we can figure out what is happening there.

Things continuing on in a similar fashion.  I have just made the decision to hang out at home until I'm ready to be out and about.  I seem to be able to entertain myself with very little at the moment and tasks that I would normally complete in no time seem to take longer.  Thanks to those of you who have offered up suggestions on how to deal with this.  My friend Colleen suggested I set small goals for myself....and then try to stick to them.  Todays goal was to clean up my photo supplies which I have had spread all over a table in Kelli's bedroom.  This is not exactly a small goal but I took quite awhile to do it and yes...goal was accomplished.  I also managed to get her bed changed which, you might laugh or cry......was a bit of an aerobic workout and when it was done I actually felt I had earned the right to lay down on it!  This is unreal!  I have never felt like this in my entire life.  Still, I am puttering and telling myself this is going to get better.....I just have to give my body time to get jump started.  We actually barbecued a steak tonight.  I haven't been eating a lot of meat, mostly chicken and seafood but figured a little iron rich Alberta beef might help.  I know Boomer and Bill appreciated sinking their teeth into something a little more solid tonight.  You can only eat so much fish and chicken.

We are loving this weather!  It has been awhile getting here but hopefullyl summer has in fact arrived.  I am quite anxious to get out to the lake for some golf and we are crossing our fingers that this might happen in the next week or so.  I think both Bill and I could use a change of scenery.  I keep trying to encourage him to go and work on a job he is in the middle of but I know he feels reluctant to leave me for long periods.  Silly really because I'm really not that sociable.  Oh well, we all deal with this differently.  Anyways....I'm sure teachers were doing the dance of joy today!  Two months of freedom! Two months to regenerate!!!  Ranchlands is getting a facelift next year.  Sounds like there are some  big changes in the wind!  It will be a good thing.  Time for a change!

Smile though your heart is aching 
Smile even though it's breaking 
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by 
If you smile through your fear and sorrow 
Smile and maybe tomorrow 
You'll see the sun come shining through for you 

Light up your face with gladness 
Hide every trace of sadness 
Although a tear may be ever so near 
That's the time you must keep on trying 
Smile, what's the use of crying? 
You'll find that life is still worthwhile 
If you just smile 

That's the time you must keep on trying 
Smile, what's the use of crying? 
You'll find that life is still worthwhile 
If you just smile

Friday 28 June 2013

Getting to be that time of the month.  Actually got this off a website that advertises 100 photos of bunnies to bring you luck for the whole year!  Monday morning!  Canada Day and White Rabbits!  Perhaps all the luck should be forwarded on to flood victims this month!

Trying to stay positive, patient and to persevere.  On the positive side of things Geoff sent me a good one today….  "THINK POSITIVE For example:  I fell down the stairs today and thought, Wow! I sure fell down those stairs fast!" -unknown

I am starting to slide into this routine of moving slowly and taking the day as it unfolds.  I notice Bill has stopped saying "What are you going to do today?"  Even Geoff called tonight and said "How is your day?" so I guess they are listening.

Kelli's graduation was lovely last night.  We were so sorry to not be there but it sounded like it was a special evening for all who were!  She is home Sunday afternoon and starts her new program at 6 AM Monday morning!

Today actually was quite productive.  I actually completed my 1988 photo album.  As metionned earlier  I am having to restore some of my old albums where you just peeled back the plastic covering and stuck in your pics.  I have noticed as of late the photos are starting to yellow and have come to realize that if I don't do something about it I'm going to lose these momentos of my family growing up.  It has been a huge job but I have now redone three of my albums and still have a few to go.  It is like a wonderful trip down memory lane.  I don't know about the rest of you but I tend to put all this work into my albums and then they sit on the shelf only to come off on the rare occasion we are looking for something specific.  Last week my sister in law was here and I hauled up my West Coast Trail albums. You may not look at those albums a lot but when you do I must say you sure do appreciate the effort you put into them.  1988 has been a joyful experience.  I just smile when I see how busy we were as a family.  Summer holidays at the lake, block parties, birthday parties, the landscaping of our current home, kayak trips, and numerous back country horse pack/fishing trips, stampede breakfasts, visits to the zoo and Butterfield Acres.  They are all there!  Along with that you come to realize how much time was spent with certain families and just how long some of these people have been an important part of your life.   Our kids literally grew up alonside these friends and although over time we may have drifted the memories have lingered and make you want to get together again.  You laugh at the range of hairstyles and fashion.  My God....did I really wear that!?  Cringe!

So tonight I added 1988 to the shelf in the Family room.  Tomorrow I will decide what to tackle next.  It is a pretty good project to take on given my current state.

How was the day?  Perhaps a little better,  it's hard to say for sure.  I think this is going to be one of those recoveries that will turn around and then slowly climb back to where I start to feel some of my energy levels return.  It isn't going to be a wake up one morning and go...Wow....I'm better, that's for sure.  Think I'll go play 18 holes of golf today!

I continue to watch the efforts of people cleaning up their homes and admire those of you who are showing up in those distressed areas to help out.  Maureen is baking muffins for millions tomorrow.  She is not sure how to go about distributing them but from what I've seen this doesn't really seem to be a huge problem.  Lindsey's Mom Terry made hundreds of sandwiches last weekend and she and her friend Shelia drove down and handed those out.  I have heard stories of others putting on their rubber boots and showing up shovel and broom in hand to aide with the cleaning up. I wish there was more that I could do myself but know how much I admire each of you who is taking the time and effort, not to say contributing your finances to helping these people.  I can't help but think that this will have long reaching impact both on those who are on the receiving end and those on the giving end.  Admirable!

Thursday 27 June 2013

I should probably start a strike off calendar for how long I think I am going to be in this state.  Another tough day and realistically I know it could get worse before it gets better.  The drugs they are giving me are targetting the white blood cells and the platelets to bring them down into the range of normal but unfortnately they aren't discriminant and while they are doing the job they are supposed to do they are also killing off good cells and much of my hemoglobin.  Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood.  The fact that I was a runner for years and years probably was a contributing factor to my previously high levels of hemoglobin.  I have gone from what was normal for me high level of hemoglobin to counts of around a hundred and from what the doctor said to me at my last visit they expect it will probably continue to drop until it starts to rebound.  To me this translates that I will feel worse before I feel better.  I am mentally prepared for this but know I will be irritable and cranky along the way.  Bill just shrugs and  lets me be but at the same time he is doing everything in his power to cheer me up. Tonight was Kelli's graduation dinner in Vancouver and we decided it would not be in my best interests to go.  So instead, he planned a graduation supper at home for us.  King Crab Legs!  They were delicious but in his usual overexhuberant fashion he cooked about triple what I could proably eat under normal circumstances.  Did my best but we certainly had food left over.  Kelli in the meantime is off to the dinner with her fellow residents.  I was happy to hear she was not the only one attending without family support.  I have not missed many special days in either of my kids lives and this was a tough one to bow out on.
Today Bill worked on our yard and I caught up on a bunch of little sitting tasks I have been procrastinating on.  I took one trip out to the store to pick up some supplies for my photo album redo and that just about did me in.  I know Bill would love to get down into the flood zone and help out and I think he should just go but on the other hand he doesn't feel right leaving me on my own despite my insistence that this is exactly what I need right now.  When I'm alone I don't feel the need to justify why I'm sitting on a chair watching my garden grow.  I don't feel like I need to be doing anything.  I had an email from a good friend yesterday who has been battling huge fatigue issues for sometime now and she really managed to put things in to perspective for me.  She says her husband no longer asks her what she did today....he asks how her day was.  People mean well I know but almost everyone looks at you and asks what you've been up to and what are your plans for the long weekend and what are you going to do today.  When you think about it it is the most natural question in the world until you are faced with the scenario that there is nothing you really can do at the moment, when you body is screaming at you to slow down and let it recover, when it is actually physically impossible to do things that only a week ago you were accomplishing with ease.  I must content myself with the knowledge that this will improve.  I will be back on my bike in time for the ride, I will be back on the golf course before the end of July and I will slowly start to take charge of my life again.  I just need to be patient and give myself the time I deserve. Thanks to those of you who have offered up assurances that you don't care if I'm snappy and grumpy.....I try not to be but every so often I just seem to lose control over that aspect of things.  I am going to try to lay low.....I wish I could be out there helping those people who need our assistance and I thank those of you who are throwing yourselves whole heardedly into the task of helping these people reclaim their homes.  Calgary has proven itself to be worthy of it's reputation of being one of the friendliest places on earth but also has demonstrated what can be accomplished when people ban together and help others in need.  Good on those of you who have embraced this philosophy. You are making a difference!

Wednesday 26 June 2013

I have neglecged the blog for a day.  I had my appointment at the Tom Baker on Tuesday, another long, long day.  We arrived early for blood work that the doctor wanted to have prior to meeting with me.  I was sitting there waiting for the tech to get to me and it was a busy day.  I took note that the one approaching me was one who is a recent hire.  I think the last time I was in she was having her orientation.  Inwardly I groaned a little as Ihave noticed that over time my veins are getting more and more scarring and getting into them is a bit more of a challenge than it once was.  Oh well....hope for the best.  Unfortunately, I recognized the symptoms of a nervous Nellie.  Slow, slow insertion of the needle, which always hurts more and then very slow flow of blood.  She wiggle it and squiggled it and finally said she "thought" that would be good enough.  We left there and headed upstairs for an ECG then back to wait to see the doctor.  After waiting for about 30 minutes in came the nurse and announced that the lab had just called and there was not sufficient blood in the sample and I would have to return to the lab for a second blood test, then another hour wait for the results.  Not impressed!  Sat down in my chair and shook my head in disblief when, as luck would have it, the same tech as I had earlier approached me to do it again, clearly having no recollection of me.  I usually say nothing but have been a tad cranky lately and said "Hmm, you're going to try again I see....."  She looked at me with a blank look and I told her I had been there an hour and a half earlier but that she had not taken enough blood.  She quickly said she would get another tech to do this test wich was a blessing because the second girl had absolutely no problem whatsoever.  Back to the waiting area and finally in to see the doctor an hour later!  I have been having severe fatigue since satrting on these new drugs.  Honestly, I would have to say the fatigue I have experienced on this drug have by far exceeded ANY reaction I have had to any other chemotherapy or radiation.  I am short of breath with very little exertion and find just moving from one room to the next tiring.  It is a stunning revelation for me.  I have been quite concerned about how I have been feeling.  The dotor reviewed my blood work and was very happy with the results.  My White cell count which at one point was 85 has now dropped to 18 (normal is 10}  my platelets are jumping around a bit but this is to be expected and should level out soon as well.  All my liver enzymes and other systems show normal or near normal readings which is reassuring but my hemoglobin is on the low side.  When I first started on this journey Kelli used to marvel at my hemoblobin.  Because of all my exercise and running I have always had a very high oxygen carrying capacity and normal hemoglobin for me was usually around 140.  Yesterday I was at 102.  She said if it dropped into the 80s or 90s they would give me a blood tranfusion but at this point I would just have to bear with this feeling of malias I am experienceing which really, really sucks.  Poor Boomer.  I don't even have any energy to take him for a walk at the moment.  If anyone out there ever feels like borrowing a black lab for a walk I have one to lend!  Anyways, the doctor said these symptoms should not last but I could feel lke this for up to a month.  I felt bad today when Kelli called. As most of would say conversationally she asked what my plans were for tomorrow and I actually snapped at her.  I had had the same question already today from Maureen, my Dad and Bill. I think I just want to hole up and become a recluse for about a month when I can emerge a much, much pleasant person.  This is so unlike me and to be physically exhausted from the moment you get out of bed is almost more than one can bare.  I know I have to plan some non-physical projects and did work on my 1988 photo album for awhile today which certainlyl did bring a few smiles to my face.
So my friends....bear with me....maybe give me a bit of a wide berth.  I am actually doing quite well and the outlook in a month or so is pretty positive.  I know I worry you.  I know this when I talk to my cousin on the telephone and she shows up on my doorstep 20 minutes later, just to say hi and eyeball me, I know this when my friend Kathy drives in all the way from Gull Lake to spend a day doing golf retail therapy with me (she hates retail therapy) I know this when I see the worried look on Jenifers face when I don;t eat my sandwich or when Maureen shows up with a seafood casserole she just happened to throw together this afternoon.  I try to be bright and cheery but it is eluding me at the moment.  I wrestled at sharing this with all of you today.  On the one hand I know how faithfully I have preached the positive card and for the most part I think I have played it well.  I thought to myself, I won't see most of these people over the next few weeks so I could just write cheery blogs and no one would be the wiser.  Then I realized that I have quite a few friends reading along who are traveeling along parallel roadways.  They are experiencing their own twists and turns and I know that it helps to hear that it is normal to have troughs once in awhile and that we must share these with those we care about.  So there will be better days ahead.....but I think I'm looking at a few weeks of pretty laid back living for a while at least.  Bear with me!


Monday 24 June 2013

Still trucking along but continue to have some issues which I'm pretty certain are related to these drugs they have been feeding me.  Powerful stuff.  I have handled most of the drugs really well, but suspect I'm not as strong as I used to be and they are starting to take their toll.  Mostly the problems are fatigue related but for me this has rarely been a problem and I have usually been able to barrel right through the fatigue.  Not so much now. I have not seen the doctor for a couple of weeks now and have appointments tomorrow so am hoping they can tweak some of the meds or at least offer some suggestions as to how I can deal with the problems I've been having. The good news is that I am sleeping much better at night which makes a huge difference.   Did get out and had lunch with Jenifer today which was really nice.  I haven't seen her in awhile.  We had planned to go out, however, the coffee shop was so busy we just decided to go back to her house for a sandwich.  Nice to just sit and have a bit of a visit!  She and Gary are looking forward to packing up and heading out to the Shuswap later in the week and for the first time thought they would be able to stay for the entire summer.  Unfortunately, they will have one trip home for the ride in August but other than that they won't have their usual back and forth travels as they have had for so many years when Gary was working full time.  Ahh the joy of retirement or in Gary's case semi-retirement!  So lovely to have the time to enjoy the places you love to be!

Geoff and Lindsey dropped by.  They just completed their latest work tour and are both shaking their heads at the stupidity and selfishness of "some" people.  You would think with the state of emergency the city is in that people would stop and consider the reasons they are calling the ambulance service.  Not so.  It is quite unbelievable what some people, fortunately not all, consider an emergency.

Just heard the long range forecast.  They are forecasting some pretty awesome dry weather ahead with forecasted highs of plus thirty as early as next week.  Wouldn't that be lovely?  I really want to get out to the lake to spend some time with Dad but have heard that the trans Canada is closed "indefinitely" and that to get there you have to take the long way round via the Crows Nest Pass, making a normally 3 hour drive a 5 hour trip.  Combine this with the July 1st weekend and it could be an ugly trip.  May just sit tight until things resolve themselves with highway travel.  I'm sure they will get something in place sooner than later so will make my decision a little later in the week. Trying to stay optimistic!!!



Sunday 23 June 2013

Happy Birthdaty Kelli!  I must confess I felt extreme relief when Geoff told me it was raining in Vancouver and you did not go skydiving!!!

We were home all day today.  I continue to struggle with fatigue issues which they did warn me of when I was started on these new drugs.  Hopefully over time these will moderate somewhat because I am not used to feeling dragged out like this all of the time.

Brian and Brenda dropped by and we had a great visit!  They had just come from Phils where they had taken Brenda's 94 year old aunt to celebrate her birthday!

As I was sitting on my deck today swatting mosquitos the size of small sparrows I could't help but think that just mere kilometers away from our grassy, green ravine, people and businesses continue to battle a state of Emergency as they attempt to pump out homes and basements.  We have actually not even seen any of the after effects of the flood as it has been asked time and time again for people to remain away from those areas.  Brian and Brenda said as they were going out for breakfast this morning they couldn't help but not shake their heads at the number of people who continue to drive down towards the Center Street Bridge.  Unbelievable!  Seeing it on the news is enough for me!  I feel so bad for those people.  The sad truth however, is that many will rebuild again in the same locations on the same flood planes and we will be faced with this tragedy again.  Yes, it does seem harsh that insurance companies do not cover such acts of God when built on flood planes but common sense has to prevail.  To simply rebuild is foolish.  It is my opionion that communities in these low lying areas need to seriously look at preventative measures such as building burms that would help divert the flow of water.  Expensive in the short term for sure but so is rebuilding!   In the meantime it is heartbreaking to watch people trying to salvage things from their homes, many having lost everything.  On the flip side one feels a certain degree of pride in the manner by which so many Calgarians are throwing their support behind these work measures and relief efforts!  There are so many good people out there!  So often you watch the news and it is depressing story after depressing story of the cruel and sick things supposed human beings do to each other.  Yes, this news is also sad and depressing, yet at the same time somewhat uplifting when you realize there is a real sense of humanity and community out there....people wanting to help out in any way they can!

Saturday 22 June 2013

I'm just sitting between periods of the hockey game and decided to send off todays blog.  I just got off the phone to Kelli.  It is her birthday tomorrow!  Hard to believe my baby is going to be 28!!!  Happy Birthday Baby Bear!  She decided not to come home for the weekend once the ride was cancelled which both Bill and I thought was the sensible thing.  Crazy to rush back for a day and a half of visiting, then rush back out to Vancouver again Sunday night to do a presentation of her Research Paper on Monday morning.  At least,  I thought it was sensible until she told me what she thought she might do tomorrow to celebrate her birthday.  She and frienss are considering going SKY DIVING tomorrow, symbollic of a giant leap forward.  I thought she was leaping pretty good already!  On the more positive side I did detect a hint of uncertaintity in her voice and would not be the slightest bit disaappointed if she stuck to brunch out with some friends!  That sounds so much better.....try a new food!    But sky diving????  I honestly can't say too much because when I was her age it was always high on my list of must dos.  Fortunately, over time I lost my desire to do this and am hoping like heck that she experiences the same sensation but over the next 24 hours instead!

My friend Kathy drove in from Gull Lake this morning.  She was supposed to attend a backyard wedding today, however, the bride and groom have decided to put it off until later in July.  Instead she came and picked me up to go for a little retail therapy.  Now if you know my friend Kathy this is too funny!  Retail theraoy is never high on her list of things to do but she is in charge of prizes for a small golf tournament and thought I might like to tag along.  It was a good idea.  I have had a pretty quiet week since going on these new drugs and have only been out a few times.  Time to get off the pot and get back at it.  We finished our therapy, grabbed a bite of lunch and came back home to squeeze in just a little more visiting time.  I told Bill I was surorised she even came given the fact that the wedding was cancelled and he told me she was worried about me and needed to lay her own eyes on me first hand.  I'm not sure that's too reassuring to most people these days but hopefully as I get my systems adjusted to all these new drugs things will imrove.

Last night I dropped in at a friends Margarita Mommies Party!  Great little get together.  Shared some pretty good chuckles with some pretty awesome women and headed home around 10 to let these girls really get down to the business of having a party!  They had lots to celebrate last night and it was ramping up to look like a pretty fantastic evening!

Tomorrow I will post a special birthday video for Kelli on Facebook that was to be played at the finish line of the Ride To Conquer Cancer tomrrow.  Be sure to check it out....there's some pretty special talent featured!

Friday 21 June 2013

One of those days where I have literally done nothing but read a book!  I did have a pretty good last night last night.  Must confess methadone is an amazing pain killer but it does not come without its side effects and I have been experiencing some of those.  As you know from my previous experiences with narcotics, I do not handle them well.  Last night I climbed into bed and decided to read my book for a few minutes before attempting to go to sleep.  About 5 minutes in my reading I noticed troical fish swimming around on the ceiling of my bedroom and these were pretty spectacular ones.....they were actually sparkly!!  The good news is that I know exactly what is causing the hallucinations for the most part and have not had the more serious paranoid, delusional behaviour I had after my first surgery.  After awhile the fish changed into colorful lanterns.  Kind of like having your own personal fireworks display before shutting down for the night.  I did wake up once in the night and found myself staring down a cannonball hanging from the ceiling.  So weird.  I did call my doctor today as he wanted me to report any unusual findings and I'd say these are a little on the unusual side.

I had a chuckle reading a facebook conversation today between two friends.  One was saying she had heard they were going to put the big cats in the jail cells at the remand center.  The other friend assured her that was not the case.  Bill worked on the 100 year flood plan a few years back and yes, there was a contingency plan to house the lions at the remand center if needed.  So far, I don't think they have gone there, but friend #1 was totally right!  It is in the action plan for evacuating zoo animals.

It has been really cool to watch how Calgarians have rallied their support behind the thousands of people who have been displaced.  I saw a couple of families who made over 400 sandwiches for the drop in center and have admiration for those who have offered to open their homes to people in need.  I cant help but think how heart breaking it would be to be in a position of possibly losing your home and just heard on the news there have been four reported deaths.  I just talked to Dad out in Winderemere.  Last year Montainside Golf Course pretty much lost half the course due to mud slides for most of the season.  Today three of the holes had mud slides again.  We also heard of friends who live down by Chain Lakes who are in danger of losing their home to a raging stream that is currently threatening their home.  So glad we live on high ground but feel for those who do not!

I am hoping to drop into a house party tonight but will only go briefly if I do go. Feeling a little couped up today and  pulling my nose out of the book and being a little social might be a good thing for me!


Thursday 20 June 2013

A bit of a Bummer Day for all of us today to find out that the ride has been postponed until August 10/11 due to flooding conditions in Southern Alberta. I know I have been struggling as I try to get adjusted to all the new medications I have been prescribed, however, I was still feeling well enough that I know I would have been able to participate and enjoy the experience!  Now I am back into the uncertainty of the future and as always there is no crystal ball to gaze into to tell me what August 10 and 11th are going to look like.  On the negative side.....well, we just won't go there at least not with the written word, however on the flip side it is quite possible that I may be having a positive response to the medications and will be ready to take the bull by the horns, or at least the bike by it's handle bars and make a respectable showing!  Only time will tell and there is absolutely no point in worrying and fretting over what I cannot change. The kids may also have issues in August as it is prime holiday time and they, at this point do not have that weekend off!  Hopefully, some good friend will step up and do a sub for them.  It would be so unfair if they could not do this ride after all they have done to organize us and help us raise our funds.  Only time will tell and there is absolutely no point in worrying and fretting over what I have no control over.   I have preached that rule to myself over and over so why would I change it up now!  Today was a very quiet day.  I had lots of visitors yesterday which was awesome but today I decided if I was going to be riding on Saturday I should be banking up on rest and making certain that I was as rested as possible.  I went for a walk with Boomer, puttered around the house for a bit and then had an hour nap.  Of course Bill arrived home when I was napping and was immediately concerned that I was sleeping.  Napping is something I so rarely do during the day but I assured him I was fine....just taking advantage of the location and kind of day it turned out to be.

So for now I'll try to keep up some cycling and will be thinking about pulling out the clubs again.  I have appointments next week but if they go well, i suspect we will get out and smack a few balls!

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Another blustery, rainy, grey day.....but I don't think there's a bike rider out there who isn't looking at the upcoming weekend weather forecast without great delight.  Sunny and warm, but not too warm.  Sounds almost too good to be true!  After last years rain (much like what we have experienced the last couple of days) this will be a gift to everyone.

We were home all of today.  It's amazing how little one can accomplish in a day if one sets out to do so.  The home care nurse was over today.  One of the meds I am on needs to be closely monitored so they like to set you up with home care in the event it is needed.  Turns out the nurse is the sister of one of Bill's former secretaries.  If she's anything like Josie, Kathleen will be a total gem!  Basically just a meet and greet and again filling in the same old history that every individual or agency you come into contact with seems to need to have.  I wish I just had a copy of it and could hand it to them right off the bat but I'm sure there are rules surrounding this and everyone must collect their data independently.  Dad was in town for a couple of days so we have had the pleasure of his company for a bit.  He pretty much shuts down his place in Calgary over the summer months so we just told him to come here for all his meals.  No sense in buying milk and cereal etc. for one or two meals.  I had a bit of a restless night last night so didn't get up to have breakfast with the guys but did get to see Dad before he headed back to the lake after lunch.  Geoff and Lindsey stopped by for a bit and Jenifer called as well but Maureen and Duane were coming over with a nice surprise.  Lattes and Duanes latest toy.....a robotic vacuum cleaner that Maureen gave him for Father's Day.  Every guy should have one!  Pretty neat when friends show up for coffee and the little robot scoots around cleaning as you visit.  You should see this thing.  It knows where there are stairs and stops and changes direction when it comes upon them, it operates until it senses the room is clean or until it's battery starts to run out of charge, at which point it finds it's docking station and parks itself.  The thing is made by a very technical robotics company!  I think it could be an awesome thing to have if you have a pet who sheds (which I happen to have).  Unfortunately, my pawed friend is also "uncomfortable" around the vacuum cleaner.  He was hiding behind Duane in a corner watching this thing scoot around the kitchen, living room with great trepidation and looking up at Duane with that question in his eyes...."Will you save me if it comes this way, Plllleease!  I think he was very relieved when Bill finally shut it off.  I am sure if we went out for the day and left it on while away we would come home to a psycho dog or a dead robot!
                       Here it is!  Man's best friend....maybe that's what had Boomer worried!

Maureen also brought over our Honey Badger sign for the weekend.  Her son Paul and his fiancé Meghan will be manning the sag wagon.  They will offer assistence to the team and Maureen plans to have it stocked with snacks and drinks for those who need more than the rest stations can provide.  If you are looking for Honey Badger Riders this might be a good place to start! Paul and Meghan will be pulling over frequently in search of sagging riders and they most likely will have their finger on where the best spot to spot one of these creatures might be!
I mentionned I had had a bit of a restless night again last night.  I think I am experiencing a few of the side effects of Narcotics.  This time, however, I do recognize (for the most part) they are not real but nonetheless they are a little disturbing.  I woke up a couple of times in the night having conversations and didn't stop when I woke up!  The best one though was that around 10:30 last night, shortly after I had gone to bed,  there was a cacophony of howls and barks outside of our back yard in the ravine.  I don't know if you have ever heard coyotes when they have a kill but it is positively spooky.  Sends chills right up your back.  I always think of all the "Fluffy's Missing" signs you see posted on mail boxes and ravine benches.  I know of several people who have lost dogs and cats to the coyotes.  These guys were just having a party last night and woke me out of a dead sleep.  I leapt out of bed, my immediate first thought being that this is usually about the time Bill walks Boomer and what if it was Boomer they were saying grace over?  I rushed downstairs to see if Boomer and Bill were home but they in fact had gone for the walk.  I calmed myself down and went back upstairs but was not going to go back to sleep until I knew they were home safe and sound.  Well, I thought I heard Bill come in and have a telephone conversation where I thought he said (This is all we need right now)  For the record there was no such call made.  As I laid there the coyotes broke into another round of joyful yipping and once again I sprung from the bed and ran downstairs just as Bill was coming in.  You can imagine his shock when he sees his wild wife....hair every which direction demanding to know where Boomer was and was he OK?  He assured me everything was fine and bundled me back upstairs but it was a bit of a rough start to the night!  So today, rainy day that it was Boomer wanted to be a cross dresser!  I'm not sure why he would think he would be safer disguised,  but I'm sure you'll agree he does make a pretty fine looking cat!!

A great piece of news from Kelli today.  She is currently in Vancouver until Friday presenting her research project.  Each resident has to do some sort of research over the course of their residency.  She applied for a couple of awards and discovered today that she was the recipient of not the residents award but the BC Physicians Award.  They want her to present it at several conferences and to write a publication.  Along with this she gets a financial award as well.  Congratulations Kelli!  We are all so proud of you!  She flies home on Friday night for the ride on the weekend and her birthday on Sunday then has to return to Vancouver the following week.  Lifes a whirlwind right now that's for sure!

Tuesday 18 June 2013

TEAM TOTAL TODAY.....$119,965
Well, here it is.....I believe this will be close to our final team tally!  What a team!  So proud of all these people who range in age from early 20s up to mid 60's.  We have families, friends and friends of friends joining us all with a common goal.....to try to achieve the dream of finding a cure for cancer!  So far that cure has eluded the brilliant research minds but I have to believe that at some point in the future all of our efforts to help fund these programs will pay off.  We are all excited for the upcoming weekend!  The weather forecast looks optimistically hopeful!  I can hardly wait!

Long range plans have become difficult as I enter this next phase of treatment.  I have had to stick pretty close to home to be monitored as the drugs I am on are quite potent and they want to ensure I am tolerating them well. I definitely experience more fatigue than I have with previous treatments and have had some of the predicted side effects but those I can deal with.

 Plans have changed. Life changes.   I looked at Bill this morning and said "We should have just been getting back from our cycling trip in The Loire Valley in France.  Instead I am back at the Tom Baker pursueing yet another possibility.  I had not told many people about this trip.  Bill and I were going to go with Maureen and Duane.  It was going to be a good preparation trip for the upcoming ride.  I have always wanted to do one of these trips.  We have had several friends who have travelled to various parts of the world to cycle.  I can only imagine what a wonderful way it would be to experience all the sights, sounds and smells as you peddle through the surrounding countryside.  Perhaps it sill still be a possiblity.  We haven't cancelled....just postponed indefinitely.  Then we had hoped to go to Africa in October with the kids.  That too has been "delayed".  I had no idea where I would be at that point.  Boston? Boston?  And definitely these were priorities where we would want to put our money if they came to pass.  Africa was just too much money to put out with all the uncertainties surrounding me and my health right now and I was unable to get cancellation insurance and none of my family could get it either if the cancellation was related to my cancer.  Seemed foolish to sign up but I hope at some point down the road we will be able to revisit this plan as well. I love travelling with my family!  We are quite a compatible group on a trip!  We are hoping to head to Maui for a couple of weeks in October with the family.  This trip does not require as much pre-planning and we would not stand to lose as much if we could not go.  In any case....plans change and we have to prepared to adapt for what's best for that moment in time.....we take abrupt turns along the way but so far I am not unhappy with those changes.  I have bigger fish to fry at the moment!

So come on out on the weekend and cheer us on if you are looking for something to do.  We start and finish at the Grey Eagles Casino.  The finish line is always a great place to see your riders!  Again, and again, and again my family and I wish to thankyou for the love and support you have cloaked us in!  We are forever grateful to have you in our lives and want you to know that if any of you ever need the support you have given us we will be there for you!

Monday 17 June 2013

Settling back into the routine of hospital visits, doctors appointments and bloodwork.  It has been so nice to not be doing all of that these past few months but the vacation is over and it's time to wage war once again.

Bill and I headed over to the Foothills and I had my bloodwork done first thing this morning.  Monday mornings always seem to be the busiest.  Start of the week I guess and people need to be monitored.  We left there and headed out for brunch.  I think Bill always tries to put a little positive spin on my appointments.  He is so sweet that way and I sometimes wonder if he knows how much I appreciate these small acts that happen so frequently.

After breakfast we headed home and ran into Kelli parked at the side of the road about a block from our house.  She has been anxiously awaiting her final exam results.  They were supposed to come out last week on Wednesday, then sent out an email that said the marks would not be out until Friday.  On Friday, another email saying for sure the 17th.  We waited in our vehicle on the other side of the road wanting to be the first to know.  Honestly, I had no doubt she would pass.  One of her faults has always been to sell herself short but I guess there was one aspect of the exam that many people struggle on and she knows several very smart people who have had to do this more than once.  The good news was that even if she hadn't passed it would not have impacted her plans to do her R3 year in Emergency next year and that .....WOW....you get to write the second time for half price!  The darn thing costs close to $5000 to write!  I told her to come home as we had a little something for her.  Bill and I purchased a set of diamond studs for her.  We had planned to give them to her when she went back to Vancouver for the graduation dinner but we have decided to bow out of this part.  These past couple of weeks have been a little tough and although I am definitely improved I'm still not back to where I want to be.  We all feel a fourth trip to Vancouver (Even though we would fly this time) is not something I need to do.  Kelli says most of the residents in her program will be attending without family members and she's fine with us not going.  I'm not sure if she is just saying that.....hopefully not but I know she wants what's best for me at this point and if I went there and didn't feel well I would only spoil the event for her!

I do have a photo of the first day of Medical School but be darned if I can find it amongst my vast collection of pics.  Will keep looking and will add it if I find it! Here are a couple of the graduation pictures from Med School!  Seems sooooo long ago!!!






There were at least five Honey Badgers on the road today, riding to Ghost Dam.  A good day for a ride!  I was on the website doing some cruising today.  I have had some last minute donations (thank you) and have now personally raised close to $11,600.  The team have now surpassed $119,000 and are holding tenaciously on to our fifth place position.  I also noted that overall I am in the top 100 fundraisers for the event which makes me smile!

My brother and his wife dropped in this afternoon and we managed to polish off a plate of cookies and tea over a nice visit!

Later, I had a nice long walk with Boomer in the ravine after the rain storm passed through.  It was lovely out there and for once the mosquitoes were not too terrible.  Got home and had my dinner while Kelli and Geoff took Bill out for his fathers day evening consisting of dinner at Peters and the movie Star Trek!!!  Burp...they'll all be well greased for the weekend upcoming ride!!! I'm enjoying a quiet evening of hockey and the finale of The Voice!




Sunday 16 June 2013

Here's hoping everyone had a great Father's Day.  My Dad spent the weekend in the Valley playing golf with Kevin and Michele.  Bill's day didn't start out so great.  He made Kelli and I breakfast (something not quite right with that picture) and then she took him on a torturous 101 km bike ride out to the Cochrane Gas Plant and back.  We did make it up to him at dinner time though and tomorrow he gets to do two of his favourite things with two favourite people.  Geoff and Kelli are taking him to Peters Drive In for dinner and then the three of them are off to see the latest Star Trek Movie!  That to me is what Father's Day and Mother's Day should be about.  Doing something special with your Dad.  To heck with the extravagant gift stuff.  I think this sort of thing is far more appreciated and remembered, at least by Bill and I.  My Dad and I will celebrate our Father's Day sometime after the ride.  I, like Kevin, will head out to Windermere and we will spend a couple of days tearing up the golf course and trash talking how good we are going to be!  Unfortunately, it rarely happens for either of us but we do love talking about it!  In some ways, a good thing that I was unable to go this weekend as Dad will get to celebrate it twice!

I did a shorter bike ride than the rest of the crew today.  Duane, Maureen, Danielle and Kelli did around 80 km and Bill pushed it a little further.  I did substantially less but I did get out my bike today and put on some clicks in the saddle!  I'm afraid this rough patch I've had has put a bit of a damper on my training schedule and I am pretty sure I will be using the ace up my sleeve on the ride.....our own personal sag wagon for the saggers!  I'm OK with that.  I only hope that my many sponsors feel the same way.  Wouldn't want to commit a fraud getting your money for this cause!  As I've said many times my goal was to be out there participating and being part of the team.  That I know I am going to able to do.  I will start and I will finish and what happens in between is between myself and the mystery driver!

I think this guy would make a good playmate for my friend Jenifer's Labradoodle, Sienna!
Lindsey and Geoff worked nights last night.  Lindsey has been telling us about Geoff's talking and antics in his sleep.  Both my kids have been sleep walkers and talkers over the years.  Anyways, this morning Lindsey woke up to see Geoff standing on the bed holding on to the ceiling fan!  She said "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  You're going to wreck the motor on the fan!"  His answer...."I'm protecting you from this fan!"  Scary, especially given the fact that when he was six years old my brother was playing with him, tossing him up in the air and catching him.  Unfortunately, he tossed a little to far......right into my Mom and Dad's family room ceiling fan  There was a clunk, clunk and you could actually see his skull where the fan had hit.  At the time, he had a lazy eye so had a patch over his eye.  We left the patch and put an towel on the profusely bleeding head wound, rushing him to the Invermere Hospital where he received 29 stitches.  Kelli has done some rotations out in Invermere and the doctor still remembers this case 24 years ago! Apparently when we walked in with the bloody towel and the patch over the eye the medical staff had a sick feeling that the fan could have taken out his eye.  Very possibly could have as it wasn't to far off the mark!   It is scary to think he still thinks of fans as a threatening apparatus and even scarier how he chooses to deal with them!  Maybe a bedroom fan wasn't the best plan for him! Think I'm going to crash early tonight.  Need a little extra shuteye this week so I'm fit as a fiddle next weekend!

News updates:  The Dirty Beeches raised over $4,000 contributing to the event total of $67,000f for Lymphoma and Leukemia in this weekends Pineapple Challenge.  Congrats Lisa, Kim and Dusty....Great Job!

The Honey Badgers have surpassed our $118,000 goal.  We have not reclaimed our fifth place spot and remain in 6th place but we're still pretty awesome!  Most of the teams above us have many more players.  Enbridge has 140 riders on their team and I suspect if you did a team average we'd be giving them a run for their money!

A tribute to the two greatest Dad's in my life!  The one who raised me and the one who married me!
                                                                    MY DAD
                                    A photo to the one who was a great Dad to our kids!

Saturday 15 June 2013

Congrats to the girls who did the Pineapple Challenge today!  Lisa, Dusty and Kim!  Sounded like a total blast!  Let us know how you did!  This event was in support of Lymphoma and Lukemia.  Honestly, with all these cancer fundraisers you'd think we'd be closer to a cure!  Every time you turn around there's another worthwhile cause out there.

Had another pretty good night which is definitely helping how I feel during the day.  I think I'm having a mild reaction to the narcotics though.  I found that every little sound brought me around last night and I had some pretty graphic dreams around those sounds.  I have become a bit of a noisy sleeper since I developed vocal chord issues and occasionally almost make a whistling sound when  I inhale in.  This often wakes me up not to say what it does for Bill.  Last night I did the whistle and immediately awoke thinking that it was Kelli saying "Oooooooooo, Mom.....he's pooping on the carpet!"  I had this vision that she was sitting in the loveseat and I in the recliner in the family room and Boomer was between the two of us doing his business on the family room carpet.  Yuk!  It took me a minute to realize that in fact I was in my bedroom and there was no dog or daughter with me and certainly no doggy doo.  Then the rain started outside and each time I heard it I thought someone was creeping around my bedroom.  So totally weird but the good news is that this time I know it's the drugs and don't have the paranoia I had after my surgery.  I will start weaning myself back from the drug a little tonight as I the pain issues seem to have eased.

Kelli and Bill headed out for a bike ride today.  Kelli caved and bought a road bike.  I think I should be getting kickback shares from the bike stores in town.  I'd say at least 8 Honey Badgers have purchased new road bikes this year, including Geoff, Lindsey, and now Kelli.  I just know if I had a fancy dancy road bike I'd be much, much faster!  Guess I can use that as my excuse for being the slowest Honey Badger in the pack!  We seem to have two distinct sub teams within our Honey Badger Team....Team Cannondale and team Giant!  Kelli, believe it or not is on Team Giant!  Teresa did the identical ride, once on her Mountain Bike and once on her Road Bike and it made a difference of 40 minutes to her riding time!

I had planned to go to Nose Hill this afternoon but before we actually managed to get there the skies opened up and it pelted rain.  Bill and Kelli not so lucky!  They got totally soaked.  Probably good practice for next weekends ride if it's anything like last year.  On the long range side of it though they are not forecasting rains which would be totally fantastic!  Tomorrow they are planning to attempt a second ride and if I have another good night I will probably join them for a portion of the ride.  The Herald did come through with it's article this morning which is just about the first time ever.  I think I can thank them for the extra $1000 in donations I received this morning!  Our team is just short of  our  $18,000 goal which, if we achieve it, will put the Honey Badgers at an outstanding $200,000 over just two years!  So many times we tried to get the media to come out and give recognition to our Ranchlands students for their outstanding efforts on the Terry Fox Run.  I still think they missed a great story but perhaps I am a little biased.  One year the TV crew promised to come out to cover an event we were having and we had to have a media release from every student in the school before they could be filmed.  For those kids whose parents would not give parental permission, we had a designated seating area where the media were not to take pictures.  The kids were so pumped....and then, you guessed it...... we were preempted by a bigger story.  I used to look at articles from other schools who in my opinion did not do half of what our kids had done and were being recognized.  The thing about Ranchlands though was it wasn't just a one year thing!  It was every single year for 16 years.  I was so happy when I learned the school had continued on with the event after I had to go on sick leave.  They raised an incredible sum this year as well.....over $20,000 and invited me back for their wrap up assembly.  It was a very touching and memorable event for me and gave me some of the closure I needed leaving the school the year previous in the middle of the school year.

So Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!  Tomorrow it's your turn to be spoiled a little whether that be a special gift, a golf game, a bike ride, a dinner of your favourite foods......whatever.....spoil your Dad tomorrow.  I am sorry not to be spending the day with my Dad but we will just celebrate it another day instead.  Honestly, what's so special about June 16?  Why couldn't it be for June 17 or 18? Who cares as long as you recognize the fact that this man has been there for you.  My Dad and I have had a long and happy relationship! Both parents shape a child into the adult he or she grows into but my Dad gave me incredible freedoms and trust over the years from a very, very young age.  I was telling my kids the other day that when I was five we lived in Charleswood, quite close to Triwood Community.  I used to walk to Kindergarten every single day which was located in Capitol Hill, probably a good mile and a half from our house. (I know....you're all thinking of Granny...."When I was your age I rode my horse to and from school every day and it was uphill both directions!")  Calgary was certainly a different place in those days.  We often left our doors unlocked and neighbors really knew each other.  Bill and I have lived in our home in Edgemont for 26 years.  We live in a cul de sac and over the course of years most of our neighbors have moved on.  Of the 16 homes on our street, only 4 are original owners.  So sad because when we first moved her we had amazing barbecues and block parties and we all knew what each other's kids were up to and played an active role in parenting them and watching out for them.  Different times now for sure......Calgary has become a big city!  Still a decent place to live for sure but it's no longer that safe little haven it once was, although I do believe that we sometimes are so reluctant to allow for any risks at all in our kids lives!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MY DAD, TO BILL AND HIS DAD......
HAVE A GREAT DAY!







Friday 14 June 2013

Again, my apologies to the worriers in my group of friends.  I have been going through a bit of a rough patch the last couple of weeks but am hoping we have turned the corner.  I feel much, much better this morning and even managed to eat a large bowl of oatmeal for breakfast!  Everyone is trying to feed me constantly but I have intermittent bouts of nausea which hasn't helped the appetite much I'm afraid.  We had planned to head out to Windermere for a few days but those plans are on hold until I am sure that everything is back as it should be.  I have started some new pain medications and am hoping that once the drugs kick in for the CML, the pain issues will be resolved.  They are pretty much unexplainable right now......even I wonder at times if it's all in my head and was so grateful when the Dr. Hagen looked at me and said "You are not crazy!"  I know some of you would dispute that comment!

I had a lovely invitation yesterday to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Ride.  At the beginning of the ceremony four participants push in a white bicycle which represents all the people who are unable to do the ride.  I am touched an honored by this invitation and look forward to taking part.  Our team has now raised $116,223 and are hanging on to 6th place so far.  Most of the teams in the top ten are corporate teams so our little team of 32 is looking pretty strong!

Thanks to all of you who have expressed your concern for me over the past few days.....even Edie who sent my lots of love and hugs.....and Edie is not a hugger!!!

""Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me


(The above poem is from Kelli)

And speaking of hope.....thanks to my friend who sent this to me this morning!  Loved it and it's so so true!

Hi Leslie! I'm sure Kelli shared this picture with you but just in case she didn't....

I think we could learn something from these guys - when faced with even the smallest chance of a good thing (a treat or maybe trying to find the one small piece of good news in a bad day) put on a great big smile and hope for the best!
Featured above are two of the most "treat" orientated creatures on the planet earth!!!

So here's my treat for the day!  I must confess when Geoff and Lindsey told me they were coming over to join in the fatten up Leslie campaign I was a little apprehensive.  Lindsey mixed up a smoothie in my vitamix with the following ingredients which also made me raise my eye brows a little. I have, however been trying to add Kale to my diet as it is one of the power house foods out there but until now have not been able to find a pleasant way to eat it.  It tried sauté, I tried boiling it, I tried Kale chips but this is by far the best alternative yet!  Thankyou LIndsey! And although you might think it looks gross it is actually really, really tasty! 
Kale, frozen pineapple, apple, banana, orange juice, flaxseeds (also can add strawberries, spinach frozen peaches and carrots).

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Another bit of a rough night.  I am going to give these meds another day and then will go to the higher test stuff.  A good nights sleep really makes a huge difference on how I function the next day.  I saw a Doctor Hagen at the pain clinic on Monday and it turns out I taught his daughter a number of years back.  Small world!

I spent the day pretty close to home putzing around and getting a few things ready for Father's Day.  Had a couple of visitors and a phone call from the Calgary Herald wanting to do a story on me and the Honey Badgers.  It is supposed to come out in Saturdays' paper so we'll see.  I must confess the many times the newspaper promised to come out to our Terry Fox Events at the school and then we got preempted by bigger news has left me wondering if the article will run.  She did seem interested in my story though, and the story of the Honey Badgers so perhaps this time our team will get a little well deserved recognition.  We have slipped to sixth place in the overall team standings and are hoping like heck that we can hang in the top ten.  If we raise another five thousand dollars the team will have raised a grand total of $200,000 over the past two years.  Pretty awesome for a small group when most of the teams above us are huge corporate groups.  We have our friends and family to thank for this.  Your generosity and support has been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough.

We had planned to head out to Windermere yesterday but I really need to stabilize on these new meds and told my Dad we won't come until I have things under control.  Hopefully that is going to happen in the next little bit.  It's putting a little bit of a wrench in my bike riding.

Hoping to see some of you out at the ride in a couple of weeks to cheer the team on.  We'd absolutely love that!



Tuesday 11 June 2013

Still struggling with belly pain and now nausea which I believe is do to the latest drug they put me on to bring down my white cell count.  Yesterday I saw Dr. Hagen at the pain clinic and was very impressed with him.  He had a number of recommendations including methadone of all things.  I'm not quite ready in my head to go that route so opted for a lighter drug.  I had to take a few of them last night but finallyl seemed to get things under control and finally had a good nights sleep.  It's a good thing because today was a real test of patience.

We left home just before 10 AM knowing I had an appointment with the blood specialist at 11 AM and that I had to have my blood work done prior to having a bone marrow biopsy.  Well, got the blood work done in relatively short order then went to check in to see the doctor.  We were informed that they had a 12 o'clock time on their appointment sheet but they called Bill just a couple of days earlier to change my 10:40 appointment to 11 AM.  The girl then assured us that the doctor seemed to moving patients through quickly today so no worries.  Well, we sat in the waiting room until almost 12:30, were finally put in an examining room where we waited at least another 45 minutes before a resident arrived wearing a mask because she had a cold.  She did an exam and asked me a bunch of questions which clearly indicated she had not looked at my chart.  Kelli was starting to steam.  She gets quite agitated when doctors run late.  The resident completed her exam and said the doctor would soon be in to see us.  We were also interviewed by the nurse....basically the same questions again.  At about 1:30 we were told they were getting ready to start afternoon clinic so they were sorry but we had to be moved to a room that resembled a closet.  We waited here until after 2 o'clock when the doctor finally came in and for the second time reviewed the possible side effects of the drug they were planning to put me on. We talked to her for about 10 minutes and were then told to wait to see the pharmacist.  Another 40 minutes waiting for him only to hear all about the side effects a third time.  It's no wonder patients get side effects.  It's almost like they plant the idea in your head what's likely to happen to you if you take this drug!  Finally finished up in the cupboard and went to pick up my precription at the hospital pharmacy.  "Please have a seat and wait....it's not yet ready."  From there upstairs to floor nine for an ECG and finally DONE!!!!  We were totally spoiled when we were in Vancouver.  If you were told you would be seen at 2 PM you were seen at 2 PM.  It didn't matter whether it was a scan, blood work or a doctors appointment.  They ran like clockwork there.  I wonder why Foothills can't do that?  At one point Kelli looked at the nurse and said "We've been waiting 2 hours!  How much longer do we have to wait to see the doctor?"  The nurses response....."We typically run one to two hours late EVERY day."  Honestly, I do not think there is any excuse for that.

Finally home after 4 PM.  We were supposed to head out to the lake today but have decided to delay for a couple of days.  I need to make sure I've got my nausea and stomach aches under control and know that the new meds are sitting OK.  Really don't want to be out in Invermere if I'm having any problems and honestly, feeling like I've felt the last few days, golf would not have been fun.  I'm sad about this because we had a fun time planned with Trish and Gerry, their friends and my Dad tomorrow and I know they will be disappointed we didn't show.  Sometimes you have to use your common sense however, and this is one of those time. So start the new meds tonight with fingers crossed and new hope that we are back on course.