Oh boy...I'm in trouble.  Did not write the blog yesterday.  I know from experience there's a small group out there, the leader being my daughter, who get worried when the blog does not happen without any prior explanation.  Yesterday was just one of those days.  I started my oral chemo yesterday....so maybe I had chemo brain!  Not.  Actually, for the most part I have very few side effects from the capecitabine so don't think I can blame it on that.  Let's just say the day got away on me.  I got up and actually did a little housework....something I am not nearly as committed to as I once was.  In any case, got that done and decided to go see Geoff's hockey game at COP.  I haven't been to a game this season and thought it would be a good fix for the hockey drought we've all experienced this season.  To be honest I haven't really missed it but I will probably be one of those people watching Sundays opener.  Back to Geoff's game however....it was the B shift Bullies playing the D shift Devils!  Lots of goals....13-7!!!  It's funny, these guys are all adults but there were a couple of funny, almost child like moments in the game.  The first was on a face-off in front of the Bullies bench.  I looked over and saw two of the Bullies on the bench reaching out and poking one of the Devils with their sticks as the puck was being dropped.  Had to shake my head....  The next happened when one of the Devils was tripped and hurt his knee.  You would think playing in a league of EMS players that you would get immediate attention.  Quite the contrary.  The guys on the bench glanced over at this poor guy swearing and writhing around on the ice and then went back to their visiting.  The guys on the ice gathered around him in a circle and just looked at him....it was like ..."Get up man and get off the ice.....we have a game to play!"  I told Geoff at supper I was surprised at the reaction of everyone.  He just laughed and told me that last year a guy broke his ankle.  They dragged him off the ice, sat him on a chair (not even facing the ice) called an ambulance (told them it wasn't an emergency so the poor guy had to wait 45 minutes) and went back to their game!

In any case, I enjoyed the game tremendously....doesn't matter if your kid is 9 or 29 (almost 30), I think you always enjoy being part of their lives.  Having said that I was reading the paper this morning about "Helicopter Parents."  Hmmmm.....think many of us are guilty of this to some degree but honestly can you imagine going to your kids job interview, or calling up their employer demanding to know why they yelled at your kid?  Can you imagine challenging the university on your kids grades???  Well, yes I can imagine that but I would never do it.  What about doing your child's papers or assignments or writing them a reference letter for a job?  I couldn't write a paper for Kelli if I wanted to!  I do have some memories of rescuing my kids when they were in school.  I still remember the summer Geoff had his appendix out the end of June was discharged the day before Stampede started.  He also had a job down at the grounds as an usher at the Grandstand.   On top of all this he had to attend summer school as he had not passed Math that year.  So the poor kid had to be at Viscount every morning (five days a week) at 8 AM.  He was there until noon then I would pick him up and drive him down to the Stampede Grounds where he would work until midnight!  This, just after having surgery!  In any case one day he didn't have time to get his homework done and the homework counted as a portion of the final grade.  Guess who did the assignment?!!!  And I was actually pretty proud of myself as I was never really great at math and that Pure Math program that my kids had to do was like a foreign language to me!  As I read the article this morning I told Bill I still felt guilty about this.  He snorted righteously and I reminded him of the time he built a car out of popsicle sticks and elastics for Geoff's grade 8 science project while the group of students played floor hockey in our basement.  The sad part is that Bill only got 65% on "his" grade 8 project.  So....my point is....."Guilty" but not as guilty as some people.  How bout you!!???

Kelli back in town for the weekend.  She is out in Vancouver for the month doing a very intense rotation in the ICU.  Steep learning curve but one that I think she has enjoyed.

So, again apologies to those of you who thought "something might be wrong."  Everything was actually right.  Hockey game, shopping, visit with Kathy, dinner with Geoff, to bed early!!!!  Those are my excuses.

Up early this morning as I had an 8:00 appointment at the Tom Baker.  Didn't sleep worth a hoot last night...the usual anxiousness that Bill says he just doesn't get....however, I notice he never sleeps that well on the nights before my appointments either.  We arrived on time and checked in at 7:55 AM.  The receptionist didn't say a word, just took my information, handed me the same questionnaire you fill out on every single visit and indicated we should wait to be summoned to the next seating area.  Got the questionnaire completed and was then escorted to the next waiting area.  I think they figure if they keep moving you to a new chair you will feel like you are making progress.  It was busy this morning and it was pretty obvious that the vast majority of the patients waiting were a "new crop".  The usual signs.....carrying binders and books, had their hair, etc. etc.  Well we sat and we waited and we waited and patient after patient, many who arrived long after I had were taken into examining rooms.  I finally looked at Bill and said "Do you think we have an appointment?"  He said he had been thinking the same thing so he went back to the reception area to ask if we were on the appointment schedule.  Yes we were, but not until 9:30!!!  Not sure if Bill got the time wrong when he talked to them last week or they gave us the wrong time but we didn't even get into an examining room until 9:45.  Let me tell you my toes were tapping!  The nurse came in and looked right at Bill and asked him how he was feeling.  She was getting the blood pressure machine ready and I stuck out my arm.  She looked a little stunned and said "You're the patient?"  I just roared!  Made my day!  Bill did not think it was nearly as funny as I did!    Saw my doctors resident and she indicated that my doctor wanted to start me on chemo immediately.  I told her we had tried to call last week, twice actually, to tell them we were going away for a couple of weeks on Monday and that I had hoped to come in last week to start my chemo if that was the plan so that I would at least have a week to recover before taking off.  At that time we were assured that we would get a call back once they had discussed it with the doctor.   This, however,  did not happen and we just assumed that maybe the doctor had decided to wait until my return from Mexico to start my treatments up again.    In any case, after some discussion, it was decided that I should start the oral chemo tomorrow and would have my first IV treatment as soon as I returned from Mexico.  A good compromise I think and one my doctor seemed to think was acceptable.  Must confess, it has been a real treat to not have any chemo for the past several weeks!  It will be hard to go back to that regime after being free from it!   The nurse gave me my requisition for blood work and stressed three times that they would only call me if the bloodwork was not good and that if I did not hear from them I should start the meds tomorrow morning!   Finished up at the clinic and headed to the  pharmacy to get my oral chemo and were told the meds wouldn't be available for at least an hour or two.  So off to the lab to get my blood work done, pleased to see it wasn't too stacked up.  What I didn't see was that there was only one tech working and progress was as slow as molasses.  I think I waited for close to an hour before they finally got me in.  From there back upstairs to pick up the meds then off to grab breakfast.  We have taken to going out for either breakfast or lunch after these appointments.  One of my nurses gave me a list of breakfast/lunch places that she really liked so we have been working through the list and have found some real little gems.  Finished breakfast and headed over to Golf Town to pick up a club then out to Lowes and Cross Iron Mills as Bill had spotted a great deal on a drill he wanted.  A guy never, ever has enough tools.......especially when they are on sale!  Honestly....While he was shopping at Lowes I cruised the mall.  While walking around my phone started to ring.  Took one look and saw it was the Tom Baker!  Sh*&#!!!  They told me they would only call if the blood work was not good.  Now I'm steaming as I'm fumbling to answer the call thinking to myself that it was looking like Mexico was not going to happen after all!  I finally answer and get this cheery voice on the other end.  "Hi Leslie....just calling to tell you your blood work is good and you can go ahead and start your meds tomorrow!"  Grrrrr......when you want them to call they don't....when you don't expect them to call, they do...."  Three times they told me...no call....good news!!!

Didn't get home until 3 PM.  Not that the day was all that active but must confess I'm feeling just a little drained.

Think I'll sign off and leave you with a picture of Boomer enjoying spaghetti! I think these are quite humorous!  I am seriously thinking of doing a photo shoot on him to practice everything I learned in my photography course.  He is so photogenic!!!  Not that these are great photos but it's hard to dangle spaghetti and shoot a photo at the same time.  The technique needs a little work and I need him to gobble a little slower!!!

It has been a whirlwind day!  I've decided that I always feel better when I'm busy.  I seem to have my little spells when I'm sitting around doing nothing.  In any case it was pretty much a full day today.

I had arranged to write my photography exam this morning.  I spent quite a bit of time yesterday cramming it in but there were a few concepts I just couldn't seem to get my head to absorb.  It didn't matter how many times I went over it.....it just didn't settle in the old brain.  So this morning, finished my breakfast and headed over to Sait.  Found a parking spot right in front of the building where I was going which I thought was a good omen.  You know how I'm into good luck etc.  In any case, pulled out my notes and spent fifteen more minutes stuffing it all in.  I think Kelli calls cramming like this "Stuff it and Flush it!"  Found my instructors office and he handed me my test.  It was printed on blue paper....my favourite colour!  Another good omen I'm hoping.  He then took me to a room around the corner and said to go ahead and bring it hack to him when I was done!  I was pleasantly surprised and although I don't know what my grade was I'm pretty sure I'm not going to go down in history as the first person ever to fail the final exam in photography 201......phew....it has been weighing on my mind.  
I had many people ask me why I was even bothering to write it but I'm one of those people who had parents who always said that you had to finish the task you signed up for.  I also raised my kids that way.  If you signed up for something and didn't like it that was too bad.....you had to see it through to the end before you had the option of deciding whether or not you wished to continue on.  The only activity that we ever really had problems with was power skating.  We always signed Geoff up for power skating with his friend Trevor.  Both boys were on the small side and played fairly high level hockey so we figured it was important they could skate fast so they wouldn't get nailed by the bigger boys.  A girl named Deanna used to teach the class and it was an hour of gruelling work!  It kind of went against Geoff's philosophy that anything he did he wanted to enjoy and it had to be fun.  Trevor was a little the same way and the fact that the class was early Saturday mornings didn't help sell it either!  Trevor didn't resists as much as Geoff but I think both boys would have dearly loved to have ditched that class and slept in Saturday mornings!  It was one, however, that, as parents, we thought it was an important survival skill to be able to skate well so we signed them up for several rounds  in spite of the protest vote!  Sorry Geoff but it did save your bacon.....well at least some of your bacon!

From Sait I headed down to Kensington to meet up for lunch with Diane, Caroline and Monica.  We had a two hour non-stop gab.....I love those girls!  At one point I had to smile....Conversations were going every direction....Diane and I would be talking across the table at the same time as Caroline and Monica were talking, then we'd switch it up and Caroline and Diane would have a go and Monica and I would chat....then we'd have a conversation where all four of us engaged.  It was a hoot.  One thing....there was not a moment of silence!  Monica has been a real inspiration for me over this past year.  She has been through a great deal with her own cancer and she has an amazing attitude.  She is knowledgable beyond belief and has the philosophy that you need to be informed about your treatment and care.  She has sent me a wealth of information and advice over the past year but more importantly lives her life fully.  There is an expression "Live your life with eyes wide open!"  That is definitely Monica!

Wandered around a few of the shops before heading home.  It was a beautiful afternoon so I called up Jenifer and we headed over to Nose Hill to walk the dogs.  The walk was a little more challenging than either of us needed.  It was windy and snow had drifted so it was a bit of a slog, however, we did the full loop and had two happy dogs at the end of it.

Tomorrow I see my oncologist in the morning and will find out what his plan is for me from this point forward.  As usual, feeling a little apprehensive.  Not sure how he's going to feel about me leaving for Mexico on Monday!  Hopefully, happy for me and not annoyed.  I did try to call his office a couple of times last week to see if I could come in a week early especially if they were wanting to start my treatment but they did not get back to me.  I know doctors are busy people but I do wish they would at least have someone return your calls, even if it's just their receptionist. Especially when you are told they will get back to you once they check with the doctor!   I don't think they think about the anxiety they cause their patients when they don't respond.  Yes, I realize I am just one of many patients and I also know that doctors are very busy people but I am not one of those people who call often and think I'm pretty low maintenance in the grand scheme of things.  Oh well....will find out tomorrow......perhaps there were no spots for me to start my chemo last week, or perhaps he has just decided to start me when I get back.  I do feel I could use a couple more weeks to bounce back from my surgery before getting hit with more chemo, however, I don't want to delay if there's a chance it will be harmful to my recovery.

No cross country skiing today!  Just couldn't face the battle.  We did head down for a walk and saw skiers down there who Boomer didn't even give a second glance to.  Funny dog.

Went and got my toes done for Mexico today.  We leave a week from today!  As always I have this feeling of tentativeness.....always fearful something will come up and I won't be able to go.  No reason to think that but it happens before every trip.  I really don't breath easy until I'm strapped into my seat on the plane.  This time is no different.

Today I also cracked out my photography course notes and spent some time studying.  Brenda wrote the test a few weeks ago when I was in hospital and passed it!  This adds pressure on me as our instructor informed us on the last class that NOBODY had ever failed the final exam in this course.  How awful would it be to be the first to do so?!!!  I'm just a tad nervous about taking claim to fame on this one!  I will tell you this much.....in the event I don't pass, I won't be publishing it in my blog!
On that note....I think I'll go review my notes one more time  Wish me luck!

Have had a busy day.  Got up and decided to hit the work out room early today.  Did my bike ride and had my steam (the best part of the workout).  Wandered down to the badminton courts and visited with some of my badminton buddies.  I think it's the first time I've seen them in over a year.  Just haven't gone there......it is funny how you tend to avoid things you really miss but once you negotiate the hurdle it gets much easier.  Don't think I'll be so hesitant to go there again, although I don't think badminton is in my "things I can do" zone yet.

Came home and had lunch then decided I would dust off those x-country skis and give it a try.  Well...it's been awhile since I've been on them (a while being years.....) and they aren't the best skis.....are you getting the feeling I'm making some excuses here!?  Had my first wipe out in the back yard putting the silly things on.  Finally got them on and headed out back to the ravine.  Boomer couldn't figure out what the heck I was doing.  He was quite alarmed that I was moving faster than I have in a long time and kept leaping in front of me.  Not too much of a problem til we hit the hill going down.  Here I was picking up speed and he was dancing around in front of me.  I was pretty sure I was going to take him out and wham.....wipe out number two which was quite a bit more of a wipe out than the first one!  I'm sure anyone looking out their back windows was enjoying the show tremendously.  Good news.....no one hurt....bad news....I'm annoyed!  We have seen skiers in the ravine all week and he hasn't even given them a sideways look but as soon as I put on the skis it's a whole new story.  It's just like taking him to the beach.  He doesn't even give swimmers the time of day until the swimmer is me and then it becomes time for Boomer to save Leslie.....the problem being that instead of saving me he practically drowns me as he comes at me with front legs splashing and that look of panic in his eye!  Skiing, apparently, brings on the same response.  He definitely lacks confidence in my ability to move with boards attached to my feet.  We continued down the ravine with him still bouncing around in front of me and stepping on the both the fronts and backs of my skis resulting in wipeout #3.  It's around about now I'm ready to kill him.  I have tried the firm approach...."No....leave it...stop it!....No!"  None of those commands (which, by the way, he knows) are working so I decided to try a different tactic.  "Boomer.....where's a stick?"....hoping he'd gallop away and go look for a stick as he does when we are walking.  Ah but I'm not thinking like a labrador....in the eyes of a labrador ski poles are nothing but big sticks and I happen to have one in each hand so he bounds over to me with great delight and grabs one of my poles and gives it a nice big tug.  Wham....wipe out #4.  He might be a great walking companion but he is failing miserably on the ski companion front.  We continue on, reach the turn around and start heading back up the hill.  He is finally getting tired and is becoming a bit less of a nuisance but I am definitely hoping the expression "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is not true.  This might be a job for the dog whisperer!  A good workout for both of us and one we are definitely going to have to work on.

Now back inside and thinking about getting dinner started.  Think I am going to sleep well tonight!