Today no talk of treatment.  It was a non-event.  Appointment was at 8:24 I made it on time, parked illegally at the hospital and did not get a ticket and was "Done like Dinner" by 8:34 (my friend Connie's quote!)

Today was an awesome, amazing, overwhelming, fantastic day!  I can only hope the people who made it so get a chance to read why!  So.....here goes....from the hospital I went to Friends and had my usual high caloric breakfast with my friend Jenifer who ate what I would have really loved.  Cheated and had two cups of coffee this morning and it was wickedly delightful!  No Bill reminding me that I should limit my caffeine intake! From there home to take Boomer out for his walk.  It is so cold out that he held his paws up one at a time and accepted his booties co-operatively without the usual wresting match we engage in. Got home and my brother dropped by for a visit.  I have not seen him for months as they have been down in the Baha wind surfing and enjoying milder temperatures. When he left,  my good friend and old teaching partner from my Beddington Heights days,  Diane dropped by with her contribution to the "Plump up Leslie" campaign, a delicious banana bread! She also had a very large envelope in her hands that was left on my front step!  This is where the day really took off!  A package full of positive praise and a LOT of pampering from parents past and present who positively think the world of me!  I sat on my couch and read every single card, letter, story, quote and message.  I laughed and I cried, sometimes at the same time!  THANK YOU so much!  I hope you all know how much I love each and every one of you and your wonderful kids!  It is my biggest sorrow to have left so suddenly with no opportunity to talk to the kids and all of you.  It is I who have been the lucky one.  To have taught at Ranchlands School for over 15 years and to teach my passion is something many teachers do not get the opportunity to do.  PE specialists at the elementary level are sadly a dying breed.  I never have lost sight of the fact that I was one of the lucky ones who was pretty much spared the axe and a large part of the reason for that is the support I have enjoyed from you! I will enjoy your gifts for pampering although I must confess I am starting to feel a little like a pampered, spoiled princess!
My family should be worried that I might get too used to this and expect it when I am better!  (Pretty sure they won't let that happen)....  The very best part for me though was the time each of you took to send me the most beautiful and powerful messages.  You are my strength and I thank each of you for that.  The fact that you are all pulling for me and believe in me means the world to me.  LOVE, HUGS AND MORE LOVE

I give the day an 11 out of 10 (and if the Flames win tonight it will be 15 out of 10!  Best day I have had in a month!

Today is the start of week 2.  Mondays are long but still cruising along with no adverse effects.  Had both treatments today and was finished a little earlier which gave us time to go for lunch and then catch Geoff's hockey game!  He scored two goals!!! Even when they are 29 you want to stand up and cheer at the top of your lungs when they score!!! 

When we were in the coffee shop having lunch I went to the biffy and saw a poster on the wall that I loved.  It was titled VISION and the message was "Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."  It seemed so appropriate for me at this time.  People are continually commenting that they are amazed at how positive I am.  I think most of you might be surprised at yourself if you were faced with this.  There really are only two choices to make in my opinion and the other is not an option. I know this is not going to be easy but I also know that I can do this.  I thank each and everyone of you who takes the time to remind me of this every single day!  Kelli put an ap on my phone today,  It is a countdown to the end of treatment.  I have 22 days, 19 hours, 19 minutes and 10 seconds to be finished the treatment phase.  My short term goal of course is Geoff and Lindsey's wedding which is om 112 days 18 hours, 18 minutes and 3 seconds!  I plan to be there!  Short and long term goals are really important.

I was talking to my friend Caroline yesterday and we were talking about winning and losing.  I told her I am such a hypocrite. I have a huge confession to make and some of you (including Caroline) already know it.  Although I constantly preach to kids that winning is not important, it actually is really important to me!  I still think you have to play fair, play hard but honestly I HATE LOSING AT ANYTHING.  I'm really not that great of a sport!  There it is said.  I hope the parents of the kids I teach who are reading this are not shocked!!

I seem to be rambling today...must be the drugs!  Talk to you tomorrow!

Never have I appreciated a weekend more!  No drugs, no hospital.....pretty much normal!  Normal is such a nice thing I'm discovering!

Got up this morning to cold and blowing snow and bundled up to take Boomer out for his morning walk!  As I walked along it occurred to me what a good example he sets for me.  Every day is good!  Activity is the best!  Eat your food with enthusiasm.....quantity doesn't matter, the more the better!  Greet everybody with a wag of the tail!  There is good in almost everone (except German Shepards, Huskies and Shitzus)!

I also had to chuckle when I thought about how many people have offered to walk or take care of him for me.  Although I am still going strong I thought this week might be a good time to test those offers.  -minus 29.....I'm not feeling like going outside....who wants to walk the dog???  Just kidding.  I wouldn't do that to any of you but Bill would!  

Kelli comes today.  Poor girl.  Leaving balmy Vancouver for this!  Hopefully the cold snap is short lived.  I may come to appreciate the hot flashes that can come with chemo and radiation!

Week 2 starts tomorrow!  The countdown continues.  Please know how much I love your emails, your phone calls, your cards, your treats, your words of encouragement, your promises to exercise and eat well and take care of yourself (if you made that promise I will hold you to it and you know who you are C and K!!!)

Love you

One down and four to go!  Got through week one without anything too bad happening.  Today another good day.  Machines are up and running and I am out of there in about 10 minutes.  Left the Tom Baker today and saw a couple of patients hooked up to their chemo outside while having a smoke.  Just makes me shake my head.  Go figure that one!  Met a couple of friends for lunch which was a nice bonus to the day!  So happy to have a weekend without hospital visits!  Kelli coming home on Sunday for the month.  Very excited to have her home for a bit although I keep telling her it is totally not necessary.

Almost over the first week and still going strong!!!  Today was great...in and out.  Earlier in the week one of their machines broke down so there was a huge backlog and wait.  Today I actually got in early and they were very pleased with me because I hadn't eaten today within the two hour window.  I keep screwing them up with that because Bill keeps feeding me.  Today I was a star patient!!!  My technician was not stiff today so I gave her a stern talking to...Tonight she had better work harder if she plans to be ready for her 10 Km race.

Think I was only there for a total of 10 minutes today then did some therapy that was fun.  Some of you girls know it well....RETAIL THERAPY!!!  Kelli and Lindsey swear by it and I can see why.  Bought a new coffee table and a bowl to go on top.  Great fun.  My living room is starting to look pretty spiffy!  Has only taken me 24 years to furnish it but it is looking good!  Tomorrow the end of week one.  Yahooooo!!!!!  Only four to go!