Road Maps

Road maps are vital on any journey. It's hard to know the best route to drive whether you're crossing a new city or taking a cross-country trek if you don't have good direction and a clear destination. My particular journey would be impossible without good signage, clear directions and helpful people along the way.

The staff at the Cancer Center is amazing. They have re-booked, rescheduled, provided directions and in general taken phenomenal care of me over the past few weeks. All before we even get into the nitty gritty of treatment.

My MUGA (aka muggle) test is rescheduled for Friday. Martha from the test booking centre called to let me know it was set. I'll still have my CAT scan tomorrow. I asked if this would delay the beginning of chemo (I was afraid it would be changed too), but after checking with the oncologist she assures me it won't. Not that I'm looking forward to starting chemo, but I am anxious to begin treatment and feel like I'm actively fighting this thing.

Tonight I have to take Gastrografin before bed, and first thing in the morning. I have to be at Cobequid for the scan by 8:15. I guess it's going to be an early day for me. I'm not exactly sure how long the test will take, but the literature says it could be five to 30 minutes, depending on the type of scan.

Another road map of a different type arrived today -- the book Rob ordered last week: Balance, Nature's Way to Heal Your Body. I'm looking forward to reading it and will probably take it with me tomorrow as I'm sure I'll be waiting at some point.

Family is another type of road map, helping to keep you on the right path. Wally, Jen, Jessica and Ryan came up yesterday. They brought Pictou County pizza sauce and we made pizza for supper, talked about their upcoming trip and played a game Ryan was making up on the fly using "racing markers". I'm not sure I ever caught on to the rules; I seemed to lose more than I won.

I can't believe tomorrow is my last day at the office for what will undoubtedly be months. Walking out tomorrow will feel a little odd; but I need to focus my energies elsewhere right now and don't want to be distracted by commitments at the office.

The support from my colleagues and management continues to overwhelm and surprise me, with best wishes and prayers offered on many different fronts. Thank you all.