Still Waiting

Sometimes the Hero has to work hard to have patience. He has to wait until the timing of his next move is perfect. Sometimes this is hard to do. Right now I need to cultivate patience and while I do that I'm building up my strength and researching and learning more about the next phase of my treatment.

I apologize for the delay since my last post -- but all has been pretty quiet. I did receive a letter from the genetics clinic summarizing my appointment in June. It included a letter which I can send to other family members with information about the genetic mutation and steps they need to take should they wish to be tested.

I now have an appointment with the gynecological-oncologist...September 9th. I'll learn more about the risk of developing ovarian cancer because of the BRCA1 gene and the options I have available. My research indicates screening isn't very effective and the removal of the ovaries is the most effective way to prevent cancer. We'll see what she has to say.

I did contact the plastic surgeon's office on Monday; it is closed until next Tuesday. I left a message trying to get an earlier appointment and I'll call back on Tuesday...but I'm not optimistic.

I have been enjoying the sunshine and working at improving my fitness. On the weekend Rob and I took Cole to one of our favorite trails and hiked 4K on Saturday and 5K on Sunday (these distances are too much for Tess so we left her home). On Monday I mowed the lawn and last night I walked on the treadmill for half an hour.

Tuesday I made a trip to the Valley and visited with Helen and Peggy. It was really nice just to sit around and chat. Hopefully I'll see them again soon. I then went to Wally and Jen's and celebrated Ryan's birthday with them. This weekend we're back down the Valley, but this time to visit Rob's parents. Hopefully we'll do a little fishing and some hiking too.

I received cards from the Colorado team and Kathy W.

Waiting

It becomes more and more difficult to blog as each day passes with no new information and nothing happening but the waiting.

I did speak with the nurse at the breast clinic earlier in the week. She says the office of the plastic surgeon is closed until Monday for vacation. I have a tentative appointment with plastic surgeon for August 13. The nurse says I should call on Monday to see if there is any way to bump the date up. I need to consult with the surgeon about my options and if I can do that earlier, I could still have surgery as early as the 13th.

In terms of pre-surgery preparation I had the mammogram and I am now scheduled for an ultrasound on July 31. I'll also have blood work done that day too in preparation for surgery.

Meanwhile, I have heard from my colleague in Colorado. Socrates' treatment is working and his cancer markers are back to "normal" levels. In his words, "it shows progress is being made, but we still need to hit it with everything and finish strong." He has more chemo next week and he too is trying to arrange surgery. Unfortunately Rob's cousin, Liz, lost her battle on Sunday. Her funeral was yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

This week I received cards from Kathy E., my colleagues in Halifax and my cousin Helen who included a inspirational magnet with hers.

I continue to work on regaining my strength and losing some of the weight put on over the past months. On Monday and Tuesday I did 20 minutes on the treadmill and yesterday I walked for 30. I'll aim for 30 again today, although if the rain holds off I might actually get Cole out for a walk. Last night I prepared a new recipe -- spaghetti squash and meatballs. It was very good and an excellent way to eat more vegetables.

Back in the City

The last week has been hectic and full of activity. Fortunately most of it has nothing to do with my illness. I did have my mammogram last week and I'm scheduled for an ultrasound at the end of the month. I had my test done at a different site than I've had it done previously and I have to say there is a world of difference in the set up and comfort level. To begin with this site has an actual waiting room, instead of sitting in an abandoned corridor in your hospital shirt waiting for your name to be called. Secondly, the machines are newer and digital versus the film technology used by the other site. And finally, the staff is much more friendly.

My visit with Ryan continued to be a lot of fun for both of us. When I returned from my appointment we went to a local beach and played in the waves. The fog rolled in while we were there so we didn't stay really long, but he did find some shells and a feather on the beach and he played along the waterline getting his feet wet. The waves were quite high and I wouldn't let him go too far out for fear of a rogue wave washing him out. It is the Atlantic ocean, and I don't swim well under normal circumstances. I think Wally and Jen would be upset if I lost their son.

On Tuesday Ryan and I went to the museum and looked at fossils, butterflies, bees and rocks. On our trip back to his home we stopped for ice cream and to explore a petting zoo. I think he had a good time; when we arrived he listed off for his mom all the activities we did, and when he was talking to his friends he kept mentioning things he had done in Halifax while he was away.

Tuesday night Rob and I joined Kelly and her sister for the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was fun to be among the first to see the movie and watch all the people who came dressed as their favorite characters. Rob hasn't read the books, so for me it was nice to be able to discuss the movie/book comparison with Kelly and Andrea immediately following the film. I have to say getting home at 3 a.m. was tiring though, especially when I had to prepare for our camping trip.

We decided to take a couple of days last week and head for our favorite camping area -- Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. Rob had to work until 2 p.m. on Wednesday after which we drove to my parents' place for the night and left the dogs with Mom so we could enjoy a couple of days on our own. I fear this trip has spelled the end of our career as tent dwellers. The forecast for Thursday and Friday threatened only showers, but the reality was a thunderstorm and deluge. On Thursday night the campfire wood we bought at the park was wet and wouldn't burn properly (this was before the rain started), making it difficult to cook. We hiked two trails (both of which I found challenging even though they were easy trails). We enjoyed the evening program put on by park staff but finally decided Friday afternoon (when it was still misting and showing no signs of stopping) that we have become fair-weather campers, and we packed up our site.

In the end we decided to stop in Sackville, NB and in a wonderful twist of fate, ended up in the town during their Marsh Festival. We got to see a performance of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew and while not the best acting we've ever seen, the show was fun and wonderfully entertaining. The town has a beautiful trail system circling a Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl project. We walked around two different portions of trail during our stay and saw numerous species of birds including kingfishers, yellowlegs, Canada geese and tons of ducks neither of us could identify without the help of a field guide. We also saw a muskrat collecting grass and taking it to his den.

On the way home on Saturday we drove the coastal route and stopped in Malagash at the Jost Vineyard. Serendipitously, there was a festival taking place here too. As part of the events there was a band and a barbecue. We stayed awhile enjoying the beauty of the area and the live music. We stayed Saturday night with Mom and were back in the city by noon on Sunday. Rob and I wrapped up our mini-vacation by going out to supper at one of our favorite restaurants.

Of course today the sun is shining...couldn't have come out four days ago when we really wanted it. I have to drag the tent outside and set it up to let it dry out. I think it has seen the last camping trip with us. We used to make fun of the people who camped with their fancy trailers, but I think we've reached that point. We even stopped to look at some on Saturday to get an idea of what you get for your money -- a dry place to sleep and cook, even if it is raining.

Stronger Every Day

After I last blogged I attended the 10-year celebrations at the call center on Thursday. It was really good to see everyone and visit with so many friends and colleagues especially on such an auspicious occasion. Unanimously everyone said how great I looked, and I have to admit with each day that passes I feel better and stronger.

This weekend I got started on building up my stregth and getting back on track fitness-wise. It was a busy weekend overall.

On Friday Wally, Jen and the kids arrived. One of her brothers was married on the weekend so they all stayed here Friday and the kids stayed Saturday. Ryan has stayed on for a few extra days and Jessica is at camp this week. We also invited my Aunt Joyce and her husband, Robert, to join us for supper and had an enjoyable evening/visit with them. Unfortunately Wally and Jen had to go to rehearsal activities and missed seeing them.

Saturday I took Jen and Jess to the hairdresser bright and early. Then, when the family decamped for wedding central, Rob and I took the dogs on a hike on one of our favourite trails. It was so nice to have warm sunshine for a change. The trail is flat and we hiked four kilometers. There were no other hikers around so we let Cole off his leash so he could burn off extra energy. Tess is at the age where she does well to just hike at our pace. We finished off our hike with ice cream cones.

Sunday I took Jess to church to meet up with her parents and grandparents. Then our weekend with Ryan began. This is the first time either of the kids has stayed with us without parents or siblings. Last Christmas we gave both of them fishing rods so we took Ryan fishing yesterday. Unfortunately, it was really windy -- too windy to feel comfortable taking the boat out. We tried a little fishing from shore, but there were no takers. Rob had a great back-up plan and we went geocaching at a nearby trail.

Geocaching is when you take a set of pre-determined coordinates and your GPS and you search for a "treasure" someone has hidden. In this case it was along an established hiking trail. We found a gray container filled with small toys and a log book. Ryan took a fire truck dinky and Rob updated the log. We were the first people to find the cache this month. Aside from worrying there might be a devil guarding the treasure, Ryan really enjoyed looking for it and watching as the GPS it pointed the way and indicated how close we were getting. Just to be safe, he carried a wand and was ready to yell "wingardium leviosa!" if a devil appeared.

In the afternoon I took Ryan to see a movie and then we went to Canadian Tire to pick up parts for the lawn mower. Because it has rained so much our lawn is quite tall and Rob was lowering the wheels on the mower when two of the bolts broke. We're now ready to mow, except it is raining again.

This morning Ryan is playing one of his video games. I got a call on Friday to say I have a mammogram this afternoon. This kind of throws off plans for the museum today...we'll do that tomorrow before I take him home. We may go on another treasure hunt this afternoon when I get back or try fishing again. Right now I should probably get him dressed and fed. We've been having a lazy morning after a busy weekend.

Received a card from Kathy W. on Friday. Rob and I are taking a few vacation days this week and planning to do some camping. Mom has graciously ageed to take the dogs while we're gone.

Cancer Battle -- Chapter Two

The Hero's Journey is frequently made up of numerous smaller adventures. Take Harry Potter for example. He didn't defeat Lord Voldemort in the first book, or the second, or the third. Often it takes many attacks, and many encounters between the Hero and his enemy before the final battle is played out.

Yesterday I met with my surgeon for the first time since February, when this journey began. She is very pleased with how the tumors responded to chemo. She will be sending me for another mammogram to make sure nothing else is brewing under the surface, especially in my right breast. Although, as she pointed out, even if there had been, it was exposed to the same treatment as the left breast and if there was anything even thinking about starting there it was well blasted. We discussed my upcoming surgery, what to expect in terms of post surgery and we talked about my options: one breast or two, reconstruction etc.

It turns out that if I have both breasts removed now, but elect to hold off on reconstruction, I could potentially wait three years to have the "girls" rebuilt, because it would be classed as elective cosmetic surgery. If I have one breast removed now, and the right breast removed in a second operation down the road in the relatively near future, I can have both reconstructed at the time. As my doctor put it, my right breast is my 'bargaining chip' and once I remove it I lose my power. I don't yet have a firm surgery date but we're tentatively looking at August 13, 20 or 27. This gives me time to weigh my options and meet with a plastic surgeon beforehand. I'm also waiting on a consult with a gynelogical oncologist to discuss whether we should also schedule an ovarectomy, in light of the BRCA-1 mutation.

As far as post-surgery goes, I'll spend one night in the hospital and be released the next day with instructions on how to maintain the drains, which allow fluid to escape from the body. I already have arm exercises I need to start doing pre-surgery and continue after the fact. After about two weeks the drains will be removed and I'll be well on my way toward 100 per cent.

I also met with the dentist yesterday. My broken tooth can easily be rebuilt and I have an appointment to have that done on July 21.

The mailbox yielded a card from my cousin Peggy. She enclosed photos of Tess and Cole which her daughter Sam took on her cell phone when they visited in June.

Overall, now that I'm off the chemotherapy merry-go-round, things are a lot slower and I'm just concentrating on getting back into shape physically for the next phase of treatment. It turns out that breast cancer is one of the few cancers where the patient gains weight, and I am not the exception to the rule. Hopefully the sunny weather is here to stay and I can start walking with more regularity to address both my lack of fitness and the extra pounds.

It's Raining Again

It's raining again. I'd have to do some research to be sure, but I think we've had rain every day for the past three weeks. Although there have been brief (maybe three) days with flashes of sunshine, they are few and far between -- and there's more rain in the forecast for the week ahead.

Kelly and I went to the movies on Friday with one of her sisters and a handful of her nieces and nephews. I think the appropriate ratio of children to adults is about six children and four adults -- especially when they start playing the arcade machines and moving from machine to machine. It was a blast. We saw the latest Ice Age movie and it was 3D. I think the last 3D movie I saw was "Jaws". Technology has changed a lot since then and it was fun watching her nephew Ben watch the movie.

Yesterday Rob and I took care of some household chores, went to the mall and then took a long meandering drive. I think, in spite of the fact that I have been out several times in the last week, we're feeling a little shack wacky because of the weather. I hate it when I feel I need to turn the lights on during the day.

We've started watching the Harry Potter movies in preparation for the next one on July 14/15. Kelly and I already bought our tickets for the midnight showing.

We're hoping we can find some sunshine today. We need to get the dogs out and let Cole, in particular, burn off some energy. We came home yesterday and he had shredded half a dozen tissues, a sure sign he's put-out by events.

I've received cards from the Colorado team and Bonnie M.

Canada Day Berry Picking

Truly, what says Canada Day better than the white and red of a layered strawberry shortcake? That's how I wrapped up our nation's birthday -- with strawberry shortcake made with berries I picked fresh that day.

We finally had a small break in the weather and although it was overcast the rain held off. I had planned to go berry picking at some point this week and Kelly was game for the adventure. We decided we would go yesterday and take her niece and nephew, Emma and Ben. Her mom, Lindy, joined us as well. We took Kelly's van (it has a DVD player -- perfect for entertaining a five- and six- year-old) and headed towards the Valley. Our first stop was New Minas where Lindy had seen signs earlier in the week for a U-pick operation. Instead we found a truck-load sale -- berries $1.50 a pint. They gave us directions to the field behind Kentville. In the grocery store berries are selling between $2.50 and $3.25 a pint.

Berries were 75 cents a pint (I had to buy my baskets at 25 cents each) and they were plentiful. I picked in one section of the field where the berries were smaller. Kelly et al moved to another just opened section where the berries were twice the size and in the end we all filled our flats in about the same length of time. The van smelled of the rich aroma of ripe berries.

On the way home we stopped at a local fruit and vegetable market with a take-out stand where we ate a late lunch. I picked up fresh peas, potatoes, lettuce (two types), carrots, beets, cucumber, onion and broccoli, plus local brown eggs, bread and biscuits (although truth be told, my own biscuits are better).

I was tired by the time I got home but very pleased with all the fresh fruit and vegetables. I think my new medication is working; I had to take Tylenol twice last night because my legs and shoulders were aching. Lindy, who is a nurse, gave me my shot yesterday but today I'm on my own. Only four more to go.

I did open a couple of presents out of the Joy Box -- a cancer ribbon snow globe, nail polish, lip balm and earplugs. Cards in the mail Tuesday night included one from the Colorado team and one from the Southville Church of Christ.