It's early Thursday morning. Much earlier than I would normally be awake. Most of my closest associates know I'm not a morning person. Today is the big day and we'll leave here in a few minutes to make our way to the hospital. My surgery is at 7:30.
I want to thank everyone for their prayers, their positive energy and the food. My fridge overfloweth.
Last night was one of those nights where neither of us slept well. I'm not sure how much was nerves and how much was the restless dog, the loudly purring cat, Rob's heartburn and that paranoia that creeps into you when the alarm is set hours earlier than normal and you're afraid you'll sleep thought it.
Rob will update the blog later today to let everyone know surgery went dazzlingly well and that I'm back to my room. Barring no unforeseen issues I'll be home again tomorrow and I'll blog in a few days.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Countdown
I can't believe it has been a week since I last blogged. I've been extremely busy with life and trying hard not to think too much about the upcoming surgery. Last Tuesday I made a flying trip to the Valley, where Wally's family went to the Exhibition with me. It was hot and dusty, but a great day. We toured the barns, watched some of the classes and ate the best french fries in the world. The picture is of baby chicks from the livestock display at the fairgrounds.
On Wednesday my dear friends Dorothy and Jim were in the city and I met with them for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It was wonderful to visit with them. Dorothy and I talked about people we know and Jim and I discussed a couple of books we have both read. I hope I'll see my coffee buddies again, sooner rather than later.
Wednesday night we dropped the dogs off at Mom's and had a chance to visit Aunt Pat and Aunt Lori, who is home from out west with Uncle Bob for a few weeks. We left bright and early on Thursday and were in Toronto and settled in our hotel early in the afternoon. We watched Boston beat the Jays, and saw them creamed by LA on Saturday as well. The Sound of Music was wonderful and we also enjoyed just wandering around the city and exploring. We switched flights and left the city late Saturday night instead of Sunday morning because Hurricane Bill was blowing into town and we were afraid we'd be stuck if the Halifax airport was closed. We arrived home in the wee hours of the morning, dog-tired but having beaten Bill by several hours.
Once the storm died down I drove to Mom's to retrieve the dogs and chatted with Dad when he called. He would like to be here this week when I have surgery, but isn't able to get away from work. I can't say I ever expected him to make the trip from the Yukon for a routine surgery. Today I returned to the city and this evening met Kelly, Andrea and Tanya for a movie to celebrate Kelly's birthday. We saw the Time Traveller's Wife. Kelly has the book and is planning on lending it to me.
My surgery is Thursday. I have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. for prep and I'm scheduled for surgery at 7:30 a.m. -- the first one of the day. The surgery is three to three-and-a-half hours long and then I'm in recovery for a couple of hours. The doctor will remove both my right and the affected left breast, as well as many of the lymph nodes in my left armpit. Rob's sisters, Debbie and Diane, are arriving Wednesday evening and following us into the hospital Thursday morning. Debbie emailed Rob tonight to say they will stay until I'm out of surgery and settled in my room at the hospital. They both have to work on Friday. I'm glad someone will be with Rob in the waiting room; it may help the time pass more quickly.
Dorothy and Jim brought me a card, and today's mail included a card from Sandye who included a packet of recipe cards from the Pampered Chef. The recipes are part of a fundraiser "Whip Breast Cancer" where a dollar from the sale of each package goes towards research. Pretty cool. I can't wait to try some of the recipes, Sandye.
I posted a comment tonight where I was told I was someone's hero, and that I've probably been a mentor to others throughout this journey. I hope this is true and that someone can benefit from my experience. From the beginning I have been surprised by the number of people I've touched and how many of them have reached out to me. Most recently my neighbour's father stopped me as I was trying to retrieve my dogs from their yard. His sister had a biopsy done to her breast and he wondered if he could talk to me about my experience and ask me some questions. I said of course and we chatted for awhile. He called me a day later to say the test results indicated cancer and his sister will be having surgery too. I hope and pray she'll do fine, just as people have been hoping and praying I'll do fine.
I don't know if I'll blog again before my surgery; but I'll ask Rob to make a post to let everyone know how surgery went when he gets home Thursday.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Road Ahead
We've talked a lot about mentors in relation to the Hero's journey. Sometimes these are people who simply provide information to better prepare the Hero for the next leg of the journey. Sometimes, through these mentors the Hero meets other people who provide additional information. Today I met with Lisa, a nurse with the Breast Health Clinic. She talked to me about the upcoming surgery and the details around it. She also called for an anesthetic consultation as well.
Never having had any surgery before, the upcoming event has me a little nervous. Where do I go? Who do I see? Do I need my pajamas? Where can Rob sit and when can he see me again? What happens after surgery? What is a drain and how big is it? What do I do with a drain? And what do I need to do to look after myself post-surgery?
Lisa and I talked for about two hours this morning as she walked me through everything from when I arrive at the hospital and register to the exercises I'll need to do at home. She even has my follow-up appointments scheduled for September; the first to check/remove my drains and the second to review the pathology report on the tissue removed.
Lisa showed me a drain and how to work it. She had one in her office and let me play with it to see how it feels and how it works. She also showed me the arm exercises I need to do following surgery and answered my questions about mobility. She's also sent on a referral to the lymphedema clinic (today a standard procedure). It's much easier to try to prevent lymphedema than it is to manage it.
Overall it was a lot of information to take in. I took copious notes, but Lisa also ensured everything was written down in the handbook I received. In addition she asked lots of questions and filled out the pre-op paperwork for the surgery.
Because I've had chemo, which is hard on the heart, she had me have an electro-cardiogram (ECG) and meet with an anesthesiologist. He too had a bunch of questions for me, and after discussing my treatment thus far and reviewing the ECG was quite confident I wouldn't have any problems with being put under. He also explained they would put in a tube to help me breathe during surgery, but that it would be removed immediately following the operation, before I wake up.
Overall the surgery will take about three-and-a-half hours and then a couple more in recovery. Rob will be able to stay with me until I go into surgery and then he'll have to wait in the waiting room. We're both a little nervous about the upcoming surgery, so it is nice we're going away this weekend.
The visit with Trudy and her girls was a lot of fun. We took Emily and Grace geocaching and on Sunday we all went to Kelly's Beach Day where we went clam digging and played in the waves.
In today's mail I received a card from Kathy E. Tomorrow I'm headed to the Valley and the Exhibition with Jen and the kids.
Never having had any surgery before, the upcoming event has me a little nervous. Where do I go? Who do I see? Do I need my pajamas? Where can Rob sit and when can he see me again? What happens after surgery? What is a drain and how big is it? What do I do with a drain? And what do I need to do to look after myself post-surgery?
Lisa and I talked for about two hours this morning as she walked me through everything from when I arrive at the hospital and register to the exercises I'll need to do at home. She even has my follow-up appointments scheduled for September; the first to check/remove my drains and the second to review the pathology report on the tissue removed.
Lisa showed me a drain and how to work it. She had one in her office and let me play with it to see how it feels and how it works. She also showed me the arm exercises I need to do following surgery and answered my questions about mobility. She's also sent on a referral to the lymphedema clinic (today a standard procedure). It's much easier to try to prevent lymphedema than it is to manage it.
Overall it was a lot of information to take in. I took copious notes, but Lisa also ensured everything was written down in the handbook I received. In addition she asked lots of questions and filled out the pre-op paperwork for the surgery.
Because I've had chemo, which is hard on the heart, she had me have an electro-cardiogram (ECG) and meet with an anesthesiologist. He too had a bunch of questions for me, and after discussing my treatment thus far and reviewing the ECG was quite confident I wouldn't have any problems with being put under. He also explained they would put in a tube to help me breathe during surgery, but that it would be removed immediately following the operation, before I wake up.
Overall the surgery will take about three-and-a-half hours and then a couple more in recovery. Rob will be able to stay with me until I go into surgery and then he'll have to wait in the waiting room. We're both a little nervous about the upcoming surgery, so it is nice we're going away this weekend.
The visit with Trudy and her girls was a lot of fun. We took Emily and Grace geocaching and on Sunday we all went to Kelly's Beach Day where we went clam digging and played in the waves.
In today's mail I received a card from Kathy E. Tomorrow I'm headed to the Valley and the Exhibition with Jen and the kids.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Clear Path
Sometimes when the Hero is most confused, he meets a mentor. This is a person who will provide information to help redirect the Hero, or at least give him tools to make decisions about the next phase of his journey. Yesterday I met with the latest in a long string of mentors on my travels -- the plastic surgeon.
I felt many of the decisions I needed to make were being sidelined because I was missing information only this doctor could provide. One breast or two, reconstruction options and most importantly -- timelines. Yesterday all of these questions were answered.
First off I will have both breasts removed on August 27. My original concern was if I did, I would have to wait years for reconstruction. My plastic surgeon assured me yesterday I was now on his patient list and he will do reconstruction when my body has healed. However, having said that, I won't have new breasts right away. He won't meet with me again until six months after radiation, and it could be several more months following that before reconstruction can be scheduled.
He reviewed the reconstruction options available and we discussed the pros and cons of each. The first option (really a non-option because I will be having radiation) is a straightforward implant. The surgeon places a "balloon" under the chest muscle and stretches the area to insert either a saline or silicon implant. However, there is a relatively high incidence of the breast becoming misshapen over time as the tissue treated by radiation constricts. My doctor says although the surgery and recovery time for this option are both minimal, he would not recommend this for me.
The second option is latissimus dorsi, a surgery which uses the muscle and tissue from the back. The flap and its blood supply are tunnelled under the skin just below the armpit. It is then put into position to make a new breast shape. An implant may also be used to provide additional fullness. My surgeon says he makes an incision in the back which will be covered by the bra or swimsuit strap, so the scarring isn't an issue. The surgery can take six to seven hours and patients are usually hospitalized for two to three days. At home recovery time is relatively quick. And while I won't be swinging a tennis racket the next week, my day-to-day activities shouldn't be too hampered (Rob may have to vacuum for a week or two). This is most likely the surgery I will pursue when the time is right.
The final option uses the skin and muscle from the stomach region. This is a "free flap" surgery where the tissue and blood supply is completely removed and relocated to the breast. The patient gets new breasts and a "tummy tuck". It is, however, the most complicated of the surgeries and can last 12 hours or more. Post-surgery recovery time is five days in hospital and six to eight weeks afterwards as the stomach heals. There is also a failure rate of 1 in 20, in which the blood supply doesn't work and the new breast doesn't "take". This surgery also leaves scarring between the two hipbones. As my surgeon says it is the biggest upfront investment for long-term gain.
The good news is if I do decide on option three, he says I have enough tissue for at least a "B" sized breast and possibly even a "C". I'm not sure how I feel being told I have enough stomach fat to make two "C" size breasts. The other upside is I've again been told not to worry about losing weight or toning the stomach area; they need all the tissue they can get.
The surgeon was quite adamant I should have both breasts removed immediately. Not only for my own peace of mind, but because it will leave symmetrical tissue and scars for him to work with later. I'm just glad to have the meeting behind me and to be able to move ahead with some decisions. It means I'll truly be able to enjoy my weekend with Trudy and her girls without having this hanging over my head.
Trudy and her daughters -- Emily and Grace -- are arriving tonight and staying until Sunday. It will actually be a fairly busy weekend as Sunday is also Kelly's beach day. Her family and friends meet at a nearby park/beach and they go clam digging and have a big picnic. I'm hoping to take Trudy and the girls, but if not I'll head out there after they hit the road.
I think I neglected to mention a couple of cards recently received -- the Colorado group sent one as did my Aunt Trudy. Now I must go vacuum and tidy my house for my company. Can't leave the dust bunnies...they're big enough to scare Emily and Grace....
I felt many of the decisions I needed to make were being sidelined because I was missing information only this doctor could provide. One breast or two, reconstruction options and most importantly -- timelines. Yesterday all of these questions were answered.
First off I will have both breasts removed on August 27. My original concern was if I did, I would have to wait years for reconstruction. My plastic surgeon assured me yesterday I was now on his patient list and he will do reconstruction when my body has healed. However, having said that, I won't have new breasts right away. He won't meet with me again until six months after radiation, and it could be several more months following that before reconstruction can be scheduled.
He reviewed the reconstruction options available and we discussed the pros and cons of each. The first option (really a non-option because I will be having radiation) is a straightforward implant. The surgeon places a "balloon" under the chest muscle and stretches the area to insert either a saline or silicon implant. However, there is a relatively high incidence of the breast becoming misshapen over time as the tissue treated by radiation constricts. My doctor says although the surgery and recovery time for this option are both minimal, he would not recommend this for me.
The second option is latissimus dorsi, a surgery which uses the muscle and tissue from the back. The flap and its blood supply are tunnelled under the skin just below the armpit. It is then put into position to make a new breast shape. An implant may also be used to provide additional fullness. My surgeon says he makes an incision in the back which will be covered by the bra or swimsuit strap, so the scarring isn't an issue. The surgery can take six to seven hours and patients are usually hospitalized for two to three days. At home recovery time is relatively quick. And while I won't be swinging a tennis racket the next week, my day-to-day activities shouldn't be too hampered (Rob may have to vacuum for a week or two). This is most likely the surgery I will pursue when the time is right.
The final option uses the skin and muscle from the stomach region. This is a "free flap" surgery where the tissue and blood supply is completely removed and relocated to the breast. The patient gets new breasts and a "tummy tuck". It is, however, the most complicated of the surgeries and can last 12 hours or more. Post-surgery recovery time is five days in hospital and six to eight weeks afterwards as the stomach heals. There is also a failure rate of 1 in 20, in which the blood supply doesn't work and the new breast doesn't "take". This surgery also leaves scarring between the two hipbones. As my surgeon says it is the biggest upfront investment for long-term gain.
The good news is if I do decide on option three, he says I have enough tissue for at least a "B" sized breast and possibly even a "C". I'm not sure how I feel being told I have enough stomach fat to make two "C" size breasts. The other upside is I've again been told not to worry about losing weight or toning the stomach area; they need all the tissue they can get.
The surgeon was quite adamant I should have both breasts removed immediately. Not only for my own peace of mind, but because it will leave symmetrical tissue and scars for him to work with later. I'm just glad to have the meeting behind me and to be able to move ahead with some decisions. It means I'll truly be able to enjoy my weekend with Trudy and her girls without having this hanging over my head.
Trudy and her daughters -- Emily and Grace -- are arriving tonight and staying until Sunday. It will actually be a fairly busy weekend as Sunday is also Kelly's beach day. Her family and friends meet at a nearby park/beach and they go clam digging and have a big picnic. I'm hoping to take Trudy and the girls, but if not I'll head out there after they hit the road.
I think I neglected to mention a couple of cards recently received -- the Colorado group sent one as did my Aunt Trudy. Now I must go vacuum and tidy my house for my company. Can't leave the dust bunnies...they're big enough to scare Emily and Grace....
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Adapting to Change
The Hero sometimes has to adapt to change along his journey. The faces around him change, his goal varies or he has to take a new route or adjust his timeline. Take Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman. All along her goal is to get back to her life, until she realizes she deserves better and decides to move on and go to school. For his part, Richard Gere's character realizes he doesn't want a life by himself and he needs her. Both characters have to adapt to their new goals.
And so it is with me. My surgery date has been changed. Now instead of August 20th, I will have surgery on August 27th. A week isn't a big deal, except for when you take into account the mental preparation. I also keep looking at the big picture and it will be two months since the end of chemo before I have surgery. My hair is growing back (I had to shave my underarms yesterday for the first time in ages), and I worry about what else might be growing back. What I can't see, what I can't feel. I just want to get this done.
Combined with a couple of other disappointments, this news had me feeling really down yesterday. This whole year, the year I turned 40, was supposed be fun. Rob and I were supposed to go to Newfoundland for our vacation. It wasn't supposed to be a year ripe with fear and buried under doctors' appointments. In some ways I think the wet summer has been a reflection of the year. I try to stay positive, but sometimes the combined weight of everything feels very heavy. Yesterday was one of those days where I felt I could be crushed. Then Rob came up with the idea of cashing in our Air Miles and going to Toronto for a weekend -- the weekend I would have been recovering from my surgery.
So we're going to Toronto on August 20 and back on August 23. So far we have tickets to see the Blue Jays play Boston and LA (we'll be up in the nosebleed seats behind home plate, but we've sat there before and there's a great view of the field); we're also going to see the Sound of Music. Rob booked our hotel through Hotwire and we're staying at the downtown Sheraton for a really reasonable rate. I'm feeling much better and more optimistic today. Between the trip, looking forward to the exhibition next week, and the sunshine, I feel much better. Now if I could only shake the hot flashes, I'd be all set.
As a side-effect to my chemotherapy, my body has adopted many of the symptoms of early menopause, including the dreaded hot flash. I feel for any woman who has to go through this. I don't think I've had an uninterrupted night's sleep since they started. I wake, because I feel as though the blankets around me are going to burst into flame because I'm so hot. Then, before I can get back to sleep, it has passed and I'm freezing again. And so it goes, several times during the night. Blankets off, blankets on. It isn't so bad during the day, I guess because I'm dressed for summer. It might be more of a nuisance if I was wearing sweaters. Scientists should look at cases of spontaneous human combustion and see how many of them were women of a certain age -- it could be hot flashes out of control.
And so it is with me. My surgery date has been changed. Now instead of August 20th, I will have surgery on August 27th. A week isn't a big deal, except for when you take into account the mental preparation. I also keep looking at the big picture and it will be two months since the end of chemo before I have surgery. My hair is growing back (I had to shave my underarms yesterday for the first time in ages), and I worry about what else might be growing back. What I can't see, what I can't feel. I just want to get this done.
Combined with a couple of other disappointments, this news had me feeling really down yesterday. This whole year, the year I turned 40, was supposed be fun. Rob and I were supposed to go to Newfoundland for our vacation. It wasn't supposed to be a year ripe with fear and buried under doctors' appointments. In some ways I think the wet summer has been a reflection of the year. I try to stay positive, but sometimes the combined weight of everything feels very heavy. Yesterday was one of those days where I felt I could be crushed. Then Rob came up with the idea of cashing in our Air Miles and going to Toronto for a weekend -- the weekend I would have been recovering from my surgery.
So we're going to Toronto on August 20 and back on August 23. So far we have tickets to see the Blue Jays play Boston and LA (we'll be up in the nosebleed seats behind home plate, but we've sat there before and there's a great view of the field); we're also going to see the Sound of Music. Rob booked our hotel through Hotwire and we're staying at the downtown Sheraton for a really reasonable rate. I'm feeling much better and more optimistic today. Between the trip, looking forward to the exhibition next week, and the sunshine, I feel much better. Now if I could only shake the hot flashes, I'd be all set.
As a side-effect to my chemotherapy, my body has adopted many of the symptoms of early menopause, including the dreaded hot flash. I feel for any woman who has to go through this. I don't think I've had an uninterrupted night's sleep since they started. I wake, because I feel as though the blankets around me are going to burst into flame because I'm so hot. Then, before I can get back to sleep, it has passed and I'm freezing again. And so it goes, several times during the night. Blankets off, blankets on. It isn't so bad during the day, I guess because I'm dressed for summer. It might be more of a nuisance if I was wearing sweaters. Scientists should look at cases of spontaneous human combustion and see how many of them were women of a certain age -- it could be hot flashes out of control.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Casting for Recovery
Many, many months ago I applied for a program known as Casting for Recovery. The program provides a select group of women diagnosed with, or recovering from, breast cancer with the opportunity to fly fish with other women in the same boat (no pun intended). Recently I was contacted by the program president Kathryn Maroun, a renowned fisherwoman, indicating I was one of the eight women from across Canada selected to participate in the program. Needless to say, this is a real honor and I'm very excited about the trip.
Originally scheduled for this fall, the event will now take place sometime in the New Year, likely January. The change was made because of the expected peak in flu cases expected this fall as students head back to school. The women participating may have compromised immune systems so the organizers felt it was best to postpone the event.
All expenses are covered by Casting for Recovery including the three-day stay at Langdon Hall, a five-star resort in Cambridge Ontario, our airfare etc. I'm really looking forward to the event and the opportunity to learn more about this sport from a woman who has literally fished her way around the world.
In addition to filling out the forms related to the event, I've been busy. Wally, Jen and the kids were down this weekend past. They were wrapping up their vacation. We had a lot fun and weekend highlights included a corn boil, baseball in the backyard with the kids, a geocache adventure (we all hiked 7.5K), a campfire, and Rob and Wally took the kids fishing.
Last night Kelly, Marion, Andrea and I went to see the movie Julie & Julia. As always it was a fun evening.
I'm waiting anxiously for Thursday and my appointment with the plastic surgeon. I'll learn more about my reconstruction options and hopefully have enough information to finally decide whether to have only one breast or both breasts removed in the upcoming surgery. I need to let the surgeon's office know on Friday so the appropriate amount of time for my surgery can be reserved. I'll be glad to get it done and have the last of the cancerous cells removed.
Originally scheduled for this fall, the event will now take place sometime in the New Year, likely January. The change was made because of the expected peak in flu cases expected this fall as students head back to school. The women participating may have compromised immune systems so the organizers felt it was best to postpone the event.
All expenses are covered by Casting for Recovery including the three-day stay at Langdon Hall, a five-star resort in Cambridge Ontario, our airfare etc. I'm really looking forward to the event and the opportunity to learn more about this sport from a woman who has literally fished her way around the world.
In addition to filling out the forms related to the event, I've been busy. Wally, Jen and the kids were down this weekend past. They were wrapping up their vacation. We had a lot fun and weekend highlights included a corn boil, baseball in the backyard with the kids, a geocache adventure (we all hiked 7.5K), a campfire, and Rob and Wally took the kids fishing.
Last night Kelly, Marion, Andrea and I went to see the movie Julie & Julia. As always it was a fun evening.
I'm waiting anxiously for Thursday and my appointment with the plastic surgeon. I'll learn more about my reconstruction options and hopefully have enough information to finally decide whether to have only one breast or both breasts removed in the upcoming surgery. I need to let the surgeon's office know on Friday so the appropriate amount of time for my surgery can be reserved. I'll be glad to get it done and have the last of the cancerous cells removed.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Updates
It seems like we've been playing the waiting game for ages. With the civic holiday past I have finally got some new information. I will meet with the plastic surgeon on August 13. I was unsuccessful in having this date moved up. My surgery is now scheduled for August 20, although the time of day has not yet been finalized. That will depend on the outcome of my consult with the plastic surgeon and how we decide to proceed.
On Friday I had an ultrasound on my right breast. The mammogram on that side had shown an uneven surface on the breast and they wanted a closer look at it. I had to have more mammogram images taken on Friday to pinpoint the area and then the radiologist looked at it using the ultrasound machine. Fortunately, it was just a benign cyst.
We spent the weekend with Rob's parents. On Saturday his aunt Myrtle (Myrt) and aunt Reta, along with Reta's son Derek, arrived for a visit. It was wonderful to see them. Aunt Myrt has sent several cards and follows the blog regularly. Aunt Reta recently lost her husband, one of Rob's favourite uncles and by all accounts a wonderful man.
On Sunday we went to church with his parents. Rob's mom introduced me to Fran, a lady in the church who battled breast cancer last year. She's doing fine now and reassured me that chemo is the worst part of the overall treatment plan.
Sunday afternoon Rob's sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Richard, came out to the house for supper. Diane's birthday was earlier in the week. It was a really nice evening. Di and I walked down to the lake after supper and enjoyed the early evening sunshine and when we got back to the house we convinced Rob to play a few tunes for us and we had ourselves a little sing-a-long.
Monday was a holiday for Rob, so we didn't leave his folks' until Monday morning. On the way back to the city we stopped to see friends Kevin and Leslie at their summer place. It was really good to sit back and chat with them. They live at the other end of the province and we hadn't seen them in years. Hopefully we won't let so much time go by before we meet again.
Not much else going on; there was a card last week from the Southville Church of Christ. I continue to work out (walked a couple of times on the weekend and back on the treadmill today) in an effort to prepare myself physically for surgery.
On Friday I had an ultrasound on my right breast. The mammogram on that side had shown an uneven surface on the breast and they wanted a closer look at it. I had to have more mammogram images taken on Friday to pinpoint the area and then the radiologist looked at it using the ultrasound machine. Fortunately, it was just a benign cyst.
We spent the weekend with Rob's parents. On Saturday his aunt Myrtle (Myrt) and aunt Reta, along with Reta's son Derek, arrived for a visit. It was wonderful to see them. Aunt Myrt has sent several cards and follows the blog regularly. Aunt Reta recently lost her husband, one of Rob's favourite uncles and by all accounts a wonderful man.
On Sunday we went to church with his parents. Rob's mom introduced me to Fran, a lady in the church who battled breast cancer last year. She's doing fine now and reassured me that chemo is the worst part of the overall treatment plan.
Sunday afternoon Rob's sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Richard, came out to the house for supper. Diane's birthday was earlier in the week. It was a really nice evening. Di and I walked down to the lake after supper and enjoyed the early evening sunshine and when we got back to the house we convinced Rob to play a few tunes for us and we had ourselves a little sing-a-long.
Monday was a holiday for Rob, so we didn't leave his folks' until Monday morning. On the way back to the city we stopped to see friends Kevin and Leslie at their summer place. It was really good to sit back and chat with them. They live at the other end of the province and we hadn't seen them in years. Hopefully we won't let so much time go by before we meet again.
Not much else going on; there was a card last week from the Southville Church of Christ. I continue to work out (walked a couple of times on the weekend and back on the treadmill today) in an effort to prepare myself physically for surgery.
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