Gambling realities

This week included yet another "day one" - my 11th since starting this repeating daily chemo cycle last September. The week started a little shaky when my blood work showed a lower white count, which may have delayed chemo. By Wednesday however, the lower counts were no longer an issue and I received my IV chemo as usual.

The rest of my clinic visit was focused more on discussing updated information from the New York transplant and leukemia teams of doctors, as well as the Calgary team's view on next steps. It was a somewhat complicated session that is really only the beginning of more fact-finding and exchange of information. Remarkably, a third transplant under a clinical trial study is now on the table, although there are multiple questions including who, where, when and how to pay for whatever path is taken. The risks involved with such an option are tremendous, particularly with the trauma my lungs and organs experienced while hospitalized last fall, and the potential benefit unknown.

During my session I also read an written update from the doctors provided to my insurance provider that was less than uplifting. While the 'worst case' scenario must be outlined to the insurance provider, it was an odd feeling to read the words on the paper and imagine they were about me.

Over the coming weeks, I have to make some gambling decisions...do I risk ending the relatively good state of health I have now for some potential unknown extension of my life, or do I opt to not throw the dice and enjoy what time I have, with hope that something else will come along? In either case, I know I won't be certain that I'll have made the right choice.

For certain there is a lot of activity on the part of the doctors to ensure all the information is considered, all the paperwork prepared, approvals obtained, to provide me with as much help to make a decision as possible. I am fortunate to have one of the largest teams of doctors involved, with literally dozens of specialists in two excellent centres. As always, I am also fortunate to have so many friends and family supporting me as well.

For today, I'm going to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, and cheer my friend Tasha on as she tries to walk 60 km today and tomorrow in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. While she jokes about perhaps needing to be "swept by the sweeper vehicles" stationed on the walk route, I know it is a huge challenge for her to attempt given how recent her treatments and surgery are, and want to at least cheer! Go Tasha Go!

Please don't read this post as a negative. I still have great hope that I am the exception to the statistics. I only share this with all of you because it is reality and you as my supporters deserve to know. Instead take it as a reminder that we're all really in this state of unknown odds, and enjoy today even more because of it! Cheers.

Bull-riders, Warriors, Old and New Friends

Whew, sure feels like summer! Mom and I took in the Rodeo Finals at the Stampede last Sunday - it was hot and exciting. I am not a "country girl", but it is amazing to watch the skill and guts of the men and women calf roping, bare-back ridin', saddle bronc'n, steer wrestlin, barrel racing and of course, bull-riding! With the top prize in each category of $100,000, it is by far some of the best competition you can watch. It was a great afternoon, and then we were happy to say goodbye to Stampede for another year.

I spoke with one of my doctors from Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre in New York this week, and he informed me that my case had been presented to their transplant team. He felt that my case should also be put forward to their leukemia team (it's a pretty large centre, so there's actually 2 separate teams). That happened this past Friday, so I should hear what their final consensus was perhaps this week. My doctors at Tom Baker will consider what the New York teams suggest is the best next step for my treatment, and then we'll all come to agreement. I'll keep you posted!

I caught up with a few more people this week, some old friends that I hadn't seen for a long while, which was great. It's amazing how some people you just never lose your connection with, even if time passes between visits. Just like many "destinations" on my life list, visiting with good friends has to be a top priority for me now.

A few new friends popped up this past week as well..I met with Jerry, a man who is planning to run one of the Leukemia Society's Team in Training marathons, raising funds for the Society at the same time. I'll be one of his "honoured heroes" that he runs for. Pretty cool stuff.

Also I met with a lovely lady Kelsey, from PwC, who is training to cycle with a team from Calgary to Austin, Texas in early October, to raise funds and awareness for cancer. Cancervive (www.cancervive.ca) also flies down "Warriors" for the weekend the cycling team arrives in Austin, to celebrate survivorship. Kelsey has asked me to be a warrior...since I'm already kind of a veteran, I thought I could be a warrior!

This week brings another "day one" chemo day again...unless anything is changed from what the NYC docs report. For now, I'm going to soak up the sun and see what else the week will bring. Hope you're soaking it up too.

A pleasant surprise

Today my dad picked up a pleasant surprise - his sister my aunt Louise! Her travel from Scotland to Regina took her through Calgary and she had several hours before her connection. Dad surprised her by arriving at the airport and taking her home with him...Marty and Karen stopped by and then Brandon, Dana and the twins Davis and Jack! She's now in the boarding room back at the airport...it was sure wonderful to see her as always! Such a great unexpected Friday party. Cheers

A nip, tuck, trot and pics!

I just wanted to let you know that my surgery Friday went well - I was out in less than an hour with disolvable stitches and very little dressing. I saw Dr. Campbell Wednesday and he was happy with how it was healing. My blood work this week showed my liver function only "slightly" abnormal, so I'm back to methotrexate, one of the drugs in my chemo protocol.

On the right side of the blog I've included a link to my Light the Night team page. Light the Night is a beautiful, relaxed event held by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society every year. It is a leisurely walk held at dusk, by the river, with friends, family and supporters carrying illuminated balloons - red for supporters and white for survivors. It's quite an amazing sight to see, and is actually a lot of fun. This is the third year for the event in Calgary and we have a team called "Tricia's Trotters" for friends and family - my friend Tasha and many of her "trotter" friends are also coming. There are also "Tricia" teams walking in Vancouver and New York. If you'd like to come out and "trot" you can follow the link to register online. You can also find other cities walk sites there. If you can't walk, you can also make a donation by following the link and clicking on my name, which takes you to my donation page. Tax receipts are printable as soon as you make the donation online. Last year I was in the hospital while teams walked in Calgary, New York and Vancouver. This year I plan to be out there walking, carrying a white balloon! I'd love to see you there!

Finally, I wanted to post a few pics of Amy's wedding in Regina at the end of June - there's one of Amy and her mom Ellen and Dad Ted,
one fuzzy one her and Ryland at dinner,
and one of mom and I at the ceremony.


As well - some updated pictures of the twins



- they're walking now! Look out!

Summer Sizzle Visiting

It is hard to believe July is here - and you can feel the heat - the past few weeks since New York have just flown by. On the Sunday mom and I returned from New York, I had a great visit with my cousin Holly and her beautiful family who were in town visiting another cousin of hers.

I've also been feeling well enough to continue my volunteer work with the Society. I told my story at the a corporate "kickoff" for Light the Night, an Fall event of the Society's where people walk at dusk in honour of blood-related diseases, holding illuminated balloons - red for supporters and white for survivors. I'll be posting more information on that event in the next week or so as many of you have been a part of "Tricia's Trotters" in the past few years...

In the past few weeks, I've also spent some time with Tasha in her last days before she returned to work part-time - a final piece of her recovery from breast cancer. Many of you ask about her and I am happy to report she is doing very well and her coworkers were ecstatic to have her back.

Last Friday, I drove with mom and dad to Regina to see Amy and Ryland get married! I lived with Amy and her mom Ellen years ago when mom and dad first moved to Calgary, so she's like my little sister. It was a great weekend, a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding - they are a fantastic couple and I'm so happy for them. We also managed to see Grandma Antonini, who is in the hospital right now, as well as some of the Antonini's for great visits. It was sure wonderful to see everyone...

A week ago I started Day 1 of my chemo cycle again. I'm not sure if it was the drive home from Regina or the timing of my chemo drugs, but since I returned home, my hands, arms, and legs are cramping so violently that it's making me nauseous - I may drop the post if the cramps attack again! This week my bloodwork showed one liver function was quite high so they stopped part of the chemo. Hopefully it recovers by next week so I can restart that drug. I also will be having minor surgery tomorrow on my neck wound - just a "nip and tuck" as I understand, to release a small part of the grafted skin that pulls when I turn my head. Ah, plastic surgery! Also - I finally have an end-date for the daily blood thinner injections I am doing - mid August will mark the last of the injections, and my tummy can recover!

Stampede starts tomorrow...the sure sign of summer. I think it's supposed to be 36 degrees. I even bought cowboy boots this year! I hope your summer is starting out well...make sure to soak it up before it's gone! Cheers