Celebrities, green, white and a little Maui

Well the bad news is that I am still waiting to hear if the transplant clinical trial will be approved. The good news is that the doctors said to go ahead with a trip to Maui with mom and dad. Dad had booked flights on Westjet back in August on a one-day sale that were just over $200 each way, figuring that even if we had to cancel and use them later it was worth it! We leave for the airport in less than two hours...perfect timing as Calgary just had a bunch of snow overnight as a going away present.


The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon was a huge success this year...it raised $181,000 in around 2 hours, led by Brandon's live auction and Dad's table from Adesa with Jim Peplinski as waiter coming in at $24,350. PwC, with waiter Michelle Cameron, was the major sponsor raising $18,800, and with Mom and Dana as volunteers for the day, it was truly a family affair! An small amazing volunteer committee and a great coordinator from the Society really pulled off a fantastic result for research and patient services.


The weekend after the CWL wrapped up, we were able to have a little "pre-Christmas" with the Pinvidics - Colleen, Allan, Grady and Joelle visited from Vancouver. The kids were able to meet their little cousins Jack and Davis and we were all able to some great visiting. I was able to make it to the zoo with them, play pool with Grady and show Joelle "girl heaven" at Sephora. It was a perfect chance to hang out with some of my favourite people before this next stage of treatment starts.


The past few weeks were good in many ways...they included celebrating Dana's birthday, coffees and lunches with friends, a dinner with my favourite Calgary-Austin cyclist Kelsey and last weekend my PwC Christmas Party - a fabulous event to see many coworker friends at. The next day, however, was priceless. Tasha and Ryan had a few friends over to watch the Roughriders take down the Bluebombers at the Grey Cup. Two weeks ago I purchased a signed Andy Fantuz jersey at a United Way auction, to me the necessary step to ensure the Riders would make and win the Grey Cup. I was pretty ecstatic (after being stressed to the final minute) when they did it! 1989 was too long ago - Green is the Colour...


Speaking of Tasha, as so many of you ask, she is still amazing, but she has been on a serious roller coaster lately, not only with the news of Ryan's brain tumour returning, but with an inconclusive test of some tissue near her surgery. January 2008 will be a big month for all three of us, with Ryan's MRI following 2 months of chemo, another ultrasound for Tasha, and some kind of new aggressive treatment for me. We three hope for a Happy New Year!
In the midst of these last few weeks, the day I found out that grandma had passed away, I had some very low blood counts as well as some very high blood counts, both abnormal. Uncertainty continues to be the overriding theme, and at the same time, I physically feel better than I have in a year and a half. Frustrating or scary days seem to be overturn by happier moments, shared with a variety of family and friends, and animals three of which are pictured here....

Jack the Lion, Davis the Zebra and Talyn the Giraffe

Well...I better head to the airport! Mele Kaliki Maka!

Mary

A lot has happened since my last post, but by far the most significant was the passing of a beautiful soul, my grandma Antonini. While her health had been sliding in the previous months, the last turn was rather quick and caught me somewhat off guard. Just two months before she died, our giant family gathered on a weekend to celebrate her upcoming 90th birthday, and grandma attended and enjoyed every minute of it. It's still hard to imagine that that little red-headed lady with sweet juicy dimples, turquoise eyes and a silly laugh - the true model of life and love - is gone. While I will miss her so much, I take comfort that she is finally dancing with grandpa, and laughing no doubt.

This picture shows my first few years with grandma. With over 36 grandchildren, I am amazed and grateful how she made each of us feel so special - that was how endless her love and energy was. She was a good friend to me, and I know her dedicated prayers helped me to where I am today.

She was a young soul her entire life. I love you grandma.