Wednesday 14 October 2015

Thank you. Thank you and Thank you.

I realize that it has been a while since my last post. But life moves fast when you're actually living. And I'm very pleased to report that is what has been happening.

My move into my new condo has been a major contributor to some good energy. It was a seamless experience that I have no issue crediting Jayman Modus with, and perhaps my Dad and uncle Bob for some heavy lifting....and then a month or two later, two designers named Shelly and Janet, who "frosted the cake".  Some pics below show some of the sweetness.  I literally say "hello place" with a smile on my face some days when I open the door.

Overall, I have been feeling better and better each week, regaining a lot of stamina and even the feeling in my feet!  The laser/light therapy I continued to try for my extensive neuropathy has been nothing short of miraculous. Not only did it help reverse the effects on my feet from the breast cancer chemo, it's reversed some numbness that I've had from the leukemia chemo.  I'm able to walk on the balls of my feet and go up and down stairs without needing to hold the rail....things I haven't done for around a decade :)  Even my calf muscles are returning as a result.  We also tried the same laser/light therapy on my never-closing neck wound, and I was just discharged from the wound clinic as it is now closed - after five years.  Wow. Wow and Wow.

I have four remaining Herceptin treatments that will end in mid-December but really those are more of a hassle to go up to the cancer centre, get an IV in and sit for about 40 minutes.  I don't feel any side effects during or after the infusion, or certainly I am not aware that I do.  So getting very close to being done with that stuff.  I'm now on to doing some sessions with my pilates master Kathleen to get stronger again. 

With all the good health I've enjoyed lots of great moments with friends and family, and of course a bit of travel. A few pics below show some of the fun I had in August/September - including weekends in Regina with family and Las Vegas with friends. I celebrated Tasha and Andrew's "secret" wedding and have been helping Yvette wedding dress shop.  I've been working on some interesting projects at work related to cool global technology the firm has developed, and may even need to do some travel in the future.  I was in Toronto a couple weeks ago with PwC and then up to Leduc for AB Cancer Council meetings.  Almost impossible to capture how great it has been to get back to the busy normal people activities of life.

This Friday I'll get Herceptin and then my quarterly cardio MRI to check how my heart is holding up with the continued Herceptin hits. Then I will literally race up the Deerfoot from my MRI to join about 35 people for Light the Night that night :)  I've added a link to the Calgary and Vancouver teams on the sidebar if you want to join either!  Apparently there will be around 10 trotters in Van this Saturday night!  Amazing. Amazing and Amazing.

On Tuesday mom, Colleen and I will fly to NYC to attend the 20th annual Memorial Sloan Kettering transplant event.  Wild to think what has gone on since last year's event when I spoke at it.  It will be good to see the docs again and for the docs to see me looking stronger than ever.  We managed to secure some tickets in the nights following the MSK event to see Bruce Willis make his broadway debut in Misery and also witness Al Pacino on stage in China Doll.  Awesome.  Awesome and Awesome.

Rather fitting that this post comes a couple days after Thanksgiving.  It is impossible for me to articulate how thankful I am.  Thank you.  Thank you and Thank you.

T

Front entry
Kitchen

Living room
Tasha and Andrew's surprise 
Yvette and I toasting Las Vegas
Master bedroom
Dad's birthday - Jack and Davis bear hug



Mireya and I - May 21 birthday girls are good at puzzles, lego and play-doh :)