Tuesday 12 September 2017

Patience and Predictability

Life is never predictable.  I thought I knew what to expect of the past couple weeks.  I did 2 of the 3 chemo drugs back in early 2015 for breast cancer, and I did radiation just this May - so I should know what to expect and based on that I would be feeling pretty good by now.

Not exactly - of course I did radition of a different kind and then almost immediately did chemo.  And my brain had lesions in it that were affecting my vision.  And later in the 2 weeks found out I had an infection layered on top.  So my mobility has been really limited - only walk with a cane and someone's arm, need help going to the washroom. I also became weaker overall and then had the normal chemo stuff - mouth sores that limited what I could eat, grey days etc. My vision issues (basically double vision) have not resolved so that added to the muddy mix and made reading and texting a challenge 

The good news is I'm seeing some improvement in most areas.  My eye is opening, I have moments of seing "one" of something, infection is resolving, strength building.  I am hoping for a big recovery week so I'm ready for another round of chemo starting in a week.

Friday an "access" team will try to put either a port or pick line into my chest/neck or arm, depending on what they think.  I'll be happy when that's done.

I had some bright points during the chemo/radiation storm - my cousins Brant and Shawn were in Calgary on their Western Canada tour ;) last Thursday and stopped by to see me.  My mom's cousin Ellen was in Calgary this past weekend so we relived some of our July lake adventure. 

So I was reminded you can't really predict what is going to happen.  And patience is everything.  And I am so grateful for everyone's love, messages, prayers, support.  And we take for granted being able to get up, go to the washroom and eat what we want. 

Tricia



23 comments:

Christine said...

Dear Tricia,
Every morning I come to your blog and I don't always tell you how much I love you and that I think about you every day and continue to pray and visualize surrounding you with white light and holding you in my heart. You continue to inspire me with your courage, wisdom and love.
Love & Prayers, Christine
p.s. Today I've joined Auntie Louise in lighting a candle for you.

BJ said...

Dear Tricia,
Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. We think of you every day, pray for you, and admire your courage and spirit. We hope for the same things you do, that you will be able to get up, go, and eat.
Loving you always,
BJ and Bob

Anonymous said...

Tricia,

I do not always comment, but I read every post. I am so thankful that you provide us with updates on your well-being. I think of you often and will continue to keep you in my heart and prayers.

Wishing you the best and loving you always,

Nick

Mary Ellen said...

Dear Tricia,
We think about you every day and send lots of love and prayers. You are the most courageous woman, and my heart is filled with love, admiration, and prayers that the quality of your life improves with all these treatments.
You are on our minds and in our hearts.
Lots of love,
Bob & Mary Ellen
xoxoxo

Louise and David said...

💌Dear Tricia,

Talk about unpredictability!🎲 Like you, we could not have foreseen the terrible storm that you have been weathering for the last two weeks.💨 Besides wading through the 'muddy mix' of what you call 'normal Chemo stuff', you have been hit by infection, limited mobility, double vision and general weakness.🌀 In the face of such suffering, only you have earned the right to say that "patience is everything". You are amazing!😇

🌈We are relieved that there have been some bright spots for you. We especially appreciate seeing the recent picture of you taken during your visit with Brant and Shawn.📷 Even a glimpse of you is a precious encounter for us.💞 Somehow, you are still willing to be present to others around you and are able to find moments of calm in the storm🌌.

💉Now, as you prepare for the next round of Chemo, we, too, will focus our energies on a big recovery week for you. Once your port line is in on Friday, we'll pray that you can have a quiet weekend, spent gathering all the strength of mind, body and spirit that you will need to carry you into Round 2, next Tuesday💫.

In the meantime, we will try not to take any of life's simplest gifts for granted🚶☕🍴. Though your army of supporters cannot predict what's going to happen, Tricia⏳, we are standing by with unwavering devotion to you💂. That's for sure!

Love you today and always,
Louise and David💕

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tricia!

Love you lots!


JD

ed said...

Our thoughts and prayers with you daily.

Lots of love

Ed and Deanie

Marcia said...

Hi Tricia, Thank you once again for your update - sharing the details of your treatments helps me to understand what is going on for you. I think of you everyday - sending love and prayers.

Marcia xo

Sonia said...

HI Tricia 💟

Thinking of you so much and sending prayers, love and energy your way!

You remind us all how precious life is and to be thankful for all the little things we take for granted.... we live you and pray for strength to tackle the next round 🕭

Lots of love 💟💜💟

Sonia

Carol said...

We love you Tricia and pray for you and your Mom and Dad every day.
Love Tony and Carol

Curtis Cutshaw said...

Sending love and light and thoughts and prayers to you today ❤️

Louise and David said...

💌Dear Tricia,

You have been so much in our thoughts and prayers today🙏. We know that nothing is for certain but if you have had the big week of recovery you were hoping for, today is the day you could begin a second round of Chemo💉.

⛅If so, we pray that the process itself goes exactly as planned and that you have the stamina to take each day as it comes with your remarkable patience and quiet endurance. 💋We wish the same strength for those who are closest to you in these hardest of times.

🚶🚶🚶We see that a team of Tricia's Trotters, led by Ellie Gustafson👸, will be walking in Regina's Light the Night event this coming Saturday🎈🎈🎈. We hope you will feel their support and love across the miles🌏. We are with them in spirit.🙌

💕Lots of love,
Louise and David

Michele said...

Dear Tricia,
You remind us to "Cherish the chance to work and play and think and speak and sing; all simple pleasures are opportunities for grateful praise". Continued love and prayers to you.
Love,
Michele 💕

Curtis Cutshaw said...

Just dropping by your blog to send you continual love and prayers and light.

Barb and Curtis and family

Bonnie said...

Dear Tricia❤️
Thinking of you and your family every day! We love you tons and are continuing to pray for you. You continue to amaze us with your strength.💐💕love Bonnie and Rob

La ma tante préférée de l'autre said...

Well I hadn't read your blog for a while .Sorry.I never stop . thinking about you and putting you in my daily prayers.
You are amazing and make me appreciate all my blessings. thinking of you and sending love


Dominique

Mary Ellen said...

Dear Tricia,
Bob & are I are thinking of you and of Lui & Marie and Brandon. You are a remarkable family and we love you so much.

Love and prayers,
Mary Ellen & Bob
xoxoxo

Fareeha Khan said...

Sending love and prayers your way -

Anonymous said...

Dear Tricia,

I met you while working at PwC about 17 years ago. At the time, I thought Elizabeth McGovern had taken up accounting, so I was a bit nervous to say hello (hope that made you smile).

I have been following your blog over the years and wishing you good health and happiness from afar. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and showing us what is truly important in life.

Thinking of You & your wonderful family,

Vicki

Louise and David said...

💌Hi Tricia,
On this last day of September📅, we are in Milan with some of David's golfing buddies and their families⛳. We have carried you here with us in our hearts, as we do wherever we go in the world💗. Our love and prayers for you keep you close to us across the miles.🙏

💌Hugs,
Louise and David

Oli said...

Dear Tricia,
we are thinking on you and your Family and sending Love.
We wish you the best!

Jona, Noah, Judith & Oli

Louise and David said...

Dearest Tricia,💗

📅Today our calendar reminds us that you are into the third week of your second cycle of Chemo. Though you are living these days minute-by-minute⌚, we are bunching them into chunks of three weeks at a time⏳.

For now, we are giving thanks for your progress to date🚶, sending energy to support you through this day🔥, and praying for whatever it takes to prepare you for the third round of treatment next week🙏.

🎂It's Brandon's birthday today, too. You have never needed an excuse to celebrate🎆 but this particular birthday calls for a true toast to LIFE❤, with special thanks for Brandon's lifesaving gifts of bone marrow, donated twice over🎁🎁. Cheers🍻!

💌Hugs all around,
Louise and David💕

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