Cleared for take-off!

Another good week almost over...

I visited the bone marrow clinic on Tuesday and given my counts and the state of my chest wound, they said I was in pretty good shape. Good enough to join my mom on her flight to Vancouver tomorrow, to visit my grandma. Since her second stroke this past January, she has not been able to walk and has a limited speaking ability, so I am very happy to go see her for a couple days. I'll also be able to have a "pre-Christmas" visit with Colleen, Allan, Joelle and Grady.

Next week I start my "day one" of chemo again, which means some IV chemo and 5 days of prednisone, along with the usual 28 days of mercapturine. It also means another lumbar puncture or "spinal tap", which requires me to give myself injections of blood thinner for the 5 days before and after the procedure (uncle Tony will appreciate that). I am happy I am done Christmas shopping!

On the non-medical side of life, I was able to visit the twins a few times this week. My arm strength has finally gotten to the point where I can lift them, which is excellent. They are truly hilarious and cute, and I think they may know me now (with and without my hair on). I also got over to Tasha's place for a SingStar session, as she unfortunately got delayed until next week for her next round of chemo. I even made it to the Christmas party for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (I'm on the board) which was tiring but wonderful to see everyone there. Finally, I had lunch with an old grade-school friend of mine, Ryan, who is newly engaged!

So I am off tomorrow evening...please keep me updated on what is new in your world. Cheers

'Tis the Season to be Merry

This week has been very merry...I have been feeling better than I have in a long long while. While my stamina still has a long way to go, my energy has improved this week.

Gifts of the week

- getting my "pick" line in my arm removed - I am officially "tubeless". My chemo now is mostly pill-form, so I'll do blood tests and my monthly IV chemo by a peripheral IV instead of having the pick.
- being told by my plastic surgeon Dr. Campbell that I don't need to come in to wound care anymore, as my wound in my neck/chest is all closed!
- having lunch with my sister-in-law Dana and my twin nephews Jack and Davis
- playing "SingStar" with my good friend Tasha (who is courageously fighting breast cancer), without our wigs on, forgetting either of us were sick

I truly hope all of you have a healthy, joyful, happy holiday season. I am so thankful for the joys of life that I am able to experience, having survived the past few months. Your wishes, prayers, energy, thoughts, words and visits have truly been spectacular, giving me some powerful strength to beat the odds. Please toast life throughout the holiday season and have an extra piece of baking for me!

Cheers