Maui Christmas!

I wish you a Maui Christmas and a Happy New Year! Or Mele Kaliki Maka, Ha ole maka heke ho!

Mom, dad and I enjoyed two weeks of wonderfulness in Maui, as kind of a last-minute vacation of sorts, with no agenda and no expectations. The time was spent mostly at two beaches nearby our condo, boogey-boarding, snorkeling and just relaxing. The most tangible thing that came out of our time on the beach was a giant sand sea-turtle that dad and I created (which tourists had pictures of them taken in front of!), and a video I took of a sand crab who was able to throw a little clump of sand further than most professional baseball players.


Of course, being Tricia and being the tropics, some record-breaking crazy weather had to be a part of our trip. The worst rainstorms in 50 years hit Maui and we had no power for a day and a half...not that surprising after my hurricane escape in August, the last time I met a coastal area. We really didn't complain given that it was -17 back in Calgary! A few card games by candlelight later, we were back on the beach anyway! All in all, it was one of the best vacations I've been on

Maui was...energizing to say the least. Once again, my body engaged the sand and sea with happiness and I was far stronger when we left than the day we arrived. A daily workout of riding waves in to shore, getting up on my feet and charging back into the ocean was better than all the physio I've been attempting back in Alberta. A day-trip to the island of Lanai also opened up some dozen views of whales enjoying some ocean time, incredible fish among beautiful coral, and sea turtles bobbing near Maui's coast. We also managed to find some wonderful restaurants and places to visit at night after our daytime seaside adventures. My legs were sore from the ocean workout and my arms were sore from clapping to the Irish bands!

After the red-eye flight home, we drove directly to the hospital for chemo, which was delayed by a day or so due to timing of blood-work. The update on the clinical trial was pretty flat - a contract at the entity-level of all parties involved needs to be drawn up, and the doctors in Calgary do not have a sense of how long this may take. Patience and a continued tolerance for the unknown seem to be my best tools in this challenge. I wish for both in ample amounts for Christmas.

Oh yeah....Christmas! In just two days! We are lucky to be spending Christmas Eve and morning with Dana, Brandon, Davis and Jack, which should be entertaining as the twins discover wrapped boxes as a tradition. A simple but wonderful few days are ahead, and I look forward to enjoying them, physically able, healthy for the moment. I'll likely eat too much, sleep too much and make resolutions for the New Year, just like everybody else. And it will be excellent.

2007 was a pretty fantastic year, filled with experiences that I never imagined I'd be able to see, taste and feel. I travelled, I visited, I learned, and I laughed more than I hurt and more than I cried. I guess that's what it's all about. So I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and for 2008 - more days filled with joy, laughter, love and happiness than you have days of loss and tears. I thank you for all of your continued support and toast to you - a wonderful life!

Cheers

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!