Dancing, visiting and the 90s

This week I've seen that time and age mean nothing. On the weekend, I flew to Regina for my great Aunt Marj's 90th birthday. Saturday afternoon we visited another great Aunt, Emelda, who is also in her 90s, but still living independently and offering jam jam cookies to us guests. Saturday evening was a great party - Aunt Marj's 90th included a dinner and dance and over 90 guests. She stayed until midnight and danced several times to the band Carnival (two of my old elementary and high school teachers played bass and piano!). Truly a day of young ladies in their 90s. It even inspired me to dance a few songs (with shoes off!) which was a remarkable event given my fairly recent inability to walk!

Mom, Colleen, Bob and I stayed at Ellen's house, which allowed lots of visiting with Ellen, Amy and Amy's fiance Ryland. I lived with Ellen and Amy for a while about 10 years ago, so it was wonderful to have the "girls" back together again!

Sunday I visited yet another young lady, Grandma Antonini, who will turn 90 in January. Her hair still naturally red and curly, and dimples still smiling, she seems to me to be younger than she was 15 years ago. I was lucky enough to visit with a bunch of the Antonini's that morning and afternoon as well - Holly and her family (Jamie, Eddie, Mia, Lui and Ellie), Heather, Ed, Deanie, Tony, Carol, Sonia, Len, Kelly, Therese and Christine (A). It was fantastic to see everyone and I look forward to the reunion in August to see everyone.

After a quick dinner visit with the Boyd's and Ellen Sunday evening, we arrived home late that night to Calgary. I had definitely done as much visiting as possible in a 48-hour period and was basically exhausted. Monday and Tuesday I had really significant bone pain and nausea, which kind of wiped me out until last night. It was worth it though!

Last Wednesday I started "day 1" chemo again, and the doctor mentioned to me that the transplant team still reviews my case each week to decide if the chemo I am on currently is the best path. He said there is still talk about revisiting more toxic chemo (as I missed most of the two toxic rounds when I had the infection last summer) at some point in the future, depending on my strength and continued recovery. It seems uncertainty about the plan for the near future will continue. I feel it just confirms that making my "lists" and trying to knock things off of the lists sooner rather than later is the right move.

Yesterday I started physiotherapy to try to improve my muscle strength and overall range of motion that I lost while hospitalized. I haven't really had formal physio since I left the hospital, so it will be a slow process, but I'm excited to start. This afternoon I go to the hospital for a monthly inhalation of an anti-viral drug, which will give me "coverage" for another month.

On a non-health note, Dad and I are going to the Rascal Flatts concert tonight. I may need to nap tomorrow, but again it will be worth it. If Aunt Marj, Emelda and Grandma A can do it, I can!

Cheers