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!
