Perspective

This week was overall a very good week. Aside from several health-related appointments, I did some babysitting (Davis and Jack are pretty hilarious now) and had a wonderful dinner with my sister-in-law Dana. I caught up with some friends, spoke to potential marathon runners about my leukemia experience, and helped my brother out with some of his latest real estate ventures. In a few minutes, I’ll board a plane to Vancouver, to visit Colleen, Allan, Grady and Joelle as well as my grandma Gunn, who is finally getting a private room at the nursing home she is in. I was feeling a bit of “plane” withdrawal, with my last flight over a month ago!

Last Thursday I met Tasha and Ryan at the hospital as she met with her doctor to discuss the results of her recent tests and treatment plans. My role in these visits is really to act as an extra set of ears in the room, taking in all the information the doctor provides and ensuring Tasha’s list of questions gets covered while she’s there. I (as were Tasha and Ryan!) was EXTREMELY pleased to learn that the various scans and tests did NOT indicate the cancer had spread beyond the area it was discovered in. WHEW. However, as those scans cannot give 100% assurance that the cancer is limited to the local area in which it was found, the doctors recommended further surgery around the area, as well as radiation treatment and hormone therapy following that. Chemotherapy was also discussed, as another tool to reduce the risk of recurrence should any sneaky cancer cells manage to escape the additional surgery and radiation. It didn’t take Tasha more than a second to reply “yes” to that option, wanting to hit the cancer with everything possible. I quietly cheered that choice from my chair in the corner of the room.

Following Tasha’s appointment, I whipped over to the bone marrow transplant unit (just down the hall conveniently) to stop in there to let them know of a few funny symptoms I had – after Dr. Brown checked me out, he let me know that he expected my application for the clinical trial to go to Ottawa in about a week. I’ll check back with him to see when it actually goes and let you know as soon as it does!

So, a week from tomorrow Tasha will have yet another surgery, and depending on the pathology report, she will start chemo a couple of weeks later, radiation treatment after than, and finally hormone therapy after that. Tasha was full of energy and drive leaving the hospital, armed with a plan and knowledge that she is now fighting the cancer with everything possible. It’s kind of amazing how positive we all felt that day, given the significant and lengthy treatment path ahead. Perspective sure is powerful.

A Wii bit of Malti Momentum

This week I realize that baby steps are not always small. When I started another chemo "day one" last Wednesday, I had a tiny bit of news that suggests there may be some momentum building on my next treatment steps. That morning, Dr. Brown had received an email with a draft contract concerning the clinical trial attached to it, a final step in the application process that I had expected would take several more weeks. I also found out that results from an extensive ultrasound I had before Christmas - it indicated the surgery performed last year to remove the tissue infected by the flesh-eating disease did not damage the blood vessels in my neck and chest significantly, so that a central line (this would be my fourth) should be able to be inserted for the next stage of treatment. Just yesterday, I went for an echocardigram, or an ultrasound of the heart, which is just one of many tests that I will undergo prior to the next stage of treatment. While none of these events means that the clinical trial will be approved, it is just a tiny bit of hope that this waiting period may soon be over.

This week included a lot of other small treasures, including another Survivor draft lunch with friends Shannon, Julie and Laura, a "mini-reunion" with some high school friends, a 1st birthday for an adorable little boy named Alex, a day-trip to Fort MacLeod to visit Bob and Heather, and catching 2 awesome movies with Mom.

Last night, we had a Wii bit of fun - I probably laughed the hardest I have in months, as Dad, Mom and I worked up a sweat bowling, golfing and playing tennis right in our living room. It was also the first time in history that Mom has finished a golf game and even better she beat Dad (by 10 strokes). The Nintendo Wii could actually be better than my training and physio for its positive effects both physically and mentally. I'm actually a bit sore today. From laughing and Wiiing....

I witnessed a significant demonstration of the power of a small soul when Tasha, Talyn and I visited the Zoo yesterday morning, after my echocardigram. It was a beautiful warm day so we decided to do something fun, knowing that later this week Tasha's test results on the status of her cancer would be in, and the focus turning to treatment plans would not be so fun. During our visit, we were introduced to Malti, a baby elephant born in the past six months, who looked absolutely tiny under her mother, but pranced about with enormous confidence and strength. In speaking with the zookeeper, tiny Malti actually weighs 490+ pounds although Tasha and I both felt we likely could scoop her up and let her sit on the bed at home! We both agreed despite a fairly smooth week on the health front for both of us (compared to last week), Malti was the highlight of the week!

New Year Surprises

2008 has already proved to be an interesting year. I rang it in with style, at the chic Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary. I had bought a New Year's night in a deluxe suite at the auction during the Celebrity Waiters Luncheon, and Tasha and her son Talyn helped me celebrate in it! We ordered room service, drank wine, watched movies (everything from Shrek to Sex in the City) and danced around our room, making it until around 11:50 pm before enjoying a restful night and complimentary breakfast in the morning. All in all, one of my most favourite New Year's!

On New Year's day, mom, dad and I shared dinner with Dana and the twins (Brandon missed out as he was in Mexico working on his land development project) to mark 2008. Grandpa and Grandma again enjoyed some JD time, and arrowroot cookies were ever-present. Davis and Jack continue growing up into little boys with their own unique personalities and it's hard to imagine what life was like before they arrived!

While the first couple of days of 2008 were great, the roller coaster downward began a couple of days later, when my best friend Tasha called me with some horrible news - pathology results showed that the lump she had found several weeks earlier was not surgical scar tissue as was expected, but cancer. With her husband Ryan already doing chemotherapy, it was beyond devastating news. The doctors are running a number of tests through this week to determine if the cancer has spread from the original site, before determining treatment plans, but at the very least it will mean more surgery and radiation. Tasha has started her blog again at tashaengel@blogspot.com if you'd like to follow her progress.

Between Ryan, Tasha and I, this cancer is truly starting to tick me off with it's illogical and unpredictable recklessness. After a few days of being angry at the ridiculousness of the situation, I have concluded once again that there is no reason for any of this, and as difficult as it is to do, spending energy on they "why"is a waste. Tasha has also amazingly moved past her shock and anger and is in full fight mode. Now, with both of us having experienced relapse, we marvel at and are appreciative of the ability to move past such a significant devastation into a positive-attitude zone. It's a mystery to me almost as much as the cancer itself.

A lot can sure happen in a week on the roller coaster of life. After blood-work tomorrow, I head to chemo day 1 again on Wednesday, with hopes that progress has been made on my clinical trial paperwork, so that I can move forward to the next treatment steps. I've been able to shake the flu I was fighting, so I'm also going to try to get back to the training I was doing before Christmas, as well as attend a few meetings for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Of course, I'll also hang out with Tasha as she gets the rest of her tests out of the way. While I'm not technically "working", it will still will be a busy week...who knows what it will hold!

I wish you all a wonderful week!

Happy Holidays

I can hardly believe Christmas was almost 2 weeks ago...I realized it was time to post!

Our Christmas was really simple and sweet - we prepared turkey dinner on Christmas Eve and shared it with Brandon, Dana, Davis and Jack.

The boys were true entertainment as usual and were very intrigued with the tree and lights, as well as their usual focuses - the portable phones, Daisy and the light switches - all of which they can reach now with no problem.

On Christmas morning, we travelled 5 minutes to Brandon and Dana's house for our traditional Christmas Morning Wifesaver brunch and the boys opened gifts from everyone including a playhouse from Santa. They were quite excited about the house, immediately opening the door, sticking their heads out the windows, and later figuring out they could crawl onto the picnic table on the outside and almost get on the roof...the power of 2 boys!

A couple of days later, mom, dad and I spent a wonderful night and delicious meal with a few aunts and uncles of mine, at Marty and Karen's house, with Mary-Ellen and Bob. Mary-Ellen is an amazing women and her birthday falls on December 27th; she rarely has ever celebrated her birthday because of Christmas, her favourite holiday. She'd never complain. This year, however, we surprised her and she caught up on some focused birthday-girl time!

Marty and Karen went all out with dozens of balloons, decorations, party favours, loot bags, gifts (including an amazing miniature painting by Marty) and I made a rice-krispie cake - combined with our excitement to celebrate such a wonderful woman, it was a great party! Happy Birthday Mary Ellen!

During all of this, I weathered a bit of a flu, with nausea and increased fatigue. Still, I was happy to be able to celebrate the special days in a far greater capacity than last year.

I hope all of you had wonderful holidays filled with simple but sweet celebrations. I again wish you health and joy for 2008. Cheers!