Sunny Scottsdale

As many of you know, I have managed to get to some warm places over the past year and a half, and always seem to come home stronger each time. The Sun is a powerful healer. My recent trip to Scottsdale with Mom was no exception.

On arrival, we found out that our hotel had oversold the first night and we were transferred to another hotel, which was very disappointing. The next day however, the hotel upgraded us to a large suite overlooking the pool areas and tried to make up for the inconvenience with free drinks, champagne and breakfast! After that we stayed with the Morin's, friends of our family from Regina who now have a beautiful place in Scottsdale. Between the upgraded hotel night and Linda'(below, with Mom and I) and her incredibly gracious hosting, we really felt quite pampered. We were even lucky enough to see Dan and Jan Marce, old Regina friends as well, as they were visiting Morin's at the same time as us. We caught up on lots of years and laughed about a lot of old memories.

Saturday night was a highlight, as we had court side tickets to the Phoenix Suns. Our seats were just below the height of Shaq O'Neil's head (and slightly above Steve Nash's)so it was pretty exciting! Our seats came with free food and drinks as well, so the whole night went by far too quickly.

During the day we spent most of our time shopping...I was able to find some pretty great deals including new hair! I am all ready for the next few months when my short hair-do will become none again...

Returning to Calgary early last week, I visited the hospital for another "day one" - this should be my last round of this particular mix of drugs, given the upcoming plans for treatment change. Even if the transplant does not get approved, we'll be moving to something more aggressive, so a change is coming. Dr. Brown indicated the application would finally be mailed this week to Ottawa for Health Canada's review, at which point they have 30 days to render a decision. I also met with one of the transplant nurses who arrange the "workup" for transplant as well as the collection of stem cells from Brandon, so I have a few more details now about that.

I have a range of emotions toward the upcoming months:

- excitement to actually have at least a tentative plan

- stress over the application getting to Ottawa in time for them to review it and still make the May 1st timeline

- worry over whether they will approve it and what my limited options are if they don't

- slight panic for a list of things I need and want to get done prior to admission as I won't know how long I'll be in hospital

- fear over how I will fair with the aggressive new drugs included in the transplant trial and the possibility that my lungs and liver won't hold up.

Luckily, I keep really busy and don't get too swallowed up in all of these varying emotions! I have been continuing to meet up with various friends and family lately, and continue to value these times more and more every day. I have also been more focused on maximising my strength with more exercise and careful eating. In addition, recent changes with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have arisen and I have decided it is the appropriate time to step away from the extensive volunteer roles I had there, to enable me to fully focus on my health in the coming months.

I am fortunate that warm weather (in Scottsdale and Calgary, anyway!) has given me some energy to take on this next phase...I wish you warmth as well! Cheers