I managed to get in a lot of visiting in one day - many cousins, a few aunts and uncles and even some familiar faces I ran in to along the way. Ellen (my mom's cousin who I lived with briefly in Regina years ago) also took me to a few shops I'd never been to. Dad and I had a lot of fun on the ride there and back, creating games that made the time fly. Overall it was a really nice unexpected change of scenery. I forgot to take pictures of course, until the ride home when I realized I had my camera - here's an "old friend" who got stuck in the hood!
My energy has continued to improve and last Friday I even played a few hands of poker with some of the PwC girls. Saturday I attended my PwC "coach"'s annual "I Survived Shannon" party and Sunday had Jack, Davis and Dana came over (Daddy was out of town). I was having moments of deja vu of my former life!
The busy schedule continued this week. Monday included physio, lunch with a friend and speaking for an hour to a class of nursing students at Mount Royal. Every time I tell my story (which is so long I now use Powerpoint) where some benefit is taken from the audience, it energizes me. Tuesday morning I had a significant and interesting visit at the hospital with Deacon Frank, a volunteer with Pastoral Services that has known me since 1997 when this journey began. In the afternoon I saw an eye specialist for a post-transplant exam - I now have drops but otherwise things look okay. Wednesday I had a CT of my chest followed by bloodwork, a visit with Dr. Brown, and then my Day 100 bone marrow aspirate. All went well, except for a bizarre reaction I had later than night (it resolved by the next night). I should get results of the tests in the coming weeks. I also managed to catch a cold, so I'm hoping my new immune system knows what to do. Overall I continue to feel improvement in strength and stamina - which obviously allowed me to do everything I did in the last 2 weeks!On a less exciting note, some of you know Tasha and her husband's roller coaster took an unwelcome drop last week when Ryan's MRI showed his brain tumour to be considerably larger than the MRI 2 months ago. He is scheduled for a number of tests in the coming week to determine treatment options and strategy, and they are both summoning more strength to get into fight mode yet again. Some more positive news from their corner...Tasha's article came out in the October issue of Flare this week - I understand it hits Calgary newsstands Tuesday. Tasha is also leading a committee that will host a unique and hip event in Calgary for Rethink Breast Cancer on October 23rd, 2008. I'll definitely be there! If you want tickets you can buy them online at www.rethinkbreastcancer.com
Speaking of events, I wanted to let you know I won't be attending the Light the Night walk by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this year in Calgary. The distance is a little beyond my reach. As well, I have not been involved with the local chapter since last February when the volunteer chapter board was disbanded and my role as co-chair was no longer available. I understand many of "Tricia's Trotters" will be walking, in Vancouver and Calgary, and I cheer you on in spirit! The Society is doing excellent work in patient services and moving research toward a cure.
As I've successfully reached day 100 on both paper and in my quality of life, I am happy to report I'll be visiting the team of doctors in charge of the clinical trial from Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC to show them their "product". October 2nd Mom and I will visit New York again and meet with the MSK doctors. They have been in constant communication with Dr. Brown and the team here at Tom Baker throughout the past year, and are pleased with the results they have been forwarded "on paper" to date. I'll be excited to show them the "off paper" success of their experiment so far.
It's been two weeks since my last post. Calgary has been warm and the leaves on the green trees have been changing into gorgeous rust, orange and yellow colours. Change is in the air, and I'm so grateful I feel tangible, positive changes in my mind, body and spirit. I love Fall.
6 comments:
Dear Tricia,
It is so good to hear that you are continuing to feel well, and are revisiting some of your old haunts and activities. It will be interesting to hear what the Sloan Kettering doctors have to say. I hope you and your Mom have a nice time in NY and that you will continue to improve and flourish.
As always we will continue our prayers and wishes for your good health.
Love, BJ
WOW! What wonderful news Tricia!It's great knowing that you are feeling better all the time. I'd love to see the reaction of the NY doctors when they see their "Product" when you visit them on October 2nd. They'll be delighted, no doubt. What an exciting meeting for both you & them!
Bob & I will be thinking of you & Marie at that time. I smile when I think of you being back in your beloved New York city. I get goose-bumps!
Enjoy your time there and knock their socks off!
Love & continuous prayers,
Mary Ellen xoxoxoxoxo
Dear Tricia1 All I can say is wowowowowow!! I am so happy to hear that you are feeling so many improvements and are able to do some visiting and travelling! Have a wonderful trip to your favourite city, Tricia, and know that you're always in our hearts and minds.
Love you lots,
Barb
Hi Tricia,
We can't express how happy we are to hear of your progress and how excited we are you are returning to New York. The body truly is amazing.
Love and Prayers
Uncle Ed and Deanie
Dear Tricia,
Seeing that +100 mark in your title brought out the teacher in me. Before long, I was ready to stick a gold star on your latest blog entry. I'm sure that the New York team of doctors will also want to celebrate their A+ product when you meet with them in October. Congratulations and good luck, Tricia!
It was fun to read about your unexpected trip to Regina and to see the surprise photo of yet another doomed prairie grasshopper. (The grill of our rental car was plastered with them when we drove from Regina to Calgary in August. We didn't think to take a picture though!)
We are especially pleased to hear that you are having moments of deja vu of your former life. We speak from experience when we say that associates, friends and family love being part of your everyday life and of your recovery. No matter what, Tricia, you are always so easy to be with.
It is thrilling to think that you are able to tell your story to nursing students and that you are energized by their learning. We would love to sit in on one of those classes ourselves. Even as you teach, your story continues to evolve. Already we await the next chapter with CT, bloodwork and aspirate results. We're even wondering how your new immune system is handling the cold you caught in the midst of all your activities.
Thank you for your update on Tasha and Ryan. They barely had time to take off the gloves when this latest news forced them back into the ring for another fight of their lives. We hope Tasha is able to continue in her leadership role in Calgary's Rethink Breast Cancer event in October. By the way, do you know how we might get a copy of Flare Magazine's article about Tasha?
Like you, we will be cheering on Tricia's Trotters in the Light the Night Walk that is happening this weekend in Calgary and Vancouver. Though you will not be attending the event yourself, your team members are sure to be carrying you in their hearts every step of the way.
Recently our family blog site ran a discussion about the seasons of the year. Your final paragraph makes a strong case for Fall as a favourite. Today, we celebrate the fact that the world within you is as warm, colourful and changing as Calgary in Autumn. In a special toast to LIFE, we toast FALL, too, and the awesome changes that you are feeling at this time of year. Cheers!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
Hi Tricia! Just popping in to say that I hope you're having a wonderful trip to NYC! Can't wait to hear about it when you get home.
Lots of love,
Barb
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