Thursday, 24 December 2015

Bells a ringing

Less than a day until Christmas...the snow has fallen and the presents are wrapped...although not under the tree as Lucy would open them (she's actually standing next to me pawing my hands as I try to type.

After a very successful Light the Night (both Calgary and Vancouver - thanks to everyone!) I made a trip to my favourite city. NYC was fantastic of course, with the 20th annual Sloan Kettering transplant celebration - a room filled with hundreds of people with miraculous stories - being the highlight.  Mr. Pacino did not disappoint either in China Doll.  Totally blew me away.  Bruce W. did a great job too although a hard role to wow the audience as he was limited to the bed in Stephen King's 'Misery'. Colleen, Mom and I walked and walked soaking up the energy.  On top of the Broadway plays we even managed tickets for 'Live with Kelly and Michael' and 'Dr. Oz' for some extra fun.
















I felt a similar but slightly different shade of energy visiting London for the first time in November. I worked a lot while I was there, and my colleague Ruth booked us for afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace on arrival. I also had a couple of days on the weekend to check out the city.  Tower of London, Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, a play 'The Father' in the West End, changing of the horseguards at Buckingham Palace, a shopping spree at Fortnum and Mason and the finale - dinner near Picadilly Circus with my dad's cousin  Francesca from Italy who had just moved to London a month before!  Such a treat to meet up with her and enjoy a delicious meal together. The Paris attacks happened the night before my weekend off,so it was slightly strange to explore amongst "imminent threat" but I suppose it is not too different than living with the likelihood of cancer recurring - both unpredictable, both devastating, but both not worth stopping living for :) as can clearly be seen with the French flag lighting up the National Gallery...


I've continued to feel stronger each week since the last post.  I did have a bit of a roller coaster week just after returning from London, as I was sent for an ultrasound November 26 to check a "spot" on my chest wall. Long story short it was confirmed not to be an issue, but I did have to dangle over the cliff for a while, focusing on trying to find the pattern in the ceiling tiles above me as I waited.  With my 18 year anniversary of transplant #1 the next day, I was suddenly frustrated that the roller coaster had to keep throwing me upside down.  But bells were ringing last week - last Herceptin IV treatment was December 16 and now you get to ring the bell when you finish.  I rang it a few times needless to say, for the three other times I'd "finished" before!


Jack and Davis stayed overnight last weekend for the first time since I moved into my new condo, and we had a great time decorating cookies (I improvised as aunties don't always have rolling pins) and watching the Minions movie.  Can't wait for the next sleepover.

Over the next few days I'll enjoy some good food, fun and chill time with friends and family celebrating Christmas. On Monday mom, dad and I are heading to the Bahamas for around 2 weeks to take on a different island to welcome 2016.  2015 has been an interesting one to say the least - but luckily the ride continues...Just hoping for no need to ring bells going forward ;)

Merry Christmas!Wishing all of my family and your family health, happiness and spectacular moments in 2016.  Cheers,

Tricia


3 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

Merry Christmas Tricia,
Thanks for the wonderful post with all the pictures. Awesome. Your trip to NY sounded fun and exciting, and how wonderful that you had a visit with Francesca in London. Perfect Timing.
It's a gift to hear that you are feeling stronger each week. You certainly look happy and well. Yahoo!
Enjoy your 2 weeks in the Bahamas, with the sea, sun, and sand. We echo your wishes for your "health, happiness, and spectacular moments" through out 2016.
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Lots of love,
Bob & Mary Ellen
xoxo

BJ said...

Happy New Year, Tricia!
Wow, you manage to pack more into a year than most people do in a decade. Your 2015 was packed with living. We hope 2016 is as full of life as ever.
Such good news to hear you are feeling stronger all the time.
I imagine you had as good a time in the Bahamas as you usually do in Hawaii, and that the health benefits were just as restorative.
Best wishes to you and your family as we begin the new year.

Love, BJ

Louise and David said...

😍Hi Tricia, it's just Louise here.
I can't tell you how often I have dropped in to re-read this particular blog entry. I just never got around to leaving a comment of my own.🐌

Anyway... You'll be interested to hear that I used your "rolling pin" trick for preparing holiday cookies to decorate with my grandchildren.🍣 I also saw news reports of two other women who rang bells on the day their cancer treatments finished.🔔 The picture of your own experience drew my attention to what that moment meant to those courageous survivors. It also delighted me to learn how creative the nurses and carers can be in providing ways to celebrate milestones in their patients' lives.💡

I am forever learning from you in practical and profound ways. ♥♥Thanks!

💌Love you lots, Louise