The ride continues

Remarkably I am sitting on my balcony typing this post.  I know it's been a while since I last posted but at least I waited long enough for the heat to finally kick the snow and cold out.  It's going to be 29 today...29? Seriously. Anything can happen.  In weather, in life.

Over the past couple months I had been feeling the weight in my head increase and saw a bit more double vision to the right side.  Not massive, but enough to throw my balance off more than usual - maybe like a step up from the Tilt a Whirl to the Polar Express at the amusement park rides.  So I guess I wasn't shocked but just disappointed when my MRI results I got last week confirmed there has been progression of the disease in the brain. I didn't have the spine scanned this time so not sure what's going on in there but the brain changes were enough to change treatment up.  I'm moving from my current 2 drugs every three weeks to one "combination" antibody/chemo given IV every three weeks and they got me in to start it the next day, Thursday afternoon. A new but relatively familiar set of side effects to watch for on this one. Nothing too serious so far from what I can feel - perhaps a bit more fatigue and numbness in my feet and legs. Hopefully the next MRI will show more holding on disease progression. On a positive note my CT of abdomen, pelvis and chest showed no issues so things are calm on that front.  Blood work is all good too.

Life has been so full in past weeks.  Some awesome visits from out of Calgary family.  Time with my family and friends in Calgary including my beautiful brother.  Painting, drawing and writing for my upcoming 21 event in June.  That event is actually happening, with some amazing support from Crescent Point Energy and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (and Tasha!).  A short article published in Leap Magazine by Alberta Cancer Foundation took a refreshing creative angle on my usually long (Lord of the Rings long) story - take a look .  So much positive energy.

The good stuff kept rolling this past weekend when I rode up to Edmonton with mom (Happy Mother's Day!) and dad and was awarded my Fellow at the CPA Alberta Elevate awards.  Friends and former colleagues Jill and Yvette had put together the massive nomination forms and support letters and were there to see me wobble the stage to accept my new certificate. It was an overwhelming night - such an amazing event and shower of recognition amongst hundreds of accomplished people. If you're on LinkedIn there's a few shots of the evening - try the link.  I'm so grateful.  There are just so many incredible people and moments out there to offset the challenges.

So the roller coaster ride continues.  A little warmer.  A little more unsteady. Just like at the amusement park, I've laughed more in the past weeks, but vomited more as well.  Hoping I can keep riding longer.  Thanks for your energy providing me an air bag for the sharp corners and upside-down loops.

Thrilled to attend with my Dad - 43 years as a CPA, CA

They hung our pics in the entry to the event

Our pics and thank you quotes scrolled through the night

Treading water

I’m happy to say I’ve been busy with life lately and haven’t made enough time to write a post for the blog.  As usual it’s been a lot of amazing good moments, smashed in beside some pretty awful moments.  Such is life.  I’ll take it all if I can just keep on doing it a little longer.

On the health front, I had a couple more infusions since my last post and saw Dr. Nixon again to discuss the results of a MRI of my spine and brain.  Overall, things are mostly holding, with no major changes to suggest we need to change our current plan.  So I’ll continue getting the IV infusion of the 2 antibody drugs every three weeks, and we’ll check to see what things look like in another 2 months in the brain and spine.  I’ll also keep my visualization of the team in my spine (and a few helpers in the brain) doing their work as well.  Certainly can’t hurt ;)

I had some tremendous visits with a lot of family and friends, many from out of town, in February and early March, that were a wonderful offset to some awful realities over the past few weeks.  A few pics of those visits below.  The bubble of energy continues to keep me and my family above the water despite the fatigue that comes from treading water for too long and in some very stormy waves.  

I’ve also made more progress on my 2121 project, creating visual pieces with short writings representing some life learnings since diagnosis almost 21 years ago- which has been a source of great energy.  I decided in early February to go ahead with planning an event in June to showcase the body of work I’m creating, irregardless of whether I am physically there or not.  I had debated moving ahead with it without the certainty of my future, but then realized it doesn’t really matter. So in June the work will be shown, and I’ll be there either in person or in spirit. I hope to share some more details on that very soon.

Earlier this week I got a good call from a strange number - you can check out the details here https://dailydividends.cpaalberta.ca/announcing-the-2017-cpa-alberta-achievement-awards/.  I had no idea that I was nominated by a large number of fellow CPAs last Fall - it is certainly an honour and a huge surprise that I am very grateful for.

Grady my "little" cousin and godson

So for now, I’ll keep treading water, letting the bubble help me and my family float, and await the next wave in Tricia’s Tides.

Colleen's birthday

Tasha brought me some tulips to offset the snow

Yvette's pups Sadie and Monty sent me a Valentine

Shelley and I caught up

Amy, Ryland, Mireya and I competing with dominoes....Kinsley was teaching my mom games on her Ipad

Grady wanted to see if he could still balance Davis and Jack