Cache #174

Started with physio today. By the end could turn my head pretty far. Too bad it doesn't last forever.

Fond another cache in Richmond. Nice walk along the railway line at Shell Road. A train came along to block traffice just as I was wondering how to back out of my parking space on Westminster Highway. Timing is everything.

Normal day

This was the first normal day for quite a while. I saw my GP for the first time in months. He gave me a pneumonia shot and clipped off a piece of plastic line sticking out of the port-a-cath - it was getting itchy! He also filled out a medical fitness form that the twit renewing my licence in April insisted on. I ignored it and got a reminder that they would take back my licence if I didn't submit it. I am not even on the drug he was worried about but even so, it was not a danger according to my oncologist & the gp. He was ticked of enough that he wrote a paragraph saying so.

Had lunch at the Vancouver Board of Education and met some old friends. Moira gave me a print copy of The Bookmark for me to take to the reunion on Wednesday.

Found a cache at Mountain View Cemetery - it had been gone the last time I looked. Then headed out to Richmond and found a couple of others. Did some shopping and then crossed to Burnaby to get some groceries.

Just as I get over being so tired, I have another treatment on Friday!

Ladner Village Market

Went to the Ladner Village Market this morning. It is the best market I've been to and is even bigger than last time. Had a BBQ buffalo burger and fresh lemonade for lunch. Especially pleased to see Goodies by Thelma - one of the best raspberry jams! Filled a bag with goodies.

Got some groceries at the nearby Safeway and was home by 12:30. Fell asleep for a bit.

Lazy day

Stayed in today. Took most of the afternoon to read the newspapers (online).

Got a better sleep last night but don't have a lot of energy. Plan on going out tomorrow to see how it goes.

Last day of school

One of the best parts of retirement is not caring that it is the last day of school!

Picked a book up at the library and had lunch at Pajo's on Garry Point - Halibut & Chips.

Tried some geocaching but failed to find both: Wizipy was too hard to clamber for and Packers and Piles wasn't where I thought it should be. By this time I was getting really tired so went home.

Read the paper and then had to go to bed for a nap. Fatigue is a side effect of both drugs and it is certainly a problem. I am hoping I will be better once my body gets used to the routine and the drugs.

Save Carleton

Met Matt for breakfast at the White Spot. Went home and fell asleep for a bit.

Met Adrian Dix, NDP MLA, at Carleton for a press conference and rally of students trying to save the burned building - http://carletonfire.blogspot.com/. I made a little speach to CITY TV but they only broadcast local news in the morning before I wake up.

Visited Weir since I knew a couple were leaving for good and I wanted to see Nancy & Rum.

Picked up my laptop at Best Buy. I took it in last Thursday and it was already back repaired - new hard drive and DVD drive. Love the warranty - it expired Tuesday!

Bought some stuff at M&M and Cobbs and then home. Spent the rest of the day reinstalling software. It certainly is faster with an empty hard drive.

Appointments day

Trouble sleeping last night so I didn't get up until nearly 10.

Went to my physio at her new clinic at Dunbar & 16th - http://gophysiotherapy.ca/ My neck was quite stiff so it took some work to loosen it up. Love being able to book my appointments online.

Had a sandwich at Swiss Chalet on Broadway on my way to the Cancer Agency. Met with Sydney for an hour to talk about stuff. I'll start going to her group for Women with Metastatic Cancer in a couple of weeks.

Too tired to shop so went right home.

A do nothing day

Woke up early and finally got up at 8. By 1o I was back in bed sleeping. I was just bushed all day. Decided not to get dressed and just watched TV and played Nintendo.

The fresh strawberries I bought in Richmond on Sunday are still delicious.

VESTA Retirement Dinner

Still tired today but not as much as the weekend. Stayed in all day.

Went to the VESTA Retirement Dinner at the Royal Van Yacht Club. Always a treat to see old friends and to listen to the speeches of the new retirees.

Almost ran out of gas on the way home. The indicator came on (yes, I know I wasn't paying attention!) in the middle of UBC. Made it back to 10th to fill up but must have been going on fumes. So much for the quiet drive home through the forest!

Fathers' Day

Slept in until past 10 today. Went for a drive to Richmond and bought strawberries from a farm.

Fathers' Day at Pru's. Pru & Jesse were cooking all afternoon. We sat at the firepit in the front yard and enjoyed wine and dinner. Ended with the kids making 'smores.

I miss my dad (40 years!) so it was nice celebrating with others.

Fathers

Zzzzz

Still really tired today. Mel came to clean at 12:30 so I have a clean apartment and the laundry is done.

Tried reading after she left and kept falling asleep.

I am also quite itchy but don't see the tell-tale rash that will show I am on the real drug!

Treatment 2

At the Cancer Agency for bloodwork at 11 today. The tech found a nice fat vein and filled a handful of vials. Too bad it isn't always so easy.

Connie & Mae came to visit while I was in the waiting room. Saw my trial nurse, Stephanie, to go over how I've been. The swelling and pain in the leg and groin have gone away. She agreed that it was probably a lymph node.

Mae and I had lunch at the Cactus Club and then I returned to wait for another hour. Went up to the chemo floor at 2:45. The nurse put a special needle into the port-a-cath and started an IV drip. The trial drug (or not) took 1/2 an hour this time instead of an hour and I didn't have to wait around to see if I had a reaction. The port-a-cath was cleaned out with saline and heparin and I was on my way by 3:45. That is it for another 2 weeks!

I stopped for a reserve at the library and went right home. I was so tired I fell asleep.

Went to the White Spot for dinner then to Safeway for a few groceries. I love shopping at 8:00 - the store is empty.

Extended Warranty

My laptop had the blue screen of death this morning. I finally dug out the bill and the extended warranty is up June 23rd!!

Arrived an hour early for Barb P's retirement party at the Vancouver Rowing Club in Stanley Park. I was not the only one, so sat in the car catching up with Lynne. It was a night of old friends. Great singing and speeches. Barb will be missed!

Last physio

Last physio treatment at Oakridge as my physio is leaving. She spent today massaging my neck and back.

Stopped at Safeway for groceries and then home.

I slept about 9 hours last night but am still tired.

Banquets

I didn't sleep well last night. Moved to my bed at 3 and it was better. I had been nervous about sleeping on the port-a-cath but it is now healed enough.

Started today at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for the AGM of the Vancouver Branch of the Retired Teachers' Association. Great brunch buffet. Good to see so many old colleagues. I reelected a Member at Large (web steward & COSCO rep).

I was yawning all the way home and napped the rest of the afternoon.

Met Georgina in the parking lot of the Rocky Mountaineer Station for the AGM & 100th birthday of the Canadian Red Cross. The food at the reception was catered by the Four Seasons and was excellent. The serving staff just kept offering it!

I was given a certificate for my volunteering. I am going to bed now. I can't stay awake to watch the news.

Support Group

Good day today. Did some housework and laundry.

Met friends at the Cactus Club for dinner. We then had a meeting of the Lesbian Cancer Support Group at the Cancer Agency.

Feeling much better.

Sunday with Family

Quiet day today. Went to Pru's to sit on the porch for a bit and then we both went to Chris's for dinner and Scrabble.

I am feeling a lot more normal but still have some pain in the groin.

Shower!

Taped Saran Wrap on my little wounds and had a shower today. Certainly made me feel better!

Picked up some essentials (like waterproof medical tape) at Safeway and then finally dropped of Pru's birthday presents. Her front porch is an amazing garden!

Met Moira at Applause for dinner. Nice not to have to cook for myself until next Wednesday.

My article on geocaching appears in the current Postcript - the journal for the BC Retired Teachers' Association. It is the perfect hobby for the retired.

I am feeling perkier today and the swelling in my groin is better. Time for another icepack. My incisions are itchy which is a good sign. It still hurts a bit to sneeze or cough.

Quiet Friday

Slept on the chair again last night and didn't do much all day.

Took off the dressings and the incisions look healthy. Big bruise on my arm from the intravenous. My neck is still a bit sore and my broin is still swollen and painful. Ice packs help.

Maybe a shower tomorrow?

Healing

I slept in my Lazy Boy last night and did pretty well. The two incisions are on the side I usually sleep on. They are hardly hurting at all today but the main problem is my groin again. Just like the pain last year, it feels like someone kicked me. I'm sure I'd remember! Probably one of those tumours pinching a nerve somewhere.

Spent the day just dozing and watching TV.

Implanted Vascular Access Device

Well, I now have a plug in my chest. Always did like the Bionic Woman!

Mae & Connie picked me up at 8:30 and took me to Vancouver Hospital. I was taken in at 10:15 to pre-op. Putting an intravenous into my arm wasn't easy - and that is the point! The resident came with a pop-up book to show me just what the IVAD (Implanted Vascular Access Device) looked like and how it worked. It is also called a BardPort, Port-a-Cath, pick,

The started with a bag of anti-biotics and took me into the operating theatre at about 11:15. Really nice resident, nurses and doctor (David Taylor). They covered my face with a tent of turquoise sheets so I couldn't see anything and then put something in the line to relax me. Really didn't feel it at all. Then needles into my neck and chest - I did feel these and asked for more. The resident did the procedure and the doctor watched the ultrasound and talked her through it. I liked this as I could keep track of what they were doing.

She cut into my caratoid artery on the right side of my neck and shoved a wire down to my chest. Then she cut into the chest and put this little gizmo in under the skin and stuck the end of the catheter into it.

Then it was back to recovery and they gave me an egg salad sandwich and some cranberry juice. Mae and Connie were back and drove me straight home. My neck isn't hurting as much as it did but I think I'll just sleep in my chair for a couple of nights. I am to keep still for a couple of days and can't shower until Friday.

I've been dozing on and off all day.

Internet Radio

Tried buying an AR Wi Fi Internet Radio (ARIR200)at London Drugs in Richmond. The sale started today but it turns out each store only had one or two of them. Didn't want the one on the shelf so the store called Ladner and had them put one aside for me. Got there and they didn't know anything about it (God knows what store is saving one for me). I was patient for almost 1/2 and hour while they searched and finally found a box in the back. Picked up some bread, produce & a library reserve and headed home.

Took some time to get the radio talking to my Wi Fi system but it finally did and it works well, playing regular AM/FM or Internet stations.

I know Mae wants to read the library book I picked up, True Patriot Love by Michael Ignatieff, so I read it today - excellent book on Canadian history and patriotism. Those idiot Conservatives who are running the attack ads on his Canadianism obviously haven't read it.

I have a lot of pain in my groin today. One of the tumours? A tumour touching a nerve? Nerves over tomorrow's surgery? Ice and heat packs have helped and it is much better tonight.

VTLA Dinner

Out for a bit of shopping this morning and home for a rest. Feeling much better today - no headache.

Went to the Vancouver Teacher-Librarians' Annual Dinner at the Vancouver Lawn & Tennis Club. Good speeches for the retirees. Excellent food and company. Even won a book door prize.

Day Three

Today was the 3rd day of taking Exemestane and I've had a mild headache all day. This is one of the main side effects. I stayed in and finished a couple of books.

Watched the new beluga being born on the Vancouver Aquarium web cam. Now I'm watching one of the better Tony Awards - except for some sound glitches.

Tired!

Had to be at the Cancer Agency for a 9 am blood test to see how my platelets are fairing. Started up Cambie but it was closed for construction. Arrived at the Agency to find the road in front closed. Parked on Ash and went up the parking lot elevator but the door is locked on the weekend. Back down to the main floor door and made it to the lab right on time only to find it dark and empty!

Tried the chemo floor but it was empty. Found a nurse on the 5th floor and she had no record of me and suggested going back to the lab. By this time there was someone else waiting and that gave us both hope. The tech finally showed up and took me first. He had to use the back of my right hand again. The bruising is growing.

Although I got a good sleep last night I was bushed. Decided not to go geocaching with Pam & Lori. Picked up a couple of reserved library books & groceries at Safeway.

Home to read and doze for the rest of the day.

Clinical Trial begins

08:20
Arrived at the Cancer Agency at 8:00 for bloodwork. The second person to stick me found the elusive vein that was lying flat, trying to hide. She drew 9 vials of blood (I had 6 on Monday) and there was someone waiting to take 8 of them away. Now for breakfast!

10:35
Nothing here to eat so walked to a local coffee place for tea and a scone (raspberry & white chocolate).

Met with trial nurse and filled out a form about how I was feeling. Then she and Dr. Gelmon examined me. My blood tests were all normal so we can begin the trial today.

13:40
Just picked up my Aromasin (Exemestane) and took the first tablet. One a day & I have to fill in diary to say when I take it.

Mae came to meet me in the lobby and we went to Granville Island for lunch. After taking her home I found geocache #170 at the 100 sculpture near the entrance to Granville Island/Granville Street bridge.

20:15
Sat in the lobby and read the newspapers. Picked up my Exemestane at 13:30 and took the first one. Have to record it each day on a diary sheet.

Went to 6th floor chemo unit and started the AMG 479 (or placebo) at 15:10. The nurse put the intravenous in the back of my right hand (next time I'll have the port-a-cath!). After 1/2 and hour she needed to draw blood on the opposite side. She had to get special permission from a doctor since I had lymphodema on that side. It hasn't been a problem for quite a while so it was allowed. She stuck the first needle in but couldn't fill a vial, so had to do it again and was able to fill two. We decided to leave it in as she needed to draw two more at the end of the hour. It took an hour this time as they were watching for an allergic reaction. Next time it will only be 1/2 an hour since I tolerated it. I had to sit for a further hour on a saline drip just to make sure I wasn't going to have a reaction.

Picked up Mae and we had dinner at the Cactus Club. I had a big thick steak to replace some of those red blood cells. I came straight home after that. I am tired and have a bit of a headache. Also have a bruise developing on the back of the right hand.

Summer tires

It must be too hot. I just posted this to the BCTF Forum by mistake. That will make them wonder!

Finally switched to summer tires and had my regular service. The brakes were just about at the danger point so had new pads installed. This stretched the appointment out so I had lunch across the street, read the papers and my book. Found a couple of caches but it was too hot. Stopped at Chapters and then home. Couldn't decide what to eat once the hockey game was over (my team won again) so went to Safeway at 8:00. Bought groceries and still didn't want to cook so picked up Japanese at Applause.

Bone Scan Day

Had to be at Vancouver Hospital for an injection of the radioactive tracer for my bone scan. Had to use the vein in the back of my hand again.

Went to the White Spot for breakfast. Stayed in the airconditioning for quite a while reading and drinking. Managed two pots of tea and two large glasses of ice water in preparation for the test.

Back to the hospital waiting room and chatted with Grace McCarthy. Thanked her for the lights on the Lions Gate Bridge. The test took 20 minutes and went pretty well. My arms and feet were tied up to make lying still easier. I could see the monitor once I came far enough out of the machine and it was interesting spotting the bright white of the arthritis in my lower back, knees and ankles.

Stopped at Oakridge for groceries and the bathroom. Went staight home for the rest of the day - too much fluid intake to go anywhere.

It is really hot today and I had to keep my windows closed for the window washer. Luckily he was done by the time I got home. Too bad he didn't do the balcony sliding doors!

Hot

It was another hot day in the mid 20's (my car said 30 at one point). Found a Mystery Cache about Mike Weir at Langara Golf Course. Had to solve the location puzzle by researching his performance in 2005. Could get enough answers to figure out the latitude and guessed that the longitude was a trail. Found it quickly. Retrieved another and was attacked by 3 crows. There must have been a nest nearby and they kept diving at me. Still stumped by one at 33rd & Fraser in the cemetary and was happy to see someone else couldn't find it today so it might be gone. I am now at 167, Pam has 100 and Lori is running away with 402!

My hair was so thick it was like wearing a toque, so I had it cut really short. Then to physio and home to watch Pittsburgh win the hockey game.

Blood tests

Went to the local lab this morning (after fasting) and had 6 vials of blood drawn. The only vein he could find was on the back of my hand. Also had an EKG.

Went to Weir for recess and a visit. Found a geocache across the street that had been missing for months. Then to Richmond to retrieve a new one on the south dyke road. Had fish & chips at Pajo's at Garry Point Park. Found a third cache at Finn Slough. Used to play there growing up. We would lie on the small docks and ride the waves of passing freighters. Had to sit on a bench for 40 minutes until the 3 on the bench near the hiding place left. I'll start carrying a book in my pack! At least I had my iTouch full of music.

The booking clerk from Vancouver Hospital called to arrange my port-a-cath surgery. I go to the Jimmy Pattison building on Wednesday, June 10 at 10:00. No more pokes in the back of my hand!