Last chemo of the decade

Woke up with a sore throat but put it down to sinuses and went out anyway.  Picked up Mae and arrived at the Cancer Agency for bloodwork at 10.  Saw Stephanie a bit later and my temperature and blood pressure were normal.

Read the papers and then had lunch in the cafeteria.  Went to Mae and Darline at 12 for Therapeutic Touch.  I fell asleep during and after.

Chemo was at 1 and it went well.  I was in my car by 2:15.  Stopped at Safeway and then home.

I am really tired and keep falling asleep.  My throat is still sore.  I'm supposed to watch out for a fever and am to call the doctor on call at the Agency if I get one.  Awe well, I hardly ever catch anything.  Maybe I'll to to my GP next week for my hayfever nasal pump.  It usually clears up the sinus problem.

A Day in Whistler

Left about 8:30 (I fell back asleep).  Started with a latte and a stop to fill up the gas tank.  Took a pit stop in Squamish for the bathroom and to put on the boots.

Arrived at Connie's at about 10:45.  She cooked us a great lunch and then we spent the afternoon playing with our iPhones.  Poor Mae.

By the time Mae and left at 3:30 it was snowing!  Kevin cleaned off my car and off we went.  It was like driving through a postcard.  The road was fine and the traffic was only bad at Tayor Way.  I peelled off and went to Ambleside for dinner.  The counterflow lane was gone by the time we tried again and it was clear sailing.

Finally made it home at 8.  I'm tired but it was worth it!

Laundry day

Mel hasn't been for a while so I did a load of laundry today.  Started the next RTA newsletter as the deadline for submissions is next week.

Watched the Junior Hockey game - it is fun watching tomorrow's stars trying to impress the scouts.  Listening to Canucks on radio at the same time was confusing.

The Year Ticks Down

Tired again today.  Actually fell asleep and missed the end of Perry Mason and then did it again during the Junior Hockey game.

Didn't feel like cooking so went to the White Spot for pumpkin soup, turkey and pumpkin pie.

Boxing Day

Too tired to get back up to write last night when I realized I had forgotten.  Slept in until 11 yesterday morning.  Decided that meant I needed a day of nothing.

Watched Annie, The Incredibles and The Sound of Music.  Good way to spend a day.

2nd Christmas

Met Matt, Andy, Lily and Sadie at the Coquitlam White Spot for brunch and then home for presents.  We all did well! I even came away with fresh cookies.

Found 3 caches nearby and then was home by 5.  It wasn't as foggy as the morninging.  The drive to Port Moody was interesting.  Couldn't see half a block in spots.  I wish everyone would turn on their lights so the rear ones are on!

Sad to hear that Janet's stepdaughter died yesterday.

Merry Christmas

Thought I'd go to see Sherlock Holmes this morning but there were too many people at the theatre.  Failed to find 2 nanos nearby - I hate nanos!

Had a quiet afternoon and went to Pru's at 4:30.  I think there were 14 in the end.  A great dinner, as always.  We watched football and played some Texas Hold'em.

Came home at 11:30 - very tired.  I don't do crowds and noise very well.

Christmas Eve

Not sure where the day went!  Went to Safeway and Starbucks this morning for a few things and then home to read the papers.  All of a sudden it was dark out and it was time to eat dinner. 

Watched White Christmas.  It had been long enough that I forgot the plot.  Still enjoyable after all these years.

Made Killer Cranberry Sauce so I don't have anything to do tomorrow morning.  Even did the dishes.

Back to my book - 206 Bones.

500

Lunch was cancelled today so I did a bit of shopping and finished off the geocaches I needed to get to 500.  This was my goal before Christmas.

Tired!

Louise came with her old car this morning and I led the way to Amix Salvage & Sales in Whalley.  She was giving it up under the BC SCRAP-IT® Program.  I took her back home was and headed to White Rock by 11:00.

Found Lori and Pam who had been geocaching.  We had lunch at Dairy Queen and set off in my car.  We continued until 3:00 when I had to take Lori back to her car.  Pam and I continued until dark.  I found 7 and am now at 496.

There was a crash at the tunnel so I had to go around to the Fraser Bridge.  So tired when I got home!!

 

 

Shopping with Mae

Drove Mae around several shops in Vancouver and Richmond.  We had lunch at Brown's Social and then I took her back home.

Had a couple of hours at home and fell asleep for about 1/2 and hour. 

Met Louise at the Cactus Club for dinner and to our group meeting at the Cancer Agency.  We had 9 tonight and there were several treats.  I took shortbread.

My ear was a problem when I woke up but was better during the day.  Both are noisy so I should go to the ear specialist soon.

David's 30th

Up early and made shortbread.  Also finished my cards but can't find the stamps.  While looking, I found my wrist brace!  Decided not to print 6-page letter to go in the cards.  I emailed it to all but 3.

Took my presents to Pru's so I won't have so much to carry at Christmas.  We then went to David's 30th birthday party at Chris's.

My hands didn't like all that kneading this morning and my ear is wonky tonight.

Applause

Picked up 4 reserves at VPL (why do they all come at once?) and found a new geocache near Vancouver College. Did it with just the iPhone.  The GPS is far more accurate.  I only found it by persevering.

Found a box of Japanese oranges at Stong's.  Safeway only sells the Chinese knock-offs.

Was going to bake today but didn't have the energy for it.

Met Moira at Applause for a perfect Japanese dinner and then picked up a latte at Starbucks.

My hands are sore again.  I guess I'll have to buy a new brace since I haven't seen mine for days.

Shopping done

Made the rounds of stores in Richmond and Burnaby this morning and finished my Christmas shopping by noon.  Even wrapped it all tonight while watching the Canucks.

I still haven't mailed my cards.  Tomorrow will be cards and shortbread.

Odd day

Picked Mae up at 9:45 and went to the Relaxation Group at the Cancer Agency.  Upstairs at 11:30 for bloodwork.  I missed the note to fast yesterday so did that today and the nurse added another glucose test.  Finally went to the cafeteria for lunch at 12.

Read my book for a bit and then tried to pick up my prescription but there was no record of it.  I said I'd be back after my chemo and settled in for today's treatment.  It always goes faster when there is someone else there who is talkative.  Afterwards I went back to the pharmacy and my pills were ready.

I know what I want to buy Lily for Christmas and can see it on the Internet but no one is selling it here.  Maybe I'll order it for her birthday and find something else for Christmas.  I sat outside Toys 'R Us and looked up all local toy stores on my iPhone and called them (by just pushing the phone number on the website).  No luck but it saved a lot of driving.

I was tired so just went straight home after that failed shopping attempt.

Appointment day

Picked up Mae and we went the Cancer Agency at 7:45.  Mae went to physio at City Square and I had my bloodwork and then breakfast. 

Walked to Broadway to see my oncologist.  Things are still stable.  My trial nurse never showed so another did the questionnaire and gave me my new pill diary.  

Just made it for start of Sydney's group for women with metastatic cancer.  Excellent group but one had died on Friday so there were a lot of tears.  One made a good point that we were expecting our doctors just to keep us stable, not cure us.  We went to Ebisu on Broadway for a great lunch.

Did some Christmas shopping on the way home.  Bought new tips for my walking sticks.  

 

Sjogren's Syndrome

The snow disappeared quickly last night so I had no trouble making the 9:30 appointmen with the rheumatologist.  He thinks I might have Sjogren's Syndrome - an autoimmune disease. It would explain the deterioration of calcium the x-rays show in my wrists and a bunch of other symptoms.  So I now have a new pill - hydroxychloroquine sulfate.  At least my eye exams will now be paid for to watch for side effects.

Did some Christmas shopping in Richmond and then visited Weir a lunchtime.  Hardly anyone left I taught with.  Rum was out but came back at 1:15 so I could pick up my Purdy's order.

Stopped at Safeway for the pills and then home.

Snow!

I wasn't 100% today so decided to stay in. I only went to the car to retrieve my snow boots.  Finished writing my Christmas letter but haven't printed yet.

Tomorrow should be interesting.  It is snowing right now and there might be 15 cm.  I have a doctor's appointment at 9:30.

Headache

As you can see, I am late posting this one.  I woke up with a headache yesterday and it kept coming back through the day.  Finally went to bed hours early.  Slept for a couple of hours and then not much through the night.  Fell asleep again around 6 and woke up at 10.  Probably got 8 hours but very disjointed.  

Had plans to do housework and write Christmas letter yesterday.  Will carry on today.

EnChor

Went to Callanish this afternoon for their Holiday Celebration.  The choir that sang with and for us was amazing.  It is called EnChor and you have to be 55 to join.  They spread out in between the audience a couple of times and the effect was amazing.

Found a cache in Richmond and failed at a 2nd.  Did a bit of shopping and then home to enjoy the Canucks.

Baker's Dozen!

Started the day with a COSCO meeting at Hasting Community Centre.  Coffee wasn't ready - should have stopped at Starbucks.  The meeting was only an hour with goodies to follow.  They were mostly desserts - too early!  Left at 11 to go geocaching.

Found 7 caches in Coquitlam to finish off A Baker's Dozen Challenge!   When Lori and Pam catch up, we are off to Saanich to find the challenge final.  It tried snowing all day without much success. 

Stopped at Oakridge for groceries and then home.

Heritage

At the VSB for a Heritage meeting at 10 this morning.  We are digitizing photos and hoping to find space to open an actual archives.

Had lunch, visited, browsed Chapters and Restoration Hardware and then to Granville Island for groceries.

Picked up a reserve at VPL and was home by 2:30.

Geocaching mania

Set out early this morning for Langley area and found 12 caches - only have one to go (7) to get my Baker's Dozen.  I am now up to 480 finds and am about 400th in the province.  Might make my goal of 500 by the end of the year.  It was cold this morning.  I was glad to have my Cowichan sweater and hat and my Olympic mittens!

Mistletoe Luncheon

Sad day today.  I Cheryl's name on the side of my Facebook and decided to catch up.  Suddenly I realized the posts were from friends talking about her death.  She had been on the Callanish retreat with me and was a teacher in Ottawa.  She died last month - a funny, compassionate woman.

MAHONEY, Cheryl (Sherry) Ann May 11, 1959 - Nov. 5, 2009

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sherry at the age of fifty of ovarian cancer. Beloved daughter of Ann Mahoney and step-daughter of Karl deZeeuw. Cherished mother of Robert & Jeremy. Step sister of Clifford, Nancy and Dina. Loving niece of Theresa, John, Mary, Pamie, Vicky and many uncles. Sherry was an inspiring teacher and a great friend. She had a true zest for life and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have known her. A heartfelt thanks to Alain Lacroix (father of Jeremy), Irene Frail, Maria Luise Hagemeister, family at Voyage Caleche and all of Sherry's many friends.

I went to the Royal Van Yacht Club for the RTA Mistletoe luncheon.  Always a chance to see old friends.  Ate far too much - turkey!

It was really too late to go geochaching and I wasn't feeling great, so headed home.

Laundry day

Did a couple of loads of laundry some housework today.  Didn't have much energy and just wanted to do nothing.

Am addicted to iPhone apps and must not looking for new ones just before bedtime.

Day of Remembrance

Joined other former members of the VESTA Status of Women Committee at Thornton Park this morning for our annual visit to the Women's Memorial.  It has been 20 years since the massacre in Montreal.  It was too windy and cold for our candles so we just placed a flower on each bench.

I skipped lunch with the group and headed to Port Moody and Coquitlam to geocache.  Found 8 for my Baker's dozen - only have 2 more to go!  It was a cold day to be walking around.  I wore my Cowichan sweater and was glad that I had bought the hat to match.  My Olympic gloves were also a big help.

Did some shopping at Chapters and Coquitlam Centre.  Arrived at Matt's for dinner at 5:40.  Gave them my school Christmas collection and a box of decorations.  My cupboards are getting better.  The girls liked the collection of music boxes.

Picked up some groceries at Thrifty's on the way home.  Found a shopping cart up against my car.  It had run down the hill but didn't seem to have done any damage.

Hate stupid people

Got to the bank at 10 to do something that should have been simple and left at 11:30.  Slow person (she needed to tick off a checklist and phone for instructions) and too much paperwork in this time of computers.

Pru and I had lunch at the White Spot and then checked out TV sets at Sunny Electronics Audiotronic on Fraser.  Think I'm getting Sony 40".

Finished at 1:30 and I was just too tired to go geocaching as I had planned for this morning.  Came home and finally fell asleep at 5.

Good book

Read Rain Gods by James Lee Burke in 2 days.  I'll surprise Pru with it tomorrow and she'll have almost 3 weeks to finish it.  I really enjoyed it and was sad to finish.

Hauled out Christmas stuff to take to Matt's and now have made a big mess.

I was tired after yesterday, so stayed in.

Another treatment

Picked up Mae and was at the Cancer Agency for bloodwork at 9:30.  Went to Relaxation after that.  I know I kept falling asleep!  Saw my study nurse at 11:30 and then had my usual lunch (egg salad on toasted brown) in the cafeteria.   Sure is slow service.  I should have walked down to the coffee shop with homemade soup.

Spent my time in the 5th floor lounge with my newspapers, book and iPhone.  Nice to be able to check email and news without using the old computer in the corner.  Of course no one else was using it today - just when I didn't need it any more.  Visited with Mae and Darline in between their therapeutic touch patients.

Stopped at the library and Safeway on the way home.  Too tired to do much else.

Status of Women lunch

Eight of us who were on the the VESTA Status of Women Committee and are now retired met for lunch at Liberty Bakery on Main Street.  Always good to see old friends.  Three of the eight of us have had cancer.

Carried on geocaching since it was such a perfect day.  Found my 5 for the Bakers' Dozen.  It was dark and I was tired, so had dinner at Swiss Chalet instead of coming home to cook.  Was home at 8:00.

 

Full moon

Had a great day of driving around the North Shore.  Started with a cache at Roedde House in the West End and then to West Vancouver.  Found a few there and then had lunch at Troll's in Horseshoe Bay.  There were 3 caches close by.  Worked my way back to North Van and found a 10th.  Of course, by then it was dark and I need the flashlight.  I now need 5, 7, 8 and 12 for my Baker's Dozen. 

Got caught up in traffic on the Upper Levels.  Must learn to trust the warnings on my GPS unit.

The scenery all day was quite amazing - the sun glinting off the ocean, snow on the mountains and a huge full moon.