TV day

Watching TV all day today.  Bit of curling and then catching up on shows I've taped.  Also one on my PVR - it is so easy to use!

I am a bit stiff from the last couple of days so figured a day of rest was due.

Home again

Pam, Lori and I had another great day today.  We started with Eggs Benedict (California style) in our hotel and then headed out caching.  After climbing up a small mountain and reaching a creek that had a log crossing, I gave up and went back to the car.  It took an hour for Lori and Pam to find the cache and join me.  They were wet and thirsty and agreed I had made the right choice.

We stopped for a Starbucks around noon and worked on until it was time for dinner at Fish on Fifth in Sidney.  I love this place and so did they.  The halibut tasted like it was right off the boat.

We caught the 7:00 ferry home and found the final cache near the terminal.  A good way to end since we started with one at the other end.  You can only find these 2 if you are in line.  I walked over 7 km today and about 5 yesterday and found 28 caches for a total of 563.  Pam passed 500 and Lori is now over 800!

I was home just after 9 and will sleep tonight!

Road trip to Saanich

Pam, Lori and I arrived in Saanich this afternoon.  I logged 14 caches.  Finally had to stop at 5:15 when it got dark.

We are staying in Howard Johnson and just had a great dinner in their restaurant, Lakes Grillhouse.  

I lost my wallet and finally found it in the car!  Duh!

Treatment day

Picked up Mae and took her to the Cancer Agency.  Had my bloodwork and saw my trial nurse.  After lunch sat around reading until my treatment at 1.  Saw a few people I knew this time.  It is becoming my second home.

Stopped at London Drugs, VanCity and the library on the way home.

Love my TV!  Even the old stuff like Perry Mason and Murder She Wrote looks good.

Shaw comes through

Had to stay in today as the Shaw tech was coming.  He hooked everything up and got it all working.  I now have:

• Sony 40" BRAVIA XBR9 Series HDTV
• HD Terminal
• PVR
• My old combo VCR/VHS

I can still remember the neighbour who built a TV out of a kit.  He invited us all to come to watch Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show.  Amazing how far we've come.

A day of rest

Decided not to do much today.  Matt had wanted to go to a movie but realized the bloom of getting out of the hospital had worn off and he was bagged and sore.

Cleaned up the car trunk and loaded caches into GPS units to get ready for weekend trip to Saanich with Pam and Lori.

Matt Home

Matt called at 8:30 to say he was ready to go home.  The surgery went well and they were kicking him out.  We stopped for prescriptions at London Drugs, lunch at White Spot and were at his place by noon.

Loaded up with groceries at Thrifty's and then headed home.

Enjoyed the Canucks on my new screen.

Matt's Pain

Andrea called this morning to say Matt had been transferred by ambulance at 8 this morning from Eagle Ridge to Burnaby General.  I arrived to visit at about 11:30, just as she and the girls did.  I stayed for an hour.  He is waiting for an appendectomy.  I stayed for about an hour.  A while later, he had the surgery.  He is now groggy but well.

Tried hooking up digital box, PVR & VCR/DVD with guidance from Shaw but it didn't work.  Even with the cable directly into the digital box they can't detect it.  A tech will come Wednesday - what I wanted in the first place.  I rewired it again so I can watch basic TV.  Football was amazing on the big screen.  I watched a bit of the curling and could hear the brooms on the ice.  I can still remember when the man down the street built a TV out of a kit and we all came over to watch Elvis on Ed Sullivan and the tiny screen.

New TV

Picked up Pam at 10 this morning.  She needed 9 for the Baker's Dozen.  Lori and I are finished and she will do her last one on Friday as we head for the final in Saanich.   We started with a couple in Tsawwassen and then finished her tally in Surrey on #10.  We continued a bit to get me to 15 with some caches Pam already had.  We had Mexican for lunch at Luna Loca with a coupon from my Entertainment Book.

Enjoyed watching the huge rainbow on the way home.  We did well at avoiding rain through the day.

Sunny Electronics called to say they could bring the TV and it arrived at 7 tonight.  The 2 men had some trouble setting it up.  I finally took the remote and found it with one push of a button - hah!  They couldn't do the digital box so rewired it so I could watch the hockey game and use my computer.  I'll put the wires back tomorrow and call Shaw tomorrow.

A lamp near the TV had a really hot plug when they touched it so I'll get rid of it.  While pulling it out I knocked the Lava Lamp off the shelf and hit one of the men.  Duh!

Matt called to say he had a pain and I told him to go to emergency.  Haven't heard back yet.

My ankle chose to hurt today.  Variety is the spice of life.

Clean again

Mel came this morning, cleaned and did the laundry.  It had been a while so there was a lot to do.

Found a cache in Burnaby but ran out of time.  So many there are in ravines.

It's only money

Finally had a haircut. It was long overdue.

Went back to Sunny Electronics and bought new TV. He was sold out of the model I picked out a few weeks ago but got deal on more expensive floor model. Also getting PVR. Should get car settlement soon to pay for it.

Liver at Waffle House and then found multi-cache in Queen's Park.

Enjoyed Canucks win tonight.


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I can hear again

Met the group stuffing The Tabloid at the BCTF this morning.  I didn't get the labels removed for those who want it electronically, so everyone is getting it this time. 

Left the car and took Canada Line downtown.  What a quick ride it is.  I bought some Olympic swag at The Bay and used the same ticket to go back to the car.

Home for a bit and then went to my GP to have my ears cleaned.  I've been putting olive oil in for days so it was easy for a change.  The fire alarm went off so we all had to evacuate until the fire department came.  Dr. Brough wants to see me for a check up next month just before he retires.  Stressful thinking of finding new doctor I like.  He said we would talk about that when we meet next time.

Love online TV

Stayed in today.  I slept well but am still pretty tired.

Realized I forgot to push that last button to tape 24 last night.  Found it on the Global TV site and watched it tonight on my laptop.  The commercial breaks only had 1 quick commercial so the 2 hours went quickly.

Windy

Good thing about plugged ears is that I sleep through storms!  Didn't hear a thing last night.

Called Louise from Cactus Club only to find she had forgotten this was our week for dinner and support group.  I ate alone, reading Ellery Queen on my iPhone.  Group was good with 6 of us present. 

Home by 9.  Must remember olive oil in the ears tonight and then I can go to doctor. 

Eh!

Didn't feel well today so stayed in and read.  Also did some paperwork.

Tried some housework but didn't get far.

24 is back!

The Sun Returned

Stopped at the optomotrist to have the lens popped back in my sunglasses and then headed to Coquitlam to geocache.

Stopped at Matt's for a visit and some lunch.  Andrea is busy repainting the girls' bedroom. 

Took some books back to the library and picked up more reserves.

Pru headed for Houston this morning.  I'll pick her up in Seattle on Feb. 10th.

A day to recover

The last two days were pretty intense, so I didn't do much today.  Read, watched TV, payed bills...

Mae left this afternoon for Ottawa.

Met Moira for dinner at the White Spot.

My ears need attending to.  I am almost deaf in one and the noise is irritating.  Olive oil for a couple of nights and then my GP.  Haven't seen him for ages.  Think he is retiring this month.

Long day

Picked up Mae and took her to the Agency.  Had 5 vials of blood drawn at 10.  Grabbed a scone so I could take pills.

Walked through the tunnels to Centennial Pavilion of VGH to see specialist about the clot on my Port-A-Cath. 

Option 1: take the appliance out (I really like having it in)

Option 2: give myself daily injections of blood thinner until the port is taken out (yuck!)

Option 3: do nothing

We decided on 3 since the clot is small and I have regular CT Scans.  I am to watch for any signs that it has gone to my heart.  Fun.  I am okay with this since the Agency is payins such close attention to what happens.

My monthly supply of pills wasn't at the pharmacy and they couldn't start chemo until that was sorted out.  Delay was about an hour.  Good thing I always have a good book and music.

Mae and Darline waited for me and I became their last therapeutic touch patient of the day.  That was the perfect way to end.  I then drove Mae home in the rain.

Blood clot

Gave several vials of blood at 9 this morning.  Didn't want to keep paying for parking so left, looking for a place for breakfast.  The VSB was full so I went to Kits Coffee Co on 4th for tea and a cinnamon bun.

My oncologist was away so I saw another one.  The resident who saw me first scared me.  He was reading the CT Scan results and holding it for me to see.  It looked like I had lung cancer, but of course didn't.  It did show something on the pelvis/thigh that they were concerned about and recommended an X-ray.  There is also a blood clot on the Port-a-Cath that has to be looked at.  The resident wrote up an order for an X-ray today but the doctor said to wait a day. 

Met Pru on Commercial Drive for lunch and did some shopping at Oakridge.

The doctor called at 4:30 to say the radiologist took another look at Monday's CT Scan and did not see a problem with the thigh.  CT trumps X-ray so I don't need any more tests.  VGH then called with an appointment to see someone about the clot tomorrow morning.

Tense day!

Homework

Slept a solid 8 hours last night and it felt good.

Finished the edits for the BCTLA Constitution & Bylaws and the final draft of the Vancouver RTA newsletter and sent both off for comment.  Relief to get them done.

Went to Dave's Fish & Chips in Steveston for dinner and then picked up a prescription at Safeway.

CT Scan

Chugged a couple of bottles of water and arrived at the Cancer Agency at 9 for a CT Scan.  Sat with a heating pad on my arm for a while and the nurse was able to find a vein.

Not much point in planning anything on these days other than being home with the bathroom handy.  That's a lot of water - 500 ml at 8:15 and another at 8:45.

Think I've finished the RTA newsletter.  Will look at the printout tomorrow with fresh eyes.

515 Caches

Slept well after a long 2 days.  Read the paper and went out to find a new cache that was a puzzle - 500 m from Vancouver College.  Took a while but I solved it.  Found 4 more in Kits and Granville Island before stopping at Safeway. 

Can't stop playing Bejewelled on Facebook!

New Constitution

The BCTLA Executive met all day again.  I met a few people for breakfast in the hotel at 8. 

We actually passed the new constitution and by-laws that Heather and I wrote.  Got through the whole agenda!  Lunch was brought in today.  We stayed talking until 5:30 and then 4 of us went to the Cactus Club for dinner.  Drove Moira home and arrived at my place at 9. 

Zoë was one of the 8 of us on retreat last year.  She is the 2nd to pass away.

Zoë Lewis, formerly Sherry Anne Longstaffe, was born in Vancouver on May 15, 1960 and died peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, dear friends and family, on January 3, 2010, after a long battle with breast cancer. Loved for her quick wit, fiery spirit and kind heart, Zoë sought out and celebrated authenticity throughout her life, and condemned injustice wherever she found it. Zoë was a deeply caring and loving mother to Nate and Ruby, a quiet, but passionate philanthropist, an amazing jewellery designer, and a culinary goddess. She is survived by her children, her mother Marietta Hurst, her brother Ted Longstaffe, as well as her many dear friends and extended family, who will all miss her tremendously. Zoë will live on in our memories, free of the cancer that took her body, but could never quash her beautiful spirit. A party will be held at a later date so that friends and family can share Zoë's passion for love and life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Hibiscus Foundation at www.vancouverfoundation.ca/redhibiscus or by sending a cheque made out to "Vancouver Foundation - Red Hibiscus Foundation" to Vancouver Foundation, Suite 1200-555 W. Hastings Street, Box 12132 Harbour Centre, Vancouver BC, V6B 4N6.

Memory Lapse

Forgot to blog yesterday.  Arrived at Holiday Inn on Broadway at 9 for the BCTLA Executive meeting.  We spent most of the day analyzing our roles and talking about what we want to accomplish.  Had an excellent lunch at the Golden Great Wall Szechuan Restaurant.

Went for a drink at 5 but skipped dinner.   Stopped at Safeway and then bought dinner on the way home.  Too tired to cook.

2 hat tricks in a row!!

Thought I'd go geocaching today but was too tired.  I woke up at 8 and turned over for a bit - it was then 11!!

Took all day to meander through the papers (online).  Took an overdue book back to the library.  Thought I'd taken it back on Saturday.  Good thing I looked at my status.  Picked up dinner at Applause on the way home.

Connie called to offer me their tickets (row 12) for the Canucks.  It was pretty late notice and it would have been a rush.  Also decided I needed to have a quiet day since I am the BCTLA Executive for the next 2 days.  Reluctantly turned them down.  Missed lots of blood, a penalty shot and Burrough's 2nd hat trick in 2 games.

RTA

Took Mae the diamond ring she lost in my car this morning.  Also an article from the Times Colonist that had a picture of Sean talking about the HEAT shelters.

We had a Retired Teachers' Association, Vancouver Branch Executive meeting at the BCTF building this morning.

Met Louise a Solly's for chicken soup and a bagel.  What a perfect lunch.

Stopped in at VESTA for a visit and then found a couple of caches.

I feel pretty tired tonight.  Partly because I found out that another of our Callanish Retreat group died on Sunday - that is now 2 of 8.  Single mom with a couple of high school kids.

Headlight

Spent an hour at my dealer while they replaced my headlight.  Scary to drive with just one.

Picked up a couple of caches in Richmond and 3 in Langley = 508

It was actually too hot for my jacket for a bit.  Stopped at London Drugs for a Gorillapod and Cobs for bread.

Enjoyed watching the Juniors win Silver - if they always win the Gold, no one else will want to play!

Dull day

Didn't do much today.  Slept in, read, watched TV and did a bit of cleaning.

Where does the time go?

Still have a bit of a cough and am stuffed up.

COSTCO

Had to visit COSTCO this morning after ripping electric toothbrush apart while trying to change the head.  2nd time I've done that.  Better luck with the new one.

Picked up lunch at Tim Horton's and then home to watch the Juniors beat Switzerland. 

Found Mae's ring in the car so she can stop searching for it.

Am still stuffed but feeling much better.

How many books?

Still not well but slept in quite late.  Was just in time to watch the Canucks.

Had to go to the library to return some due books and there were 9 reserves waiting.  Was trying to clear up freebies left from last year and they all came at once!  At least none have other holds and I'll be able to renew them.  Picked up a latte and then home.

Read away the day.

Sick day

Didn't sleep through the night.  My sinuses woke me up every hour.  Felt lousy and had a headache this morning.  Didn't go to John's for dinner.

Spent the day watching Mad Men, season two.