31 days of caching

Did it!   Found a cache every day this month.  Took a few tries to get one today but got one put out by a Cub troop off Joyce St.

Had a FaceTime chat with Pam & Lori from Melbourne.  They got their 31 as well.

Tough sleep last night. The right leg is so uncomfortable.  There's a big purple bruise behind the knee. That doesn't hurt but the tumours at the top of the leg and my ankle do.

One day to go

Went to Fraser foreshore park in Burnaby and parked just a few yards from the cache. Clue was magnetic and there was only one sign in sight.  A littl snake led the way.

Bought chicken noodle soup and a wrap at Quizno's on the way home.

Still have a cold but it's much better.  Leg and ankle hurt all day.

Rain

Lots of rain today. I can hear thunder in the distance tonight.  Just started pouring.  Should be sunny tomorrow afternoon. http://globalnews.ca/news/811663/gallery-lightning-storm-lights-up-vancouver-sky/

Went out while the rain wasn't so hard for the nearest cache.  It was in Burkeville, near the airport.  Two more to go.

Third day in a ro I've tried fighting my cold with soup - miso, chowder, sweet & sour.  Yoday was Chinese takeout that did me for lunch and dinner.

The radiation oncologist called to say there were no signs of clotting in my legs.  The plan is to do a CT Scan next week and then 6 to 8 radiation treatments on the tumours at the top of my legs.   It should shrink them, but there is no guarantee that the lymph system will drain the fluids.  Worth the risks I think.

Martin Luther King

Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the I Have a Dream speech.  Watched a couple of hours on CNN. Obama made a great speech.

My cold was too bad to go to the event in Coquitlam and for dinner with Georgina. Found a quick one in Burnaby instead.  Took longer than is should but finally got it.

Cold

Can't believe I woke up with a cold.  Bought orange juice and oranges.  Had miso soup for lunch since it always feels like it should cure such things.

Found n easy cache in Steveston.  Supposed to be 1 m high but I had to reach up for it.  Owner fuzzy on metric.

Bad night.  Got up at 3 to play cards and doze in my chair.  The leg tumours were just aching.  Finally went back to bed and felt better.

Cloudy day in Delta

The sunshine is gone for a while.  It's actually been raining.  Headed to Delta for today's cache and met a couple of women on the same quest.   Five days to go!  Bought groceries at Thrifty's and then home.

Cousins called from New Brunswick - Janet & Marilyn, Daphne, Patience & Murray.  

Tumours sore most of the day.  Did manage to fall asleep for a while in the afternoon.  

Day # 25

Didn't find the first cache I looked for in Burnaby but now have a hint from another cacher.  I should have trusted my GPS and ignored the wasps.  The second one was easier.  Hidden right where I figured it was.  Only got snagged a few times by the prickly vines.

Picked up chicken at Nando's for lunch and had the leftovers for dinner with a salad.  Great way to get to meals with little effort.

My left foot is now really swollen.  Can't win.

Blitz event

Attended event to give out prizes hidden during the Blitz period this year.  It was in the park in front of the Burnaby library near Metrotown.  Free underground parking and n elevator but no here I could sit, so didn't stay long.

Leg did feel a bit better this morning, but is bad again tonight.  Fell aleep for a while this afternoon.

Cache #23

Found today's cache by Emily Carr on Granville Island.  Nice easy one.  Bought some meat and produce at the Market.  The trick in the summer is to shop around 10, before the tourists arrive.  Was home by 11.

The Province printed the first and last paragraphs of my letter re excessive speeders having their vehicles impounded on the hwy beyond Hope.

I love the arrogance and sense of entitlement of the drivers whose cars were impounded for excessive speed. 

The speed limit is the highest speed you can go. You can't exceed it because you're passing or going downhill. Good on the RCMP for trying to save lives.

My leg and foot are really bad today.  Almost gave up trying to get in my car.

Ultrasound

Arrived at the Cancer Agency at 2:30 and left at 4:30 - $10.50 for parking.  Had bilateral Dopler ultrasound on my legs.  Boy, did that hurt on the swollen one.  At the top and around the lower body, it felt like there were big needles on her gadget.  I expected the pain when she pressed on the tumours, but not that.  Persevered and we got through it in 1 1/2 hours.

Staggered out and grabbed a quick cache near Macdonald & 16th.  Picked up Japanese food and listened to first quarter of the Lion's game.  They managed to lose by 1 on last play.

Shaw

Man from Shaw came and replaced my TV hard drive and it is working perfectly.  Had to lose hours of recorded shows.

Went to a geocaching event at 7:30 in Coquitlam tonight.  Stopped at White Spot for dinner.  Realized many were being seated ahead of me and the wait was already double what the girl predicted.  Her excuse was they were waiting for a small table, but that should have been factored into the time she gave.  Had to leave and had a quick dinner at MacDonald's.

Met Georgina at Blue Mountain Park, just a couple of blocks from where we lived in the 50's.  stayed for a while to catchup and was home by 9.

My leg has been really sore tonight.  

Radiation?

Met with my new radiation oncologist, David Voduc.  Very impressed.  The plan is to look for clots with ultrasound on both legs.  If that show nothing, we'll try radiation on the top of both legs to try and shrink the tumours and get the lymph system draining better.  It might work and there could be side effects but it's worth the risk to get more mobile.

My TV is still acting up.  I called to get the little box that holds the PVR recording to work.  Then the PVR started rebooting over and over.  The next fellow gave up and is sending a service person tomorrow.  He suggested unplugging the little box and he was right.  Stopped rebooting.  Afraid this is going to mean sacrificing all my recorded programmes.  I had several movies and a few series I hadn't watched yet.

Delta

Found a quick cache in Delta.  Lunch at Sharkey's.  Bought a bunch of fruit at Richmond Country Market on the way home.

Swelling still bad.

Quick outing

Found a cache near Carleton Elemntary this morning.  Couldn't get the pill bottle open but took a photo of it in my hand if the owner wants proof.  Home in abou 1/2 an hour.

Didn't sleep well.  Diarrhea back this morning.  Had a quiet day with ice packs.  Watched 5 episodes of The Newsroom.

Happy International Geocaching Day

Didn't find a cache at the main library.  Over thought it.  It should have been in the Ref section but I've had a tweet saying it isn't.  It does take a stool so I couldn't have reached it with my big leg.  Grabbed an easy one in Kits.

Bought groceries at 25th & Oak Safeway.  Also got some Japanese takeout at a new restaurant in that strip mall.  Pretty good.  Fast and friendly service.  Even gave me tea while I waited.

Watched Lions and some of he White Caps.  Hate it when games are the same time.

Why plan?

Most of my plans this week have been in vain.  Today. Was going to Delta but the fire alarm inspection didn't happen until almost 3.  By that time, the traffic reports easily convinced me to go in the other direction.  Found a neat cache by the community gardens near Arbutus & 5th.

Had an early dinner at George's on Arbutus and was home by 5.

Still sore and swollen.  Icing helps.

Coffee with Chris

Grabbed an easy cache near MacDonald and 16th for #15.  Met Chris E. at Beans Around the world by 57th & the Boulevard.  Sat for 2 hours.  Grabbed Chinese food at Oakridge on the way home.

My leg is huge.  It was hard swinging it into the bathtub but getting into the car was a bit easier today.

What sunset?

My drugs were delivered today.  Such an efficient pharmacy in Coquitlam.

Stayed in all day and then went to adult Pirate Pack Day at the White Spot.  Couldn't even get close to the door and was in no shape to stand in line.  Had a steak sandwich at the X-Site Grill and Bistro on Hastings instead.  

Arrived at the parking lot at the top of Burnaby in time for a sunset event.  Cloudy and drizzling.  Didn't stay long.  Day 14. 

Day 13

Went to COSTCO for water and pens.  Not too busy. No one near to pick up the flats for me.  Sometimes I get lucky.

Third day in a row I couldn't get to my first choice as the terrain was too hard.  Climbed ivermectin small rocks and discovered a pile of crap (and paper) next to Ground Zero.  Gave up before I broke something.  Had to stop at a pub for the bathroom - should have eaten there.  Grabbed an easy cache by the IGA and picked up a taco salad on the way home.  Too bushed to buy groceries.

ICBC

Went to the ICBC Claims Centre to have my accident evaluated.  Couldn't believe that it's going to be    over $1500 to fix.  There is a dent and the bumper wheel well panel and assented door need painting. Also need a new mirror.  No delectable to pay and I'll get a courtesy car (so I can keep geocaching).  Think I'll wait until I've seen the radiation oncologist next week.

First cache I looked for was out of reach over some boulders (NOT 1.5 terrain) but I got an easy one at Rupert Park.  Picked some Japanese food for lunch and dinner.

Fire alarm went off so I carried the garbage out on the way to meet my neighbours outside.  Apparently this was the second time today.  No sign of fire.  Stayed outside until the fire fighters turned it off as it was so loud.

Tea with Mary

Tried unsuccessfully to reach a cache at UBC on the way to Mary's for tea.  Sat on the deck watching the hummingbirds come to te feeder.  Perfect Vancouver afternoon.  Passed on a ride in her new sports car as I'd never have gotten out of it as it was too low down.

Should have tried for a first to find on Sea Island but a thunder storm opened up just as I was getting up to go.  Drove right up to it on the way home.

My foot and groin were not happy by the time I got home.  Elevation, ice, Tylenol.

Tennis and soccer

Went to East Vancouver for today's cache.  Picked up lunch at the White Spot and was home in time for the tennis.  Hard to cheer when both are Canadians.  White Caps won in a good game.

No improvement in swelling.

Day of waiting

They were starting at 11 to check our smoke and heat detectors.  The alarms went off from time to time but they never made it to my suite.  The van left at 4:30 so I headed out.  The plan for the day was shot.  Found another cache on the dike at the end of Frances.  Easier when you know what you're looking for.

Decided to try Pajo's for halibut & chips.  No lineup and even got a picnic table on the beach.  

Leg and foot still big.

Richmond dike

Found a cache on the dime at the end of Steveston Hwy.  Another cacher stopped with a nudge in the right direction.  Picked up some essentials at London Drugs on the way home.

Cancer Agency called with an appointment on Aug. 20th with Dr. David Voduc.  He'll decide if some radiation might shrink the big lymph node at the top of the right leg to allow more drainage.  Still have a big foot and leg today.

Fat leg

Found an easy cache in a birdhouse on River Road in Richmond.  Picked up some Cinese on the way home.

Been icing my foot but my whole leg is swollen tonight.

Check up day

Met Lori at a dog park in Queensborough for today's cache.  We then had lunch with Anni and Gunnar at a nearby Tim Horton's.  They must have been stuck in a horrible crush of traffic as a truck was stalled in the middle of the bridge.  I headed west on the Connector and was at my appointment early.

Saw Karen for the first time in ages.  Tumour markers are 46 and my weight up a bit. The CT Scan results weren't back so she'll call me.   My foot was really swollen.  The tumours in my groin are still big and hurt most of the time.  There are about 6 of the new skin mets.

The plan is to see if a radiation oncologist thinks shrinking the tumours will help the leg drainage.  My next appointment will be in a month instead of two.  I'm to start icing the foot as well as keeping it up.

Picked up a BBQ chicken at Safeway.   Should last a few meals.

Last cache with Pam

Met Pam in Champain Heights for today's cache.  She brought back 2 bags of laundry.  Tomorrow she leaves for Australia to visit her son.  Won't be back until Sept. 26th.

Stopped at Dairy Queen for a treat and then home to put my swollen foot up.

Lunch with Chris

Found today's cache at South Memorial Park.  First time I've driven in - there really is a memorial.

Had lunch with Chris and Yuriko at his place.  Nice to sit outside now it isn't so hot.

My right foot is still really swollen so I spent the rest of the day keeping it up.

New dog

Left home just before 1:00.  Picked up a latte and headed to Matt's.  Found today's cache just off Clarke Rd.  was supposed to be. 1.5 terrain but it was much harder.  Once I spotted it hanging in a tree, I couldn't give up.  Should have used the grabbers.

Bought some stones at the Village Toy Shop to go with the book on rocks I was giving Lily for her birthday.  Also gave her a couple of dog stories.  Met Lulu, their new chocolate lab cross.  Very calm dog.  They are fostering her for a few weeks to make sure she's a good fit.  She's 2 1/2 and from a rescue place.  No sign that she's been mistreated. The man who owned her in the U.S. just couldn't look after her.

Bought some groceries at Thrifty's and was home just after 5:00.  The drive felt good but my righ foot has been swollen the last few days.

August #2

Met Pam at a cache this afternoon.  We both have our second out of 31 possible caches for August.

We went to the Little Mountain Coffee Company at 33rd and Main for a visit.  I'll go back as the service was friendly and the latte was good. Also like the gay friendly password for the WiFi.  Pam took two bags of my laundry to do before she leaves for Australia. 

Did some shopping for Lily's birthday at Kidsbooks and then picked up some Chinese takeout at Oakridge Mall.  

Fire

Just heard someone yelling fire.  A car was burning one apartment building away.  I called 911 and watched from the safety of my window.


Today is the beginning of a challenge to find a cache every day in August.  Grabbed a new one near a mansion in Shaughnessy that was owned by a whisky baron.

Met Louise, Gwen and Wanda at Shizenya on Broadway for dinner - I ate a lot.  Always good to get caught up.

Car accident

Was driving on Alderbridge next to Landsdowne Mall just after 2 this afternoon.  A woman driving a red SUV changed lanes and hit me.  I could see the front of her car coming towards my front passenger side so drove over a little cement bumper onto a grassy medium.  Managed to avoid the trees!   I must have been in her blind spot.  She was very upset that I might be hurt but I don't think so.  Got a headache and my leg hurt but that's normal these days.  It might have made it worse.  My right ankle and foot are swollen again but don't hurt.

My mirror has no glass and it left a big black scrape on her car, as if the plastic melted as we scraped past.  We both have streaks of white - not sure why.  She is missing the door handle on the back door.  Would have been a lot worse if I hadn't swerved away.

I continued on to meet Moira for coffee.  By the time I got home, the other driver had done her ICBC report and said just what I did.  Love honest people.  Because my car is 10 years old, I can't just go to a body shop.  My appointment at a claim centre isn't until Aug. 12th.  Really hard driving without that mirror.  I'm trying not get into to many situations where I have to change into the right lane.