Cisplatin, Day 1

I decided to take Freemasons today as I didn't know how I'd feel.  Luckily, I gave myself a cushion.  The driver was late but I still arrived in time to have a sandwich in the cafeteria.  I was pretty nervous.  Probably remembering the 1990 treatment.

I took several anti nausea pill before the Cisplatin treatment and will take one twice tomorrow and once on Saturday.  I have another prescription in reserve in case I need it and instructions on what to do if that doesn't work.  The treatment took about 1 1/2 hours and I was home before 2:30.

I'm feeling pretty good tonight and enjoyed eating dinner.  It was really painful during the car rides.  Got better once I was home for a while.

32 days

Broke last summer's record of 31 caches in a row today in Delta.  Couldn't find the first one but the next was a snap.

The drive home was hard ad my back started really hurting.  Didn't do the planned shopping.  Just wanted to get home.  As soon as I sat in the Lazy Boy. The pain eased.  Got a call this afternoon to say chemo starts at noon tomorrow.  Booked Freemasons.  Not sure how I'll feel afterwards.

North Van

Maureen is home and came over to take a load of laundry and pick me up for geocaching.  Pent the day in North Van ad she had completed some challenges on her trip.  Good lunch break at White Spot.   I have 6,599 finds and I've tied my streaking number of days at 31.

Home by 2:00.  Not feeling great and my back tumours were really hurting.  I've been dozing since I got home and they've settled down tonight.

Impark

Called Impark about Friday's $90 ticket. Started by saying I was calling to pay but was trying to understand how I'd messed up.  I had paid with my phone app and made mistakes when adding time.  They believed me and cut the bill by 75%.

Lori is in town for Georgina's daughter's wedding party.  She picked me up this morning and found a cache for me that I could never have clambered for.  We had lattés at Starbucks.  Won't see her for another month.

Too tired to do much else.  It's getting harder to stand still.  Tylenol 3’s are working.  Heard today that my PET Scan is Friday, August 8.  Have start fasting at noon and be there at 5:45.  Won't finish until 8:00.

Snake!

Found a drive up cache in Richmond.  Pam, you'll love it.  Shopped at IGA and picked up a latté on the way home.

Watched golf, Whitecaps and the Commonwealth Games.

The Tylenol 3 really works quite well but I can't take it if I'm driving.

Pills

Picked up my prescriptions at Safeway.  Good thing I have extended health.   I got Dexamethasone, Ondansetron Hydrochloride and Prochlorperazine to take before and after chemo to help with nausea.   In 1990, all I got was a pill form of marihuana from the Shaughnessy Hospital pharmacy.  I still threw up for 24 hours, but felt better about it.  These new pills weren't being used.  I also got Omeprazole for my acid reflux and a 100 Tylenol 3’s.  Took one a few hours ago and it really dulled the pain.  

Couldn't find the first cache I looked for in Tswasssen, even though it was replaced yesterday.  Found the second one easily.  Am at 28 days in a row.  

Was home by 1:00 to watch the Commonwealth Games.  We got a few medals.  

Cisplatin

New plan today.  Went to the Agency at 8:00 for bloodwork - 10 vials!  Tried to snag a cache at UBC but couldn't get near with all the construction.  Grabbed a latté and headed to Fairmont to see Karen.

My trial nurse saw me for the last time and asked me the usual questions.  An oncology GP then came in to examine me.  I didn't take an Advil so they could see the pain these skin tumours were causing.  She measured a few of them and went to see Karen.

Karen said emailing was the right thing to do, as she then had a chance to study my file (24 years).   The new plan is a chemo called Cisplatin.  I don't know the schedule yet but should start next week.  I'm on the waiting list for a PET Scan to take a closer look at where the cancer is and a biopsy.  My liver isn't normal but it isn't anything to worry about.  I am so lucky to have such a smart and compassionate oncologist.  

Found an easy cache at Kingsway and 25th.  Dropped several prescriptions off at Safeway - Tylenol 3, a replacement for Ranidine and 2 anti-nausea drugs to take before and after chemo.  Grabbed lunch at MacDonald's and went home to rest.  

Back to the Agency at 4:00 for an ultrasound.  The clerk at Fairmont handed me the order and said it was a PET Scan on 3.  I parked on that level but was sure the PET was on the main floor as it was so heavy.  I was right and moved the car down.  Of course, it turned out that it was an ultrasound on 3.  Arrived right at 4 but there was a problem with the machine.  I always have a hood book!   The test reall hurt.  The poor technician kept pushing on tumours and the ones on my back never let up.  Far too whacked to pick up the pills.  Got home at 6.  

Parking was expensive.  Cancer Agency was $3.50 + $7.00 = $10.50.
I paid with PayByPhone at Fairmont and had to keep adding time.  I made a couple of mistakes and ended up with a ticket.  My transactions weren't all showing, so they said to call tomorrow.  At this point, it is $5.85 + $1.50 + $5.85 + $1.50 + $80.00 = $94.70.  The grand total is $105.20.  

Ferry in Steveston

Found today's cache in Steveston near the remains of the loading ramp for a CPR ferry that went to Sidney.  I have no memories of this!   Since it was next to Pajo's, I had to have lunch.

Was really tired, so headed straight home.  Been feeling a bit sick for days.

Rainy

The news predicted heavy rain all day.  I headed out at 8, before it started for a quick find in a Richmond.  Turns out I didn't really need to as the heavy rain didn't come for ages.

Called the Cancer Agency and my appointment has been moved from Tuesdat to this Friday.

Set glue traps for the mouse I saw jump out of a cupboard.  Yuck.

Sleepy

Tired today.  Did a lot yesterday.  Pain keeps coming and going which can wipe you out after a while.

Found a cache near Kingsway and Joyce.  Did some shopping at Safeway and brought home a bento box from Osaka for lunch and dinner.

Point Roberts

The last piece of my order from Amazon arrived at TSB Shipping this morning so I headed down to Point Roberts.  Was thinking that there wasn't much traffic on the new highway when I came upon an accident heading the other way. Couldn't see over the centre meridian, but had to drive through acrid smoke.  I could just see the firefighters pouring water on something.

@news1130traffic: 11:37 #DELTABC There's a garbage truck on fire on Deltaport Way just west of #BCHwy17a

Had a good lunch at the Pier at the Marina.  I was the only customer at 12:30.  They didn't have any spinach for a spinach salad, so I ordered a Caeser with prawns.  It was good, but not great.  Missing Parmesan cheese.

Filled up with $1.19/gallon gas and grabbed a bottle of wine.  Always have everything unpacked on the passenger seat and sailed through Customs.  Failed to find a couple of caches in Tswasssen, so went to Richmond for #23.

The tumours on my back acted up after I got home.  Advil and finding the right position settled it foe.  Tired after a long day.

Rain

Woke up to much needed rain but it stopped by the time I got up.  The day was cloudy and cool.

Watched the British Open and then out for the day's cache.  Came home by noon with a latté.

Slept better last night and really tired tonight.

No side to lie on

Really crappy night with little sleep.  These skin tumours are everywhere and really hurt.  Got up and tried the chair for a while.

Not so bad today.  First cache was gone but got the next one.  These are in a really easy series and someone else couldn't find it so I'm confident it wasn't my ineptitude.  Did some shopping at IGA.

Golf, baseball, Lions and Whitecaps.  Lions were the best an demolished Montreal 41-5.  Finished reading Stella.  She was a madam in Victoria in the early 1900’s.  Real parallel to today's debate on prostitution.  Now starting Year Zero - the world in 1945.

#20

Cooler and partly cloudy today.  Found #20 in Richmond. Had a lunch special pizza and Caesar salad at Boston Pizza for $9.  Great deal.  Bought some fresh produce at Richmond Country Market.  First corn of the season.

Really glad I'm seeing Karen next week.  Too many parts hurt.

Cooler

The weather is getting cooler.  There are still many forest fires all over the province.

Couldn't find my first geocache this morning in Burnaby, so went to Plan B.  Much easier.  Did a bit of shopping at Byrne Rd - COBS, M&M and Kin's.  Got a smoothie at Starbucks before heading home.

My back tumours hurt so much, I had to stop to take a pain killer.  Not so bad right now.  Think the martini helped.

Lunch with Louise

Quickly found today's geocache in a East Vancouver on my way to the Cancer Agency.  There was only one other patient in my metastatic support group.  We still managed to fill the hour and a half.

Met Louise for lunch at the Cactus Club.  Really enjoyed the food and the visit.

Sent an email to Karen this afternoon, describing all my lumps and pains.  She answered quickly and is moving up my appointment to next week.  So glad I live in Canada and am not struggling with the U.S. medical system.

Fans are good

Grabbed today's cache in Richmond this morning.  Grabbed some lunch to take home to my fans.  Sat in front of one for the rest of the day.

Routine

Hard to get into a new routine.  Normally, I'd be getting chemo.  When that stopped, it was soccer.  

Went out this morning to get cache #16 near Terra Nova.  Bought a BBQ chicken at Save-On so I don't need to cook.  It is still very hot.

My knee was find today. Weird.  Still have sore tumours in various places.

End of soccer

Out early to find today's cache so I could be home for Germany vs Argentina.  The better team, Germany, won.   Don't know how I'll spend my days after a month of this.

Stayed quiet all day as I was meeting Moira at the White Spot for dinner.  Haven't seen her for months.  Big plans for the property and the parking lot is closed.  The hotel and restaurant are staying, but the pub will go.

My knee and back are painful.  Time for an Advil.

Heat wave

Matt and Andrea left this morning before dawn;

12 hours, 950 km, 3 tanks of gas, 3 states, and only 2 minor dust-ups in the back seat. And zero complaining...best kids ever. Welcome to Missoula!

It is really hot today.  Went out in the morning for the cache of the day (14).   

Watched Brazil lose again in the game for third.  First time since the 40's they've lost two games in a row at home.  Tonight is Lions and Whitecaps.  Will flip back and forth.  

Gin and tonic and two fans helping with the heat.  

Lunch with friends

Drove to Georgina's house in Coquitlam.  It was her in-laws' house and is really special.  Built in the fifties, it's full of unique features.  The property is like living in a forest resort.  Easy to forget busy Austin St. is so close.

Had a delicious lunch with Georgina, Marilyn & Anni at Jimoco's - Penne al forno.   The pasta was two for one and I had enough left for dinner.  I went back to Georgina's and waiting while my laundry dried.  Grabbed an easy nearby cache and was home in about 45 minutes.  

Had a bad night.  Lumps in two spots were really painful for quite a while.  Didn't hurt when I woke up.  Different spots hurt through the day and I got quite tired.  Not too bad tonight.  

Achy day

Found my cache near Steveston.  Now have 12 days in a row.  Celebrated with halibut and chips from Pajo's.  Did a bit of shopping still Safeway.

Have my fans ging, but it is hot and getting hotter.  Slept a bit in the afternoon and think I'll go to bed early.  Just can't stay awake.  A couple of the skin tumours are hurting.  Time for some Advil.

Big fire nearby

Out to Richmond this morning.  Bought a few things at London Drugs and found a clever cache hidden near the weir to Steveston Isand.  Picked up takeout at a Chinese food fair that was enough for lunch and dinner for under $10.

Soccer was a bit boring.  Argentina and the Netherlands were pretty equal and Argentina won in the shootout.  Slept through part of it.

A fire broke out on the rail tressle just to the West of the Oak St bridge.  I first saw it in news tweats and then started hearing all the sirens.  The wind blew the smoke to the East and I didn't hear or smell anything.

Brazil chokes

Tried shopping at Canadian Tire. Font know why I evened bothered.  Found nothing and tree is never any help.  Got my Day 10 cache near London Farm.  I attended a friend's wedding to a family member after graduation.

Stomach a bit iffy so just got a latté and scone to take home.  All settled in for Brazil vs Germany.  What happened.  7-1 is not a soccer score.  Think they were missing their two key players and lost heart after the first goal.  Good thing Germany held back in get second half to prevent yellow cards or injuries.  Both have to regroup for the weekend.

Radiation oncologist

Saw Dr, Voduc this afternoon for a follow up on the radiation on my leg.  He was pleased.  The hole is almost closed and the burn has faded.  He looked at all the lumps I have developed.  They are breast cancer that has metasticized toy he skin.  He suggests some surface radiation.  We'll wait a bit to see if the Tamoxifen does anything and he'll email Karen to what she wants.  They still hurt but not as much as yesterday.

Found today's cache by the fire hall behind Kidsbooks.  Very easy.

Had planned yo shop but was too tired.

8 days

I've now found a cache on eight days in a row.  Today's was in Burnaby. A bunch of easy new hides have been placed in Richmond.  I'll save them for World Cup days.

Had liver and onions at the Waffle House.  Too tired to do anything else.  Chris and Yuriko came by with olives they got for me in LaConner.  Delicious.  Soaked in Vermouth so I had to make a martini.

My back and side sore today.  Glad I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow.

7 days

Up early for tennis. 2nd for 20 year old Bouchard pretty good.  Watched 1sy soccer match and the headed to Richmond for today's cache. 7 days in a row!  

Gave up on Safeway as 70th entrance was closed again for construction.  Bought a latte and cinnamon bun at waves and was home in time for the second match kickoff.

Bit more comfortable today.

Gotta love iCloud

My appointment at the Oakridge Apple store was at 10:30.  They plugged my iPad into a computer and restored it.  Just what I tried yesterday but they said they had the program already loaded.  Sat and read my Kobo and watched soccer on my iPhone (after he fixed the settings.  Left once the important stuff worked.  Took the rest of the day for the apps to load.  Looks like I'm not missing any data.  The backup to iCoud had been done yesterday at 3:30 am. Magic!

Grabbed a cache in Richmond and bought fresh raspberries and blueberries.  Home just as they were kicking off for the 13:00 soccer match.  Then there were the Lions.  Not playing well!

Back and side hurting a lot today.  Tired of this.

Bald again

My hair has been falling out for the last few days.  Last effect of the Taxol.  Went back to my hairdresser and had a buzz cut.  Much better.

Found a new cache near Commercial Drive and then went to Marine and Byrne.  Had a great lunch at Boston Pizza - lunch combo of Caesar Salad and a mini pizza.  Stopped at Cob's and then home.

My iPad has been acting funny for a few days and died when I tried updating the operating system.  Tried plugging it in the computer.  iTunes said I had to restore factory settings.  Even that failed.  Hours of stress!  I have an appointment at the Apple store tomorrow.

The tumours on my back hurt when I drive.  Have to sit just the right way.

Support group

Saw Darline and Mae on my way to the metastatic support group.  Haven't been for ages as I'm usually sick on Wednesdays.   Only 5 of us so we all got to talk as much as we needed.

Grabbed a cache near Dickens Annex.  White Spot has a retro menu, so I took hone chickenpick'ns and boysenberry pie.

Didn't sleep well last night.  It was hot and muggy.  The tumours on my back are hurting tonight.  Hope the Tamoxifen starts shrinking them.

Hottest day

Today was the hottest day of the year so far.  Up in time for soccer and went geocaching between the games.  Walked 135 meters to the cache and then back. Furthest I've walked for months (outside of stores).   Spotted the hiding place as I walked upto the tree.

Grabbed lunch and was home in time for the next game.

Tired tonight but my leg isn't hurting.