Snow in the valley

Drove to Chilliwack for the 2nd in my birthday series of caches (must find 6 on their anniversary of being placed).  Stopped in Abbotsford for gas ($104.9) and there were several inches of snow.  Put on the trusty snow boots and got out my Olympic mittens.

Saw one car on it's side on the median so drove carefully.  There wasn't as much snow in Chilliwack.  I drove up the side of the mountains to the south and walked into the forest.  The owner of the cache saw me looking and came to check.  The container was gone and the inside tube was hidden in a new place.  I actually found it in the end and she has taken it away to repair.  Thought I deserved a good lunch at the Chilliwack Airport.  Had to wait in line for about 1/2 an hour!

Tried for a 3rd birthday in Mission but couldn't find it after climbing a hill kids were sledding down.  Then tried for one in Surrey.  I thought it was a birthday but it wasn't.  Didn't matter since I failed on this one too.  Even tried for help from Pam via cellphone.  Darkness was falling and I was down in a ravine so finally gave up and left.

Another caching day

Went to Coquitlam to find a few caches today.  Shopped at Thrifty's - didn't find the cache right outside the front door!

Home in time to watch the Seahawks win and the Canucks lose.  Sad watching the shootings in Arizona.

Caching

Found a couple of caches today.  One was to fill in this date in the calendar and the other was the 2nd birthday of the cache.  On Sunday I'll go to Chilliwack to get a 3rd birthday (on my way to 6).

Found Applewood Country Gifts, Tea Room & Bakery in Delta.  Must have read about it somewhere as I had put it in my GPS.  Picked up dinner and biscuits.

Felt pretty good and needed to get out. 

Rain, rain, go away

Spent another day staying in out of the rain.  Did some laundry and not much else.

My arthritis doesn't like damp weather very much.

Bills

Sorted out all my bills and fixed a problem with Hydro.  They stopped doing automatic payments from my VISA card and the letter went to the wrong address so I was on the verge of being cut off.  You would think a phone call would save a lot of hassle for them.

Poor Juniors!  They totally lost focus in the 3rd!!!  At least the Canucks won again.

What snow?

Met Pam & Lori in Surrey for a day of caching.  Thought we'd get some done before the snow started and it never came!  I am now at 1,259!  We had a good day and found a couple that had eluded us before.  At about 3:00 I just felt totally wiped and we called it a day.  Sat for a few hours before making dinner.

Finn Slough

Met Pam at Finn Slough to find a cache.  The hint said you had to climb a bit so I thought Pam would be more nimble.  It wasn't too bad and the scenery early in the morning along the Fraser was spectacular.  We saw a swan and I spotted an eagle.

Bought the neatest little speaker at the Apple Store after weeks of looking for just the right thing.  It is a Jawbone Jambox and the Bluetooth works with my iPhone and iPad.  I can charge it with a power cord or by plugging it into a USB port on my computer.  Once I set my music or radio app going, I can carry it anywhere in the apartment to listen.  I love not having wires.  So much so, I then went to Canadian Tire and bought a chargeable Dirt Devil PowerFlex 2-in-1 Hand and Stick Vac.  My hand vacuum is broken and the old stick is on its last legs.

Picked up some bread at Cobs and was home by noon.

Another hockey day with the Juniors & Canucks winning.

Woke up with a headache for the 3rd day in a row but it disappeared after I was out for a bit.

Hockey day again

The Juniors & the Canucks entertained my today.  The Canucks are actually 1st in the league!

I woke up with a headache again and it has lasted all day.  Went out geocaching in spite of it.  I am doing a new challenge - 100 caches for each of 31 days of the months; 100 for each month; 1 for each day of the year.  Should take 3 years to do it!  Found today's in Richmond.  

Picked up some food at M&M's and Kin's Market and was home by noon.

2011

Made it to another year!  Woke up with a bit of a headache so took a painkiller and had a quiet day.  Finished my library book and listened to music.

Went to Chris's at 4 for games and dinner with him, Rowena and Pru.  Really cold out. 

Happy New Year's Eve

Picked up my drug at Macdonald's and took it to the Cancer Agency at 9:30.  It took a long time to get my shot as my file was at Fairmont.  By the time they tracked it down the porter had left.  Finally they just faxed the one relevant order.  Takes a while to give the injection as the drug is so thick.  Just hurt a little.

Picked up a reserve at the library and bought groceries at Safeway.

Enjoyed the Junior game and the Canucks.  Now watching Lincoln Centre concert.

This would have been Dad's 100th birthday!  Born in a log cabin in Manitoba in 1910.

Perfect Geocaching Day

Met Lori & Pam at Queen Elizabeth Park for our first cache of the day.  We then headed for UBC and spent the day in the forest.  I counted 12 finds for a total of 1246.  Lori passed 1300 and Pam reached 1000!

We had great halibut & chips at the Cheshire Cheese Inn on Dunbar.

I was so tired when I got home I just sat without even taking my shoes off for a couple of hours.

No snow

Snow in Metro Vancouver this morning but none here.

Spent the day reading, making payments and tracking down my drug for Friday's injection.

New shoes

Tried for a new cache in Queen Elizabeth Park but was stymied by a creek.  Pam and I worked out the puzzle last night but it turns out we were wrong.  I got the right answer tonight so will try for it again.

Kintec had a shoe sale that they have just advertised to customers.  I went to the Broadway store but they didn't have my size.  I had to drive to Langley for it - saved $70.

Went to a couple of Best Buy stores for a Sony radio but they are all sold out of it.  Even the online store is out of stock.  Not meant to be.  

Ended up near the Waffle House so stopped for Lunch/Dinner at 3:30.

Shopping

Matt and Andrea delivered my bag this morning.  Felt weird without my iPhone and iPad last night.  Had to read the papers on my computer this morning.

Bought a DVD drive for my netbook at Best Buy.  Picked out some stuff in Home Sense but when the woman who went to a till said she wasn't opening and said I had to get back into the single long line, I said "No I don't!" and dropped the basket as I walked out.

Really too tired to do any more shopping so headed home.

Boxing Day

Even though I went to bed early and was really tired, I didn't sleep well at all. Didn't have to get up early which helped.

Picked up Pru at 12:30 and we headed to Matt's in Port Moody. One of his friends cooked us a Newfie dinner. We ate at 4 so the were home by 7:30. I left my bag behind - iPad, iPhone, camera, ID... They are going to Andrea's parents tomorrow so I'll meet them on 33rd as they go by. Duh! At least I didn't forget my goodie bag of cookies and Nanaimo bars.

Merry Christmas

A quiet day - listening to Christmas music, reading and talking to friends on the phone.  

Arrived at Pru's at 4:00 for dinner.  Perfect food as always.  Total of 11 of us opened presents and then most played poker.  I lost badly!

Really tired by 10:00 so was the first to leave.  Don't have the stamina anymore.

Wet Night Before Christmas

Stayed in most of the day.  Wrapped presents and made the cranberry sauce while watching Christmas movies.

Had pot roast for dinner at IHOP and filled up the gas tank.

Shopping done

Matt has a cold so we didn't go to a movie again today.  Instead I went to Ironwood Plaza and London Drugs, the Liquor Store & Canadian Tire.  Found exactly what I needed at each so finished with a takeout lunch at Tim Horton's.

Home by 12:30 and managed to avoid most of the heavy rain.

A day of dining

Rode Canada Line to Yaletown and transferred to a Main St Station bus Nelson St.  Then walked to the William Tell Bistro to meet Rum and Nancy.  Too bad they are closing at the end of the month since the food and service were really good.  

Got tired waiting for a bus in the cold so grabbed a cab to Connie's in Yaletown to see Mae and meet the twins, Leland and Hudson.  Quick ride on the Canada Line home.

Met Moira at Applause for dinner and then stopped at Safeway.  Love shopping there at night as there are no lineups.

Safety Check

This morning I had to be at the Cancer Agency at 7:45 for bloodwork.  The nurse drew 13 vials!  The lab said it should have been 1 more but decided to make do.  Hassle to go back and use the port again.  They flush it with saline (through a BIG needle today) and then flush again after the blood draw and add epinephrene.  I have to use the port every few weeks or have it taken out.

Then I went to Fairmont and saw the head clinical trials nurse, a resident and my oncologist for a "safety check".  Karen talked a bit about my new drug.  It is 10 years old and went out of popular use or testing as it is a shot in the muscle of the butttocks.  Now they are looking at it again.  She said they are trying to broaden the protocol so I won't have to pay.  So just who is the Health Minister this week?  She said not to worry that there is now cancer in the adrenal glands and they seem to be able to cope with it.

I had been fasting since last night so I had brunch at the Sunshine Diner.  I decided to buy myself a Christmas present since the insurance money will be in my hands soon.  Patrick recommended Watch It! on 4th.  The clerk spent a good 1/2 hour advising me and we settled on a Casio G-Shock.

Two more nearby stores and my shopping is done.

Glad to get home and dozed a bit this afternoon.  Glad that Matt cancelled going to a movie as I would have fallen asleep.

Once in a lifetime

The last time there was a total lunar eclipse during Solstice was in 1638.  To bad it's raining.

Got up early to make shortbread.  Have to put the dough in the fridge for an hour and then wait for it to warm up again. Took hours to cook as I quadrupled the recipe.

Almost did not have our support group tonight as Jean died last night and Sarah was too upset to come.  I met Louise at the Cactus Club and the four of us who showed up at the Cancer Agency met in the lobby for about from 7 to 8:30.

David's party

Chris had the family over at 1:00 to celebrate David's 31st birthday.  Stayed until about 4:00.

Loaded up with groceries at Safeway while listening to the Canucks on my iPhone.

Making crockpot of stew tonight.  I have the makings of 2 other recipes to load up my freezer in the next couple of days.

Granville Island

Picked up a reserve at VPL and then went to Granville Island in search of the last elusive present (unsuccessfully).  Picked up some groceries and then drove straight home.

I am so behind in everything this year.  Just don't have the energy.

Day with friends

Met Georgina and Marilyn at Anni's house at 10 this morning.  So many decorations made it feel like Christmas is nearly here.  I am so behind in doing things this year and her shortbread was just like mine.  Must make some on Sunday!

Discovered the Gourmet Warehouse and bought a bunch of stuff for myself.  What a neat place to shop.  Realized there was little point in driving all the way home so went to Metrotown.  Wandered around but didn't buy anything.  Finally sat a while in Chapters.

Met Pam at 4:45 in Nando's Chicken on Kingsway.  Must eat in these restaurants more often as the chicken is delicious.  We then went upstairs to the board room of Metro Vancouver for a meeting on parks and geocaching.  They introduced the new rules for MV parks and showed a couple of apps. 

iParks Explorer has information and maps for parks they manage and Tap Map which shows public drinking fountains.  Saw a few people I knew.  It is always nice to put faces to the geocaching names.

My lawyer left a message to say I can pick up my settlement cheque for the bus crash next week!

Via Veneto

Took Canada Line to the Cancer Agency.  Forgot the Metastatic Cancer meeting was 10:30 & arrived at 10:00.  Good group today.  I must go more often.

Someone donated money so we could go out for lunch.  We went to Via Veneto which is where the Capricorn used to be on Broadway.  The food is really good.  I had Veal Paillard: grilled milk-fed Veal scallopine with salsa verde.

I was going to take a present to the twins but Connie & Mae weren't answering the phone so I just went home.  Managed to avoid rain but it was cold.

Purdy's

Went to Weir at lunch to pick up my Purdy's order from Rum.  Stayed and visited for a couple of hours.

Picked up a book I had ordered at Kidsbooks.

Weird weather.  Caught in a hail storm and later some snow was hitting my windshield mixed in with the rain.

Elf for the day

Landsharkz sent a couple of geocoins with my last order and asked me to hide them.  I put one in Vancouver and the other in Richmond.  The coordinates have appeared on Facebook & Twitter and cachers will try to find them.

Did a bit of shopping and had lunch at Dave's in Steveston.

Dr. Gelmon called tonight to talk about my PET Scans.  They show no cancer in any organs except a bit in the adrenal gland.  She seemed quite positive.

Soggy Sunday

Stayed up late to finish (in 1 day) Susan Boyle's autobiography.  Kept hearing Mary M's voice throughout.  Nice to see Mary's daught acknowledged for the help she's been.

Didn't wake up until 10:45 and spent a lazy day.  Enjoyed Canucks win.

Callanish

Attended Callanish Holiday Open House with Diane Loomer and EnChor Choir.  Great music and old friends.

Loaded up with presents at Kidsbooks and groceries at IGA.

Christmas shopping

Woke up at 8:15 and turned the computer on.  Went back to bed to listen to the news and woke up in time for the 10:30 broadcast.  

Picked up Pru this morning and took her to pick her car up from the repair shop.  We stopped for a latte on the way.

Took my list to Lee Valley Hardware & Chapters to get a good jump on my Christmas shopping.  I am using an app called Gifts to keep it all straight.

Picked up a prescription & groceries at Safeway on the way home.

Harrison - Day Three

Had another long sleep.  I went down to the outide pool for a good soak.  It was chilly out but not raining.  It poured as we put the luggage in my car and we were soaked.  Dripped into the Lakeside Cafe for our 2nd free breakfast.

Shopped at The Farmhouse for fresh cheese, Limbert Farms, The Back Porch and Kilby's Christmas Shop for presents and treats.  There were eagles in the trees in Kilby and dead salmon on the beach.  Weather alternated between sun, rain, downpour, hail, thunder, drizzle... all the way home.  Filled up my gas tank for $1.04/litre just east of Mission.

Got to Pru's house at 5 and Jesse cooked us a good dinner.  Pays off having a chef in the family.  Now we just need a scullery maid.  Their box wasn't working so I stayed and so we could watch our news shows on my iPad.

Very glad to get home.  Only carried the essentials upstairs. 

Harrison - Day Two

We stayed up late in the bar talking last night so slept in.  We had our free buffet breakfast in the Lakeside Cafe and it was pretty good.  The sun was shining so we headed out for a walk along the lake.  Failed to find a nearby geocache.  Shopped in some of the stores and headed back.

We sat in the lobby playing crib for the whole afternoon. I don't think I won a game!  After the afternoon tea we went to sit in the hot tub.  It was pouring outside so we stayed in the inside pool.

Our free dinner in the Copper Room was not a success.  The soup was delicious but the meals mediocre.  My turkey stuffing was yucky and Pru's Yorkshire pudding was cold and deflasted.

Back to the room for most of the Canucks game.  Can't get MSNBC on the TV so we watched our MSNBC news shows on my iPad.

Harrison

Off to use my prize trip to Harrison. Picked up Pru at noon. Stopped in Haney at 50's Diner. Car wouldn't start! Several men offered suggestions as we waited for BCAA. Finally one mentioned the key fob and I realized my new Geocaching keyring had unscrewed and the fob was gone. Finally found it in the road a few feet in front of the car. Disaster averted!

Arrived just in time for the free afternoon tea. Plate full of large chocolate covered strawberries were in the room. Soaked in the pool for a while after opening a bottle of wine.

Hardly rained at all after we left home. Bit of drizzle as we walked to Bavarian restaurant for Schnitzel dinner -far too much food. Watched our 2news shows from MSNBC on my iPad. Spent a few hours in the bar drinking Monte Cristos and talking to a young fellow who just moved here.

Life is good!

Geocaching Monday

Met Pam by Guilford Mall this morning and we found caches in the area.  My count for the day was 12 for a total of 1,233.  We had lunch at De Dutch.

Wanted to go to Wal-Mart and Mark's Workwear and was wondering where they might be in Surrey.  Turned out our meeting place was right by both so I was able to do my shopping and be home by 5.

Didn't sleep well last night.  Had a bit of a headache but feeling better tonight.

Slow Sunday

Slept until 10 this morning.  Decided to have a day to recover from a hard week.  Watched The Assasination of Jesse James - very odd western.  

Canucks looked as tired as I felt.

Funeral

Mel and her kids came to clean this morning.  It has been a while so there was a lot of dust.  I did laundry on Wednesday so they only had 1 load.

Went to Lillian's funeral at 1:00 in Holy Trinity Anglican on 12th.  Finally found a parking spot 3 blocks away just as I was giving up.  It was a long service.

Came home and fell asleep.  Glad I don't have to get up in the morning.

FASLODEX (fulvestrant)

Went to the 2nd floor of the Cancer Agency for my first injection today.  The nurse was new from England and excellent.  The shot was in my buttocks - many years since I've had one of those.  She explained all the side effects to watch for and did everything smoothly.  I decided it was probably better to keep moving for a bit so did some errands before heading home.

Finally took Amanda's bottle of wine to her school in Richmond.  I carried it home from Kelowna in October as she couldn't carry it on the plane.  Picked up some things at COSTCO and lunch at Tim Horton's.

I've felt fine all day.  The injection site hurt a bit but didn't need to do any of the things suggested to deal with it.  Next one will be in 4 weeks.

2nd PET Scan

Had to be at the Cancer Agency at 7:45 for a PET Scan using glucose this morning.  Painful being up that early but the fasting is easier.  Sat for a while and then they hooked up an intravenous.  Another wait until the isotopes were ready.  I then had to sit quietly for an hour.  No reading but I brought classical music on my iphone.  The scan was shorter than Tuesday's and they put me through head first.  That way I could move my arms as soon as they were clear.  It is really hard lying on the skinny little strip of metal with my arthritis!

Picked up my FASLODEX (fulvestrant) at Macdonald Pharmacy.  The cost is $700 an injection and I paid 30% of that.  The drug company will pay part of that for me.  Had to have it in my fridge within the hour.

Needed to stop at a coffee shop for the bathroom on the way home.  The line was slow so I went to Characters for a latte & cinnamon bun.

Didn't do much the rest of the day.  

Connie had her twins - 6 lb 1 oz and 4 lb 15 oz.

Washing

Did a couple of loads of laundry today.  Love those stairs.  Forgot to push the button on one of the driers so had to make more trips.

Go Canucks!

PET Scan

Set my alarm so I could eat something at 7:30 and then had to fast until my PET Scan at 1:45.  First one of these I've had.  The isotopes stung a bit but only for a few seconds.  Always glad when they can find a vein in the elbow joint! I've lost about 10 pounds according to their scales.

The scan itself is nothing, it was having my arms above my head that hurt - a lot!  I have another on Thursday and they will put me through backwards so I can lower my arms when they are clear of the machine.  Got back to my car at 5:00.  The parking was $15 but they are going to pay for it this time.  The money is from the U.S. and there is enough for this.

Had to eat right away to get my organs moving again to clear out the radioactive stuff so stopped at Max's deli for take-out.

Dentist

Finally had my 6 month cleaning and checkup done today.  I was only 3 months late.  I cancelled the September day as it fell on a Tuesday - geocaching day!  They are going to try to get PBC to pay for the "flipper" that replaces my broken out front tooth.  I was rejected the first try but they are sure I'll get coverage.

Still not feeling 100% so just came home after this.

Grey Cup

It wasn't raining so I headed out to find some new caches.  Solved a puzzle that got me one at Iona.  Met a couple of cachers at one in Delta so I didn't have to look.  One of them let me sign one that moves around.  Stopped after 5.

Picked up groceries at Byrne Rd & Marine Dr. and had lunch at Tim Horton's.

Home in time for the pre-game stuff and then watched the game.  I always seem to be rooting for the losing side.  Hard not to like Montreal players.

Not feeling completely well.  My left side is sore and eating is a chore. 

Errands

The snow was gone so I went out today.  Started with a haircut - much needed!  Bought a couple of black cartridges for my printer at Staples and then picked up a couple of books at the library.  Stopped at Safeway for groceries and then home.

Had a headache last night and it was still there this morning.  Just a ghost of it left tonight.

Big melt

By the time I woke up (10) the snow was almost gone.  Lots of slush in the gutters.

Still can't synch my iPad.  Others are having the same problem so I am trying all the solutions I can find online.

Watched the 3:10 to Yuma that I had on the PVR.  Love having backup for when everything on TV is a rerun.  Interupted it for Murder on the Nile.

Have my medical appointments for the next month organized and was able to book Harrison for Pru & me in a couple of weeks.

Winter Wonderland

Looked gorgeous up my street.  Lots of snow fell last night.  I did not add to the chaos on the roads.

Not much on TV so, after the Macy's Parade, I watched stuff off my PVR.

Still cold outside

I slept for 9 straight hours last night.  It was dull all day and tried snowing a bit this morning.  More to come tonight.

Seemed to take all day to read the newspapers.  Enjoyed the Canucks game.

Still waiting for appointment sheet so I can book Harrison.

Too cold to geocache

Took ages to get the snow and ice off my car this morning.  Hadn't driven all weekend.  

Pam & I went to Lori's to work on puzzles and keep warm!  We spent a lot of time trying to identify photos of places.  

Got a couple of calls about upcoming treatments.  The first was a 3-way conversation with Pacific Blue Cross and the Cancer Agency.  My drug will cost about $700/month and they will pay 70%.  The next was to set up PET Scans next Tuesday and Thursday.  It does feel funny not taking anything right now.  The cancer is free to do what it wants.

Picked up a prescription at Safeway and was home just after 5.  It is chilly inside tonight. 

Colder

Wind chill should make it -20 tonight!

Stayed up late last night to finish The Help so didn't have the oomph to do much today.  Far too cold to go out.

Brrr

It is COLD in Vancouver!  I decided to stay in where I am less likely to fall down.  I have lots of food, a good book, hockey and football.  What more do you need?

Cold weather

There was snow on the trees and cars this morning but it was already melting from the sidewalks.  Not much left tonight.  I planned my weekend so I didn't have to go out on the slippery roads.

Read and watched TV all day.  Canucks bombed so I switched to Midsomer Murders.

Snowy night

Stopped at the library and bank on the way to meet Mae and Connie at the BoPoMo photo studio where she was having photos taken before having the twins.  They look like an excellent place for baby photos.

Dropped Mae off at her doctors and then took Connie home.  Took the glasses I found in Stanley Park to the local office of Civil Aviation Canada.  The Director General from Ottawa had dropped them while geocaching and the office will ship them back to him.

My doctor wasn't working today so I went to the Walk In Clinic at Seymour for my flu shot and a prescription renewal.  The doctor was the brother-in-law of a principal I used to work with and I knew his sister.  Small world.  He increased the dosage for the Sjögren's Syndrome to try to get rid of more of the pain.

Dropped the prescription off and Safeway and loaded up with groceries for the snowy weekend.

Red Cross goodbye

A plumber came to several apartments and bled the hot water heater lines to get rid of air bubbles so I now have heat.  The landlord came to check on it and changed my hall light that was too high for Mel & I.

I had cancelled going to a Red Cross meeting tonight to say goodbye to the other supervisors.  I thought I would need drugs to tolerate the chemo & couldn't drive.  I called Monday to say that the treatment was cancelled and Karen was going to get back to me if they could put me back on the agenda.  She didn't remember to do that and called at 6:30 to see where I was.  I made it by 7:10.  Barry, a retired staff member I worked for came and made a very humbling speach about my work over the years - I started in the 1980's.  They gave me presents & a certificate and the other volunteers gave me a big bouquet.  I will miss volunteering there but don't have the stamina to commit to long shifts for days at a time.

Barrry took me to the White Spot for coffee afterwards which turned out to be dinner when I said I hadn't eaten yet.

It snowed all the way home!

Plan C

Fasting bloodwork at 8:40 this morning and then home for a few hours.

My oncologist is away so I saw Dr. Sun.  She said I was to stop the trial and the exemestestane as my tumour markers are going up and the tumours are growing.  We talked about a new drug called Fulvestrant but I'd have to pay for it (maybe my Extended would cover it) as the trial was for bone mets and my bone scan was clear.  She had just read of another trial this morning and went to check.  Dr. Chia came in and offered this new study to me and said the company would work out the payments with my EH.

I signed up right away for it - Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography (PET/CT) Guided Fulvestrant Therapy for Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer.  It must be the teacher in me that likes being a test subject.  The idea is to follow me with PET scans to see if the estrogen receptors quiet down after taking Fulvestrant.  The benefit of being in a trial is you see the doctors more often and get tested regularly.  With this one I get a shot every 3 weeks.  I'll only use the port for bloodwork and will probably have to have it flushed regularly.

Picked up some comfort food at Granville Island Market and then came home to watch the Canucks lose!

Perfect November day

Found a cache in a park the other side of Granville and then out to Surrey to meet Pam and Lori.  We spent the day caching in Crescent Beach, White Rock & Surrey.  I counted 16 (1216) for the day.  This included 11 puzzles - we had to solve the puzzles ahead of time to get the final coordiates.

Really tired when we quit so I headed straight home.  Traffic via Alec Fraser Bridge was smooth.  It was a beautiful day but it gets dark so early! 

Windy night

Stayed in all day doing paperwork and reading the newspapers.

Took the Canada Line tonight to Broadway & Cambie.  Tried to find a new cache there but it was too dark.  

Met Louise for dinner at the Cactus Club.  Good group at the Cancer Agency.  Louise drove me to the Broadway station and I was home in 15 minutes.  Can't beat that service and it was a lot cheaper than parking ($15 last time).

Actually got a dividend cheque for Opus Cranberries!  Thought that money was lost forever.

1200

Met Pam just after noon and she helped me find my 1200th cache.  Followed her to Mitchell Island and helped her find a puzzle.  Fair trade for the day!

Carried on to Burnaby and shopped at London Drugs and Cobbs.

Home to watch the Lions.  Can't complain when they lost in double overtime.  The team is young and the quarterback is getting stronger - wait until next year when the Grey Cup is here!

Go Canucks

Looked for a nearby cache that was replaced this morning but couldn't climb down to it.

Enjoyed the Canucks beating Toronto.

1199

Partly sunny today so I went geocaching.  Found 1 on Sea Island, some in Vancouver and in Stanley Park for a total of 10.  Got snarled at in the park by a pack of raccoons who didn't like me going under their little bridge.  That one will have to be another day.  Also got yelled at by a worker at the Christmas Train setup.  The man on the gate let me in so I ignored his rants.

Remembrance

Watched the Vancouver ceremonies - 20,000 people!  I heard the old planes fly over just before 11.

Andrea called to say they were headed to the White Spot in Coquitlam for lunch.  Got there just after they got seated.  

It was 5 before I got back home and it was too wet to do any geocaching.

Good news, bad news...

Went to look for some new caches in the sunshine this morning.  One near me was under water at high tide so I left it!  Found 3 on Sea Island and one in Steveston.

Didn't feel well so stopped at IGA for groceries and headed home.

My oncologist called tonight to say the trial company wrote to say it isn't working.  When she heard about me going into shock at the first treatment, it wasn't hard to decide to stop.  We will have to find a Plan C!  For now, I'll keep taking my Exemestane daily and see a doctor on Wednesday (Karen is away).

Then my lawyer phoned to say they have reached a settlement over my car accident and my cheque will be here soon.  Two years!

The gift certificate arrived from Harrison Hot Springs and I'll take Pru for 2 nights, 2 breakfasts and one dinner.  I'll pick a date after I know more about treatment plans.

Finished all levels on Angry Birds (3 stars for everything) so I can go to bed now.

Rainy geocaching day

Lori was babysitting so I met Pam at her house and we spent this rainy day inside.  I showed her how to do her geocaching stats and some other computer and ipad stuff.

Rainy drive home.  The tunnel was busy so I went the long way over the Fraser Bridge.  

Really tired tonight.

Angry Birds

Slept in even with the time change.

Must stop playing Angry Birds.....

Sunny day

It was such a gorgeous morning I had to go geocaching.  Found a couple in Richmond, one on Mitchell Island and then headed to the Waffle House for lunch.  Then 2 in Burnaby and a puzzle in Everett Crowley Park.

The walks in the sunshine felt good.

Winners

The Lions and Canucks kept me occupied on this dull rainy day.  They both won!  

I am reading The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival, a Canadian book about a rogue tiger in Russia and can't put it down.

Better day

Slept for over 8 hours last night.  Had a bloodtest today to check my platelets and passed.

Met Pru at Oakridge for some White Spot burgers.  Picked up some food at M&M in Richmond and then home for the weekend.

Felt tired all day.

Bad reaction

Arrived at the Cancer Agency at 9:30 for bloodwork.  Lost my parking ticket and spent far too much time looking for it.

I have been in the trial now for 19 months but today I get the real thing - AMG 479.  For this 1st bag, the drip took an hour instead of 1/2 an hour.  I had a metallic taste in my mouth for a bit but breezed through it.  About 10 minutes into the hour observation time, I started feeling odd.  I went to the bathroom a couple of times but then started shaking and got very cold.  The nurse called for help and started a bag of benedryl.  The doctor came and they added something else & Gravol.  Another nurse arrived with hot blankets to wrap me up.  I shook for about 20 minutes.

All these drugs meant I couldn't drive home so I stayed until Darline and Mae were finished their Therapeutic Touch clinic and Darline drove my car.  The went home by Canada Line.

I am tired tonight and have slept quite a bit since this happened.  I did call my trials nurse and she doesn't think that the doctor will stop the drug but I'll probably have benedryl before they start it.  This means no more driving on that day.

Karen

Out before the sun was up to see Karen and Stephanie, my trials nurse. They briefed me on side effects and did an exam. I might have a rash, dry eyes - Oh wait, I already have those symptoms. No wonder they thought I was on the real drug. Also have to watch for bleeding as platelets might drop. My bone scan just showed a lot of arthritis. Home by 9.

Worked on more puzzles.

Puzzle caches

Met Pam and Lori in Surrey for our weekly geocaching trip.  We concentrated on puzzles in Surrey/White Rock.  I logged 11 but we spent a long time not finding a couple, even with a hint for the owner for one of them.

Stopped for lunch at Dock's Fish & Chips along the beach.  Perfect sunny day for it.  

Finally stopped searching when we needed our flashlights.  Picked up a burger at Vera's and was home by 8.

Odd day

Made a 3rd attempt to find the right black cartidge for my computer at Staples.  Their computers were down but they let me in when I promised to pay cash.  My Cobbs is gone from 5 & Steveston!

Came home and did a load of laundry.  Matt called just after 3 to say he had my cookie dough from Sadie's school and didn't have room in the freezer.  Took less than an hour to get their with my cooler bag in hand.  Stayed for dinner and a visit.  Home by 8.

Printer woes

Bought cartridges for my new printer at COSTCO and they were the wrong model.  They took them back even though I'd opened the box!  Bought the "right" ones at Office Depot but the black is wrong!  Of course that is what I am out of.  the number is right but it is not the standard black.

Watched the Lions and finished a book.  Spent Halloween watching Rocky Horror Picture Show that I recorded at midnight last night.

Quiet Saturday

Have heard very few fireworks this year.  The silence is nice.

Picked up a book at the library and groceries at Safeway.  I was out of most things.  Use my cart for coming up the stairs.  I bought it at the PNE for only $20 so shouldn't complain that the wheels fall off when it is empty.

End to a busy week

Just couldn't get inspired to do much today.  Caught up on watching everything except movies on my PVR.

I really have to get groceries tomorrow.

Bone Scan

At VGH for an injection for a bone scan at 9:00.  Had breakfast at the Sunshine Diner and then did some shopping at Granville Island.  Sat there reading until it was time to head back.  The scan was at 11:50 and I was walking out at 12:25.  Everything went smoothly except the itch on my leg I couldn't scratch.

Came straight home and kept falling asleep this afternoon.  My leg hasn't been hurting so I think it was all the sitting on the weekend that bothered it.

Talked to my trial nurse and I will see Karen on Wednesday at 8 AM.  My first treatment will be on Thursday.  It will be an hour the first time to see if I react to the drug and I'll have to sit for another hour after it's finished.  Good thing I can amuse myself with music and books.

Placebo

Woke up with a headache so didn't even get dressed today.  Watched some of the many hours on my PVR after being away for several days.

Karen called when I was on the phone and left a message saying I was on the placebo.  My trial nurse will call to arrange moving me on to the real thing!

Puzzles

Had bloodwork this morning to help them decide about taking me off the clinical trial.  

Lori and I met at Pam's to do some rainy day caching.  We spent the day solving various puzzles that gave us the coordinates of caches.  A lot of puns, math, science, music....  Always easier doing these with 3 minds coming from different directions.

Did a bit of shopping on the way home but my left leg was too sore to do much.

Home

Good sleep last night.  Had free breakfast at the hotel before starting out.  Had lunch in Spences Bridge where there was a cache.  It didn't start raining until about Boston Bar.  Stopped at the Chilliwack Airport for dinner as I have to fast for 14 hours for tomorrow's blood test.  The rain was nasty so I got off the Freeway at Langley and Hwy 10 was much better to see on as there were a lot of streetlights.

Found 17 caches today.  Didn't think I'd done so many and had to count it twice.

The Cancer Agency found me in Cache Creek to tell me a bone scan is booked for Thursday - a waiting time of a week. 

 

Kamloops

Lazy morning. Halia made scones and Angie a fresh fruit salad. A perfect breakfast.

Only found 3 community named caches. Failed to find the final in Vernon. Have to go back next year.

Stopped in Kamloops at new Best Western. $109 and there is a couch! Ate at Red Robin.

Fall Council

The BCTLA Fall Council meeting started at 8:30 with breakfast - good treats! Impressed by with quality of young teacher-librarians struggling to keep a library program in their districts. I slipped out a couple of times to put my feet up in the lobby.

A few of us went to the Cactus Club for dinner. Angie then took Halia and me home for the night (and some wine).

Having some leg and groin pains.

Kelowna Fresh

Great conference today. Met others in hotel dining room for breakfast and then drove to Kelowna Secondary for BCTLA conference. Well organized and interesting speakers. Much isn't relevant any more but I didn't have to pay since an award is named the Val Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award. Love it that Sharon Scott won - one of my mentors in the 70's.

We had an Executive meeting from 4 to 6 and then a large group went to Moxie's. Had a great steak soaked in honey and garlic.

I finally said I was driving back. My legs were rebelling against all that sitting!

Drive to Kelowna

Left my Starbucks at 8:30 on the way to the BCTLA conference in Kelowna. Stopped in Hope for gas and a snack at Tim Horton's. Lunch at Billy's in Penticton. There was N Earthcache right behind it and a simple one at the museum. I am concentrating on finding 40 with the names of the community in the title. Climbed up into the mine ruins in Hedley and found the spot described but no cache. More success in Penticton. Could see one in Westbank but couldn't get to it in rush hour traffic.

Checked into the Capri and couldn't see anyone. Drove across the street to Kelsey's and there they were. We went to Kelowna Secondary for a social.

Stopped with a group for a cocktail downstairs.

Rats

The day started out wrong.  I packed my pack for the day at the Cancer Agency last night.  Headed out today and had to come back for the forgotten wallet.  This made me 1/2 hour late for bloodwork.  Two nurses were quite upset and thought something had happened as I am never late.  Nice to be missed!

Saw Karen at 10 and the CT Scan on Monday showed that the node in the right groin is growing.  This is the one that was estrogen negative in the biopsy a few months ago.  The plan is to lift the blind on my clinical trial to see if I have been getting the real drug.  If not, I'll probably switch to it.  If yes, everything stops and we move on to Plan C.  First I need a bunch of bloodwork and a bone scan.

Met Mae for lunch at the Cactus Club and then back to the Agency for a couple of hours of reading.  Had the chemo at 2:15 and was on my way home by 3.  

Met Moira for dinner at Applause and to pick up a box for the conference.  Really tired so didn't stay out long.

My suitcase is already in the car and I am nearly ready for this weekend's BCTLA conference in Kelowna.

Another perfect Tuesday

Lori and Pam came by this morning and we went caching at Kits, Granville Island, the Olympic Village, Hastings, East Vancouver and South Vancouver.  I counted 13 new ones for a total of 1145.  We stopped at the Argo Cafe for lunch.  I'm really enjoying these caching Tuesdays.  We make a good team.  I do the driving and they get the caches in the difficut terrain for me.

Canada Line

Left at 2:15 for the Cancer Agency via Canada Line.  Had to drink a bottle of water at 2:25 and another at 3:15 to prepare for CT Scan.  The Scan went well and the nurse found a vein without much trouble.  My arm seems to be better since we started using the port for most blood draws and chemo.

Sat reading in the lobby (next to a bathroom) until it was time to join 3 friends at the Cactus Club for dinner.  We then walked back to the Agency for a support group.  Got a ride to the Canada Line and was home quickly.  A lot better than paying for parking.  Last week was $15 for half the time. 

My ankles and feet were sore today.  Getting old sucks.

Sunday again?

Had another lazy day since the next 7 will be so busy.  Watched a couple of shows I had taped on the mine rescue.

Canucks were entertaining tonight.

Recovery day

Slept in and just sat around watching all my shows on the PVR.  Easy to fall behind with both hockey and football games to watch.

Liberty

Had lunch at the Liberty Bakery with former Status of Women members.  Always good food and good company.

Picked up a couple of puzzle books at Chapters, stopped at COSTCO & returned library books.

The official final count for accounts logging a cache on 10-10-10 is 78,313.  Beat the previous big day of 56,654, set on April 18, 2010.

Car care

Took my car to Open Road Toyota for a regular service.  It was a big one and included new transmission fluid for the first time in 111,596 km.  Had the snow tires put on since I am going to BCTLA conference in Kelowna next week.  I arrived at 2 and waited until 6:40!  Good thing there was free WiFi for my iPad and I had a good book to read.

Decided not to shop and just picked up Chinese food on the way home.

Caching in White Rock

Lori was busy with family so Pam and met in Surrey at a cache we both have not been able to find.  She got it fairly quickly.  She also found one on Marine Drive that has been evading us for months.  We were on a roll this morning!  I found 16 for the day.  Pam already had a few of them but let me find them.  

Home by 5 and am too tired to watch the news tonight.  Did see the first miners come out of the mine in Chile.  Amazing coverage.

Happy Thanksgiving

Talked to Daphne, Janet & Marilyn in New Brunswick today.

Watched Lions give a game away to Winnipeg - must stop stupid penalties.

Picked up Jesse & Pru and we joined family at Chris's for tasty turkey dinner.  We watched U.S. football, baseball & Canucks all at the same time.  

Worked on puzzles for tomorrow's geocaching day in White Rock.  Must buy a book to help.

10:10 on 10/10/10

Met Pam at the 10:10:10 Anniversary Flashmob in Queensborough.  This is also important at it is the 10th anniversary of geocaching.  The goal is to set a record for the number of people finding a cache on a single day.

Found a cache in New Westminster with the help of 2 others and then did some shopping at London Drugs, Price Smart, Kim's and Cobb's - do like the strip mall at Byrne and Marine Drive.

Finished reading the Pickton book tonight.

Pickton

A rainy day so I cocooned with my latest library book, On the Farm by Stevie Cameron.  I forgot about it for a bit so have to finish by Wednesday.  Really well written and fascinating to see everything put into a cohesive timeline.  Like the way she puts a face to each victim.

Lazy

Slept in and didn't do much today.  Feel pretty good, just tired.

Early day

Bloodwork was 8:00 today so had to set a couple of alarms to make sure I got up.  Saw nurse at 8:30 and then sat in the lounge reading until my 11:00 treatment.  Had a good nurse and it went quickly.

Drove to the Waffle House for some liver and onions and found a couple of easy caches nearby. Someone had written in the online log that one was missing.  I found it in about 2 minutes - love it when that happens!

Too tired to do much else so headed home.  Fell asleep in front of the TV.

Recovered

Had a good long sleep to recover from yesterday's walking.  Feel pretty good today but stayed in to rest up for tomorrow's chemo.

Do enjoy reading several newspapers every day on my iPad.  No recycling!

Another Geocaching Tuesday

Picked up Lori and Pam this morning for our weekly foray.  Took quite a while to get through the tunnel so I was a bit late.

We started with a cache hidden near the ferry but couldn't see it.  No one has found it in a year so it might be washed away.  We then crossed the border to Point Roberts.  The first was right by the old Breakers.  Several were in the woods and we walked a few kilometers down the trails.  I found 10 altogether for a total of 1101.  Lori & Pam did some of the clambering for me.  My 1100th was actually hidden in the Public Library - perfect!

Went home the long way via the Alec Fraser Bridge and avoided all traffic jams.   

Very tired and my legs don't want me to do much at all for a bit.

Wash day

Did a load of laundry this morning and stayed in reading for the rest of the day.

My neck is feeling better but isn't back to normal yet.

Ioco Ghost Town Days

Stopped at Pru's first thing to pick up her book 2 and my book 3 of "those books" to lend to Andrea.

Motorcycle parade got in my way to Matt's again this year.  Don't know why they can block all cars turning left for miles.  Had coffee and pumpkin scone and then headed out for the Ioco Ghost Town Day.  A perfect size for little kids.  They rode ponies (even Sadie) and decorated cookies and pumpkins.  We all took a ride around the townsite in a 1920's Ford.

Sadie is really moving around well.  She can scoot down stairs and across the floor at home and uses a walker when out.  It is the kind that is behind her with 2 wheels on the front.  That way it won't roll back.  She can sit on the bars when tired.  Physio is going to be 2 evenings a week at a pool.  She doesn't seem to be in any pain, just weak.

Picked up Curiosity, the Vancouver Sun's book club pick for October and did some shopping at Thrifty's before heading home.

Stiff neck

My neck is still stiff and sore but I got a good sleep.

Out for a brief visit to the library and Safeway and then in for the rest of day.

At least the Lions provided good entertainment tonight.

Apple day

Met Jane at the Oakridge Apple store at 11:30.  It is right next door to the store that was held up with gunfire last night.

The plan was to buy an iPad but her Mac is too old to connect to one.  We had a good clerk who printed out everything we needed and we went to the White Spot to have lunch and talk it over.

Jane decided to go for it so we went back and got the iPad.  She'll have to bring in her Mac so they can move everything to the new computer.  We stayed on to load new apps.  

Finally home at 4 and was really tired.  My neck is still sore and stiff.

Best geocaching month

The sun was still shining so I headed to West Vancouver to find some caches.  Started at Cypress Bowl and then Horseshoe Bay.  Then worked my way back to North Vancouver.  Found 7 and didn't find a few more.

I now have a total of 1,091.  My best month was July 2010 with 83 finds.  This month I now have 178!  Won't beat that for a long time.

I have a really sore neck tonight.  I've been using heat and I'll take some Tylenol before going to bed.