Allergic reaction

My ride was a bit late but they called to warn me.  Arrived at the Cancer Agency a bit after 10 for bloodwork.  Had some tea and met Mae at 11.  Bought a toasted egg salad sandwich for lunch.

Arrived for chemo a bit early and my nurse took me right in.  I was joking with the two nurses in the room about not panning to have an allergic reaction to the Taxol.  Big mistake.  My right shoulder started really hurting snd my face was getting hot.  I spoke up and they jumped into action with a second bag of Benadryl.  A doctor appeared and checked me out. By this time, My face was dark crimson and I was having spasms of pain across the lower back.  This lasted nearly half an hour.

My nurses went on break and a new one appeared to sit with me.  We waited for the pain to go and at started again.  Every five minutes she increased the dose until we reached the normal level.  I had so much Benadryl in me, the leg cramps came back. The nurse massaged the leg and wrapped it in a hot blanket.  I had to give up reading as I was so doped up.

Finally finished at 4:00 and got my ride home quickly.  Very tired tonight.

Beautiful Spring day

This is truly the part of Canada to live in. The sun was shining and a nearby cherry tree is blooming.

Went to Cobs and Kins in Richmond.   Looked at a book that cane to the library but decided to leave it. Brought home a Vera's burger and milkshake.

Watched curling and hockey.  Bit late for the Canucks to start winning.

All ready for chemo tomorrow.  Did the dishes and took out all the garbage & recycling.

What day is it?

Dozy day.  Stayed in out of the rain and caught up on PVR.  Also read.   Have 3 reserves ready at the same time.  One is a real book, so I have to visit the library tomorrow.

Getting lots of sleep and eating well.

Outing

Went to Safeway this morning.  Came home with a BBQ chicken and a Starbucks latte. Felt pretty good.

The big tumour on my leg is painful but I'm feeling pretty normal.  Still not overdoing it.  Got to build up the blood for next week.

Spring

Sunny first day of Spring.  Didn't sleep well so had a quiet day.  Still feeling normal and ate regular food.  So different from last week.

Better Week

Well, this Wednesday was a lot better than the last one.  I slept well and was feeling pretty normal all day.  No sign of nausea or fever.

Day by day.

Done for the week

Freemasons picked me up at 10:00 and had me home by noon.  Treatment went smoothly and I felt fine.

Feeling better than last Tuesday.  One nurse said my tolerance should improve with time. Here's hoping.

Round 2

Freemasons picked me up at 10 for my bloodwork.  Only one tube to see if blood recovered.  Met Mae in the cafeteria.  Ordered a sandwich as Darline came to collect her for their volunteering.  Dozed in the waiting lounge until 2.

Treatment took 3 1/2 hours.  I got a restless leg from the Benadryl, so they should give it slower next time.  Maureen came to retrieve me and I was home by 6:00 - a long day.

Slept poorly last night so dozed a lot through the day.

Groceries

Out for a quick trip this morning.  Cobs for goodies and Kin,s for oranges.  A Starbuck's latte rounded it out.  Stong's delivered a big carton of groceries at 3:00.

Watched Canucks and Whitecaps and read all day.

Hope I can wake up in time for my 10:00 ride tomorrow.

Starbucks

Hard waking up this morning.  Shocked to see it was 10:00.   Hate to think how I'd be if I was taking any pills.

Took out the garbage and went to Quizno's and Starbucks to pick up lunch and a latte.  Drive felt good.  First time in a week.

Something wrong having a convicted drug smuggler on Paralympic curling team.  He and his son smuggled pills into BC.  Thought it was supposed to be inspirational.

Still feeling a bit off. Spent the day reading.  Finished Anne Perry's, A Sunless Sea and started The Monuments Men.  

Week's end

Made it through the first week.  Slept wel.  Vivid dreams a bit off putting.  Feel better than yesterday but still not right.  Pam brought my laundry and the trip down wiped me out.

Decided to get an order of food from Stong's for Sunday.  Easier than hauling it up the stairs.

Better day

Got a long sleep last night and feel more normal today.  My ankles are quite swollen but aren't bothering me as much tonight.

I'll be better prepared next week for a fluish Wednesday.  Must buy ginger ale.

Dopy Wednesday

Felt really out of it all day.  Patience called and she thinks it's the benedryl.  My trials nurse checked up on me and said I might get a fever.   She wasn't worried that I wasn't hungry.  Didn't eat much and dozed through the day.  Truly felt like I have a virus.  To think that I'm going to do it all over again next Monday. And the next.

Tuesday

Luckily I booked my ride with the Freemasons with an extra half hour cushion.  They were to be here at 1:30 for my 2:30 treatment.  I finally called after 20 minutes and the had no record of me.  Cab cost $20!

Just got the REOLYSIN® so it was a short day.  Started shivering, so the nurse wrapped me in two hot blankets.  The Freemasons picked me up quickly and I was home by 4:30. 

Felt really tired and just had some toast and tea for dinner. 

Chemo today

Nice quiet morning .  Freemason driver picked me up at 1:15.  She already had one passenger and we went to Dunbar for two more.  Nice drive in the sunshine.  Arrived in time to meet my trials nurse and the photograph.  My biggest tumour has grown so quickly, the photos from 2 weeks ago are useless.

My trial is: Intravenous Administration of REOLYSIN® in Combination with Paclitaxel for Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

We started with bags of Ranitidine for reflux, and Benadryl and Dexamethasone, in case of allergic reaction.  That took an hour.  Mae and Darline came to visit.  Then the main drugs.  Reolysin was first. I always had a nurse watching and they had drugs ready in case I had an allergic reaction.  It turned out fine and I even dozed.  The next one was also fine.  Had to go to the bathroom a few times, dragging my pole with me.  To many fluids.  

I had a good book on my Kobo and music on my iTouch.  My nurse once lived on the same 2-block street in Richmond where I grew up and went to the same schools.  Small world.  

My biggest problem was getting home.  Freemasons stop at 5 and it was now 6.  My third call was Moira and she came to retrieve me.  Felt well enough for Japanese food at Applause on the way home. 

Feeling a bit hyped and tired.  Warned I might have trouble sleeping.  I should feel sick, just tired.  Other side effects will include hair loss, bleeding nose and gums, bruising, fever, chills...  I have a card full of number to call.  

Only the Paclitaxel tomorrow.  Repeat the next two Monday & Tuesday and then a week off.  

Getting ready

Spent the day getting ready.  Went to Safesway and bought a BBQ chicken. Lots of leftovers.  Charged up my headset.  Synchronized the iTouch and loaded a new play list.

Pain not so bad today.

Better day

Got a good sleep and didn't hurt as much today.  And the Whitecaps and Canucks both won!

Stayed in out of the rain and watched PVR.

On with the plan

Was at the Cancer Agency for a bunch of bloodwork at 10:00.  Stayed for a cup of tea and then on to Fairmont for oncologist appointment at 11:30.  I knew something was up when I had a bone scan because the radiologist was called and they did extra testing.  Turns out they were trying to find the cancer they'd seen a while ago in two ribs.  No sign of it now and I passed the bloodwork.

That means all the pain I'm having isn't that.  Karen thinks the tumours are pushing and pinching things they shouldn't.  Might even have some cancer in the nerves.  The photos they took of the leg tumour are now useless as it has really grown.  Will redo them before the chemo,

Treatment are at 2:30 on Monday and Tuesday,  Have to stay away from pregnant women and babies.  Really weird knowing I'm getting a live virus on purpose.  My nurse called to tell me I might have fecpver and chills for a couple of days and I'm to call if it lasts until Wednesday.  I've arranged my rides with the Freemasons for both days.  They'll pick me up and I just have to call when finished.

Did a bit of shopping at Granville Island and came straight home.  Really tired and keep dozing off.  Advil is settling down the ribs so I can go to bed now.

We went how far?

Left home at 8:15 drove to Pam's. Tunnel traffic was light this morning.  Lori picked us up and we stopped for Maureen on our way across the line.  NEXUS was really quick.

The plan was to find some challenge caches east of Sedro Wooley.  As we got close, plans changed and we went for a single coach near Tacoma that we needed. 225 km!!  On the way back, we realized there wasn't enough time for the 25 challenges.  Ended up in Bellingham for some puzzle caches

Stopped at Fred Neyer's for wine.  Home by 7:30.  The weather ranged from torrential downpour to sunny breaks in the clouds.  It was mostly dry.

My sore ribs weren't too bad sitting.  Hurt the most when I yawned or took a deep breath.  Did pretty good for a long day.  Back down next week?  See how I tolerate chemo on Monday and Tuesday.

Waiting

Spent the morning waiting my turn.  Got a day's travel insurance at BCAA. Went back to Safeway for the prescription I forgot yesterday.  Refused by Blue Cross as I didn't need it yet.  Explained I spilled the bottle.  Got it and will submit to BC with a plea.  Had to wait while they filled it. Short trip turned into two hours.

Pain has settled into lower back ribs.  Not as bad as yesterday but hurts to cough or take a deap breathe.  Leg is better than it was. Can now feel five tumours.

Painful day

This morning was fine and I did a quick trip to Safeway.  Forgot my prescription.  Think I might have strained something carrying the bag.  Pain is flipping around my ribs.  Yawning hurts.  Hoping a good night's sleep will help.  It was enough that my leg hurts.

Bye Lu 🌴

I'm in

Got a message from my trials nurse to say I've been randomized to receive the trial
drug, Reolysin.  I see the oncologist on Friday and start Monday.  I'll get both drugs on the next 3 Mondays and just the Paclitaxel on the 3 Tuesdays.  Will try organizing rides from the Freemasons once I know the times.

Quiet day.  Tumour is huge.  Hope these drugs knock it back.

Heritage Classic

There was a bit of snow when I woke up but I dozed off and it melted.

Poor old Canucks blew a 2-0 lead to loose the Heritage Classic to Ottawa.  Recreated the 1915 game when the Vanvouver Millionaires won the cup.  Worst moment was Sarah McLaughlin murdering the anthem.  Turned into a dirge and was out of sync with her choir.

Watched the Academy Awards.  So many good pictures this year.

Snow is coming

Still winter.  Supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow.  Quick trip this morning to Byrne Road - London Drugs, BCLC, Cobbs and grocer.  Brought home a burrito for lunch.

Had a good nap and watched a lot of stuff on my PVR.  Tumour is sore, but the leg is better.

Parking

At VGH for my shot of  radiative isotopes at 12:15.  Same tech who gave me a shot on Tuesday.  Had a great lunch of Eggs Benedict at the Sunshine Diner.  Off to Spanish Banks to read in the sun and see the umbrellas.

Back to VGH at 3:15 for the bone scan.  Good tech today.  Makes all the difference in how relaxed you can get.  The radiologist came in to talk about my ribs.  Cancer showed in the October scan but not in the CTScan.  They did an extra set of pictures by rotating the cameras right around me.  They'll merge those with the CTScan and get a 3-D view.  Didn't get home until 4:45.  

Parking cost about $35  this week.  Such a ripoff.  It's free in Delta because they have a bylaw stopping the hospital from charging. 

Pat picked me up at 5:30 and we went to a VESTA women's dinner at Chongqing on Commercial.  There were about 15 of us and the food was as good as always.  Nice to see old friends. 

Walnut Grove

Spent the day geocaching with Pam, Lori and Maureen in Walnut Grove.  Met at Sungod and took the South Perimeter Road.  Sure saved a lot of time and gave us a great view of the river.  Good lunch at Ricky's.  Gave so much blood this week, I had liver.  Did not impress the table.

My right leg is quite painful above the knee where we found the new mass.

How many pokes?

At the Cancer Agency at 8:30 this morning.  Don't like these early mornings.  Nurse drew blood from my port but missed a vial, so I had to go back.  She had to put in another tube of saline, draw the blood and flush with Heperin to prevent clotting.  She was so apologetic, I couldn't be upset.  

Had an EKG and headed to VGH for a MUGA test on my heart.  Got a shot at 10 and went for a cup of tea.  Back at 11 for a shot of radioactive enzymes and the scan.  Had this in 2008 and couldn't finish as my back was so painful.  This time I nearly fell asleep. 

Got a sandwich on my way back to the car.  Parking was $20 for the morning.  Grabbed a latte on the way home.  

Had a headache and sore leg last night.  Feeling better tonight.  

REOLYSIN® in Combination With Paclitaxel

Next stage.   Saw Karen Gelmon this morning.  My tumour markers are creeping upa d the CTScan shows tumours are growing.  The big one in my leg has broken through the skin and there is a new mass down the leg.

I've agreed to enter another clinical trial.  It's REOLYSIN® in Combination With Paclitaxel.  I don't know if I'll be chosen to get the Reolysin yet.  It's a virus that attacks cancer cells.  I have to go in for intravenous treatment and won't be able to drive if I get the Reolysin as they'll give me Benadryl first.  Each treatment will beep about an hour and I'll be going in several days a month.  

Sweet talked my way out of a ticket as I was there far longer than expected.  Bought my ICBC at the BCAA. Picked up some groceries at Granville Island.

Headache tonight.  I'll have to stop taking Tylenol and eating grapefruit.

Snow day #3

Still snowing.  Had to move about 6" of it off my car.  Driving was okay.  Just took it slow.  My ICBC is due on Thursday, so went through AirCare.  Only a few cars ahead of me.

Picked up Mae on the way to the Cancer Agency.  Had my bloodwork done and the visited with Mae and Darline.

Stopped at Safeway and then got some Japanese takeout for lunch and dinner.  

My big tumour is still painful and a new one has popped up.

It's over

Got up this morning at 8:30 and watched Canada win the hockey game.  No way I could get up at 4:00.  Got through it without hearing a hint of the outcome.  South Korea's presentation at the closing was pitiful.  Of course, so was ours in Greece.

Watched two taped episodes of Downton Abbey and then the season finale tonight.  Another ending.

Snowed all day but there is little on the ground here.

Winding down

Finland rules. U.S. hockey team didn't even try.  Watching the marathon.  Going to bed soon and hope to get through tomorrow's hockey game with no idea of the outcome.

Really tired today.  Fell asleep early last night.  Didn't feel up to tonight's event in Delta.  The tumour in my leg is getting painful.  At least the sore on my tongue is better.

Friday Gold

Good medal day for Canada.  I managed to get through the day without hearing any results until I'd watched it all.

New lump has appeared.  Won't start treatment again until Tuesday.  Off to bed early.

Gold

I woke up at 9:15 and started watching my PVR.  Had to ignore a tweet and 2 phone calls so I could enjoy watching the women win curling and hockey.  What great games they both played.  Can't believe it's nearly over.

One of the things I recently bought from Amazon was an Evriholder EasiTwist Jar Opener. Finally got that bottle of Tequila open. 

Olympics continue

Still enjoying the Olympics.  My plan of watching is working.  Paused long enough for a quick trip to Safeway.  So glad to have one close to home again.  A BBQ chicken will take care of a few meals.

Coked just about gone.  Still have a funny sore throat.  Doesn't hurt to swallow, but will when I lie down.  Tips of my fingers are getting numb.  Such small things to worry about.

Lost in Delta

Picked up a package in Point Roberts.  Tried the new highway, but it was pouring, so didn't see much.  

Was on my way to Pam's to work on puzzles, but got lost. The signage for the new road sucks.  I ended up back on it,  you used to drive straight from the border to Ladner Trunk, so thought the exit to Ladner, was just to the town. Wrong!  The next exit said US.  By the time I saw the next sign for Vancouver, it was too late to change lanes. It was still pouring.  Not a time to swerve in front of other cars.  Ended up almost in New West. Needless to say, I was very late.

Pam's power was out so we moved to Lori's.  The sun came out in the afternoon so we did find a few caches in Tsawwassen.  We were in a valley of bright blue skies.  Ominous clouds surrounded us on the horizon.  It was like being in the eye of a hurricane.

Have a couple of irritating sores.  One on my tongue and the other on the leg tumour.

Another medal

I think there has been only one day when we didn't get a medal so far.  Conditions are really bad in the mountains.  The fog lifted and it is raining.  Several crashed.  Going out tomorrow so will have a lot to catch up.

Felt pretty good today.  Only fell asleep once.  My cold is improving.

Windy

Really windy day. Snuck out to Quiznos and Starbucks.  My cold is getting better.  I'm not blowing my nose as much.  Now I have a sore on the back edged of my tongue. Mouth sores are a listed side effect.

Enjoyed the Olympics today but late night is a bust.  They've cancelled all the outdoor events due to fog.  Hard for a Biathlete to hit a target they can't see.

Cold in Denver

Pam, Lori and Lori's mother were supposed to be home from their Caribbean cruise but are stuck in Denver overnight.  2 degrees and no luggage.  The cruising clothes won't cut it. Caught Wayne in time to save him a trip to the airport.

My cold is a bit worse tonight.  At least there's lots to watch on TV.  We just beat Japanese women curlers.  Amazing how many times we've lost to athletes trained by Canadians.  Looks like the luge was fixed by raising the ice temperature.

Dentist again

Back to the dentist to pick up my repaired partial. Thank goodness I still had the tooth that came off.  Saved a bundle.

Bought a pair if Uggs on the way home.  My dentist just bought a pair.  Should be good on my poor feet.

Stopped at Safeway and overdid the weight.  My cart was upstairs so I lugged the bag up.

My cold seems better today.  Must be the Zinc.

Dentist

Today wad my six month checkup.  Cleaning bid sure a lot better than it used to be.  Took molds of my teeth and will tooth back on my upper plate. If fell off months ago and I actually kept it safe.  Hard putting the molds in my mouth after the cancer surgery.  I'll pick it tomorrow.

Stopped at Granville Island Market and then got dome Japanese food on the way home.  Nice and soft since my front tooth was gone.  Had two miso soups and an extra avocado roll, so it took care of lunch and dinner.  I now have a cold, so thought the miso would help.

Slept most of the afternoon and again after dinner.  How do you get a cold while on antibiotics?  Not fair.  

Couch potato

Watched Olympics all day.  Side benefit of taking, is I can fast forward.  Reading Empire of the Beetle at the same time.

Sore throat keeps coming back and then goes away.  Might be a lymph node.  The dentist will poke around tomorrow.  She always does a good job of looking at the neck nodes.

Go Canada

We're in first place today!  My plan is working.  I start my PVR at 9pm and tape the whole day.  I watch until I'm too tired and pick up where I left off in the morning.  The trick is to ignore anything live that might spoil it.  Good women's hockey and curling today.  So many empty seats!

Bit of a headache today.

Port Moody

Picked up Audrey, Andrea's mother, and we went to Matt and Andrea's York a de
I ions lunch. Andrea's sister, Sara, was visiting from Brazil.  Eddy is the calmest fog!  Kids excited about going to Disneyland in a week.  Took a load of laundry.

It was supposed to snow, but didn't see any. Mountains were gorgeous, with a strip of blue sky at the peaks.

Stopped at Safeway after dropping off Audrey in Dunbar.  Then home to my PVR and the Olympics.

Really tired still. The antibiotics are probably part of it.  Went to bed early last night and slept a good 8 hours.

Sochi

Slept in past 9 this morning but set the PVR so I could watch the opening.  Underwhelmed.

Have it figured out.  Start watching at 9 pm PST.  Set PVR and watch taped show in the morning.  Ignore Facebook, Twitter, live notices and the radio until caught up.

Forgot

Off to Byrne Rd this morning.  Love shopping there - VanCity, London Drugs, Cobs, M&M and taco place.  Tried getting gas at Esso but none of the pumps worked. Wasted 15 minutes and attendant was useless.

On the way home with my hot burrito, I realized I'd forgotten to take my pills.  Had a late dinner to widen the gap

My TV stopped dead in the middle of a frame.  Finally unplugged the digital box and it reset.  Whew.  Don't want to miss the games.

Cold

Really cold out there and snow coming on Sunday.  I'm supposed to be driving to Port Moody.

Felt better today.  The sore throat is gone.  Still pretty tired.

Better

Had a quiet day and went to the Cancer Agency at 4:15 for a CT Scan.  Didn't take long.  I had seat pants on snd a short sleeved top, so didn't have to change.  It was really cold outside so I was glad I had on my warmest jacket.

Stopped at Safeway for a BBQ chicken

Feeling better today but have a bit of a sore throat. Funny since I'm on a strong antibiotic.  Doesn't hurt to eat, only when I take a deep breath.  Weird.  Yes Pam, I am taking Zinc.

Poor day

Had a good long sleep but spent most of the day dozing. Didn't feel well but have perked up tonight.

Seahawks rule

Quick trip to Safeway. Thought I should be eating yogurt while on antibiotics.

Really enjoyed the Super Bowl.  Seahawks destroyed Denver.  Renée Fleming sang the best anthem ever.  Had to buy one of her albums.  

Gut a bit iffy tonight.  

Sleeping in

Surprised to see it was 9:30 when I woke up.  Think the antibiotics snd chemo together are making me more tired than usual.  Just had a lazy day reading and watching TV.  NORMAL.

Time just sweeps by so quickly.

Infection?

Saw Karen at 9:00.  The tumour at the top of my right leg has grown much bigger and hurts.  It might be an infection, so I'm on strong antibiotics for 2 weeks.  My chemo is back to 2 weeks on and 1 off.  I've got a CTScan next week and we'll regroup in 3 weeks.  Might have a biopsy or change treatment.

Went to the Agency for the chemo.  Had to wait about 49 minutes so sat in the lounge with a cup of tea and my Kobo.  Picked up groceries at Granville Island and then off to Safeway for the antibiotics. Waited half an hour and it turned out they didn't have it and they'd been phoning other Safeways to no avail.  Had to go to Pharmasave in Richmond.  Picked up a big burrito at a Mexican place and was home just after 1:00. A long day.

Test day

Had my bloodwork done at 11:00.  Stopped at Safeway on the way home. Bought a bento box next door.  Added an avocado roll and an extra soup for dinner.

So sad that when the world thinks of Canada, they come up with Bienber, Ford and Harper. Almost makes you want to move when you add in Clark.

To flush or not to flush

Planned a good day of rest but noticed there wasn't much water in my toilet.  Tried flushing and it filled to the rim.  Off to Canadian Tire. Stopped at MacDonalds for a pit stop.  A neighbour actually helped carry my bags up the stairs.  Emptied a jug of Draino and plunged an hour later. Success!

Good sleep last night.  Still fell asleep four an hour this afternoon.

6,400 caches

Went caching in Richmond with Lori & Pam.  I logged 26 and reached 6,400. Stopped at George's Taverna in Steveston for lunch.

Lori dropped me back at Ironwood.  Shopped at London Drugs, BCLC & Kim's. Home at 4:35.

Didn't sleep well last night, so was bagged when I got home.

Multitasking

At 5:00, I was reading The Crume of the Century on my Kobo, listening to the Canucks on an iPad radio app, watching the Grammy Awards on TV and drinking wine.  Perfect.  The book is good, the Canucks won, some of the Grammy's was entertaining and the wine was tasty.

Leg not as painful but not perfect.

Clint's service

Went to the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club at 12:40 for Clint Foote's service.  He was Matt's father-in-law and a really nice man.  Met a lot of Andrea's family that I hadn't seen since their wedding. Very good service, full of anecdotes and photos.  Sat with Lily and Sadie and they were really well behaved. They loved grazing on the buffet afterwards, as did I. Lily ate many chocolate cookies.

Stopped at Safeway and was home by 4.  BBQ chicken will take care of a few meals.


The back of my knee was better today but hurting again by the time I got home.  Quiet couple of days should help.

Feeling better

The pain behind myn,eft knee was almost gone the morning.  Just a small twinge. Kept taking Tylenol.

Thought it best to stay still and only got up for the bathroom and food.

Shorn

Had liver & onions at Ricky's in Richmond and then shopped at IGA & BCLC.  Nice to have everything in the same shopping centre.  Heavy load, so used my cart to get up my stairs.

Out again to get my hair cut at Mei Hsu's on Fraser.  Always enjoy going as she is so caring.

Left knee is so painful, I had to use a cane to get up the stairs.  Tylenol is helping. Last of my chemo tonight.  Week off and see oncologist on Friday.

Internet down

Woke up to no WiFi.  Unplugged modem a few times to see if it would reset.  Tethered iPad to my iPhone and downloaded the Sun & Province.  Used the phone to check email.  Finished my book and tried to borrow another using the computer.  It was down, too.  Called Shaw.  From the time I dialed, left my name, had a callback and waited for the technician to do his magic = 10 minutes.  Love Shaw!

Slept about 8 hours.  Felt good today.  Eyes a bother tonight.

High Point

Went to Lori's at 9:00. Traffic through the tunnel was light. Where is everyone?   Really foggy, so had to pay attention.  We met Pam & Maureen at Campbell Valley Regional Park, south of Langley.  We used separate cars as Pam has a cold.

Found all remaining caches except one the is missing.  Went back to the Artful Dodger Pub for lunch.  Then headed south to the High Point Equestrian Estates.  It's a community of high end houses with a big stable and a lot of riding trails.  Found all the caches,

It was a good day and I logged 19, for a total of 6,374 finds.  My car GPS died, so time for a new one.  

Shorter drive home from Lori's.  She did a load of laundry last night.  I dozed off a few times when I got home.  I had little sleep. I was still awake at 4 and the alarm went at 7:30.  Hope tonight is better.  

Fireflies

Met Cache Bonus, Lori, Pam & Maureen at Fireflies - A Night Experience.  It was nearly 40 km away, east of White Rock.  We were there at 6, so it was a long drive in the dark.  They disappeared into the woods, following the firetacks to the cache. I sat on the totally black road and read my Kobo for an hour.  When they returned, we all marveled at the sky full of stars.

Picked up a burrito on the way home.  Really tired.

Go Seahawks

Spent the day watching football. Pru's Patriots were horrid.  Seattle was a much better game and they are going to the Super Bowl.

Quick trip to Safeway and came home with takeout from Osaka Sushi for lunch and dinner.

Andrea's Dad died last week.  He was a really nice man and I'll miss him.

FOOTE, Clinton Woodring 

August 29, 1935 - January 1, 2014 

A lifetime Vancouverite, Clint passed away with his loving wife Audrey of 50 years by his side. He is survived by brother John and family, children John (Carol-Ann), Sarah (Carlos) and Andrea (Matthew), grandchildren Mathew, Jessie, Sadie and Lily and extended family. With a strong and principled work ethic, he was a dedicated public servant, most notably as Public Trustee of BC and WorkSafeBC Review Board. His quiet demeanor, wry humour and steadfast love and support of family and friends will be deeply missed. A memorial will be held at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 3811 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, BC on Saturday, January 25th from 1 - 3 p.m.

White Spot

Day two of this round of chemo. Had a quiet day watching TV and reading.

Met Moira at the White Spot - Caeser Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs & Gelato.  Finished every bit.  Home for most of the Canucks win in the shootout.  What was Torts thinking?

Foggy

Really foggy this morning as I drove to Surrey.  The sun shining through it hurt my eyes and they were really watering.  Met Lori, Pam & Maureen at Starbucks.  Hard to read my GPS for a while.

Back to Campbell Valley Park. Spent a lot of time reading while they walked the trails. Lots of women with strollers.  Had a great lunch nearby at The Artful Dodger Pub - perfect steak sandwich.

We moved further south in the park and into horse country.  Finally stopped as it got dark. Logged 17.

Home by 6, just as the Canucks game started.  Can they please start scoring and stop taking stupid, childish penalties?

Busy day

At the Cancer Agency by 10:30 for my mets group.  Really good session.  Talked a bit about it hard to live alone when you are so ill.

Got a big load of groceries at Granville Island.  Best place for bacon and Salish apples.  Went to Sunshine Diner for some of their excellent eggs Benny.  Two members of my group were there ahead of me.

Couldn't keep watching the Canucks tonight.

Catchup day

I have to depend on my PVR when I'm watching hockey games.  I have all the shows I like set to tape  when the episode is new.  Today was a good one to try to catch up.

Dinner was lasagna from Stong's deli.  Really tasty.

Delivery

Decided yesterday to order a bunch of heavier stuff from Stong's - water, juice, pop.  It came just after noon.  Included a few things from their deli.  Dinner was a short rib pot pie.  Really good.

Still tired and my eyes are irritating.

Golden Globes

Quick trip to my new Safeway.  Filled my bag and topped it with Chinese takeout.  Okay, but not as good as I get in Richmond.

Watched Lincoln and then the Golden Globes.  I've read the book that the slave freed in 12 Years a Slave wrote after his release.  Love Kiri in Downton Abbey.

Stormy

Good day to stay inside.  Watched Seahawks win playoff game, read and watched recorded shows.

Slept in until 9:30 but still tired all day.

EarthCache's 10th Birthday

Met Lori, Pam, Maureen and Carol at the North Road White Spot for dinner.  Cleaned the plate for hamburger combo.  We then we went to the Best Western for an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of EarthCaching.  Had a good time.  Quite a big crowd.  Maureen brought back my laundry. 

It was pouring on the way home.  Stopped for gas and at Tim's. Forgot my hot chocolate in the car.  To wet to go back for it.  

Saving Mr. Banks

Went to a movie for the first time in a couple of years.  Chris Evans drrove to Richmond Silver City to see Saving Mr. Banks.  Really enjoyed it.  Good cast and editing.

Just started raining a bit as we came out.  Home by 4.  Actually stayed awake.  Missed the first episode of Assets but found it online.  Good show.  Like it when it's based on real characters.

Zzzzz

Really tired all day Wednesday.  Fell asleep a few times.

Rained all day, so a good day to stay in.

Puzzling day

It was raining, so we went to Pam's to work on puzzles and eat her homemade pea soup.  We did a few with some nudges from the owners.

I slept well but was just beat all day.  Lay down for a bit.  Home by 4 and just kept dozing off.

Closed

Went to Granville Island with a shopping list and it was closed.  Guess it'll be closed on Mondays until Spring.  Nice if they'd advertised it.  There were a few of us at the doors.

Loaded up at Safeway and got a NNQ chicken that'll last a few meals.

Eyes still bothering me. Can't read at night.

Grocery run

A gorgeous day.  So glad we live in this part of Canada.

Bought groceries at Safeway and brought home Japanese food for lunch and dinner.

Canucks lost so I recovered by watching Foyle's War and Downton Abbey.

The tumour at the top of my right leg is sore and growing.  Hope this round of chemo knocks it back.

Night Cache

My plans to go grocery shopping died again today.  Lori decided to find a night cache in the a Watershed Park.  We met at the begining and she set out at 6 with Wayne, Pam & Maureen.  Wayne was the body guard. I sat and read for an hour and a half.  They found it easily.

Grabbed a buritto on the way home to warm me up.

Miss Fisher

Love Fridays - Miss Fisher & Linley.

Was going out but, after several trips to the bathroom, decided to stay inside.  Tumour at the top of my right leg had been aching.  Started chemo again this morning so hope it calms down.  Slept a lot today.

Rainy day

Rained all day so I just hunkered down in front of the TV. Canadian Juniors won today, so in semi finals tomorrow morning. 

Been off my chemo for two weeks but stpill falling asleep.  

White Rock steps

Met Maureen at Starbucks and we found four caches in White Rock. I guarded the car while she went down two of the big staircases to the beach.  White Rock is now all happy faces.

Picked up Chinese food for lunch and dinner.  Home in tome for the last period of the Winter Classic hockey game.  First game I've seen in the snow.  T-shirts were the norm for the Rose Bowl.   Then I watched the Canucks lose.

Fell asleep a few times through the afternoon.

Numbers for Maureen

Pam and I were trying to help Maureen get 100 stars today, but we fell short.  She still managed to find 16.  Had a really goo steak sandwich at Ricky's for lunch. 

Picked up a prescription at Safeway.  All there takeout deli was closed as the store was closing early.  Got a Cobb Salad for dinner.  

Eyes a real pain tonight.  

3 hockey games

Woke up to the juniors winning.  Then the Women lost a close one  and the Canucks lost in the shootout.

Eyes jammed shut again.  Not really improving.  Still slathering Udderly Smooth on my swollen feet and sore fingertips.

Slept in until 9:30 and had a quiet day.

TV & dozing

Spent the day dozing in front of the TV.  Seahawks followed by Canucks made the day complete.

Both eyes fused shut this morning so had to feel my way to the hot water.

Hockey day

Watched the Canadian Juniors and the women's hockey games.  Snuck out for a Starbucks latte and a Quizmo's beef dip sandwich.

Eyes still a bother so had a quiet day.

Good day

Went to Bay to buy Isotoner gloves with rough fingered tips for my toys, especially turning pages on my Kobo.  Forgot my wallet, so back home.  Duh.

Saw Karen at noon.  First time in a while to actually have her do my checkup.   She was really happy.  My tumour markers are down to 15.  The highest has been 350.  She said it was "normal".  This drug is really working.  A bunch of tumours I could feel have gone.  There is still a stubborn one at the top of my leg.

We discussed my side effects: fatigue, sore finger tips, swollen feet and watering eyes that stick shut when I sleep.  I'm to take an extra week off. The dose is lowered and I'm to take the pills for a week instead of 14 days and then take a week off.  Next checkup will be at the end of January.

Not bad.

Bought the gloves and got groceries at my new Safeway.

Boxing Day

Picked up a latte and arrived at Matt's in Port Moody at 11.  Had a great brunch of quiche and homemade biscuits.  Always fun to spend time at Christmas with the girls.  Really impressed with how calm Eddy (the dog) is.  Andrea did a load of laundry for me.

Stopped at Theifty's on the way home.  They gave me some turkey leftovers for dinner. Delicious!

Really tired all day.  Slept through Midsomer Murders.  Luckily it was on my PVR.  Eyes still watering and matted shut when I sleep.  Hot cloth does the trick.  

Merry Christmas

Had a quiet day and went to John's at 4:30.  Pru and the boys did the cooking.  Really good meal with lots of dishes.  Didn't eat until after 9 and I was really tired so went home right after.

Bloodwork for Christmas

Had to be at the Cancer Agency for bloodwork at 10:30.  Very quiet on the day before Christmas but did visit with one friend.

Tried the liquor store but the parking lot was nuts.  Filled up the gas tank and got a Starbucks latte and a taco salad for lunch.

My eyes are swollen and weeping. Rats. Slept 9 hours a couple of nights ago but not so much last night.

Quick shopping

Amazing that I went shopping 2 days before Christmas and I got parked right at the doors of London Drugs and IGA.  Even the tills weren't very busy

Feeling better but eyes are a pain. Keep watering and getting stuck shut when I doze.

Christmas lunch

For the first time in ages all of Chris & Pru's kids were together at Christmas.  David decided last week to come from Beijing to surprise everyone.  Chris had lots of food. Turkey & ham.  Ate my fill.

Still feeling a bit iffy but got through the day.

Iffy day

Slept well but still not feeling great.  Bouts of diarrhea but Immodium seems to work.

No precipitation today but lots of snow on the ground.

Snowy day

Woke up to snow.  Knew the forecast so not planning on going out until Sunday.

Still not feeling quite right, so had a lazy day.

Errands done

Productive day.  Stopped at VanCity for cash.  Bought presents for great nieces at Kidsbooks.  Such great service.  Young woman met me at the door.  She knew exactly what to recommend.

Groceries at Safeway and takeout Japanese food for lunch and dinner.

Feeling a bit off.  A couple of days of rest ahead.

Boathouse

Money donated from the annual Cancer Buster Dance allowed my Metastatic Cancer Group to have lunch at the Kitsilano Boathouse.   The day was sunny any really windy, which made the views perfect.  Really good food. I had a cup of chowder (market fresh fish & shellfish), Boathouse signature calamari (tzatziki & sweet chili sauce) and pumpkin cheesecake creme brûlée.

The mood was spoiled by the $37 parking ticket.  Thought I left in time but was 15 minutes over.  The parking lot was virtually empty, so EasyPark sucks for ticketing a car in the handicapped spot so quickly.

Did a quick shop at Granville Island and headed home.  Hard driving with the sun in my eyes.  Slept for an hour.

Geocaching in South Surrey

We met at Starbucks this morning and headed East.  My first cache was across the street.  Most were around Campbell Valley Park.  Sat for over an hour for one find.  Glad I wore my warmest coat and I had a good book on my Kobo.  I only got 7 but they had all been sticking out on my map.

Great lunch at Milestones.  They have a salad, soup and half a sandwich for lunch.  Grabbed a salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks for the drive home.  Really tired and fell asleep.

Lazy

Didn't sleep much after 4 am. Got up at 8.  Had breakfast and fell asleep.  Did so again before and after dinner.  Needless to say, I didn't put a toe out the door.

Just slathered my feet with Udderly Smooth.  Feeling good except the fatigue and swollen feet.

My new Safeway

Watched Seattle blow out the opposition.  Hope the Lions are studying them.

Got some moccasins at Sears and goodies at Cobs.  Dropped off an overdue library book and was reminded why I love my Kobo.  Saw that my Safeway at 70th and Granville was open.  Apparently it happened on Friday.  You'd think they'd tell the neighbours.  Great store.  Way bigger than the old one  and it has a good underground parking lot.

Fell asleep again this afternoon.  Used to laugh at my Dad's naps.

Callanish

Louise picked me up this morning and we had lunch at the White Spot.  Arrived early for Callanish's Holiday Open House.  EnChoir sang carols with us.  Hot cider and lots of Christmas cookies.

Came home and fell sound asleep.  Canucks annihilation of Boston woke me up.  7 in a row.  Torts should yell more often.

Sleepless.

After being so tired, I didn't sleep well last night.

Went to IGA for some groceries and got some Chinese food that was enough for lunch and dinner.  Hot and sour soup was perfect for the chilly day.

Dozed off after lunch and again tonight - missed 2 Canucks' goals.

Janie called from Callanish to thank me for my donation and to make sure I was coming to tomorrow's concert.   The donation was in lieu of Christmas shopping.  No way I can walk around stores - my feet are swollen and I'm supposed to stay away from crowds.

Just One Evil Act

Rainy day so stayed in and watched TV & read.  Finished Elizabeth George's new book, Just One Evil Act.  A good read.

Slept in but still fell asleep in the afternoon. 

Grocery run

It was dry today, so I went to Safeway for some groceries. Picked up a Japanese Bento box for lunch. Added an avocado roll and had it with the California roll for dinner.

Slept in until 9 this morning.  Fell asleep thus afternoon.