Deliveries

Stong's delivered groceries this morning.  Worth every penny to have someone carry the heavy stuff.  Then Chris brought up my laundry.

Went to Pru's and she drove us to Chris's for dinner.  Patience's visit is far too short.

Summer

Beautiful first day of summer.  I did venture out to get a prescription at Safeway.  The entrance off 70th was blocked by construction and Granville was a parking lot, so I gave up.  Bought lunch at MacDonald's and went back to watching soccer.

Last day of Spring

Had a much better day.  Lori picked me up at 10 and we found several caches in Vancouver.  Stopped at VGH for appt and then had bento box for lunch.  Couple of more caches on the way home.   It was partly cloudy, but warm in the sun.

As long as I sat still, my leg didn't hurt.  Finished the pills today but will pick up another tube of cream tomorrow.  It still hurts to walk and looks gross.  I felt better and enjoyed lunch. Even my hayfever medication (Avamys) is starting to work.  Need more days like this.

Tired

Still really tired today and my leg hurt a lot this morning.

Met Pru and Patience for a good lunch at The Fish Counter on Main.  Went straight home and dozed for a bit.

My VISA was switched from CIBC to TD as they took over Aerogold.  Got my online access set up and changed most of my automatic payments (I keep a list).  Pleased that the balance owing was transferred and was able to pay it from my VanCity account.  Bought gas so I know I did everything right.

Soccer!

Watched 4 games today - 3 World Cup and 1 Canadian women vs Germany.

Felt out of it all day.  Dozed a lot.

Shivers

My chemo was at 9:30 this morning.  I'm getting to know other taking the Reolysin   Was finished by 11:00.  Went to Granville Island for a few groceries and was home in time for the Brazil game.

Started shivering around 2:00 for a couple of hours.  Threw up a bit.   My leg is pretty sore.  Dozed a lot.

Long day

My Freemason driver showed up at 8:15.  In 5 minutes I did my teeth, finished dressing, grabbed my go bag and was on the way down the stairs.  He got me to the Agency in plenty of time for my bloodwork.

Had a scone in the cafeteria for breakfast.  Spent the next couple of hours in a lounge chair in the 6th floor lounge, reading and drinking tea.  There is wifi but not good enough to watch the World Cup on my iPad.

My nurse was worried about treating me after looking at my leg.  The trials nurse came to look and thought it looked a bit better and said to go ahead.  Karen emailed her agreement amend we finally started at noon.  After a bit, two of us were moved to another room and nurse.  Juggling those of us needing some isolation (bathrooms that need cleaning) is hard.  I also need to be watched while getting the Taxol.  Did well again today.  Slowly building up the dose is keeping the allergic reaction at bay.  Slept a lot because of the Benedryl.  Went through 4 hot blankets and a couple more cups of tea.  Finally finished at 4, but my driver didn't get me home until 5:30.

Family dinner

Went to John's at 2:00 this afternoon.  By my count, there were 24 of us, including 6 fathers.  Even Matt and Andrea came with Sadie and Lili.  Haven't seen some of the family for quite a while.   Had 2 helpings of BBQ ribs.  Showed my leg to Elaine and Patience and they were suitably impressed.  It' still hurting today.

Left when I was just too tired to stay and was home by 6:30.  Was going to stop at Safeway but changed my mind.  Felt good to curl up in my chair.

FIFA

Enjoying watching the World Cup in Brazil.  The CBC app tells me everything I need to know.  Went out between games for a taco salad and a latte for my lunch.

My leg still looks scary and is sore, so I'm trying to keep pretty still.  Trying to figure out how to take the pills every 6 hours.  It should work out to 4/day but, if I get up at 8, that means 2, 8 and 2.   I'll try waking up at 2 tonight.  I have to take them with a big glass of water and can't lie down for 10 minutes.

Friday 13th plus a Full Moon = ?

My doctor doesn't work at Seymour Clinic on Fridays, so I went to their walk-in.  Took 1 1/2 hours to see a doctor for a couple of minutes to get something for my hayfever.  I always have a my Kobo!

Met Patience and Oru for lunch at the White Spot.  Always love it when Patience comes home from Texas and it also means I see more of Pru as she takes time off work.

I was home by 2:00, tired and ready for soccer, Lions and Stanley Cup.  I was on the phone when I realized there was a big area of dark purple at the top of my leg and partway down - about the size of a tennis ball.  The wound had been draining more and it hurt a bit to walk.  I immediately called my trials nurse.  She found Karen in a meeting and they had me meet them at the Cancer Agency.  Karen took a look and thinks it's an infection.   They took two swabs and ordered an antibiotic cream and some pills.

Went to the Safeway and had to wait another 1 1/2.  Was really wiped by then, but they have a comfortable waiting room.  I settled in with my Kobo after getting a few groceries.

Finally got home at 6:00.  So much for a quiet day.

Stanley Park caching

Lori picked me up at 10:30 and we headed back to Stanley Park.  At one point, she left me at the Teahouse parking lot and headed into the forest on her bike.  We had fish and chips at Prospect Point. Got a few in the West End before heading home.

Was a bit tired but felt pretty good.  My leg is seapimg again but that big tumou has sure shrunk.

Pretty good day

This Wednesday was much better than it usually is.  Felt pretty good this morning and ate with no problem.  Didn't have the flu symptoms at all.  Still bothered by sinuses/allergy.  

Still didn't push it and read all day.

Shootout in Vancouver

Ironic that I started my day watching the funeral of the 3 slain Moncton RCMP members and ended up watching the aftermath of a shootout in Yaletown and Science World.  Connie was late getting out with her twins and heard the shots below her Yaletown building.  She should have been right there.  I wore a red top and an RCMP ball cap today.

My appointment for the Reolysin was 10:20.  Easy hour.  Stopped at Safeway for groceries and some Advil sinus medicine.  My renewal for Nasonex has expired so I have to fit in a doctor's visit.

Got a bit cold, but didn't have any shivering today.  Even ate dinner and did the dishes.  The big tumour on my leg is definitely smaller.

Dopey day

My Freemason drivers was really early which was good because I gave the wrong time.  Were early for the right time.  Got my bloodwork done by 8 and had a scone in the cafeteria.  Read newspapers on my iPad while I waited for chemo at 11.  Things went well and I had no reaction to the Taxol. I'm so doped up with Benedryl that I sleep through a lot of it.  It also stopped my allergies.  I'm coughing and blowing my nose a lot.  It's picked up again, now the drugs have worn off.

I was home by 3:30 and dozed a lot.  First thing was a late lunch.  The cafeteria at BCCA used to be much better.  They close at 2, so I missed it by 20 minutes.  They don't start making stuff until 11:30, so no early lunch.  It's always pretty empty and they are turning some of the space into something else.  They've never offered really healthy food.  No hospital I've ever eaten in seems make a real connection between their nutritionist and food services.

A cold?

Really tired all day.   Just watched golf and read.  My throat has been tickly for a week and I've been coughing.  I put it down to allergies, but my nose chimed in today.  

WWFM XI

Attended the WWFM XI – A ~YO YO’s ~ Gathering in Delta with Pam this morning.  Always was useless with a yo-yo.  Lori was attending from Sorrento via FaceTime on my iPhone.  Thousands attended events around the world.

  

Was pretty wiped after about half an hour and had to leave.  Sitting in the car helped so I was able to pick up some groceries at Safeway.   Spent the rest of the day with the Blue Jays, Belmont Stakes, Whitecaps and Stanley Cup.  Also finished my book. 

I think the leg tumour is smaller, but it is draining again. I also have a lot of those round skin tumours.  Hope the Taxol takes care of those.  

Had some FaceTime with Pam tonight.  Her son was married today at Point Roberts and she showed me the stunning scenery from the location.   Her son in Australia watched the wedding on her rented iPad.  Isn't technology wonderful?

D-Day

Watched the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  There was pretty impressive coverage on CBC.  Dad was a D-Day dodger in Italy.

Bought a yo-yo for tomorrow's flash mob.  Wasn't  feeling great but sure enjoyed halibut and chips at Pajo's on the beach in Steveston. Sat and read for a bit.  Bought my first strawberries of the season on the way home.  Delicious.

Better day

Slept well and felt better today.  Stayed in and took it easy.

Kudos to our RCMP for capturing Moncton killer with no further bloodshed.

Bad day

Felt crappy all day.  No wonder, since the Reolysin is a live virus.  Dozed a lot and didn't eat much.

Shivering

Chemo was 9:30.  Almost late as I was playing Candy Crush.  Things went well and I picked up lunch at Trafiq on the way home.

Started shivering a few hours later and wrapped up in my electric blanket.  Just keep drinking lots.  Think my cough is hay fever.

Back on Taxol

Started up my chemo this morning.  Taxol on Mondat and Reolysin on Monday and Tuesday.  I have a lot of tumours that have popped up while off the Taxol.  Hope they start disappearing as they are getting sore.

Freemasons picked me up at 9:00 and had me home at 3:00.  The nurse stretched to the Taxol injection and we avoided an allergic reaction.  They leave such good notes that the next one knows what to do.  I watched her studying her next patient's file on the computer and calling a doctor to make sure the bloodwork was good enough for her to get treated today.

Didn't sleep well last night and dozed through much of the treatment.  Really funny trying to talk when full of Benedryl and felt better when it wore off.  Better afternoon than last time.

Out of tea

Realized I was down to my last two breakfast teabags, so had to make a Safeway run.  Came home via Tim Horton's.

My leg wound is sore today so tried to keep still.  Watched hockey and soccer at the same time.  Whitecaps rule!   Gee, bribes got Qatar the World Cup.  Why else would they put the games in a country with overwhelming heat?   Bet someone will die during a game.

Warm again

The sun is back and will be shining for days.  Quick trip to London Drugs, Cobs & M&M Meats.  Brought home a burrito for lunch.

Quiet day of reading and TV.

Checkup day

Hard to get up for 8:30 bloodwork.  Went to the a Sunshine Diner for Eggs Benny.  Back to Fairmont to see Dr. Sun who was covering for Karen.  Liked her a lot.  She and the trials nurse spent a long time talking to me.  She really understood my problems with appointments and will fix the conflict between chemo and an appointment with the radiation oncologist in July.  Helps that they were in med school together.

They were concerned about the bunch of new tumours on my stomach and back.  Hopefully, restarting the Taxol will help.  They think the wound on my leg is healing.  There's still a hole, but it's not draining or bleeding anymore.  The plan is go back to Taxol on Monday and Reolysin on Monday and Tuesday.  I have a CT Scan booked for the end of June.

Couldn't find parking at Granville Island.  Forgot about the Children's Festival.  Loaded up at Safeway instead.

Stanley Park

Went to Stanley Park with Pam and Lori.  It was supposed to stop raining by noon but that didn't happen.  I felt guilty sitting in the car while they got soaked.  We didn't find a lot and had some DNF's.  Still got some good ones off our map.  Enjoyed the fish and chips at Prospect Point.

My skin is now reacting to the radiation so I'm using lotion they recommended.  It looks and feels like a sunburn.

Open Road

Took my car to Open Road Toyota for service and to get my summer tires put on.  Was there from 12:30 - 16:30!   All set with music, iPhone, iPad and Kobo.  Had a good lunch across the street at a Fenders.  Will need new shocks next time - expensive.

Starting to feel some skin discomfort from the radiation.

Steveston

Tried having lunch at Pajo's but the tables were full of seniors and disabled people from three buses.  No one was in line fir food as there was nowhere to sit.  Ended up trying Shady Island Seafood Bar and Grill again.  Still has slow service and I couldn't eat the over cooked yam fries.  The third person I mentioned it to said I should have said something.  I did!   No point in sending it back since I'd been waiting so long the parking was expiring.  

Peter Fassbender is the dumbest Education since Christy Clark held the job. 

Liver

Had liver for lunch at IHOP.   Want to pass Friday's blood test.

Got an appointment card to see the radiation oncologist.  Another screw up as it is a day I get both my drugs and I'll be all doped up and wanting to be going home.  I'll try to fix it Friday.

Rainy Sunday

Good day to stay inside.  Still pretty tired so didn't do much.  Slept well.  My appetite seems to be normal again.

Poor Habs. Next game!

Better day

Got a good sleep last night.  Started eating slowly today.  By dinner I felt much better.  That was a side effect I don't want very often.

Watched the UEFA finals and then the Whitecaps.  Warming up for World Cup.

Geocaching

It was raining this morning so Pam picked me up at noon.  We found a couple of caches and had lunch at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company on Main - Ocean Wise shrimp in a light basil lemon mayonnaise with cured tomatoes, boiled organic egg & sprouts. 

We continued cleaning up our Vancouver map. I started feeling bad and really sweating.  We made one bathroom stop on the way home.  Had bad diarrhea for the next few hours.  Drinking Ginger Ale and just had some yoghurt.  Still a bit shaky.  

My trials nurse called to check on me.  She is concerned about a growing tumour below my stomach. It feels like the skin cancer we biopsied before (it was breast cancer mets).  Might have to move up my next CT or do a biopsy.  It gets complicated because of the detailed rules of the trial.  

Recovery day

Feeling better today.  Nibbled during the day and supper tasted good.  Still a bit shaky and have a bit of a headache.

Stayed in and rested.  Really need to do this on the day after treatments.

Last radiation

Started Wednesday with radiation at 8:00.  My last of five treatments.  Went up for chemo.  A call last week said it was at 9:30, but the appointment slip I got on Tuesday was for 8:45.  Of course, it wad the later time.  Didn't really mind the wait, just the snafu.  Read, had some tea and talked to a volunteer.

Chemo went well and I was home by noon.  Had to wrap up in my electric blanket for a couple of hours but the shivering wasn't as bad.  Didn't feel well and was really tired, so I went to bed around 6:00.  Threw up an hour later.

Better day

Ignored my afternoon appointment and showed up in radiation at 7:45 as suggested by one of the techs last week.  They had a big section of free time at 8:30.  They ended up running late and called upstairs to say I would be late for chemo.  Not a problem.  Too bad the appointments clerks can't be so flexible.

Stopped at Max's for some food on the way home.  Felt pretty wiped by noon, proving why I didn't want to wait hours for radiation.  Got really cold and slept on an off for a few hours.

Victoria Day

Quick trip to Burnaby this morning.  Filled up with gas $1.49!   Shopped at London Drugs and Cobs. Brought home some chicken from Nando's for lunch.

Afternoon latte

Met Mary Locke for lattes today at Beans Around the World.  Had a good visit.  Sat outside it was so warm.  Stopped at Safeway on the way home.

Quiet day

Stayed in to recoup today.  Watched Habs implode.   Finished a good mystery and caught up on taped TV shows.

Tired but feeling pretty good except for a bit of a headache tonight.

Fucked up

Had six calls from three people on two phones today about next week's treatment.

Went in at 3:45 for radiation.  Just realized that the appointment on Tuesday are screwed up again.  I was told to come in before 8 but now realize the card says 1:45.  Chemo is 9:30, so I'll be screwed by then.  I'm going to arrive at 7:45 and see what they say.  If it's no, I'll have to go home and take a cab back.  So pissed.

Appointment fix

My radiation today was at 2:35.  The staff quickly fixed the scheduling problems next week.  I was going to have to go for chemo early and then wait hours for radiation.  I wouldn't be feeling well enough to drive and would have to keep telling staff to clean bathrooms I used.  Now I go for radiation before the chemo.  So simple, but impossible for the booking clerks yesterday.

My treatment was quick and easy.  I was in and out in about 20 minutes.  Stopped at MEC for a new bag I liked online.  Grabbed a smoothie at Starbucks and was home quickly.

Feeling pretty good today.  Missed out on geocaching.

Radiation

My first radiation treatment was at 2:35.  Didn't realize that a whole new treatment area had been built under the back of the building.  The radiation technologist met with me first to explain everything.  It took a few minutes to align my three tattoos and less time to do the treatment.  I was back in my car in half an hour.  Sounded like a ray gun zapping me but felt nothing.  Four more to go.

I might have a skin reaction in a week or two.  There won't be any visible change to the tumour for a month or more.

My leg is certainly better this week.  It is hardly draining at all and seldom hurts.  I'm feeling much better today than I have for a few.  Quicker recovery during the break from the Taxol.

Chemo day

Had the Reolysin at 9:30 today.  Stopped at Canadian Tire to buy a toaster and grabbed lunch at Starbucks & Quizno.  My drink was the free one for my birthday.

Head was really sweaty last night.  Today I had a bit of fever and the two hours of shivering.

Chemo

Just had the Reolysin today.  The pharmacy was behind so it took longer.  Parking was $10.50. So unfair.  I was alone in the room and dozed off.  Saw Mae and Darline.  Quick stop at Granville Island.

Had lunch but started feeling cold.  Kept falling asleep and have a little fever.  Didn't eat dinner but had some yoghurt and drank Ginger Ale.

Deliveries

Pam dropped off my laundry today.  Shortly after, Stong's delivered my groceries.

Decided to stay in to rest up for tomorrow's chemo.

Van Dusen

Had lunch with women from the VESTA Status of Women Committee today.  There were six of us and we went to Truffles at VanDusen Gardens.  Company was great and we stayed for three hours with a good view of the gardens.  The food was pitiful and I won't go back.  They gave me Starbucks and Chapters cards for my birthday.  Also got a Starbucks card from Jane in the mail.  Generous friends!   Think I'll use the Chapters card to subscribe to electronic Maclean's and Chatelaine.  

Tired and sore but a lot better than I've been.  Eight hours sleep helped.  

Plan in place

Felt stronger today.  Had my first shower in a week and there was no bleeding.

Went to the Health Unit in the afternoon and got more supplies.  The nurse took a look and said the wound looked okay.  Stopped at Safeway on the way home.  Also put in an online order at Stong's for heavy stuff.

I just have Reolysin on Monday and Tuesday next week and Tuesday and Wednesday the following week.  The Taxol and bloodwork are cancelled.  Radiation starts on Wednesday for five days.  I then have a week off.  If I start having problems, they might stop the Reolysin.  Glad to know the plan. 

Geocaching

Lori, Pam and Maureen picked me up this morning.  Lori had done some laundry and Pam took another bag.  We stuck to South Vancouver and Burnaby.   Tried having lunch at Romer's Burger Bar but the only seats left were outside (it was cloudy) and high stools.  No way I was getting up on those with a hole in my groin.  Gave up and went to White Spot.

Had to cone home early as I was feeling shaky.  Yesterday should have been my chemo recovery day. So relieved to get home.   I think all the prodding made the tumour quite sore.  It has settled down tonight.

Prepping for radiation

Met with Dr. Voduc.  We then met the man doing the radiation.  I had a CT Scan and gained another tattoo.  The plan is to stop the Taxol for the next two weeks, but keep on with the Reolysin.  I'll have 5 days of radiation, starting next week.  There won't be any noticeable result for a few weeks. Might have some problem with raw skin.

Came home for lunch and then went to the Health Unit to meet the wouldn't nurse.   She took off the dressing and stretched the skin for a look and it started bleeding.  Almost had to go to the hospital.  They sent me home with pads, a spray and Gelfoam to stop any more bleeding.  If it starts up with any vigor, I'm to go to emergency.  I can now have showers!  

New plan

Went to Health Unit to have the dressing changes.  My Reolysin was at 11.  Picked up some food at Max's.

Shivering started at 2:30 and lasted a few hours.

New plan is radiation every day and no morevTaxol.  I meet Dr. Voduc tomorrow and will have a CT Scan to help him map the treatment. I'll still have the Reolysin on Monday and Tuesday.

Too tired to blog

Monday was a long day. Freemasons picked me up at 9:20 and had me home at 3:55.   Those of us on Reolysin are now being treated together and can only use the bathroom in our room.  I had wondered about the danger of spreading the virus.  It's not airborne, so it's safe to walk around.

The nurse was able to avoid an allergic reaction.  They seem to have a good handle on how to slow down the Taxol.  Of course it takes longer so the cafeteria was closed.  I had tried to come early but my driver had to pick a couple up in Dunbar.  I got to the Agency right on time.  One of the nurses changed the dressing on my leg. 

I had so much Benedril that I slept a lot there and at home.  Went to bed early.  

Taxes

Finally did my taxes the day before the deadline.  I'd like to procrastinate, but I keep putting it off.

Had the dressing changed at the Health Unit.  Yesterday's didn't last long.  This one has to make it until Tuesday as I can't drive tomorrow.

Love a Sunday night TV.  So choked thar tonight was the end of the season for Bletchley Circle.

South Community Health Center

Went to the Health Unit ar 49th and Knight to have my dressing changed.  It went well and the wound looked fine.

Next week is so complicated.  I'm supposed to visit the unit every day to have the dressing changes.  I'll skip Monday.  I'm to have chemo on Monday but don't know if I'm still on the trial or if I'll just get the Taxol or nothing.  I don't know if and when they'll do radiation.  It would also be every day.

Stopped at London Drugs on the way home.  Dozed off a few times this afternoon.

New plan

Was at the Cancer Agency for bloodwork at 9:00.  They took several tubes for the study I'm on.  Convinced the nurse that I needed more and she found the orders buried under the trial papers.   Saved me a trip back.  Had breakfast in the cafeteria.

Karen and my trials nurse are both in Toronto.  The replacement nurse and a resident started the exam.  Eventually, two men and four women poked and prodded and photographed my groin.  The CT Scan showed some of the tumours are shrinking.  They weren't happy with the bleeding, weeping tumour sticking through the skin on the top of my leg.  My bloodwork results arrived.  The only problem is low hemoglobin.  Must eat liver.

The replacement oncologist came in and said that she thinks I'll be taken out of the trial as the one tumour looks 20% bigger.  That's the threshold the study sets.  She also want radiation that should start next week.  In case there is an infection, she took a swab and started me on antibiotics.

The photographer came to take photos for the study.  Two nurses then put on a big dressing.  They didn't have what they needed to do it properly.  I thought I could do it myself but they said it was impossible.  It needs packing to encourage healing.  I agreed to home care.

Met Pru for lunch at Trafiq on Main.  So good I brought hone soup for dinner and some desserts.   Stopped at Safeway for some groceries and the prescription.  

Amazing how much better walking was with the dressing on.  Most of the pain is gone.  It really hurt this morning.  

Started cleaning a bit to get ready for the nurse but I got a call that I go to the South Community Health Center at 49th and Knight on Saturday and Sunday.  Will try cleaning the hall, bedroom and bathroom in case they need to come here on chemo days.  

Karen and my regular trials nurse will be back on Monday and then I'll know the new plan.  Right now I go at 10:15 for the treatment.  Remembered to book Freemasons.  

No geocaching

Had to miss caching on the warmest day of the year so far.  Not bleeding as much.  Stayed quiet with the leg up all day.  Doctor tomorrow.

Shaky day

My tumour started bleeding this morning and has been seeping all day.  It hurts to walk, so I spent the day in the Lazy Boy.

Cancelled geocaching tomorrow.  Don't do that very often.

CT Scan

Was at the Cancer Agency at 8:45 for a scan and home again by 9:30.

Pain in my leg is making it uncomfortable to walk.  Cancelled lunch with Jane.  Fell asleep for a while. Bit feverish tonight but my temperature is dropping now.  Will they stop the trial since it's not working on the one tumour?  Today's scan will let them measure some of the others.

Extra caching day

Lori picked me up this morning and we set out to clean up odd caches.  We covered Van Dusen, North Van, Point Grey and Dunbar.  Didn't log many, but they were quality.

The tumour on my leg is biggest and painful.  There is now swelling on the pubic bone.  Scan tomorrow.

Quick cache

Met Pam at a nearby new cache.  I couldn't find it yesterday and she went right to it. I checked that tree but I'm loosing my geosenses.  Picked up some lunch at Oakridge.

Love TV on Subday night - Bletchley, Selfridge, Midwife, Game of Thrones...   Watched the first two episodes of Foyle's War on my iPad this afternoon.  Comfort TV.

My leg is seeping much more than before and hurts.  Will try a shower tomorrow.

Geocaching breakfast

Attended a geocaching breakfast event still the Boundary Bay Airport.  Good crowd came.  They moved on to pick up garbage at a CITO event.  The CO told me to count it even if I couln't walk and pick up garbage.  Too many germs with no immune system.

Bought some goodies at Cobs on the way home.  Tired enough that I fell asleep for a while.

Bloody morning

Had a shower and brushed my teeth before heading back to the bedroom.  Suddenly realized both legs were covered with blood.  Had to get back in the shower and then wash the floor.  Talked to my trials nurse later and she thinks the hot shower started the bleeding where the tumour in my right leg had broken through the skin.  It usually just seeps a clear fluid and has only bled a few times.  Nothing like today.  It stopped fairly quickly so I didn't panic and stayed quiet all day.

Recovery day

Pretty tired after yesterday.  Woke up for a bit around 4, but did sleep in until 9:30.

Worked my way up to a chicken sandwich for dinner.  Feeling a bit sick and my leg is hurting more tonight.

65!

Well, I am now an old age pensioner.  I celebrating by having chemo.  Took a cake from M & M Meats for the nurses - TOO TALL^® Tuxedo Truffle Cake.   The treatment went well and was only an hour.  

Had a hamburger at White Spot on the way home.  Had my couple of hours of shivering later in the afternoon.  Really didn't feel well.  Am better now, but weak.  No geocaching tomorrow.  I plan a quiet day.  

Got a big basket of Purdy's goodies from Janet $ Marilyn.  Arrived just before I went out.  It contains several of my favourites.  

Long day

Freemasons picked me up at 8:15 and I was home at 3:45.  My bloodwork was at 10.  Had a scone and yoghurt in the cafeteria.  Spent the rest of the time in a waiting room with tea and my iPad and Kobo.  I take the iPad on the long days to read the newspapers.

Had the same nurse as last Monday.  She tweaked the delivery of the prep drugs and the a Taxol.  Made it through without the allergic reaction.  Slept a bit as I was so full of benedryl.


Slept again when I got home.  Was able to make dinner and all the dishes are done.

Easter Monday

Filled my little cart at Safeway and pulled it up the stairs. I'm good at estimating how much to buy.  Got a BBQ chicken that will last days.

All set for tomorrow's treatment.  Patience sent beautiful flowers for my birthday.

Easter lamb

Had a quiet day and then headed to John's for a family Easter.  Jesse cooked a great lamb dinner.  Don't get that very often.

Home by 9 and really tired out.

Lazy Saturday

Out for a bit of shopping at London Drugs and M&M Meats.  Dull day but I avoided the rain.

Really tired tonight.

Sunshine

Beautiful day.  Went to Richmond for some groceries and a drive to enjoy all the Spring colours.  Came home with a taco salad for lunch.

Still feeling good.  Just really tired.

A good day

It was raining, so Maureen and I spent the day at Pam's.  It  took over an hour to get to Ladner as a semi jackknifed just before the tunnel.  We worked on Maureen's netbook and on a few puzzles.  Pam fed us tomato soup and egg salad sandwiches - my favourites.  She also did my laundry.

The rain stopped for a bit so we found two caches for me an two for Maureen.  I left about 4:30 for home. It was a long group of lines converging on the tunnel but it didn't take too long.  Everyone was polite about merging into one lane.

Feeling pretty good tonight.  I'm tired and my leg is still hurting and seeping (yuck) but the rest of me is okay.

A better Wednesday

Felt better today than the last couple of Wednesdays.  Was awake for a while around 4 but slept until 9:30.  Able to eat a bit all day.  Hopefully this is a trend and I'm tolerating the Taxol.

Lost file

Drove to the Cancer Agency for my 10:15 appointment.  The nurse hooked me up to a saline drip but couldn't find my file.  Yesterday it was put on the shelf for returning patients.  They looked for a couple of hours and finally got a verbal okay from the trials nurse and oncologist covering for mine.  The file mysteriously showed up on the desk at 12:30.

Picked up a latte and sandwich on the way home.  Started shivering at 3:00.  Wrapped myself up in the electric blanket and it lasted about 3 hours.  Feeling a bit better tonight.

Another reaction

Had to get up early this morning. Freemasons picked me up at 7:45. Bought a scone and a yogurt after my bloodwork.  Sat in the lounge with my Kobo, iPad, iTouch (music), iPhone and wireless headphones.

Started chemo at 10:20.  Doubled up on pretreatment drugs.  Got half was through the Taxol before allergic reaction.  Started with shortness of breath.  I called the nurse as it started.  My face flushed dark red and my back ached.  By the time the on call doctor arrived, I was much better.  I was really drunk on all the drugs.  We started again once everything felt normal

Freemasons had me home by 3.  Slept on and off after eating a bit.  Really thirsty.

Chores

Felt pretty good today.  Bought a bunch of stuff at Safeway.  Tried to anticipate what I might drink or nibble on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Finished with Chinese takeout at their deli that took care of lunch and dinner.

Sorted through several piles of paper.  The tax date has been moved a week so I'll do it next weekend.  Think I have everything and will try simple form on an app.

 

Late birthday

Finally bought books for Sadie's birthday yesterday.  Drove out to Matt's in the afternoon.  Lots of traffic.  Spent the afternoon and then Andrea made pizza. Really tasty.  Spent quite a bit of time sitting on the deck.  A breeze drove me in.

Was home just after 6.  A much calmer drive.  Ate another piece of that pizza.  Kept switching between hockey and soccer - both lost.

Sunshine

Renewed my driver's license this morning.  Took all of 10 minutes.  My new photo is perfect - no smile, no glasses, no hair.

Picked Pru up at John's, which was only a few blocks away.  Had Eggs Benny at the Sunshine Diner.  Took her back and went to Kidsbooks for birthday presents.  Got parked right outside the door.  Great help and free wrapping.

Headed straight home.  Was really tired.  Jesse made me some soup that made for a perfect dinner.

Much better day

A perfect spring day in Vancouver.  I slept well but didn't feel well this morning.  I stuck it out and went geocaching with Pam, Lori & Maureen at 10.  We worked around UBC and ended up at Spanish Banks by fish and chips.  I had a small order and really enjoyed it.  I did get pretty cold as there was a bit of a breeze.  The bald head wants heat.  We found a few more snd I was home by 4.  My angels delivered a bag of clean clothes and took another.

I'm feeling much more normal tonight.  I just have to plan better for the cycle of side effects.  At least they are predictable and I know they only last a few days.

Lost day

Felt sick all day.  Kept falling asleep.  Feeling more normal tonight.  Not eating much.  At least it should wear off tomorrow.

Electric blanket

Drove myself to Tuesday's treatment.  It went well and I was done in an hour.

Got really cold in the afternoon and started shivering.  Wrapped myself up in my new electric blanket.  Way better than last week.

Another attack

Luke drove me to the Cancer Agency this morning.  I took a Dexamethasone with breakfast to see if it would help keep the allergic reaction at bay. The predrugs took an hour and then the Tamoxifen.  Three minutes in, the pain started in the right sloulder and across my chest.  It was hard to breathe and mt face was dark red.  The nurse called through the hole in the wall for help.  She stopped the drip and pushed in more Benadryl and some Hydrochortizone.  The othe one crook my vitals and the on call doctor came to check me.  I had a sore back but not last week's spasms.

Once I felt better we tried again.  Went well and the Reolysin took another hour.  Freemasons took me home.  Left at 9:45 and got back at 3:30.  Really doped up and slept a lot.  Bit feverish tonight.

Hats

Went to the newish mall on Marine Drive.  Don't know what to call it.  Bought a hat and a couple of tops at Sport Chek and a couple of hats at Mark's.  Rounded the trip off with a latte and a Quizno's beef dip.

Head is at the prickly stage.  Forgot to book a ride on time Friday.  Hope to get a ride with Lucas but haven't heard from him.  Correct that.  He is picking me up.

Hairless

My pillow and bath towel are full of hair!  Finally got to my hairdresser and she buzzed me.

Wasn't too bad as Mei was gentle.  

Bought a new hat at Granville Island and a couple of bags of groceries.  

Pretty tired tonight and my head is a bit prickly. 

Checkup

Fell asleep last night before the news without blogging or charging.  Woke up at 1:20 and went to bed.  Slept until 9:00.

Bloodwork was at 10:00.  Spent an hour at Kits watching the clouds give way to blue skies and reading.  Started out my doctor's appointment with a long interview by my trial's nurse.  A doctor then examined me.  Karen then came in to look at my leg.  The tumour has been seeping and bleeding where it broke through the skin.  I looked with a mirror today.  Now I know why I didn't look before. However, the consensus was that it is smaller.

All in all, Karen was pleased, so we carry on.  Will start my 3 weeks of chemo again on Monday.  I'll take a Dexamethasone tablet on Monday mornings.  It's one of the 3 drugs I get intravenously before the Taxol.  The delivery of the Taxol will be slowed down.  This, hopefully, will prevent another allergic reaction.

Had a great lunch at the Sunshine Diner and went to Safeway to fill the prescription.  Brought home a bunch of groceries.

Hair is everywhere.  Combed out a bunch at the beach and left it for the birds.  My pillow is now bushy.

Hair everywhere

My hair is falling out.  Mei is back from holidays but can't see me until Saturday.

Slipped out before the rain for a latte and a taco salad.

Bluetooth

Finally made it to my mets group this morning.  Not well enough the last couple of Wednesdays.

Glenn found a Sony Bluetooth headset at Walmart, so I drove to Queenborough to buy them.  Way better than the one that stopped working.  Like not having wires during chemo when I listen to music on my iTouch.  

Great lunch at Boston Pizza.  Caesar salad and a 6" pizza.  Cost less than $10 with the tax.  Grabbed a latte on the way home.

Feeling pretty good. A bit of nausea and a little headache that comes and goes.  My big tumour is seeping and sometimes bleeds, but I think it's smaller.  Glad the doctor will look at it on Friday.

Pajo's

Enjoyed halibut and chips in Steveston.  Only place in Canada that you can eat on the beach right now.

Decided to buy an electric blanket in case I start shivering again.  Great service at The Bay.  Got a twin size with digital controls.  Price was $189 but it was on sale for $79.

Geocaching

Great day in the sunshine.  It got up to 16 and felt like summer.

Met Pam, Lori & Maureen in Delta at 9:30.  We headed to North Surrey/Ladner.  I logged 24 caches. After doing one trail, they called me and I drove Lori's car to meet them at the far end.  Had a good lunch at Nando's.  Ate more than I thought I would.  My appetite isn't what it was.  Did a few more caches after eating.  The new Perimeter Road is such a treat to drive on.  Saves a lot of time and great views of the river.

My hair is falling out but Mei is away until Thursday.  Hope I don't make too much of a mess before I can get it cut off.

Quick outing

Gassed up so I don't have to on the morning.  Looked for new Bluetooth headset down Marine at Best Buy.  No luck.

Came home with a Quiznos sandwich and a Starbucks latte.

Love TV on Sunday nights.

Didn't sleep well so tried to keep the day quiet.  My scalp is sore but I hope getting rid of most of my hair will help.  Not much of an appetite but have been eating.

Windy

Slipped out between stormy weather to shop in Burnaby - VanCity, London Drugs & Cobs.  Grabbed a burger to go at the White Spot and was home without getting wet.

Still a bit shaky but sure felt good to be out.

Better day

Still a bit shaky and my gut isn't right yet.  Still went out for a quick trip to a mall in Richmond for Chinese takeout.  $7.50 bought more than I could eat for lunch and dinner.  Great hit and sour soup.  It was either going to kill or cure me.

Dozy day but will do a bit more tomorrow.

Best laid plans

Really looked forward to going geocaching and having lunch with my team.  Had to cancel at the last minute as I had really bad diarrhea.  Imodium works!   Need an outing before I go stir crazy.

I'm a lot better than I was.  Guess my body decided to experiment with different side effects this week.  Still have hair.

Shaky day

Slept well but feverish this morning.  Not much appetite.  The virus is working.

Feeling somewhat better tonight.  Hope tomorrow will be normal.  These effects are only supposed to last a day.

Another rough day

My driver got me to the Cancer Agency at 2:00.  The treatment went well and I was home by 4:30.

All of a sudden I got really cold and started shivering.  It lasted a few hours and then I threw up.  The Reolysin virus was doing its thing.  Got a good sleep but still not feeling normal.

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.