Happy New Year!

What a difference a year makes! One year ago I had just been released from hospital and I was like a wounded bird perched on a precipice. Now I am learning to fly again and am enjoying every moment.

Movember beard creating the Walter White look

November marked the start of workouts at the YMCA, and the growth of a mustache and  beard in support of Prostate Cancer and Men's Mental Health awareness. No need to say the beard disappeared promptly on December 1st.

Christmas party with Caroline for Surrey/N.Delta Division of FP

 December also meant the return of Jason and Zoe from University, lots of family gatherings, and of course skiing!

Snowboarding with Jason at Cypress

Downhill skiing with Zoe at Whistler

Nordic with Caroline at Lost Lake

Visit with transplant hematologist Dr Maryse Power at VGH

December also marked a followup visit with my oncologist Dr Power, who, after extensive testing, has declared me disease-free and given me the green light to continue tapering off my medications and return to work in a couple of weeks. I will resume at Morgan Creek Family Practice working with Dr Katie Weiler and my other colleagues. Thanks again to my physicians, family and supporters for helping get me to this point! And Katie Knopf, my bone marrow donor, gave birth to her first child, baby boy Wyatt. Congratulations!

Meeting my Donor

It finally happened. This week I met the donor of the cells that saved my life. Katie is a wonderful young woman from Michigan. After chatting with her on line, I feel like I've known her all my life. It has been an emotional re-union. I will let Katie tell her story in her own words, shared with her permission. 
 

Katie and Max

"So to tell you a little about myself.  I’m from Traverse City, MI. I live in Kingsley a very small farming town outside Traverse.  I’m 30 yrs. old.  I’m engaged as of February of this year to a wonderful man, Max.  I have  two wonderful hound dogs Dozer (basset hound) and Chevy (coonhound).  We actually just was given the best gift of all this late February in finding out were having our first baby.  He is due November 23^rd the day after our Thanksgiving here in the US.  "

Chevy

  " I signed up to do bone marrow way back in high school when I found out that I have pretty rare blood type, O-.  I saved a few babies' lives at our local hospital here in Traverse City (Munson Medical Center) by doing blood transfusions for them.  I didn’t mind doing that knowing a life could be saved by just donating.  Little did I know 12 yrs later I would be called by Michigan Blood to be asked to donate bone marrow. "


Katie, you were the one person in 17 million registered donors, in the whole world,  to match my cell type. I know you had to travel not once, but twice to Grand Rapids Michigan - the one time for testing, and the other for donating, driving five hours round trip each time. And you chose the more painful and involved procedure of bone marrow harvesting because you were planning a family. Dr Power, my oncologist, said "I'm glad she did, 'cause it sure worked better in your case!"

  Katie's bone marrow cells in Michigan

The cooler packed for flight to Vancouver Canada

  " I have to tell you my mother was with me for all of this journey. When they actually took all my marrow and put it into the little cooler to be sent to you. My mother said a prayer over it for safe travel and good wishes for your recovery.  She said the whole waiting room got silent and said the prayer with her.  She said people asked her what it was for, and all she could say was it was for a very special sick person.  You wouldn’t believe the support we got from family and friends thru this whole journey.  I can’t begin to thank you enough for making me a better person.  It’s really an eye opener to know I have helped another human out there I don’t even know.  I’m so happy you’re doing well and getting back to a normal life. I hope to hear more good news for you and your family.  I’m just so happy you have plenty of more years ahead to share with all your loved ones." 

Katie, my family and I have been moved to tears by your generosity and your words.  My brother Andy said you are "truly a blood relative now". Thank you and may God bless you and your family.

                               

Re-Birthday Celebration

Larigakis family champagne toast

No One Year Re-Birthday would be complete without a joyous celebration. And as it coincided with Thanksgiving, it was a chance to give thanks to the many of the family and friends who have supported me through a difficult time. We enjoyed enjoyed warm fall sunshine, tasty food, and lively entertainment. Seeing longtime teacher and mentor Jim Wright for the first time in 20 years was a highlight. Many generous donations were made to the  RidetoSurvive and OneMatchBC. And I think I have now collected enough wine to have another party!

Noelle Dancing to Mark Ferris & the Yaletown String Quartet

A Re-birthday hug from Zoe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Year Anniversary

Kitesurfers and windsurfers at Squamish

With Fall Equinox passing a couple of days ago we can celebrate the end of a great Summer and start of Fall. And what a summer it has been! With biking and swimming, and  favourite activities and almost continuous sunshine. But that is not the only thing -we are also celebrating the one year anniversary of my successful bone marrow transplant.  It has been a full year since I had radical body radiation and chemotherapy, and then had an infusion of stem cells from an anonymous donor, and crossed our fingers that it would work.
And now, my partner Martin Lebl says "You look better than you did before you got sick". " That's because I have been rejuvenated by a new bone marrow from a young woman" I replied. I have now applied to meet my donor, wherever she is in the world, and thank her in person. (don't worry, I'm not painting my toenails yet)

Me & my brother Andy cycling on the seawall

A minor setback has been the early onset of cataracts caused by the steroids used in my therapy, but I have had one cataract removed and will have the other one removed in a few weeks. I am now getting my baby shots, and planning a return to work in January.

So Fall will be a time for giving thanks to all those people - family, friends, and colleagues - who have helped me reach this point in my journey.
 Thank You!

 I raise a glass of champagne to you all!

"Summertime....

...and the ridin' is easy,  the wheels are turning, and the jerseys are high" (apologies to George Gershwin for changing his song; it was sung beautifully at the Medical Staff meeting in the summer of 2010 by Liz Varughese). Check out my favourite version of Summertime by Ella here.

Me and Jason at the finish of the Ride to Survive

On June 23 Jason and I rode 40 km from Maple Ridge to North Delta to complete the final leg of the Ride to Survive, the epic 400 km cancer fundraiser. It was so cool to be riding at the front of a group of 110 cyclists with a police escort and helicopter overhead.

Starting the hill climb sprint up Buena Vista Drive

Last weekend we attended Tour de White Rock, the end of Superweek of bike racing, showcasing local and international cycling talent.And what a great place to go for dinner and a gelato. Walking around is extra fun now that the feeling has returned to my feet!

Riding with Glen and Andrea Ward on the Delta Dyke 

Went for a nice sunset ride with the Wards and our kids along the Delta Dyke this week, with multiple sightings of eagles, herons, and rabbits.  In addition to the bike rides, I am swimming  regularly, and getting coached/treated by a physio, yoga instructor and massage therapist.

  It indeed does take a village to cure an illness.

Sunset at White Rock Pier
SUMMERTIME!

Father's Day

Chocolate Tie

My last post being Mother's Day, it is only appropriate to post again on Father's Day. I'm getting flak for not posting more often, but not too much is changing-- which I guess is good news in itself. Got my Toblerone chocolate tie which I'll break out soon. Had a wonderful Father's Day dinner at my parents place with the whole clan.

Zoe and "rebirth"

My daughter Zoe decided to mark my recovery with a tattoo on her shoulder in Greek: "ANAGENNISI", meaning "rebirth". I was certainly moved.


Next Saturday June 23 is the Ride to Survive and I hope to ride in the last 30 km with the group to cheer them on to complete their 400 km ride for Cancer Research. It will end at Cap's Cycles on Scott Road at about 10 pm after starting at 3 am the same day in Kelowna. To find out more or to donate go to www.ride2survive.ca/

Many others rode this past weekend to Seattle in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, and I congratulate you. And as always I am grateful for everyone's support and patience.

Mother's Day

Brother Andy, Sister Michelle, me, Mom and Dad

Hope you had as nice a Mothers' Day as I did today. My mother and my wife have been  huge supports throughout my illness and recovery, and it was nice to celebrate today with them and my wonderful siblings, nephews and niece. The kids are back from University, so it has been a treat to enjoy a bustling household again.

Zoe is back

Me and Jason with our kayaks

Yesterday, Jason and I went on a kayaking trip off Crescent Beach into Semiahmoo Bay and spotted two Grey Whales breaching. It has been good to enjoy regular activities again, and the warm summer weather is a bonus!

Grey Whale Breaching

The Two Easters

Caroline, her parents, and me at Crescent Beach

 

This year we celebrated "Western" Easter with Caroline's family at our home with the newly refurbished kitchen, followed a week later by Orthodox Easter at my parents place with my family. That means twice the food and sweets. Sometimes they overlap, sometimes not. Easter is an important milestone for me as it marks a year since I became ill. And got better.

My bike rides are getting longer and my leash to VGH is also lengthening, so it is only a matter of time before I start riding with the group again.

We will be picking up Zoe from Kelowna UBCO this weekend, and Jason will be back from Montreal at the end of the month. Looking forward to seeing them!

Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread) and Koulouria and red eggs

Graduation

This past week I had my indwelling IV line removed and am transitioning from weekly visits at VGH to only monthly (with weekly bloodwork in Surrey) We celebrated by opening the hot tub and enjoying the (brief) bout of sunshine, and a glass of wine. Later I can start swimming again which is great therapy.

Spent 5 days with my family in Vancouver while the restoration team completed the repairs to our kitchen after the flood we had in December. We even got new granite countertops (that's my girl side talking again).

While in Vancouver I was able to enjoy bike rides, including this one around the Seawall with my sister Michelle and my 2 nephews. Had some great meals courtesy of my Mom and Dad and visited with many extended family members, some whom I have not seen for a full year. It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I first became ill.

Optomistic that this increasing independence and strengthening will continue over Easter and beyond! Thanks to all!

Girl Side?

Yesterday Caroline caught me reading recipes in her Chatelaine magazine. I have also been caught sneaking looks at new sofas and kitchen designs. And getting moody. OMG. It is happening! My body is making the switch to my new female bone marrow. It has been sluggish but my new marrow is consistently making the red, white and platelet cells.

Life carries on here. Sitting outside enjoying the sunshine today. Ride my bike daily, rain or shine. Shine of course is better, and it feels like it has been a long winter. I am jealous of the 25 degree weather Jason is getting in Montreal, with the student protests/mardi gras atmosphere. Zoe is studying/skiing at Kelowna and both kids should be back by the end of April for the summer.

Blue Heron on the Nicomekl River spotted on bike ride

The office is humming along without me, which gives me the peace of mind to continue my recovery until I am physically and mentally able to get back to it.  Great support from everybody continues and I am grateful. 

Biking Again

Bob and me on the banks of the Serpentine River

It has been 3 weeks since I posted because I was waiting for a really good day. Well today I had a really good day. My friend and neighbour Bob picked me up and we rode down Colebrook road and along the Serpentine River in the sunshine. The climb back up was a killer, but I made it like a drunken sailor, weaving up the road.  In total we covered 25 km!

Bridge over Colebrook Road

Me and my Trek

Had a very good check up his week with my red, white and platelet counts all increased on their own and no need for blood products. Happy to see my new marrow gathering some steam. It is about time after all the good food I'm feeding it including good old chicken soup from my mom.



Last week I was down at Spanish Banks watching a brave (or foolish?) kitesurfer sailing in the chop. It is nice to dream, but it is a lot warmer in  the car!

Sole kitesurfer at Spanish Banks with fresh snow at Cypress

Soulmates

On February 14 Caroline  and I donned fine clothes and headed for a local classy restaurant to celebrate Valentine's Day and our 24th wedding anniversary. We suspended our temporary ban on flowers and I had a nice arrangement made by local Best of Buds Floral complete with chocolates and champagne. We had a fine evening complete with flaming Sambuca prawns, which we have since reproduced at home, fire extinguisher at hand.

I am back on a strengthening path again after my bout with Croup which continues to linger a bit. I have been disappointed that my recovery trajectory has not been a straight line, but instead stutters along in fits and starts. Nonetheless, I am told that I am on a good path, and my blood counts continue to be strong, so I have learned to accept it. The cards, prayers and emails keep giving me a boost, and I am grateful.

Our 13 year old family cat Rupert has developed diabetes. I had little patience for him before, but when he got into a routine of drinking and peeing every 2 hours, I realized that we had more in common than I had previously thought. He is now on insulin and we keep each other company in the day. He is a good role model for loafing around.

Our daughter Zoe is visiting from Kelowna for reading break, providing that youthful exuberance to the household. Jason is still studying in Montreal and we will be seeing him in the spring. For now we have long animated Skype calls that include Rupert pawing at the screen.

February Update

It has now been 6 weeks since I was discharged from hospital and time to update the Recovery Blog. I am impatient to return to my normal activities and have hit a plateau. I am now recovering from a bout of Croup, a coughy, wheezy cold usually affecting infants. When one is operating at 50% and then loses 10 or 20% it sucks, but that is behind me.

photos courtesy of Kathie Edwards

Earlier, Caroline and I had a wonderful time at the January Blues event at Belle's with over 90 people including local doctors and their  partners, and some new faces, too. The organizers (Connie, Liz, Kathie, Lisa, Jennifer, and others) did a terrific job of bringing people together and continuing to build that strong sense of community and support that has long been part of S.Surrey/White Rock.

Also briefly attended the retirement sendoff for Michael McBryde, a visionary in Seniors and Residential Care, who will be sorely missed.

I had to miss the Ride to Survive "spin and inspire" day because of my cold,  but we continue to support each other in the journey to overcome adversity. As the weather improves, hope to get outside on the bike  more.

Current reading is the biography of Steve Jobs, that quirky genius that changed the way we interact with our world. People ask how I otherwise pass my time these days: "Some days I sit and think, and other days I just sit".

R is for Recovery

After enduring R for Relapse and R for Rejection (as well as R for Remission), this week I have completed my day 100 post transplant testing including bone marrow biopsy and am able to say I am in the Recovery phase of this illness. The bone marrow was all clear! Yahoo!

I am living in my own home, eating and drinking normally, and building strength daily. I will continue to have challenges with reduced immune function and strength over the next year or more but it is nice to be coming out of the fog. I've been enjoying snippets of sunshine and Vitamin D on the back deck and fortunately we have lots of big trees to shield the neighbours from my maximally exposed skin! Thanks again to all of you who are my support team and helped get me to this place.