Garden Party!

Werner came over one day and I happened to mention I was getting some overgrowth in the back yard. "Leave it to me, Steve" he assured me. Sure enough, 2 days later on my doorstep arrived a full work party with tools. And what tools! Bob was armed with a 6 foot long gas powered trimmer that made short work of the blackberry stalks the size of small trees. Werner and Martin and Jason manned the saws and trimmers on ladders and took down encroaching branches and trees. Lynn and Caroline took care of the weeds, and Zoe did photos and refreshments. What a team!

And of course there were all the final graduation festivities including the graduation banquet and BBQ which I was so pleased to attend as my energy has been holding strong since the last round of chemo. 

Zoe was stunning in her Grad dress, and her parents beaming!

Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day, but it really has been Father's Week for me.  Our son returned from McGill on Thursday, and our daughter graduated from High School on Friday, followed by a family celebration at the house. I was so proud!

Saturday was Ride to Survive, and I joined to greet the courageous bike riders like Dave and Glen (and Tobin) and volunteers as they arrived in North Delta after their 400 km trek from Kelowna infusing another $300,000 into cancer research.

And Sunday I was treated to a bike ride through the forest, and dinner out in a private Tatami Room.

This was all on the heels of the last chemo on Wednesday which left me feeling draggy. So a couple of days of lazing around are in order before my chemo boost on Wed.

Time for the Buzzcut

"Where is your bike?" asked my hairdresser. She had gotten used to seeing me arrive on my bike over the years, and even let me bring it inside and lean it up against the hair care display. As expected from the chemotherapy, my hair had been falling out over the past week.  In the beginning I managed to hold it together with generous helpings of hair gel. But the day before Caroline tried to run her fingers through my hair and lifted off a large clump, so it was time to go in and get the Cut. For a moment I had a mohawk, then it was all gone. Now it just feels cool and clean.

My parents roots in Greece come from agronomists (farmers) on my father's side, and sea captains on my mother's side. I couldn't see myself wearing a large farmers hat all day, so I chose the Greek seafarer or fisherman's hat, nicely customized for comfort by Caroline.

As far as health goes, I am feeling pretty good right now, enjoying the view and responding to emails and having meals with the family. I even finished my second novel yesterday, which is a rarity for me.  The fever has been a little more persistent than expected, but all the tests for infection are negative and the plan is to hit me with more chemo next week, which should resolve the fever. I had my BMT consult yesterday and we will be starting with tests on my brother and sister for a match. Fingers crossed.

Next week is a big family week also, with our son's return from McGill after his first year there, and our
daughter's graduation from High School. Household preparations are expectedly busy, with a visit to Costco anticipated. Continued thanks for wellwishes and blog comments...( I think you have to create a google account)

Ride to Survive

I need to put in a plug in for the Ride to Survive, an epic one day 400 km bike ride from Kelowna to North Delta to raise funds for cancer research. Over a hundred riders participate each year, many of them cancer survivors themselves, and an army of volunteers help out. Their dedication has raised over $1 million over the last few years and because all the support for the ride is donated, every single dollar raised goes directly to cancer research. Just 15 years ago my type of cancer would have been considered incurable, and now thanks to progress in research and technical skills, I am being given up to an 80% chance of complete cure. So if you are looking to support a cause that will help prevent and treat cancer probably in someone you know, this is a good one. I was fortunate to be part of it on 3 previous years. Go to http://www.ride2survive.ca/, click donate, and pick a rider to sponsor, perhaps Dave C or Erin E, friends who will be riding with my name painted on their legs this year.

I am continuing to do well, today sitting on the patio looking out at the sea as I blog this. Minor setback yesterday with a fever so I was placed on antibiotics as a precaution, and am feeling fine right now.

Lots of great support including a huge food and book card from the office,  dark chocolate and Canuck cupcakes from Kerry, Oolong Green Tea from the Yu's, and an edible fruit arrangement from the Sahota family:

Back on the Bike!

Well, it feels good to be coming out of the fog of the last few weeks.  I think I was experiencing a combination of self pity and self loathing that came from feeling helpless and sick. I am now feeling strong and energetic again, and hopped on the bike and rode around the neighbourhood, waving at neighbours and feeling the blood pulse through my dormant muscles again. I can now get on to clearing my desk and catching up on things around the house. And cooking. I love to cook, but lately my mom has been bringing out great meals and likely will continue as it gives her an opportunity to nourish. And my godmother sent today the world's best koulouria, or Greek finger cookies.

Wonderful cards and stories and emails are pouring in and I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone.

My rash and itch are almost all gone. The swollen glands are completely resolved. My white blood count is very low because of the chemo, but should recover in time for my next blast in 2 weeks. So time to sit back and enjoy life, and of course the hockey game....

Flashback to previous life

Had a nice visit with Brenda yesterday, bringing me greetings and love from my medical colleagues and friends.  I cut off ties with them rather abruptly when I became ill, and it all seems like a previous life right now. I have tried to create an oasis of calm here in our home situated among the trees and looking out to the sea, with music playing and a gentle breeze coming in the window. As passionate as I have been in making positive changes to the delivery of health in our community, that role is now passed to others as it should be. I am grateful to have been part of it and hope to resume a perhaps different role in the future.

As far as effects of chemotherapy go, it seems to be working, as I continue to pee out lots of toxins and drink lots of fluids. Appetite is still good and keeping up my nutrition. Going for walks in the nearby forest with Caroline.

Today, riding friend, Todd, came by with a mocha (my riding energy drink) and magazines and stuff. I put him to work, as I do many of my visitors who help on "The Journey". He cleaned out the pool filters, and took away residual pesticides from the house and garden shed and took them to the disposal depot.  Their lingering presence disturbed me and I was glad to see them go.

Now, time for a rest...

from haircuts to pisspots

Got a badly needed haircut today from my father with assistance from my mom, like the days when I was a pre-teen and my dad did all my haircuts. It's not falling out yet, just unruly. Had a nice chicken soup lunch with them.  And then I started to pee. And I have hardly stopped since. Peed out 5 pounds, and the tumours are visibly shrinking! I must be peeing out the tumour cells, and taking my accumulated water with them. So my double chin is gone and my puffy feet are gone. Rash is fading but the itch molecules are still blasting me, but there is light on the horizon.

Oncologist called and suggested a change to my treatment program, alternating CHOP and GDP chemo every 3 weeks. Then bone marrow transplant at VGH when it is in remission.  Success rate of up to 80% reported with this protocol. Yes, reasons for optimism.