"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