June 9-16: It is beautiful here in Edmonton: that hot, early-summer, big prairie sky. Magpies and blue jays. Mum's homemade bread. Dad's breakfasts. Colleen, my sister from Port Alberni is here to help and her cheerfulness is so welcome. Gord and his daughter, Grace, and her boyfriend, Houston - more breaths of fresh air. Cousin Vern Flaig dropped by on his massive motorcycle, looking good.
My mum commissioned a piece of music for me. She took the poem "Your Laughter" by Pablo Neruda which was read by Carrie at our renewal of vows ceremony, and had P.J. Perry, renowned saxophonist, put it to music with a professional reader. So touching and heartfelt - thanks Mum! So many echoes of our family in this - our love of music, the generous gesture, the originality we all possess. Gifts from our parents that make me weep with love and gratitude. Another example: Gord and I are going to discuss the possibiity of an award in my name to be established at his high school in Stettler, Alberta, where Gord is the Industrial Arts teacher.
I can barely cope with the layers of love we enjoy and the loss we are suffering. But my family is there for me. We hug, we laugh, we eat together, sit outside, talk about our families and Colleen's wonder grandchild, Carys, and next moves on our respective journeys. I have been so fortunate to have this family. We are well-grounded in the stories (now legends) that they shared about their lives, in the hilarious family camping trips, in the exposure to arts and music, in the sacrifices our parents made to ensure that we had what we needed to go forward in our lives, in their support at critical stages well beyond childhood. It all comes down to their values and our freedom to express our own values, which are turning out to be not that different in the long run.
I am not the only one dealing with difficult situations: Colleen struggles with diabetes; and my parents are considering the next logical step, a supported living residence in their neighborhood. A big decision, but one we hope will keep them together and in good health, with less risk of health catastrophe. My parents have a lot to handle, more than they should at this time of their lives. But I am confident that Gordon, Carrie and Colleen can help them through all this. It is hard but necessary, to shed my role, (the bossy oldest sister) but I am sure everyone can cope without me being right all the time.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Family Photos from Edmonton
Sister Colleen
Houston (sp?) and brother Gord
Dad
Mum
Grace (niece) and her Dad, Gord
Houston (sp?) and brother Gord
Dad
Mum
Grace (niece) and her Dad, Gord
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Happy Mothers' Day
Just in Time for Mother's Day
Here you go folks, a photo of our favourite son and favourite daughter, Franck (will be 18 in July) and Ada (21). This photo was taken at our renewal of vows ceremony last summer. I am very proud of both of them - they are interesting people, solid values, real talents in lots of areas.
Being their mother is one of the greatest pleasures of my life. There is so much fun in parenting - and I have been so lucky in Geoff, my parenting partner. I am also so grateful for our extended families - the welcoming warmth that our kids know they can count on from their grandparents, aunties and uncles. And grateful for our other extended family, our friends, who have watched us all grow up together and have opened your hearts.
I have been incredibly lucky to share my life with Geoff, Ada and Franck.
Health update: Trying another chemo
Greetings all:
My recent radiation (Wednesday April 4) was straightforward: it should hopefully shrink a pesky tumour that is squishing a nerve in my thigh and forcing me to cut back on my precious walks by the Ottawa River. This could take a while to "work", in the meantime I have refreshed my pain cocktail mix and I am not in any serious discomfort, just tired.
May 24 - update: the radiation treatment has not worked as hoped, and my mobility is definitely compromised. Basically, I have to use a wheelchair as much as possible or pay the price - a swollen and painful left leg. Of course I plan to complain vociferously to my fabulous and very caring medical team. But I might have to accept this, a real quality of life setback.
On Friday May 6, Geoff and I met with Dr Laura Hopkins. We thought it would be an "exit appointment", given the rather discouraging opinions of both the clinical trial oncologist and my radiation oncologist. Shouldda known better.
Dr. Hopkins has been my treatment oncologist most of the time. She knows me well and she is always prepared to search out and offer whatever seems reasonable.
She had a treatment to offer, a known chemo drug, but experimental for my type of cancer, on a hunch that it might slow down my tumor growth. It will not cure me, but it might buy me a few more months. And it does not sound that difficult: IV infusions every 2 weeks. The drug is Dacarbazine. I've set my criteria, that I want to still be able to enjoy my summer, and she has promised to respect this priority. I would have a CT scan every 6-8 weeks, to see how it is going.
So I am giving it a whirl. First treatment was today and it went smoothly. I will keep future updates short and hopefully sweet.
My recent radiation (Wednesday April 4) was straightforward: it should hopefully shrink a pesky tumour that is squishing a nerve in my thigh and forcing me to cut back on my precious walks by the Ottawa River. This could take a while to "work", in the meantime I have refreshed my pain cocktail mix and I am not in any serious discomfort, just tired.
May 24 - update: the radiation treatment has not worked as hoped, and my mobility is definitely compromised. Basically, I have to use a wheelchair as much as possible or pay the price - a swollen and painful left leg. Of course I plan to complain vociferously to my fabulous and very caring medical team. But I might have to accept this, a real quality of life setback.
On Friday May 6, Geoff and I met with Dr Laura Hopkins. We thought it would be an "exit appointment", given the rather discouraging opinions of both the clinical trial oncologist and my radiation oncologist. Shouldda known better.
Dr. Hopkins has been my treatment oncologist most of the time. She knows me well and she is always prepared to search out and offer whatever seems reasonable.
She had a treatment to offer, a known chemo drug, but experimental for my type of cancer, on a hunch that it might slow down my tumor growth. It will not cure me, but it might buy me a few more months. And it does not sound that difficult: IV infusions every 2 weeks. The drug is Dacarbazine. I've set my criteria, that I want to still be able to enjoy my summer, and she has promised to respect this priority. I would have a CT scan every 6-8 weeks, to see how it is going.
So I am giving it a whirl. First treatment was today and it went smoothly. I will keep future updates short and hopefully sweet.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
My whereabouts and dates coming up, random thoughts
As promised: Here are some key dates coming up that will affect my availability.
May 9-16: Edmonton to see my parents and my brother Gordon and sister Colleen
May 31- June 1: in Ottawa - my friend Robin Pike, who lives in Sidney BC, hopes to visit, from Victoria. Robin is a dear, dear friend - we have known each other from undergraduate days in Victoria. A fearless and deeply perceptive person.
June 4 - 7: Ottawa. My cousin Linda Sangwine will be visiting us from Mission, B.C. Linda is a gifted massage therapist, devoted Auntie to Franck and Ada, and solid soulmate to me. Thank you Linda! Your timing was perfect.
June 10, 9 PM: Forsyth's world premiere of Ballad for Canada and Beethoven's 9th at the National Arts Center.
June 11: lunch time celebration with Oliver family of brother-in-law's birthday. Many of you will remember David's masterful management of the heirloom yard glass at Geoff's and my renewal of vows ceremony last summer. A man of many, many talents and a huge heart.
July 1 - 9: Ottawa - Caroline (Carrie) youngest sister, and Bill Anderson, bo-law, will be visiting from Vancouver. They love our bloodhound.
July 7 - 13: Ottawa - Michael Oliver, son of Jamie Oliver and Juanita Poletto, on an internment in New Orleans (nicely played), here to represent the entire Australian wing of the Oliver clan. I love a full house.
July 9 - 10: in Ottawa - Celebrating with the Oliver/Brown families and friends. A beloved nephew, Philip Oliver and his lovely fiancee Kathleen Brown are getting hitched. REALLY looking forward to this!
July 18-21: in Ottawa - Leesa Flynn, another dear friend from Victoria, will be staying with us. Laurel Laignen will also be joining us. Between them, they have stuff on me that goes way back.
I will keep updating this calendar.
Proposal - Posting YOUR stories about me and my family or other topics
It would be fun for this blog to be a shared conversation, where folks could recall, recommend or even rant a bit. In other words, there is no need to restrict your comment on whatever topics I happen to post at any particular time, although comments are of course welcome. Also book reviews, hot tips on cafes with good terraces, local treats and events. movies to avoid or enjoy, etc.
And if you have a particular story suitable for public consumption about me or my family, feel free to share if you wish at any time. Many of you have got me laughing with these recollections, and a shared laugh is even better.
Today is looking like a good day
It's warm out, I hope to do something wild and crazy like go for a walk. Our gardens are starting to burst forth with tulips, daffodils, crocuses, scilla (sp - tiny blue flower). I am trying to figure out a low-maintenance veggie garden strategy. The piano is beckoning - I can still play some of my classical repertoire, slow movements only. Enjoy.
May 9-16: Edmonton to see my parents and my brother Gordon and sister Colleen
May 31- June 1: in Ottawa - my friend Robin Pike, who lives in Sidney BC, hopes to visit, from Victoria. Robin is a dear, dear friend - we have known each other from undergraduate days in Victoria. A fearless and deeply perceptive person.
June 4 - 7: Ottawa. My cousin Linda Sangwine will be visiting us from Mission, B.C. Linda is a gifted massage therapist, devoted Auntie to Franck and Ada, and solid soulmate to me. Thank you Linda! Your timing was perfect.
June 10, 9 PM: Forsyth's world premiere of Ballad for Canada and Beethoven's 9th at the National Arts Center.
June 11: lunch time celebration with Oliver family of brother-in-law's birthday. Many of you will remember David's masterful management of the heirloom yard glass at Geoff's and my renewal of vows ceremony last summer. A man of many, many talents and a huge heart.
July 1 - 9: Ottawa - Caroline (Carrie) youngest sister, and Bill Anderson, bo-law, will be visiting from Vancouver. They love our bloodhound.
July 7 - 13: Ottawa - Michael Oliver, son of Jamie Oliver and Juanita Poletto, on an internment in New Orleans (nicely played), here to represent the entire Australian wing of the Oliver clan. I love a full house.
July 9 - 10: in Ottawa - Celebrating with the Oliver/Brown families and friends. A beloved nephew, Philip Oliver and his lovely fiancee Kathleen Brown are getting hitched. REALLY looking forward to this!
July 18-21: in Ottawa - Leesa Flynn, another dear friend from Victoria, will be staying with us. Laurel Laignen will also be joining us. Between them, they have stuff on me that goes way back.
I will keep updating this calendar.
Proposal - Posting YOUR stories about me and my family or other topics
It would be fun for this blog to be a shared conversation, where folks could recall, recommend or even rant a bit. In other words, there is no need to restrict your comment on whatever topics I happen to post at any particular time, although comments are of course welcome. Also book reviews, hot tips on cafes with good terraces, local treats and events. movies to avoid or enjoy, etc.
And if you have a particular story suitable for public consumption about me or my family, feel free to share if you wish at any time. Many of you have got me laughing with these recollections, and a shared laugh is even better.
Today is looking like a good day
It's warm out, I hope to do something wild and crazy like go for a walk. Our gardens are starting to burst forth with tulips, daffodils, crocuses, scilla (sp - tiny blue flower). I am trying to figure out a low-maintenance veggie garden strategy. The piano is beckoning - I can still play some of my classical repertoire, slow movements only. Enjoy.