Medical Update

To date I have 5 chemo treatments under my belt.  My CA125 count is at 18 which is normal from a high of 701 back in June.  The doctor would like to have a CT Scan done after the 6th treatment to ensure treatment is effective and to confirm the findings of the CA125.  Although she has not yet ruled out another 2 treatments, at least not yet.  All good news!

Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope

This past Sunday (September 9th) was the Walk of Hope.  It was a glorious sunny day and it was perfect for the 5 km walk.  The walk began around 10:30 am after some opening ceremonies and was completed in about an hour.  Our team, A Late Summer's Knight Dream, was in fine form.

Our team won the prize for the top fundraising team in the area and I personally won as the top individual fundraiser!  I could not have done this without the help of the many sponsors who contributed to the cause.  I have to thank the many friends, family members, colleagues and clients for their generous support!

Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope

One of the last pictures taken with hair!

As you know I am walking in this fundraiser on September 9th.  So far I have raised over $1500 and hope to raise more! I want to thank everyone who has sponsored me and those who have just taken a look at the Ovarian Cancer Canada website.  It is important to create awareness to this disease and understand its subtle symptoms.  Remember there is no early detection test, as yet!  Hopefully with more research there will be one soon!

Do you have trouble relating to someone who has cancer?  Don't worry it is very common.  Here is a link that might be helpful!

Me with my fightin' do rag....

Sunflower - Symbol of hope for Ovarian Cancer

Not so Deep Thoughts

Remember the segment on Saturday Night Live with Jack Handey - Deep Thoughts?  It consisted of a couple of lines scrolling on the screen while a man (Jack) read them out.  It was usually a comment of a twisted view of the world or our human lives.  You can find some on You Tube.

I was reminded of this while taking my daily walk.  Since registering for Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope I decided I better get down to some serious training if I was going to finish a 5 km walk.  So I have decided that every morning I will get out and walk.  My walks so far are only 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.

Back to Not So Deep Thoughts......  As with most people my mind is racing all the time but instead of the usual work related, errands to run, things to do, type of thoughts, I find myself thinking about life and what is going on in my immediate vicinity.  Nothing too far into the future.  In the here and now..... Thoughts that are not too deep.

For instance, this morning while walking I spotted a police vehicle stopped up ahead at the curb with a mature couple leaning in on the passenger side talking to the cop.  So I think there could be a number of reasons for this display.  Is the cop so lazy that he cannot get out of his car and talk to these people in their house?  Is he just leaving and this couple are very familiar with him and just chatting?  Is there a real problem and the couple remembered something else to say to him and ran out of the house just as he was leaving?  As I got closer, the man stood up and look right at me grinning.  Strange....Does he know me?  Does he think I am someone else?  I am in disguise after all....  scarf, ball cap and my Jackie Onassis sun glasses.  Sweat dripping down my face.  (It's already 25 C or about 80  F and 100% humidity.

He then states "I am trying to convince my son not to arrest me!"  And he is laughing his head off.  I responded (while laughing), "Good luck with that!  You look like trouble to me!"

I didn't even look at the cop as I walked by and this whole thing was over in 5 seconds.  The cop was probably rolling his eyes at his parents.  Probably just came by to say hello while out and about on police business.

So why would this man say anything to a complete stranger walking by.  A.  He wanted me to know this was his son and he is proud.  B.  He wanted me to know he was not in trouble with the police.  C.  He cares about what other people think even if they are strangers.  This man's generation (early baby boomer) cares about things like this.

How would my kids' generation (millennials or generation y)  have acted?  Quite differently I expect.

Pat and Suzanne's Cottage Getaway

Last week right after Chemo on Wednesday we drove to Pat's cottage in the Kawartha's with Franca.  We had decided a quick 2 day getaway while I felt good was in order.  After Chemo I usually feel quite good for several days and then the blahs hit.  Headaches, muscle pain and general malaise.......  

After arriving around 8:00 pm we sat out on the screened in porch overlooking the lake and enjoyed some appetizers and dinner.  That night we enjoyed each other's company and stayed up fairly late catching up with Franca.

Some of us need cat naps to stay up late!

Accessing emails in cottage on porch - very sad

 The next day was overcast and rainy.  The whole summer has been hot and dry and our one full day at the cottage proves to be wet and more cool than usual.  No matter.... the lake water was still a warm 78 to 80 degrees and we did not let that slow us down.

Morning coffee on the porch

You notice that it is raining and David is not in the water......

 One of the best things about Pat and Suzanne's cottage is their home-made pontoon boat.  It is basically a floating deck and sun shelter with a motor attached.  Many a sunset cruise has been enjoyed on that boat!  This time we did not have dinner out on the water due to the poor weather but we did manage to have brunch on Friday morning when the weather was particularly fine.  Naturally..... it was the day we were going home..... :(....

Always time for a quick dip.....

July is sooooo hot....... but I am not complaining!!

How many times have you heard this?  Shouldn't complain but it seems our air con runs most days nonstop.  Wait til that electric bill comes in.....!   In addition we have a watering ban for the lawn etc.  So watering the flower pots and gardens in this heat is a must for everyday and sometimes twice!   This year I have zucchini, beans cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a variety of herbs.  Even trying to grow eggplant.  Not sure how this will do!  How is your garden growing?

In my last post and, I know, it was sooooo long ago..... I had a bone scan. The good news is that there is no cancer in my bones! This is very good news. And just yesterday when I met with my oncologist she tells me that the CA 125 count is at around 450. This is positive as well because it is going in the right direction - down. When we started this whole process it was very high at 701. Normal is thought to be 35 so we have a long way to go. She indicated that we may have to add 2 more chemo treatments to the orignal 6. Also, at some point she will throw in a CT Scan in order to see the progression.

On July 19th David and I went to Toronto to the Art Gallery of  Ontario to view the Picasso exhibit. We were guests of Pat (my brother) and Suzanne. We met up with David's sister, Elaine. It was a fabulous exhibit. This collection was Picasso's personal works that he kept for himself. If you get a chance go and see it. It runs until August.

I don't think I have told you that Franca is visiting from New York.  She arrived this past Saturday (21st)!  We are so glad to see her and to be able to hang out in this great weather.

On Sunday Mom hosted a family gathering and it turned out to be a very hot and humid day.  Many sought refuge in the air con but some remained outdoors in any shade that could be found.  I think it was about 39 C with humidex or 100 fahrenheit for those of you in the U.S.  Franca does not relate to F. at all anymore.  I shake my head at the American influence to her Canadian sensibilities.  It gives me much fodder for teasing!!

Here are some pictures from Sunday.  I changed to a scarf  because I could not stand to have a synthetic wig on my head any longer.  So hot.... did I tell you it was hot....!!!

Dad and I (this chair makes by butt look huge....)

Dad and I

David and Suzanne

Franca and Jen

Franca, Uncle Marty and Michael

Pat and Suzanne in background

Michael and Pat

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Birthday!

My birthday was July 5th which was the day after chemo.  We decided to celebrate by going out for dinner on Sunday July 2nd when everyone was available.  It was a very warm evening and we enjoyed our dinner at the Barley Works at the Huether Hotel.  They have a great deck on King St. and the breezes up there are usually very good.

Check out my Kung Fu Panda Do Rag

On July 5th my mom and dad came over and brought lunch. This was very nice and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it was much too hot to eat outside which we do all the time. But we are having such a heat wave. Cannot complain about the weather though!