Best get ready now. Don't want to be late. Must not forget...no food, no drink..... Talk soon!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Bye Bye cancer... don't let the door hit you on the way out....
Finally.. the day of surgery. Can't sleep any longer. I have been worried about the weather for a week since the postponement. Hasn't this been a crazy time! London has received 122 cm of snow in December so far. They usually get about 50. The last time they had this much snow was 1977. And what about highway 402 with the stranded motorists. Unbelieveable!
Best get ready now. Don't want to be late. Must not forget...no food, no drink..... Talk soon!
Best get ready now. Don't want to be late. Must not forget...no food, no drink..... Talk soon!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Delay in Surgery
Well..... many of you live in southwestern Ontario and know that the London area is experiencing atrocious weather. We were worried about getting there for 6:30 am Wednesday morning and thought about leaving this evening and getting a hotel room. As it is the hospital called this afternoon while I was at my mother's making Italian style biscotti. Surgery has been postponed to next Thursday, December 16th. What a relief not to think about driving in this storm!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Busy Weekend
Yoga as usual on Saturday morning. This is the last session until after surgery probably until January before I will be able to go back.
Uncle Marty and Aunt Ginger dropped in on Saturday afternoon to drop off a truckload of soup and massive amounts of Christmas baking! They could only stay for 10 minutes as they were on their way to a Christmas gathering with Aunt Ginger's family. We really appreciate this!
Right after this we headed down to George and Helen's place in Cambridge to visit with David's family. Elaine and the girls were visiting from Toronto and Andrew and Mackenzie were there as well. We passed a few enjoyable hours before heading back home. I guess the next time we see them will be at Christmas time. I can't believe it is only a few weeks away!
On Sunday my parents had a household full of visitors. My Aunt Natalina and my cousins Dario and his wife Laurel, Ernie and his wife Franca, Gina, and John. I haven't seen my aunt and cousins in over a year so it was great to spend some time visiting. Dario and Laurel live in New Liskeard which is about 6 hours north so needless to say he doesn't get down to southern Ontario very often. Gina is in Minden, which is also quite a drive, 3 - 4 hours I believe. John lives downtown Toronto and as I expect doesn't own a car. I think it was a great effort to coordinate everyone to get to Waterloo for lunch! We had a fabulous time!
Uncle Marty and Aunt Ginger dropped in on Saturday afternoon to drop off a truckload of soup and massive amounts of Christmas baking! They could only stay for 10 minutes as they were on their way to a Christmas gathering with Aunt Ginger's family. We really appreciate this!
Right after this we headed down to George and Helen's place in Cambridge to visit with David's family. Elaine and the girls were visiting from Toronto and Andrew and Mackenzie were there as well. We passed a few enjoyable hours before heading back home. I guess the next time we see them will be at Christmas time. I can't believe it is only a few weeks away!
On Sunday my parents had a household full of visitors. My Aunt Natalina and my cousins Dario and his wife Laurel, Ernie and his wife Franca, Gina, and John. I haven't seen my aunt and cousins in over a year so it was great to spend some time visiting. Dario and Laurel live in New Liskeard which is about 6 hours north so needless to say he doesn't get down to southern Ontario very often. Gina is in Minden, which is also quite a drive, 3 - 4 hours I believe. John lives downtown Toronto and as I expect doesn't own a car. I think it was a great effort to coordinate everyone to get to Waterloo for lunch! We had a fabulous time!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Company Christmas Party
On Friday night David and I attended the Cowan Christmas Party (that's where I work). Katherine and Cam graciously came and picked us up. We had the usual turkey and roast beef dinner but it was great to great to get dressed up and see everyone!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Book Club
We met on Thursday night instead of Friday this month to discuss our latest read - 'What They Wanted' by Donna Morrissey. Great book which details the harshness of life in Newfoundland and Alberta in the late 70's and early 80's. (if you check the tab 'Books I've Read' you will find a link to this book.)
It is very enjoyable getting together with women occasionally to talk and have a few laughs. The food and drink doesn't hurt either.
On my way out Jill presented me with some of her great Christmas baking. She attended a cookie baking class and made some beautiful cookies. So we get to share her treats and I hope to save some to share with family. Thanks Jill!
It is very enjoyable getting together with women occasionally to talk and have a few laughs. The food and drink doesn't hurt either.
On my way out Jill presented me with some of her great Christmas baking. She attended a cookie baking class and made some beautiful cookies. So we get to share her treats and I hope to save some to share with family. Thanks Jill!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Pre-Admission Appointment - December 1st
An indicator on the dashboard of our car had started flashing the day before our trip to London and so David checked the pressure in the tires. Lo and behold the pressure was low in all tires. No matter.... before hitting the highway we would stop and put some air in the tires. On Wednesday morning we started out for London around 8:00 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. appointment. We stopped at the closest gas station just down the road from our house. NO AIR.... Can you believe this? Well .... expletives were pouring out of David! I am sitting quietly agreeing with him. On we went and stopped at another station just before hitting the 401. The air machine needed 50 cents to operate. Guess what! Neither of us had any change or money! More expletives.... On to the 401 and we stopped at the first exit at a truck stop. Surely they have free air. Their air machine needed $1.00 to operate! Let me tell you the air in our car was quite blue. I wasn't saying anything. David was expressing it all for the both of us..... He finally went searching for a cash machine and came back with the appropriate amount and got that machine running. Adding insult to injury he had to also reposition the car to get at one of the back tires. He was very frustrated by this point but we were finally on our way and flying down the 401 toward London. We laughed about it later on but at the time...... Can you imagine one of your kids doing this? I can just imagine how we would reprimand them for not being more proactive in attending to the tire pressure before the trip! We arrived with 5 minutes to spare.... no biggy.... :)
The appointment was with a nurse who reviewed my medical history and my understanding of the procedure. She explained all the particulars concerning preparation for surgery, pain management (read drugs) and after the operation. All the usual stuff. All set for next week.
The appointment was with a nurse who reviewed my medical history and my understanding of the procedure. She explained all the particulars concerning preparation for surgery, pain management (read drugs) and after the operation. All the usual stuff. All set for next week.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Week of November 22nd
It has been a while since I posted!
David and I have completed 4 weeks of the 6 week program of 'The Healing Journey' at HopeSpring. I must admit that when we started I thought it might a bit too 'new age' for us but it has turned out to be very good and helpful in calming our minds. So much of cancer is about the medical aspects which is absolutely necessary. But is it so much more when we can learn how our emotions and our mental state can affect our bodies. The relaxation exercises are key to the program and I have provided a link to the audio that we are using in the program. They are public and anyone can learn to quiet the mind in times of stress and anxiety.
One of the programs available to cancer patients in our community is the UW Well-Fit. This is a 12 week exercise program to help people with cancer to minimize the aspects of treatment and improve quality of life. On Tuesday I went for my assessment. This assessment determines a baseline of my fitness levels upon which a program is built. During this consultation UW Fitness staff determine cardiovascular fitness by monitoring the heart rate and blood pressure response to progressive exercise on a stationary bike. Shoulder range of motion is assessed during this consultation, as well as height, weight and waist circumference. Since there is a growing interest in the benefits of exercise for cancer patients, participants are asked to complete a quality of life survey as part of on-going research at the University of Waterloo. The initial "12 Week" program runs 2 times per week with each session lasting one hour. The best part is that it is free to participants. The program is funded by UW Fitness, Grand River Regional Cancer Center and charitable donations.
My first exercise session was on Thursday morning. Each participant in the program works with an instructor so it is like having a personal trainer. Each exercise is demonstrated and then they watch that I do it correctly. During that first morning there were only 3 participants and 3 instructors. Most sessions have only 5 or 6 participants at a time for maximum supervision and attention. This is a fabulous program and I have never felt this much attention at a gym. Most of us I'm sure are members of a fitness facility and you are pretty much on your own. If you want individual attention then personal trainers are available but at a hefty cost. The thing I have learned is to insist on a properly trained person. They should have a degree in kinesiology and certified in personal training. This is not stressed enough at most fitness centres, I think.
I am very thankful for these programs that are available to me and other cancer patients. They help me to get out and meet others who are in a similar situation. We support each other and understand what is happening. Some of you that may have experienced cancer in yourself or in someone close to you and may know that people don't always know how to relate to someone with cancer. I know from other cancer patients that this is sometimes the case. It is the lack of understanding on the part of others that do not know what to say or what to do. I am fortunate that most of the people around me are very supportive and understanding. Most people do not hesitate to keep in touch and provide much encouragement and strength. Even just by reading this blog you are there for me! Thank you very much!
David and I have completed 4 weeks of the 6 week program of 'The Healing Journey' at HopeSpring. I must admit that when we started I thought it might a bit too 'new age' for us but it has turned out to be very good and helpful in calming our minds. So much of cancer is about the medical aspects which is absolutely necessary. But is it so much more when we can learn how our emotions and our mental state can affect our bodies. The relaxation exercises are key to the program and I have provided a link to the audio that we are using in the program. They are public and anyone can learn to quiet the mind in times of stress and anxiety.
One of the programs available to cancer patients in our community is the UW Well-Fit. This is a 12 week exercise program to help people with cancer to minimize the aspects of treatment and improve quality of life. On Tuesday I went for my assessment. This assessment determines a baseline of my fitness levels upon which a program is built. During this consultation UW Fitness staff determine cardiovascular fitness by monitoring the heart rate and blood pressure response to progressive exercise on a stationary bike. Shoulder range of motion is assessed during this consultation, as well as height, weight and waist circumference. Since there is a growing interest in the benefits of exercise for cancer patients, participants are asked to complete a quality of life survey as part of on-going research at the University of Waterloo. The initial "12 Week" program runs 2 times per week with each session lasting one hour. The best part is that it is free to participants. The program is funded by UW Fitness, Grand River Regional Cancer Center and charitable donations.
My first exercise session was on Thursday morning. Each participant in the program works with an instructor so it is like having a personal trainer. Each exercise is demonstrated and then they watch that I do it correctly. During that first morning there were only 3 participants and 3 instructors. Most sessions have only 5 or 6 participants at a time for maximum supervision and attention. This is a fabulous program and I have never felt this much attention at a gym. Most of us I'm sure are members of a fitness facility and you are pretty much on your own. If you want individual attention then personal trainers are available but at a hefty cost. The thing I have learned is to insist on a properly trained person. They should have a degree in kinesiology and certified in personal training. This is not stressed enough at most fitness centres, I think.
I am very thankful for these programs that are available to me and other cancer patients. They help me to get out and meet others who are in a similar situation. We support each other and understand what is happening. Some of you that may have experienced cancer in yourself or in someone close to you and may know that people don't always know how to relate to someone with cancer. I know from other cancer patients that this is sometimes the case. It is the lack of understanding on the part of others that do not know what to say or what to do. I am fortunate that most of the people around me are very supportive and understanding. Most people do not hesitate to keep in touch and provide much encouragement and strength. Even just by reading this blog you are there for me! Thank you very much!
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