Tuesday 31 July 2018

Finally Vacation!! Day 1

It took a  couple of days to  pack the motorbike that I will call The Goldwing. We hopped on The  Goldwing  yesterday morning and hit the road. What a gorgeous day for riding!The  sky was a brilliant blue with no clouds in sight. Although it was morning, the day was already feeling like it was going to be very hot.  We got on the 401 and just road. Being a passenger on the back of the bike, I am able to look around and see the scenery.

The wind was blowing through the vents in my coat and I was very happy.  As I was looking around, I saw a wild turkey hen in the ditch pecking at the ground. This is my favourite part of riding. What a way to celebrate the reprieve from my health concerns! We continued our travels on Highway 41.

We road along that route until we got to Pembroke. While on 41, I saw a turtle sunning itself on a stick jutting out of the water  in Beaver Lake. Then in Bon Echo Park, I saw a larger turtle sunning  itself on a rock.  I rarely see these things when I ride in a car. Along  41 I also saw a small waterfall to the left of the highway. I was surprised to see the water rushing and frothing its way down the rock cliff at the side of the highway.  We haven't had a lot of rain lately.

Once we turned into Highway 17 at Pembroke, we  continued on to North Bay to stop and lay our heads for the night. We did stop at various times enroute  to get gas and stretch our legs. We took the opportunity to do some geocaching  st these points.

The air in North  Bay  is full of smoke from the  forest  fires in the area. Even  the motel lobby smells like fire. Visibility in the area is very hazy. Hubby and I  are enjoying our road trip.

Sunday 29 July 2018

Summer Lovin', Had Me a Blast

I'm taking this period of several weeks to enjoy some "long term" planning. Putting this into the perspective of my world, for the last year I have only been able to plan at most, 2 weeks in advance of anything. I have not really been able to plan months in advance. The exception to this was my son's graduation at the beginning of June and my Christmas present of Eagles tickets to the concert on July 15. For the last 3 weeks, Hubby and I have been planning our holidays. We made plans to go to the Howe Island Rockin the Rock. And I've been enjoying going for lunches and visiting friends.

This past week, I continue to grieve for a friend who passed away on July 14. She was and has been one of my best friends for about 44 years. Despite my grief, I am continuing to live life fully and enjoy my good health at the moment. So this past week, on Wednesday, I visited a friend on her deck and it became an impromptu get together with 4 other ladies as well. What a wonderful afternoon! It was warm but we managed to find shade to sit in and enjoy some discussion, chatter, cold water with lemon and lime in it and with all this the beautiful song of the house wren who has a nest nearby. I made it home in time to put together a dinner of naan bread personal pizzas. Wednesday was a great day!

Thursday, I had another vaccination to follow the protocol after my stem cell transplant. Because my vaccination last week was in my left shoulder muscle, I chose to have this one in my right shoulder muscle. Sometimes these vaccinations leave the injection site very achy and sore to touch for up to 5-7 days. I then had a long lunch and visit with a very close friend who I don't get to see often enough. We met at our favourite secluded biergarten. We enjoyed a lovely lunch, a couple of beers and wonderful conversation. For me, this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. This secluded area is in the heart of the city. There is a parking lot directly beside the sunken patio. However, with all the green vines that cover the concrete walls, the area is cool, green and very calming. You have no idea that you are in the city. The biergarten really gives you the feel of a European oasis. Every summer, I look forward to spending time visiting with friends over either a meal or snack along with a couple of beer. Thursday was another great day except for the vaccination. I do feel like pin cushion sometimes even though my family doctor is very gentle with his injections.

Friday was spent planning out some of the vacation details and loading geocache information into my handheld GPS. I'm looking forward to getting out on the Honda Goldwing for a vacation. We often combine our travels with searching for geocaches along the way. I also took the day to do laundry to make sure there were enough clean clothes to travel with. In this past week, I've also been cleaning and tidying so that my home will be in good shape for me to leave when the time comes. Friday was also spent buying bug spray, sunscreen and some other small items that will be needed for our vacation.

Yesterday, Hubby and I took the motorcycle and joined our friends with their motorcycle on a ride to Howe Island for the afternoon. The Howe Island Rockin the Rock had their inaugural music festival yesterday from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. We caught the first 3 acts. We had to leave early as some nasty weather looked be blowing in. Being on bikes, we did not want to be caught in any heavy wind or hail. However, we really enjoyed our time there. Our friends knew the lead singer of the first band, Sweet Pete and The Heat, which was the whole reason we went. I was surprised to arrive and know the piano player. Hubby knew the drummer. We thoroughly enjoyed their blues style music! I would go hear them play again whenever they play in the area. The second act was a gentleman who played a slower style of rock. His son came on stage for the last couple of songs. The third band to play was called Oakridge Avenue. My friend and I wondered if we would enjoy them or not. We wondered if they were an Oakridge Boys cover band although this is a "rock festival". No worries there. They definitely were NOT an Oakridge Boys cover band. It was a group of 3 guys. A lead guitar (Sean Patterson), bass guitar (Alex Amey) and drummer (Harrison Stewart-Juby). They play an alternative rock style. We really enjoyed them. It was a surprise (and I didn't recognize him) to see the bass player and realize that he used to play rep baseball with our son. I felt old but I did really enjoy the music. It was a little disappointing to have to leave early but the weather was looking threatening. We hopped on the bikes, caught the ferry back to the mainland and rode home. Unfortunately, our friends' bike had some mechanical issues along the way and had to be pushed off the ferry, get a boost and ride home asap. We followed them just in case they had more mechanical problems. We continued our great day by going to their place and enjoying burgers, caesar salad, friendship and spiked iced tea. It was a super great day!!

Today, I will be continuing to get ready for our vacation. We're watching the weather forecast closely. We'll be getting the bike ready for a nice long ride. Stay tuned!

Friday 20 July 2018

Celebrating and Living Life Fully!

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks because I've been enjoying life to the fullest. Summer is always a good time to feel healthy. The weather is warm. The vegetable gardens are providing fresh food. People want to be outdoors. I have always enjoyed many simple pleasures in life. One of my favourite simple, mundane activities is hanging my laundry on the clothes line outside. I love the smell of my clean clothes when they come in off the line. This fresh smell can not be manufactured by dryer sheets. I love the motion of hanging the laundry first thing in the morning and watching the clothes flutter in the breeze. In the last couple of weeks, it has been so dry and warm that my clothes dry within an hour of hanging them out. As I hang the clothes, I listen to the robins sing their happy songs. I listen to the leaves flutter way in the breeze. I enjoy the warmth of my sun soaked patio as I hang the clothes. This is a simple pleasure that costs me nothing but makes me feel so healthy and good.

I've been spending time with friends in the last couple of weeks as well. I visit them at the local farmers' markets. I visit with them in their homes. I visit with them on my patio. It is just good times spent talking, laughing and fully enjoying their friendship. Of course, as we visit, we enjoy our pets, the sounds of nature and the bountiful harvest of the area gardens.

We've had a very dry spell and this morning, I noticed the local conservation authority stated that this area is at a Level 1 drought. My rain barrel has been dry for about 2 weeks now. There are large cracks in the earth of my vegetable garden. The rabbits ate all my beans off but I have a successful crop of beets and cucumbers. My tomatoes are showing signs of being successful too. I do water my vegetables but not the flowers. We desperately need some rain. There are now daily vegetation fires in the area which the authorities are saying are caused by discarded lit cigarette butts. This bothers me that people are so careless to toss their lit butts out their car windows or on the sidewalks as they walk. Everything is tinder dry right now.

A couple of weeks ago, Hubby and I went for a ride north of the city into Central Frontenac County. It was a beautiful ride. The scenery was fantastic. The lakes and rivers looked so invitingly warm. We stopped at a resort for a break and some lunch. It was about 3 days later, this area had a forest fire caused by a lit cigarette butt. The forest fire took 3 days to battle and put out. A large area was damaged due to the carelessness of one person. I don't believe any homes or cottages were burned out but when a forest fire occurs, it burns out the homes of all the forest animals and birds.

Last weekend, Hubby and I took the train to Toronto to see the Eagles. I have always loved this band. Most people refer to "Bucket Lists". I refuse to call it that so mine is called a "Living List". To see the Eagles was part of my Living List. When Glenn Frey passed away, I was deeply saddened. I believed it was the end of the band. I believed that I would never see the Eagles. I even scratched it off my Living List. When the tour date was announced in December, Hubby bought tickets and this past weekend was my Christmas present from 2017. We took the train to Toronto. We stayed in a hotel beside the Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre). We had dinner at Aria Ristorante in Maple Leaf Square. Then we went to the concert. I had a blast!!!! I couldn't stop smiling. I enjoyed every moment. I sang with some of the songs. The Eagles came on and played for 2 1/2 hours non-stop. I didn't leave my seat once. I didn't want to miss one moment. I fully enjoyed the whole experience. Hubby and I returned to our hotel after the concert and had a couple of night caps in the hotel's lounge. Then it was back on the train the next day to return home. That was Monday.

On Tuesday, I took advantage of my daughter having a day off and drove up to Ottawa to see her and spend the day with her. I had lunch with her and her boyfriend. We laughed and reminisced. We abandoned him (I mean dropped him off at home) and then continued our day doing girl stuff. We went shopping. We had to stop and rest our legs which meant, of course, enjoying a Timmies Ice Cap. We continued shopping and then went to my daughter's apartment to rest. After seeing her 4 pet rats, visiting and laughing some more, we went for dinner at a local pub. It was a fantastic day. I stayed a little longer than I intended. I really didn't mind though, as I helped her pick up a used air conditioning unit to help cool down her apartment. It was a late night return home but I certainly slept well that night. Living fully and enjoying every moment of a healthy time in lift can be very tiring.

Wednesday, I had another one of my vaccinations (post stem cell requirement). I walked to and from the doctor's office from my Hubby's work. I also took my daughter's bicycle (which I brought back from her apartment because she has no need for it anymore) in to be repaired. I am considering trying to learn to ride it. I have not really ridden a bicycle on a regular basis in over 30 years. I rested in the afternoon with a short nap although I did pick up some new potatoes, green beans and lamb chops from the local farmers' market. That was our dinner.

Yesterday, I made music with a good friend and enjoyed some laughs. Then I spoke at a fundraising golf tournament for the Canadian Cancer Society. My speech was well received. I was very flattered and honoured when the participants stood and gave me a standing ovation. I've participated in fundraising golf tournaments before and by the time speeches occur, most of the time people politely clap and are more interested in leaving. Again, I was very honoured that they responded with a standing ovation.

I'm tired this morning. I've done 2 loads of laundry and they are hanging on the line. The day is going to be a hot one with lots of humidity. I will be closing up the house and putting the air conditioner on. I am going to visit a friend this morning. We always laugh when we get together. I will pick up my "new" bicycle later in the afternoon when I pick Hubby up from work.

Tomorrow, Hubby and I will visit with another couple that we like to hang out with. They have a beautiful oasis in their backyard that includes a pool. We will be spending time swimming and cooling off as the hot, humid weather stays around for the weekend.

I truly believe life is meant to be experienced fully no matter what the weather or other trials and tribulations may bring. When health is good, I want to seize life with both hands and wring all the joy out of it. So my summer is zipping by quickly as I am fully enjoying it. It is tiring and I do take time to rest and read on my patio too. But.....life is great!!!!!

Wednesday 4 July 2018

And the Results of This Last CT Scan Is.....

Today was a day full of appointments. It started off with a regular appointment to have my feet looked at and make sure that they are healthy because of the neuropathy that I now have in both feet. The appointment went well and my feet were looking great. Then I was off to the local hospital to have my first hair appointment since it has been growing in. My hair was growing in unevenly and so this appointment just trimmed it all up to give my hair a tidy look. Immediately after that appointment, I made my way to the Cancer Centre to have my blood taken and tested in advance of my appointment with my oncologist. I took the opportunity to visit with former co-workers on my way to the Cancer Centre.

I saw my oncologist to get the results from the abdominal CT scan that was taken on June 22. A friend of mine volunteers in the Cancer Centre and my time waiting for my appointment went by very quickly as we chatted and visited. This was good as I had mixed emotions going into this appointment. I was afraid that the scan results would show that the 2 spots in my abdomen had grown again. I was afraid that my summer was going to be spent with more doctor appointments in order to get more scans and results. And then, I was expecting that my summer would be spent having a biopsy done and awaiting results from it at the same time as I would be recovering from having the biopsy procedure done. To be honest, I am tired of all the appointments. I'm tired of putting my life on hold. I would like to have a normal summer and be able to go away on holidays for at least a couple of weeks. When my name was called to go in for my appointment, I went and had my regular weigh-in as the nurse checked my weight. There was no change in weight from 2 weeks ago. This was good news. The nurse led me and Hubby to the appointment room. I tried to read my book while we waited. I couldn't concentrate. I was nervous. I was anxious. I was afraid of the worse case scenario.

Finally, my doctor entered the room. He normally carries my big, thick file with him. All he had was a piece of paper. Oh no.....this is not good. That was my thought. As always, my doctor finished rubbing the hand sanitizer into his hands and then he shook my hand. He asked how I was doing.  Then he said he was shocked by my CT scan result. The radiologist was shocked by my CT scan result. The CT scan from June 22 showed that my 2 spots had shrunk in size from the previous abdominal CT scan taken on April 25. The spots are still there but they are smaller. My doctor asked if I had changed my eating habits. My answer was no. He then asked me if I was taking anything to combat any pain. My answer was extra strength Tylenol. He asked if I was taking anything else. My answer was no. There is no logical explanation for these spots to have shrunk. My doctor is baffled. I don't care! I will take these results!! I do not need to see my doctor again until September in preparation for my next Rituxan maintenance chemo session. I asked my doctor, "Would the Rituxan have caused these to shrink?" His answer was no. I had no Rituxan between April 25 and June 21. The Rituxan I had on June 21 would not have had time to cause the spots to shrink in less than 24 hours (the CT scan was done on June 22). There doesn't seem to be any reason for me to be having my abodominal aches. I now put these pains down to stress. It has been a full year of worry.

So there is no logical reason for today's results. Perhaps the reason the spots have shrunk is due to all the prayers that have been said consistently for me. I have been praying regularly. Many friends and family have been praying for me. Many friends and family have had various prayer chains praying for me. Perhaps....maybe?.....God has decided to show His existence and answer some prayers. So I offer my very sincere thanks from the whole of my being to all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts.

Regardless, I am now able to have a "normal" summer! Hubby and I can now plan to have a 2 or 3 week vacation on the motorcycle. I haven't even looked this far ahead in the last several months. I can now stop worrying and start planning. I will take this reprieve and enjoy it fully. I know the spots are still there. We will see what they look like sometime in the future when my doctor decides to take a scan. But for now? I'm grabbing life with both hands and both feet. I'm going to enjoy!!!! So stay tuned and I will try to take you all on the ride with me.

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!