Friday 31 August 2012

A quick hello from Windemere.  Must confess fell short on the good deed department today!  Well, I did let Kathy win at golf today and made her feel good about herself so perhaps I could count that as my good deed????  Will try to do better tomorrow.

Got a note from Dusty!  First good deed that I’ve heard about.  Dusty and her daughter Hanna have volunteered to babysit the neighbour’s kids for free so that the young couple can get out for an evening.  Good on you Dusty and Hanna.  A great act of kindness and one that will be much appreciated by that couple! Tomorrow is September 1st and hopefully all will remember their “White Rabbits.”  Have a great long weekend!

Thursday 30 August 2012

Just a quick little blog today.  I am just waiting for my friend Kathy to pick me up in her brand new SUV and we are heading off to Windermere for the weekend for a little golf and relaxation!

Went to the Tom Baker today and had my appointment with my nurse practitioner followed by my hydration appointment.  She gave me a bit of a lecture on “taking it easy.”  She’s probably right.....have been going in high gear for the last little bit.  Will try to be a little more low key this weekend.  After my appointment with her I decided to grab a latte at the coffee shop as I had about an hour wait before my hydration.  Got the latte and headed down to the medical day care.  Wandered over to the community computer to kill some time but couldn’t get into it so decided to sit and watch TV.  I picked up my latte, (by the lid) and kaboom.....a major catastrophe.....not just a spill....but a major splash splash spill.  In fact the entire waiting room of people groaned in unison!  It was sooo embarrassing.  Fortunately I did not splash anyone with coffee.  I tooted off to the bathroom to get some paper towels and by the time I had returned a gentleman had arrived with a bunch of towels and together we wiped up my mess.  He then disappeared into the unit with his wife who was there for treatment and I sat down thinking how nice it would have been to have that latte but not nice enough to go all the way upstairs and back to the main building to get another.  Then presto.....the gentleman appeared once again and said that cleaning up all that coffee made him feel like one himself and could he get one for me as well!  Made my day and made me think about how nice it is to do good deeds for other people.  I’ve done my share as I know all of you have but there is something really special about doing a good deed for someone you don’t know or doing one for someone you do know but they don’t know it was you who did it!  Soooo....my challenge to myself this week is this.  Every day I have to do something nice for someone else.  At first I was going to  say I would do something nice for a stranger every day but decided that I would leave it a little more open ended.  I’ll start with one good deed every day for a week and see how that goes.  Any one else up for the challenge?  It would be great to share some of the things we were able to do over the course of the week!  Think about joining me!  I think it could be real fun!  Pay it forward!  Forward me your good deeds and I will post them next week!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Woke up this morning and thought to myself “This is the second time, as a teacher with the CBE I have not gone to school today for the start up of the new year, in 34 years."  The other time was 11 years ago today when my dear Mom, Marjorie May passed away from Lymphoma.  It is hard to believe 11 years have passed since that day.  Mom loved her family and she left us all with many happy memories.  She was an amazing cook and we often reminisce about her apple pies and cinnamon buns!  Today I’m missing her and thinking of her.  Every year when I organized the Terry Fox run I would post my memory card along with those of my students on our Memory board at school along with this message!  Yes, we miss her but when we think of her now, it is with happy thoughts.  She will always be a part of all of us!

“You can shed tears because she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived,
  You can close your eyes and pray she’ll come back or you can open your eyes
  and see that she has left.
  Your heart can be empty because she has left or you can be full of the love you shared.
   You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow
   because of yesterday.
   You can remember her and only that she is gone or you can cherish her memory and live on.
   You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want:
   Smile, open your eyes, love  and go on!”

Thanks Mom for all the great memories!  They never fail to bring a smile to my face!!!  You are always missed and forever appreciated in all of our hearts!

In closing off today I want to share my accomplishment of this morning!  Every year I make jars of “Gingery Marmelade” It is a huge favourite with all my family and a recipe I got years ago from my friend Caroline!  The jam is made with peaches and cantaloupe and is delicious!  Must confess it was a bit of a workout today.  You have to stir the darn stuff for over an hour.  This on top of all the chopping a prep but the worse part is you have to cook it at a rolling boil and it spatters everywhere making for a sticky floor at the end of the process.  Still, worthwhile and makes me most popular with my family so probably worth it!

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Was supposed to meet my cousin downtown tonight for dinner and a movie.....”The Wonderful Exotic Marigold Hotel.”  I have really been wanting to see it.  Have been just a little “off” all day.  Kelli got up and we headed over to Starbucks for an iced coffee and I got this pain in my shoulder.  Perhaps overdid it on my workout this morning, I don’t know.  I’ve had it before and it is sometimes related to eating too much,  To much for me isn’t all that much anymore.  In any case we came home and I laid on the floor with a heated bean bag for 20 minutes and it was just fine.  Weird! Decided that maybe going downtown for dinner and a movie might not be the best plan tonight so phoned my dear, sweet cousin (she was totally understanding) and she and Gerry are going to come here for a burger instead.  Think on a night like this, this might be a better option anyways.  A cold drink sitting outside.....we won’t have many more evenings where this will be possible.

Talked to my friend from Montreal yesterday and we were talking about “having a normal day”.  She said she had a friend who had gone through this cancer thing and all she ever wanted was a “normal day.”  I often have that thought......My days are pretty darn good but every so often I think to myself, “Oh to have a normal day!”  And what would that look like???

Well, I’d wake up and feel great.  I would get up and strap on my runners and go for a run, not a shog.  I’d have a shower then I’d have my breakfast.....toast and two cups of coffee!  After that I’d make my plan.  Whatever that would be, I wouldn’t have to worry about over exerting myself.  I wouldn’t have to huff and puff after doing anything even slightly strenuous.  If I didn’t want lunch I just wouldn’t bother!  I would not have to take a single pill!  I could talk and not sound like Miss Piggy!  I could yell if I wanted to.  I could laugh uproariously and not gasp at the end of it.  I could drink more than one glass of wine.  I would think to myself maybe I should lose 5 lbs. not think I wish I could gain 5 or 10 lbs. I could wear my bikini.  I could brush my hair vigorously and not worry it might fall out!  I could eat sugar and not worry I might be “feeding” my cancer cells.  I wouldn’t worry every time I got a strange ache or pain that it might be something serious.  It is amazing how much we take for granted when we are healthy!  Appreciate your health!  Enjoy every minute of it!  Celebrate those normal days!  They are very, very precious indeed!  In a blink of an eye normal becomes quite different! Life can change in a blink of an eye!

Monday 27 August 2012

Got home from Mt. Kidd early afternoon yesterday.  Picked Kelli up at the airport and headed out to Elliston Park for the finale fireworks display.  It was absolutely packed, a sell out crowd.  Geoff and Lindsey and Kathy and Robbie joined us.  We got there a little early and hit the International food kiosks.  Huge lineups.  We chose our dinner based on the length of the line and the winner was Indonesia.  I enjoyed my combo plate but Bill said he thought it was a .99 for $9.99.

The fireworks did not disappoint, although we al agreed that the music coordination wasn’t that great.  We really weren’t there for the music anyways.  The whole event was incredibly organized.  We were on busses back to Marlborough Mall within 15 minutes.  Good job to the organizers!

Got up this morning and did my morning workout and then took Boomer for his walk.  We ran into an elderly Asian couple who did the dance of fear (which Boomer loves).  If people ignore him he walks right by them but as soon as they start waving their arms and screeching he feels this need to check out what the problem is.  It is a puzzle to him!  He often will do a bluff charge at an Asian person and at the last minute veer around them.  I seriously think he enjoys putting the fear of death into them.  If they would just pay him no attention he would do the same to them.  In any case this mornings couple were very agitated which brought about the lab inspection.  The lady proceeded to give me a piece of her mind in Chinese.  She was gesturing at the dog and gesturing at me and I smiled sweetly, nodded my head agreeably and said “Good Morning.”.....  Truth be known, although I do not speak Chinese I knew exactly what she was telling me!

Had a quiet day today.  My Forerunner was in for repairs so I was housebound anyways but really didn’t mind.   After my packed weekend I was feeling a little pooped today so was happy to lay low.  Dad sent me in a bucket of apricots which I turned into jam and tomatoes which I turned into soup so did have some productivity.  Other than that I just enjoyed my new book.  Just finished reading a book called “The Purpose of a Dog.”  I loved it so much I bought the sequel “The Journey of a Dog.”  If you are a dog person you would really like this book.  I had seen a review on it a while back and it was on the New York Best Seller List for quite some time.  I highly recommend it!




Sunday 26 August 2012




Just got back from a fabulous weekend at Mt. Kidd with friends, Brian and Brenda Lenzin and Stu and Barb Patrick.  Brian and Brenda and Bill and I headed out Thursday night, Stu and Barb came out Friday morning.  I was a little concerned as to whether or not I would be able to keep up with the group on the hiking trails or if I would even be able to do the hiking.  Still struggle with hills and we all know there aren’t many mountain trails that don’t involve some sort of elevation gain.  Consequently, I decided that Bill and I would golf on Friday (I can take a cart) and the others could hike and then Saturday I would bite the bullet and see how I fared on the hiking.  Well, it poured rain on Thursday night, was still raining when we woke up Friday so I cancelled the tee time and decided a quiet day around the campsite might be the order of the day.  Stu and Barb arrived about 10 and the weather had cleared so we decided we would have lunch at the campsite and them head over to upper Kananaskis Lake and do the trail along the shore (about 10 km).  Well, it was a fabulous hike for me.  Very little climbing, great views and no other people.  We pretty much had the trail to ourselves.  It was heaven and not an experience one often has when hiking in the Kananaskis.  I was much keener to hike on Saturday and we decided to do Arathusa.  The trailhead for Arathusa starts at the peak of the Highwood pass so you basically drive to higher elevation.  There was some climbing at the start of the hike and yes, I huffed and puffed my way up but did get to the rock slide area and then up onto the first ridge where we had lunch!  It was one of those perfect, blue sky days!  After lunch the guys decided to do the loop up to the next ridge and back down through the meadows and Brenda, Barb and I decided we would return the way we had come.  Barb and Brenda are terrific rock hounds.  They can spend hours scouting out beautiful rock formations and fossil formations.  My attention span for that activity isn’t quite as good as theirs but I do enjoy doing some rock scouting and then resort to playing with my camera and snoozing in the sunshine in the mountain meadow.  It was a 11 out of 10 day!

We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.  Blue skies, great weather, fabulous views (even a moose), and great friends.  From Boomer’s perspective also perfect!  Brian is a pushover for treats!  Human treats!  At home he gets little in the way of table scraps or treats but on camping weekends with Brian his luck improves considerably!  That combined with the fact that Indy (Brian and Brenda’s pooch is a grazer)  She nibbles on her food and then leaves it.  Boomer of course could NEVER in a million years imagine showing such restraint and is more than happy to clean up the leftovers for her!

I had been quite concerned that I would not be able to hike but have discovered that hiking, like golf, cycling and swimming can still be enjoyed just not with the same vigour that I did it in the past.  I know I still am secretly hoping that with time my breathing will improve and I will be able to attack these activities with a little more energy and a little less laboured breathing.  Still, I am not complaining.  I’m out there doing the things that I really love to do and Bill was quick to point out to me how far I have come in the last few months!  The weekend has certainly put to rest any concerns I had about hiking in Zion and Bryce Canyons when we head down to the Grand Canyon in a couple of weeks.  I can hardly wait!

I am very happy at how quickly I rebounded after this round of chemo.  I had two “tired” days and by Thursday was starting to feel pretty darn good.  I seriously believe that getting up and doing things and having things to look forward to are major plusses in how you handle this treatment stuff!  We are off to the finale of the fireworks tonight with Geoff, LIndsey and Kelli!

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Have had a bit of a rough day.  Really tired today but more from lack of sleep than chemo hangover  I think.  I have to take dexamethasone for three days and it really disturbs my sleep.  Have been dragging my butt all day.  Did not do a whole heck of a lot.  Hoping to rebound by the weekend as we are heading out to Mt. Kidd with the Lenzins and the Patricks tomorrow afternoon.  Hoping the weather is going to cooperate, although Friday definitely does not look great!  Might be a day to relax with a book or play some cards I’m thinking.  I had booked a tee time at Mt. Kidd on Friday as I’m not feeling really confidant that I’m going to much good on the hiking trails and don’t want to hold everyone back.  At least with golf we can take a cart.  The weather forecast, however may put  damper on that plan.  Oh well....we cannot complain about the weather we have had this summer!  Anyways...no blog for the weekend. Don’t think there is Wifi connections at Mt. Kidd so will get back to you on Monday.  We are coming in Sunday afternoon and will be taking in the fireworks finale Sunday night thanks to Kathy and her connections!!!
Have a great weekend.


Tuesday 21 August 2012

The pictures really don’t do the show justice but if you get a chance to go the International Fireworks display you should go!  It was spectacular....sensory overload.  So good in fact I am going back on Sunday for the finale and am taking my whole family along!  It is so well organized.  You park at Marlborough Mall, take the cheese wagon to Erlton Park for three dollars and believe me you don’t even have to line up.  It drops you right at the gate and you take your blanket or lawn chairs find a spot and it’s show time.  There were probably 20,000 people there.  The entire bowl was full of people and I thought to myself it’s going to take us forever to get back to the mall to pick up our vehicles.  Wrong....we were on the bus in about 5 minutes.  They have it organized like clockwork!!!

Had my chemo today.  I was at the hospital for almost five hours.  That’s the longest it’s ever been.  Don’t know why they were so slow today but it sure makes for a long day.  Left there and decided to pick up some oyster burgers at Billingsgate to take for tomorrow night when we go to Mt. Kidd..  They had none in the freezer but they were on the menu so I asked the girl at the till if I could just buy the oysters raw...no buns or fries ....to take with me.  She said sure no problem, rang them through then went back to explain to the cook what I wanted and also wrote it on the bill that she hung on his display.  I was watching as you can see the area where they cook and he was clearly in a very bad mood.  He was serving up someones fish and chips and just the way he was scooping up the chips to put in the box you could tell he was hot and bothered.  He then looked at the chit she had left him, read it, turned and glared at me.  I smiled pleasantly at him....I am discovering the art of pissing people off by being totally oblivious to the non-verbal messages they are sending me.  Did the same thing last week to the woman who gave me the finger and told me to F*(^ off, for NO REASON WHATSOEVER!!!
It was great fun!  So thought I’d do the same for him it worked so well last time.  Well I watched him take out four oysters and drop them in the deep fat fryer.  I said I want them uncooked.  “Well we don’t sell them uncooked!” he said.  I said “Well, I don’t want them then.”  At that point he scooped them out and put them in the box and handed them to me.  I said “You’ve partially cooked them and I’m not using them until tomorrow.  He answered that it wouldn’t hurt them he had barely cooked them at all which was true.  I was tempted to take them and shove them where the sun don’t shine but I wasn’t up for a fight and I had already paid so I took them, smiled pleasantly and said “Have a nice day..... it’s obviously not been a good one.....you are the grumpiest thing I’ve seen in months!”  You should have seen the shocked look on his face!  Loved it!!  Much more fun than getting into a scrap with him over the stupid oysters.

Left there and headed to the off leash park.  Walk was a little challenging today.  Found I was a little short of breath which I often find after my chemo but enjoyed it anyways.  Must confess though that I am pooped tonight and am meeting friends for coffee in awhile.  Don’t think it’ll be a late night tonight!!!

Monday 20 August 2012

Oops....just wrote an entire blog and didn’t publish it!  Poof...it’s gone!  Damn!  Oh well....will write it once again.  Missed yesterday.  Drove home from Windermere yesterday and by the time I got home and had dinner I just wanted to watch a movie.....the blog was forgotten!

Had a fabulous couple of weeks up at the lake.  The weather was fabulous, played lots of golf (some of it actually quite good golf!) ate wonderful veggies out of Dad’s garden, visited with friends, swam in the lake......had a great time!  Always hard to come home when the weather is as spectacular as it’s been.  I love it up there!  We are so lucky Dad lives there and we can spend time there with him.  Kelli still there for a few more days.  She has absolutely loved her rotation out there.  She comes back to Calgary on Thursday, will head out to Vancouver the weekend and then starts her Emergency rotation in Calgary on Monday.  Where has the summer gone????  Can’t believe that under normal circumstances I would be preparing to go back to school!

Was up and at it first thing to head over the Foothills for bloodwork.  Haven’t heard anything so assume all is good to go for tomorrow.  Had my workout this morning and it was actually pretty good considering I haven’t done it since I was left for the lake!  Maybe it’s the glucamine!!!  I came upstairs and said that it was a shame I had treatment tomorrow because I am feeling soooo good!  The chemo doesn’t usually make me sick (unless I go stampeding the day after!) but it does leave me feeling a little dragged out and tired for a few days afterwards.  Guess I shouldn’t complain because I know many people have lots of problems tolerating the regime I am on.  My body seems to take it pretty good.
So if tired is all I have to complain about I should just be quiet!!!

After my blood work I treated myself to a manicure/pedicure.  Well actually my “badminton friends” treated me.  They gave me a gift certificate some time ago and I finally used it today.  If any of you are reading this THANKYOU....it was fabulous.  Pedicures are my guilty pleasure!!!

Came home from there, collected Boomer and met Jenifer and Sienna at the off leash park.  Poor Boomer.  He would much rather swim in this weather than walk.  He does not enjoy the hot days.  A black coat is not conducive to hot weather.  Poor guy.

Tonight I am off to see the International Fireworks display with my pal Kathy.  She was there the other night and said it was absolutely fabulous.  Tonight is China’s display.  I have never been but have heard so much good about it that I can hardly wait to go!!!

Thought I’d close with a little photo essay of Boomer’s bath.  When he swims in Windermere he becomes quite “fragrant”.....and not pleasantly so.....I decided to bathe him before riding home for three hours in a closed vehicle with him.  Bath time is not a favourite thing for him....the pictures tell it all!
Enjoy!

Saturday 18 August 2012

Still at the lake and enjoying this amazing weather!  Today, Kelli, Dad and I played golf.  Managed to squeak my way under the 100 mark once again but only by the skin of my teeth!  We are home now and it is scorching hot so none of us is feeling overly ambitious to do anything.  I’m contemplating heading down to the beach for a bit, Kelli is snoozing in the lawn chair and Dad is puttering.  I had thought about wandering over to see Barry and Wendy in Radium but the thought of getting into the hot car to drive over has deterred me!

Had my hydration done at the Invermere Hospital yesterday.  I met one of Kelli’s preceptors, a very nice man!  He and his wife spent a year in Nepal as the doctors at Manang which is the spot on the Annapurna Circuit where all the trekkers spend an extra day to get acclimatized to the altitude before going over the pass.  It is always lovely not to have to go to the Tom Baker.  The nurses here are excellent at poking my veins and I am in and out of there in no time at all and the best part is PARKING IS FREE!!!   After I finished there I wandered around town for a bit and then met Kelli for lunch.  What a life!

Tonight we have an invite for dinner to the Vanovers!  Always a treat!
It will be hard to head back to the big city tomorrow!



Thursday 16 August 2012

A perfect day in the eyes of a dog!  You get to go to the beach and play ball until the ball loses!

Bill headed back to Calgary this morning.  He will stop at Ron and Marg’s to pick up the fifth wheel and access just how much damage we have.  Hopefully it won’t affect our trip down to the Grand Canyon.  He will check in Calgary for parts but is worried that the dealerships might be sold out of the parts we need as there will be lots of people in the same boat as us!  If that happens guess I’ll be making a trip to Cranbrook tomorrow to see if I can get what we need.  Hopefully we are just looking at vents and skylights and not the roof!

Dad and I played golf again today.  We both agree that five days in a row is sufficient and are looking forward to a day off tomorrow.  I am going to go into the hospital in Invermere to have my hydration done tomorrow morning and then may hunt down some friends.  Saturday, Kelli, Dad and I will play together and Sunday I’ll be heading back to Calgary!  Have had a fabulous week out here.  The weather has been amazing.....we are eating all fresh produce out of Dad’s garden (his tomatoes are to die for!), my golf game has been decent most days, Boomer has lost a little weight (he always trims down in the summer with all the swimming he does)......all is good!

Now my apologies to those of you who thought I was making reference to friends who had “fizzled”.  I was not referring to any of my friends....simply giving Kelli some advice on how to support her friend.  I had a surge of emails today from people telling me they had not fizzled.....it was just that I had been away all summer or they had been away all summer!  Of course I realize this.  I have hardly been in Calgary and having said that I am quite capable of picking up the phone and contacting you guys to get together!  So PLEASE do not take those comments in yesterdays blog personally.

Guess all my teacher pals are getting ready to head back to school!  I haven’t really thought about it that much.  Guess I am in pre-retirement mode.  Half the time I don’t know what the date is nor do I care.
I do miss the kids.  I have run into several of them over the summer months and am amazed at how much they have grown since I last saw them.

Time to head down to the beach for the end of day swim!  It is always a challenge getting in but once done feels soooo good!!!



Wednesday 15 August 2012

Another busy day.  Up for breakfast with Aunt Marian and Dorothy!  It was GREAT to see them!  My Aunt Marian has the biggest heart in the whole world.  She is that person who is always there for her friends and family.  I know my Mom always considered herself lucky to have Aunt Marian in her life.  Those of us who have friends like her are truly blessed!  Dorothy and Aunt Marian were continuing on to Lethbridge for more visiting so Dad and I headed off to the golf course this morning.  It was a perfect day for golf!  Not too hot and for the first nine there was no one in front of us and we just moved along at our own pace.  Slowed down on the back and both of us are blaming our lapse in play on this factor!!!  Always good to have something to blame your bad game on!  Someone talked, someone moved, someone was in your line of sight, the cart tart was in the way, the maintenance guy didn’t shut off his lawnmower when you were preparing to hit, your playing partners are too slow, the guys behind you are pushing you, there were no hot dogs at the halfway hut, you lost your favourite ball (I lost three ladybug crystals today and I’m devastated!!!)  Ladybugs can’t swim and two of my ladybug balls found there way into the Columbia River.  The third just went missing!)  They say a sign of high self esteem is the ability to blame your poor play on something other than yourself!!!

Both Kelli and Geoff do on-line research on things that can help me.  I now own a water filter, am considering buying a juicer (does anyone know anything about juicers??) and drink smoothies with Whey protein in them.  Kelli just read a study that has promising results for adding up to 6 lbs. of lean muscle mass with the use of a supplement called Glutamine.  She ran it by my oncologist and he said to go ahead and try it.  He thought the results looked interesting and  said it certainly wouldn’t hurt me.  She also found a study where they had given this supplement to rats with esophageal cancer with the result being a shrinkage in tumour growth.  So tonight I began my Glutamine supplementary program!!!
No harm in giving these things a try and who knows.....they just might be the magic I need!!!

Golf again tomorrow and then a day off on Friday!  Plan to hunt down some friends,  do some visiting and have a low key day!!

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Got our golf game in, Boomer got is swim in and now I am sitting under the deck waiting for the storm to blow in.  Hopefully Bill is finished his round at the Springs because this is looking like a promising storm coming!  Fortunately, it looks like it’s just passing through and tomorrow will be good.

Yesterday Kelli came home from work with sad news.  She just heard from a good friend from Med School who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has had a double mastectomy!  She is only 29 years old and just got married last year.  How unfair is that!!!  Kelli wanted to do something to make her smile!  One of my favourite flowers are Sunflowers!!!  My Mom always loved them too because they always turn to face the sun. Dad used to grow them out in the yard.   Not too long ago my friend Judy Duncan painted me a beautiful picture of sunflowers that hangs in my kitchen!!!  She also gave me some quotes and stories that go with Sunflowers.  Kelli decided to send her friend one of the quotes along with 5 four foot tall sunflowers!!!  “Turn your face to the sun so you cannot see the shadows.  That is what sunflowers do!”  As hoped the flowers brought some smiles!!!  Kelli said to me “Mom what can I do?”  My answer was “you have seen all the wonderful things people have done for me!”  Then I added " just be there and don’t fizzle out.”   There is always that frenzy of contact when people first discover you are sick and then of course it eases off once the panic of the moment settles and your friends realize you are doing pretty good. This of course is not true of everyone.  I still have many friends who make a conscious effort to stay in touch and send me little messages. They are solidly present.  I also have many who I don’t hear from for a time and then poof, they appear once more!  We all lead busy lives including myself but I told Kelli something as simple as an email message, a phone call a visit or a big hug can make a world of difference to someone in her friend’s situation!

My Aunt Marion (who is my god mother) and her daughter Dorothy are coming through Windermere tonight and will be staying with us overnight.  Aunt Marion was my Mom’s dearest friend.  Aunt Marion and Mom knew each other most of their lives, and were a shining example of what friends do for each other!!!  I am really looking forward to seeing them!

Monday 13 August 2012

Just sitting out in Dad’s backyard enjoying the peace and quiet.  Kelli working today, Bill off playing in the Alberta Police Association Golf Tournament, Mike gone back to Vancouver leaving Dad and I to enjoy a round of golf together today.  We started out playing with a couple from Ontario.  Funny how you can determine right at the get go if you are going to enjoy playing with the people you are paired with.  9 times out of 10 it is good but every so often you get that match that makes the game seem longer than long.  I knew we were in trouble when the fellow said he wanted to play from the blue tees.  That meant we would have one player on the blue’s (the Ontario guy), one on the whites (Dad) and two on the reds (myself and the Ontario woman).  This can make for a long game and I know it really irritates my dad and can put him right off his game.  Well....we all hit and started down the first fairway.  She proceeded to tell me that they were from Ontario and would be returning to Calgary tomorrow as her husband had to get back to Ontario for his Member/Guest tournament.  She and her daughters, however, would be staying for a couple more days at the Marriott.  She told me this three times, each time emphasizing the Mariott!  She then told me they had traded their time share at the Mariott in Florida for this time share but quite frankly she thought she was booking “The Fairmont”......and was shocked at the “Country Bumpkin” accommodations.  Hmmmm........a little uppity!  Then she told me it has been a long week being her so far from anything!  She’s telling this to ME who loves this place.....I didn’t say anything but was thinking to myself it’s amazing how much you can learn on the first hole!  As expected it was a long first nine but fortunately they decided they didn’t want to play 18 and quite after 9 and we were able to play the back nine without having to listen to this &!*# anymore.  Maybe they found playing with Country Bumpkins a little below them, I don’t know and I really don’t care.  Preferred playing without them~!

Have times booked all week except for Friday when I will go into Invermere for my hydration.  Five days in a row will be lots for me and I will no doubt be ready for a little break.

Just heard there was a killer hail storm in Calgary and saw pictures of the size of the hail storms on my daughter in laws Facebook page!  Am thinking our garden is probably mulch.  Bill will be upset.  Our garden was looking the best it has looked in years when we left this week. We had figured out how to keep the deer out but there is no safeguards against the weather.  Am waiting to hear from Geoff what things look like but am not too hopeful that the news will be good.

Funny, I don’t ever remember having a hail storm out here in all the years we have been coming here.
Anyways....guess I should look at the bright side.  We had no vehicles parked outside at home!!!


Sunday 12 August 2012

Another beautiful day in the valley!  You can’t beat this place when the weather is great and great it is right now.  Kelli, Dad and I played golf today.  Posted my best score this year!  97!  I know Colleen, Barb and Kathy will guffaw at this because we sure weren’t shooting in the 90’s last week on our girl’s get together!  Too much horsing around and not enough concentration!  Rode the entire 18 today.  Started out with the intention of walking but wasn’t feeling a hundred percent at the first tee box.  Perhaps all the snacks I ate at the Farmer’s Market yesterday!  In any case decided I would cart it all today.  Good decision as it got very hot in short order.  I am finding that any type of exertion in the heat of the day really finishes me off.  Just don’t tolerate the heat like I used to.

Bill is playing in the APGA Golf Tournament at the Springs starting tomorrow.  He was at Radium Resort with some buddies today playing a practice round.  This is always a fun event and he has played in it for the past several years.  He almost opted out of it this year with the uncertainty surrounding my situation but I am doing well and I am pleased that my family are all going about their business as usual which is exactly and precisely what I want them to do!  Geoff and Lindsey are busy planning their round the world trip.  They leave October 2nd and will not return until the end of November!  Every so often they whine about the extra shifts they are having to work in order to have the time off for their trip.  Not one of us gives them even a moment of sympathy!

Kelli is really enjoying her time out here working at the Chisel Peak Clinic and at the Invermere Hospital.  Bill and I are looking forward to our trip down to the Grand Canyon in a few weeks.  We will take our fifth wheel down and visit Bryce and Zion Canyons on the way down.  We have a helicopter tour and a float down the river booked for the Grand Canyon.  I can hardly wait!  We have not been out with the trailer all summer and I am really looking forward to it!

So how am I doing?  Well....the voice is improved.   I still have problems with my wind when I exert myself but I have good energy levels and stay pretty darn active.  I have lost a fair bit of weight.  This was the result of the pneumonia and when I first had my tube removed as I was having difficulty getting in the number of calories I needed.  Although I’m not gaining any weight I am holding my own and am now able to eat fairly normal amounts of food.  Amazingly I still have my hair although I was told that it would most likely fall out after the second cycle of IV chemo.  I spray it faithfully with a hairless product I bought at Aveda!  Don’t know if that’s what’s holding it in there but I am willing to try anything.  My hair has thinned a little and I have a whole new understanding of why bald men comb that one strand across their heads.  I fluff mine and go for the au natural look to hide the areas that are a little thinner.  My doctor and medical team who follow me are thrilled that I am so active and have told me that there are many studies out there that show people that are active do much better than those that are not.  I tolerate my chemo well.  Have had one sick day only and a few days where I am tired after the chemo but nothing to really complain about.  I have an amazing support system which I think has really helped me through this.  My family have been totally amazing.  They keep a concerned eye on me, they give me advice and do research for me.  I know they worry although they try not to show it.  I often catch them texting each other back and forth informing each other how things are going.  My friends and I have many have been such a force.  I don’t know if you all really understand how collectively, you have given me both strength and courage.  I could not have reached the point I am at without each and every one of you.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on all that has been done for me over these past several months.  I am surrounded by amazing people.  I can assure you that if any of you need support in the future I will be there for you as you have been there for me!

Saturday 11 August 2012

Race Day!!  Up and at it.  Race start time for the 10 km-8:00 AM.  650 runners, 75% of them from Calgary!!!   Bill’s had two goals today.  The first one, to run in a time less than his age, the second to win a medal.
I drove into town and down to the Pynlogs where the race finished.  Bill arrived with a time of 55 minutes so goal one was accomplished!!!  Yahoo.  55 minutes is three minutes faster than his last years time and he was in a new age group so the possibility of a medal was looming!  Unfortunately, it would appear that there were some rabbits in his age group.  He ended up coming in 5th out of 18 for his age!  Not bad for someone who only ran five times before the race!  His training was minimal.  It was a great day for running and I must confess I was feeling a little sorry for myself watching all the people coming across the finish line.  I do miss my running.  Shogging just doesn’t do it !  Came home and took Boomer for his afternoon swim.  Basically a lazy day!  Tomorrow Kelli, Dad and I are hitting the golf course.

Friday 10 August 2012

Well, it has been one of those days.  Got up and started to get organized to go to the lake.  Was rushing around and decided to take the wrapping off my new lamp.  Rushed it a bit (hmmm.....that’s definitely a problem with me) and put a bit of a dimple in the shade.  Am hoping it will spring back if I leave it alone....if not I know where to get a replacement.  Ticks me off though.  Then met Maureen for coffee and had a nice visit.  Returned home to pack up and then headed over to the bank to deposit a cheque.  On the way out of the bank I walked past a woman just backing out of her parking stall.  I noticed a rather large puddle where she had been parked, did a double take on it and then glanced at her vehicle and sure enough there were drips following her pathway.  Thought about it for a moment and decided it was probably just the air conditioning unit leaking a bit so wandered over to my own vehicle and then looked up at her as she drove by giving me the finger.  I thought, why the heck is that all about and impulsively ALMOST returned the salute!  Common sense kicked in though and I decided to pretend I didn’t notice what she was doing so instead I gave her a huge smile and waved as if I knew her.  Big, big mistake.....someone obviously “pissed in her cornflakes” this morning because she proceeded to put her window down and yelled out that I could  “just &@*k OFF!”  I still can’t figure out what brought all this on but she obviously did not appreciate me looking at her air conditioning fluid!  Finally got on the highway and decided to stop at Beamers in Canmore for a bagel and cream cheese.  I was the only one in the coffee shop, placed my order and then proceeded to stand patiently at the counter thinking to myself how long can it take to toast a bagel and put a little cream cheese on it.  The girls behind the counter were drinking their coffee and chatting and one was busy making wraps so I continued to wait. They would smile at me periodically and finally I decided to go use the washroom.  Came back.....still no bagel so finally after at least ten minutes....probably longer I asked if they had forgotten about my bagel......Oh my....yes they had!  I wonder what they thought I was doing standing there watching them.  It wasn’t like the place was hopping.  I was the only customer....Oh well....had my bagel and continued on my way.  Arrived in Windermere and decided to stop at Hopkins Harvest for some fruit.  Picked up some blueberries and peaches and put them on top of the cooler in my car thinking to myself I’ll drive careful and they will be fine.  WRONG!  First corner the blueberries came flying off the cooler and flew all over my car.  Nothing like blueberry juice on your car carpet!!!  Unreal!  Needless to say when I arrived at Dad’s and he offered me a glass of wine I was all over it!

Had supper then went across the lane to visit Dad’s old neighbours Izy and Peter.  They lived here for years but have moved to Victoria and their kids have taken over the house.  This weekend is an 80th birthday celebration for both Izy and Peter and the whole family, all 25 of them are here to celebrate!  Things are a buzzing over there and I am sure they are going to have a fabulous time! It was sooo great to see them both!  I have missed them. Met a whole bunch of the family that I hadn’t met before and had a chat with their son in law who just happens to be a classmate of my surgeon! What a small world!!!

Looking forward to a great week out here!  Tomorrow I am going into Invermere to cheer Bill at the finishing line.  He is running the 10 km for the annual Loop the Lake.  He has moved into a new age category and is hoping to “medal” tomorrow.  Not that he deserves it....his training hasn’t been up to par if you ask me...running five times before a 10 km race doesn’t quite cut it!  Still I will be there a little envious to be sure but I will eat the pancake breakfast instead!!!  Will post a photo tomorrow of the weekend warrior!

Thursday 9 August 2012

Back from Gull Lake and as anticipated, lots of laughs and good fun!  I love these girls!  We have been friends since we were twelve years old when we played badminton together and just played together in general!!!  Colleen and I arrived on Monday afternoon.  Long weekends at Gull Lake are traditionally full of fun events and Kathy and Barb in particular were both in recovery mode from a weekend of sailing races, horse shoes and assorted other activities involving 8 oz. weights!  It was gloriously hot so we headed down to the beach to enjoy the day.  Kathy decided we should go out in a “floatilla” so we hauled the floaties out and began the long hike out to find water deeper than knee deep.  Boomer was in heaven and went ahead with Kathy.  As you know though, Boomer does not believe people belong in the water and panics when he sees people he cares about in the water.  He will ignore strangers but his people belong on shore.  Well, I guess Kathy qualifies as someone he cares about because by the time Colleen and I got out there she was screaming, “Going down, going down!!”  She was semi submerged on her floaty with Boomer stretched across her looking quite comfortable.  Where is the camera when you need it?  Unfortunately we missed getting this on camera!  It would have been a prize winner in a contest I’m sure.  On the down side, poor Kath was sporting some dandy bruises the next day as Boomer was not very gentle in his attempts to join her on her floatie.

Had a fun evening but were all in bed by 10:30.  A little different from our younger days that’s for sure!!!  Up in the morning and off to Lacombe to play golf!  Nobody was stellar but it was tons of fun.  Back to the lake for more visiting and catching up!  Next day we headed off to Riverbend in Red Deer.  We had played this course a few years back and I remember really enjoying it.  Again.....the golf for all of us was a little sub par but the fun was not.  On the very first hole Kathy and I are tooting along in our cart when we came across a ball just lying in plane view on the side of the fairway.  We stopped, looked around in every direction and could not see anyone whom the ball might belong to.  After a short discussion we decided to lay claim to it so I hopped out and picked it up.  We drove another 6 feet and low and behold a second ball.  Same thing....no one in sight so we staked our claim once again wondering how anyone could miss such obvious balls.  Well.......we are sitting there waiting for Colleen to hit and Kathy looks back over her shoulder and says “oh, oh.....someone’s headed this way for those balls.” I didn’t even look back.  I just took one of the balls and tossed it backwards over my shoulder and then asked Kathy if she thought the guy had seen me do it.  “Oh yah....he saw you alright...”  We are both sitting there dying of embarrassment because we both know better than to pick up another players ball like this.  Well, the guy came over to us and asked about the second ball.  We paused momentarily wondering what would be the best approach here and Kathy asked what kind of ball it was.  Sure enough it was the titiilist that was sitting right in front of me in the cart.  Soo.....we apologized profusely and returned the ball.  Lucky for us he was pleasant about it!  Not every golfer would have been.  Then we drove off and once out of earshot had a good laugh about it!  I’m certain that guy returned to his group to tell them about the “dumb broads” on hole one!   On we continued.....Kathy managed to nail her sister, Barb with a ball.....a miraculous shot really.  Not everyone is capable of hitting the ball at a ninety degree angle but Kathy is a talented player and did just that!  There was a moment of shocked surprise from all of us and then gales of laughter once we realized Barb was OK.  Then there’s Colleen who won on day 2 but wasn’t above cheating to do so!  I asked her to tend the flag on one hole and while I was looking down she moved the flag over so it wasn’t even over the hole!!!  Funny girl!!!  At least she thought so!!!

Boomer also had a great weekend.  Barb has a golden lab named Walter and the two of them hit it off famously.  Poor Walter had had a weekend of young rambunctious dogs so was more than happy to have a guest who was a little more sedate.  Both boys are starting to get a little arthritic in the joints so we decided to take a run to the Elk Farm to pick up Elk Velvet pills.  These are supposed to be miracle workers with respect to arthritis.  I actually felt like we were buying contraband.  We pulled into the yard of the ranch and were met by the owner.  He took our $40 (cash only...) and disappeared into the house, returning with two bottles of the miracle pills.  Don’t know if we have been duped but we are going to give it a try!  I have become much more open to various health claims.....both for myself and everyone around me.  I’m eating more organic, drinking filtered water, cutting out sugar.....etc. etc.  I would really like to do more but you have to be careful with supplements etc. as many of them will counteract the effect of the chemotherapy.  We tried to talk Kathy into trying the Elk Velvet pills but she has decided to wait and see how the dogs do before she tries it!!!

Had my hydration today.  Nurse was not good at getting an IV started.  I had to chuckle because last week I had a male nurse that was amazing.  He started the IV without any problem and when I mentioned that some of the nurses had problems and said that I was dehydrated he just laughed and said that nurses love to blame the patient!   After a couple of pokes and good bruise on my hand the nurse went and got someone else who had no issues at all.  Makes you wonder!

Tomorrow off to Windermere for a bit.  Looking forward to playing some golf and kicking back in the valley for a bit!



THANKYOU KATHY!!!  You are a marvellous hostess.  I have so many happy memories of times at Gull Lake!!!  A weekend with you is always one to look forward to and remember!  Here’s to 46 years of solid friendship!!!  Love you girl!!

Ditto Colleen!!!  Love spending time with you!  You have the wickedest laugh in the world!

Monday 6 August 2012

Good morning all.  Just a heads up that I am off to Gull Lake for a couple of days and am going to leave my computer at home, thus no blogging for a couple of days.  Good news is that I should have some good stories when I get back.  Cheers.
Leslie

Sunday 5 August 2012

It has been soooo hot that I find I’m not doing a whole heck of a lot!  Today did a little running around and went to Rona and got a new “beer can chicken” holder.  Mine seems to have gone walking.  With my luck I will find the old one kicking around here somewhere but I have searched high and low and cannot seem to find it anywhere.  If you’ve never tried beer can chicken you should.  It is a fantastic way to cook chicken.  I can’t stand beer but I love beer can chicken.  It can be cooked without the pan, however, there is less likelihood of a spill if you do use the pan. The recipe is simply this......drink half of the beer out of the can.  Invert the chicken over the can and sprinkle the outside of the bird with some sort of seasoning mix.  Place in your barbecue.  Light one half of the barbecue on high and leave the other side off.  A small chicken will cook in a little more than an hour and is wonderfully moist and delicious.  The chicken does require some supervision.  A while back I was making it and lit both sides of the barbecue to speed up the process a bit.  Then I decided to take Boomer for a walk in the ravine while the chicken  was cooking.  I went down to the tennis courts and back and when I came within viewing distance of our house I was shocked to see smoke pouring off our deck.  And I’m not talking a little smoke but rather huge billowing clouds of smoke!  I broke into a run and sure enough arrived home to find a very blackened, charred, dried up chicken smoking on the grill.  Lesson to be learned:  Do not light both sides of the barbecue to speed things up and whatever you do do not go for a walk and leave the bird unattended.  I’m lucky I didn’t burn our house down that day! Another cooking disaster in the life of Leslie!

That was pretty much it for productivity today!  Came home, did a few odds and sods around the house then went outside to find some shade and read my book.  Even had a little siesta which is something I rarely do!  Had a short walk....short is enough for both Boomer and I in this heat!

Tomorrow I head out to Gull Lake to meet up with my pals!  Can hardly wait!  We always have lots of laughs.  Funny how some friendships are like that.  You can go months without seeing people and pick up exactly where you left off.  These friends are like that!  We have no problem resuming our silliness and enjoy reminiscing about the “good old days” when were wild and crazy.  There are certainly some stories that one would like to see disappear but never do! 

Bill is heading out to Windermere on Wednesday.  He is going to install some sinks for Dad and then Kelli and Mike are going to take Dad and Bill for supper.  Wednesday is Dad’s birthday.  He share’s his day with Roger Federer which I am sure suits him just fine being the tennis buff he is!  Happy birthday to Dad and Roger and of course to my friend Diane Murray!  Birthdays abound this week!


Saturday 4 August 2012

It’s a hot one out there.  Bill off working on Geoff and Lindsey’s landscaping project today.  I decided to hit the Farmer’s Market out by Callaway Park for something to do.  Nice little market and reasonably priced for the most part.  Wandered around for a bit and bought some lovely produce.  From there we headed to the Bow River and Boomer had a refreshing swim.  That boy really loves his swimming.  We were down there for about an hour, he swimming constantly which has got to be exhausting in the current, yet when I called him to go he gave me this look like “seriously, we have to leave?”  Just like a little kid.  From there we picked up a couple of sandwiches and dropped in on the yard labourer.  Hot work out there in the sun today.  That is definitely a labour of love!  Thank goodness Lindsey bought him some beer and put it in the fridge!

I’m home now and debating what to do.  Am finding I do not enjoy the heat as much as I used to so sitting outside, unless in the shade, is not something I want to do.  On the other hand who wants to waste a beautiful day such as this sitting indoors.  For those of you sitting at lakeside....lucky you!  It is the perfect weekend for that!  Will be heading that way shortly myself so hope that the weather continues.  I can almost see my garden growing on a daily basis.  Amazing what a little sun and heat can do for the growing season.

Friday 3 August 2012

A quiet couple of days this week.  Am heading out to Gull Lake for a girls golf get together and I am determined not to have a repeat of last months little episode where I was sick after my chemo because of too much Stampeding and birthday celebration.  So... erring on the side of caution I am having a totally laid back couple of days so that I will be ready to kick the girls’ butts on the golf course!  Now if that isn’t the kiss of death to my game!

Had to head down to the passport office today to renew my passport.  They sent it back to me, reason being that I had not included payment.  I know for a fact I submitted my credit card information so don’t know what happened there.  In any case went downtown fully expecting to wait forever and was in and out of there in five minutes!  It was awesome.  Came home and collected Boomer and we headed over to Nose Hill for a walk.  I think everyone has left town.  Hardly any dog walkers out there today, although I did run into a couple who stopped and exclaimed “Leslie!”  I looked at this couple and I did not have a clue who they were and I’m sure it showed on my face.  I really hate it when that happens.  In any case I think they saw my blank look and she told me who they were.  Old neighbours from way back who moved away about 15 years ago.  We had a little chit chat and then went on our way.  Its funny, if you go up there at your regular time you will always run into the same people but alter the time and you get a whole new set of people and dogs.  People are really set in their habits.

So, answer to last blogs trivia question.....There are no bad fruits but the best fruits you can eat are...
Avocado, cherries, coconut, guava, kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries.

Not much else new....that’s the problem with low key days....nothing exciting to report.  Should have more exiting stuff after I get back from Gull Lake!

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Yesterday had my IV chemo at the Tom Baker.  I got lucky.....got a nurse who knew how to do an IV. The poor woman next to me got poked 12 times before they got a line into her.  Another nurse came over and asked my nurse to try because she couldn’t seem to get it.  My nurse got it on the first poke.
Twelve times!!!  Yahoo....no Ivy yesterday!
Left the Tom Baker and headed over to Earl’s for dinner with the badminton Mom’s.  It was so great to see everyone.  The poor waiter kept coming over to ask if we were ready to order and none of us had even looked at the menu.  We managed to make dinner last 4 hours and then Brenda brought out a special treat!  A cake made from cupcakes in the shape of “A WHITE RABBIT.”  Now we are actually eating white rabbits!  August should be an amazing month I’m thinking!

Those of us who love badminton are a little shame faced at the Olympic antics of some of the countries!  What a total disgrace that was!  I have actually personally witnessed the Chinese to exactly this.  They are told to throw certain games.  When Kelli was playing in a World Junior Tournament a number of years ago, two Chinese teams came up against each other.  I can’t remember if it was for ranking purposes or if they just didn’t want the weaker team to beat the stronger team by some chance but it was painfully obvious that one team was throwing the game on purpose.  Kelli says she has seen this exact behaviour from these countries many times.

Today, I’m feeling a little flat so had a pretty quiet day.  My walking partner, Boomer, also not well today.  We suspect he found something tasty (by his perspective only) in the ravine that has given him a bug.  So the cure....no food for 24 hours and then rice with a little food mixed in.  He certainly wolfed that down tonight so it would appear he is on the mend.  There was not a single grain of rice left in his bowl at the end of his dinner.

Will probably take it easy tomorrow as well.  Really want to be in good form for our girl’s golf get together up at Gull Lake next week.  Should be a great couple of days!  Just hoping the weather holds in there for us.