Out and about ...

The weather the last few days has been quite bad so I've been cooped up in the house. Today I decided to venture out and I found it to be quite nice. I had a couple of errands to run ... namely banking and mailing the rest of my Christmas cards and letters. I also stopped by my sister's so that she could flush my CVC. We had a nice visit. I then stopped off at the grocery store to pick up some groceries. I ended up cutting that a bit short because my stamina just wasn't there.

For the remainder of the day, I'm just going to take it easy.

Just a quick review ...

In the last couple of weeks, I invited quite a few new people to my blog ... so I'm going to review a bit about my treatment and how I'm feeling.

I get chemo every 3 weeks and a CT scan once every 6 weeks. I have numerous tumors in my body and the goal is to shrink those tumors. I've had 2 CT scans and they have shown positive results.

How long will I be on chemo?

I don't know. I guess it will be as long as my body can take it and/or the chemo continues to be effective or ... my cancer goes into remission.

I do have options when it comes to chemotherapy, but for now, I am on Docetaxel (Taxotere). If for some reason my body or I need to take a break from treatment, we can stop for a few months or a year or so depending on my situation. I would then go back on chemo. Because there are so many variables, we do no have one set plan. Each person is different, so we just play it by ear.

I do take some medication to help with the side effects of the chemo and they themselves have there own side effects.

So how do I feel?

I feel no pain or discomfort from cancer. I never did. I do have discomfort from the chemo and the meds that go with it .... things like:

• sore aching bones
• flu-like symptoms, such as nasal headaches, stuffy nose, bleeding nose, watery eyes and sore/achy gums
• upset stomach
• constipation
• blurred vision
  
• skin changes
• difficultly sleeping
  
• fatigue and weakness
  
• fluid retention (rounding of the face)
• weight gain
• hair loss
  
• and a few others that I just can't remember right now ... 'chemo brain'

One thing I wanted to mention is that the side effects of the chemo and drugs varies with where I am in the cycle. The cycle is 21 days (3 weeks) and usually the symptoms are worst the first week after my chemo treatment .... and then they progressively get better until the next treatment.

Generally, I'm doing real well ... but I tire very easy. Standing for any length of time is difficult for me or walking distances is difficult too .... as long as I can sit down ... I'm pretty good.

Someone asked me if I could feel the chemo healing me ... the answer is no.

If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me and I'll put it in the blog.

Thank you everyone for your support.

We headed south for warmer weather and found more snow ....

Saturday we made a trip to see D's, parents ... they live just south of Calgary. The trip is almost 4 hours ... more like 3 and 3/4 hours. Generally, the drive isn't too bad because the roads are twinned and the drive is beautiful.

When we left Edmonton, there was a blizzard in progress and we drove out of it around Red Deer. Roads were a bit scary. Just a few cars in the ditch but we did see a semi-truck that had flipped and one that was jack-knifed in the ditch. Eeeks. The second half of the trip was sunny with no snow to be seen. We started peeling off our snow boats, scarves, gloves, and jackets. It was warm there. We even saw 3 motorcycles driving around in Calgary.

We had a very nice and relaxing visit. I wasn't allow to lift a finger to help with anything. D's, mom took care of everything.

F. & R., thanks for all that you do.

Sunday morning we woke to a blizzard. Yikes...it's following us. In the picture to the left, there is supposed to be two lanes in one direction but we only saw one lane. Again there were numerous accidents and numerous vehicles in the ditch. It took me a while to peel my fingers off the dashboard. D, is such a good driver and I want to say that I wasn't worried but I was. The trip took longer than usual to get home, however, thankfully we made it in one piece. Of course, Daisy slept through it all and didn't show any signs of stress. It truly is a dog's life.

Today I'm just finishing up Christmas cards and letters.

Hoping everyone had a safe weekend too ....

Some housekeeping ....

After having coffee with a couple of friends, I was inspired to do a quick review of the site.

1. Should you want to email me, you can find my email address above ... just find my picture and click on 'view my complete profile' below it. You will find the email address there ... that is if you don't already have my personal email address.
2. If you'd like my blog emailed to you every time I write something ... just let me know and/or send me your email address and I will set it up.
3. I follow some great cancer blogs ... if you would like to know what they are, you can go to my picture above and click on 'view my complete profile' and you will see the list.
4. On the left side is a great description of 'metastatic breast cancer'.
5. Under that, I keep an updated treatment schedule.
   
6. Under that is the Blog Archive ... older posts.
   
7. Under that is some fun stuff ... if you are interested.

I try and update the blog daily but sometimes a day or two or even three goes by before I update it. I usually write in the late afternoon or evening.

Please note .... the website is a work in progress, therefore, I am always open to any feedback you may have.

Daisy dog

This is our dog Daisy ... she is a miniature poodle. In February she will be 9 years old.

A little about poodles ...

Quite often the breeders cross a toy with a miniature poodle to make it easier for the female to give birth. You see a toy is up to 10 inches tall at the shoulders and a miniature is from 10 to 15 inches at the shoulders. Daisy is 15 at the shoulders but her body size is that of a toy as she weights under 10 lbs. Our previous poodle was a miniature and he was more like 20 lbs and 15 inches at the shoulders. Just wanted to mention ... poodles also come in tea-cup and standard size.

Poodles are great because the are so clean. They loose no 'hair' because that is what they have. They do not have fur.

We get Daisy clipped about once every 6 weeks. Her maintenance is next to nil. Our first poodle had issues with her ears (wax build-up), eyes (watering), and anal glands (plugged) eek! ... so a little more maintenance. The two dogs were different like night and day. One was black and one was white ... ha ha ... no really, they were. More importantly, their temperament was very different. The first poodle was the aggressive one of the litter and was definitely a challenge. Her name was Pepper and she sure had a mind of her own. Daisy is more of a lap dog and doesn't want anything more than that. Everyone is her friend.

Both my husband and I get great pleasure out of our pet dog.

Long-term disability approved ...

Yesterday, the last day of my short-term disability period, I received a call from my insurance company that I have been approved for long-term disability (LTD) effective today. This had been causing me some stress because I wasn't 100% sure I'd be approved for LTD.

You see, the insurance company has limitations on LTD and they were doing an investigation on me to ensure that I was cancer-free for about one year prior. I know my last run in with cancer was in 2004 but you always wonder.

Anyways, I'm relieved and thankful I have company benefits to help me get through this.

Alberta Legislative Grounds

Today I stopped by the Legislative grounds to go to their Annual Christmas Craft Sale. I ended up taking some pictures and there happen to be some ice sculpting going on. It was pretty chilly and windy today ... so the pictures were taken very quickly.

And the snow came ...

Well, the snow finally came ... rumor has it, it isn't going to stay.

I continue to listen to Christmas music ... which leaves me quite emotional ... or is it that I am emotional and want to listen to Christmas music. Whatever the reason, when I'm alone, the car radio seems to open up the 'tear' valves.

Last night I watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... the original 1966 version and I also watched Shrek the Halls and I guess Charlie Brown is next Monday. Here is a preview courtesy of You Tube .... Charlie Brown Christmas. These are a traditional must see.

Today I spent time shopping ... with really nothing to buy ... when, what happened to catch my eye but a Second Cup. I stopped in and had a coffee and apple/cinnamon muffin. Yum! They sure do have great fresh muffins and such. The coffee shop was busy ... which made for great people-watching.

The Christmas music offically starts today

Today I was out and about and the malls are busy ... already! Christmas displays are stuffed and music playing in the background.

Now for some people ... this sends chills up there backs but for some of us crazies ... we love it. I'm not a big present shopper but love the hustle and bustle that goes with this time of year. People appear to be so happy as they rush from store to store trying to find the perfect gift ... at least, that is what I imagine in my little world.

Now if you need more Christmas cheer ... Shaw fired up the Yule log on TV .... and they also have a Christmas Tree with music playing in the background. How exciting is that? O.K. I'm a bit off my rocker but I love it.

So to find out what channel to see all this wonderful stuff ... read the article from the Edmonton Journal or just try channel 1 for the Yule log and channel 5 for the Christmas Tree ...

Now if you are not able to be near a TV ... the radio station that plays the most Christmas music is EZ Rock 104.9. There that should put you in the mood.

Ho Ho Ho!