Settling In

The last two days have been largely spent helping my mother get a little more settled in at her new lodge.

Ev came and picked me up yesterday a.m. and drove me out to the lodge where we unpacked and organized more of Mom's things. Mom and I met with the management about some of the financial arrangements for her stay. Ev took Mom back up to her floor for lunch, while I checked out the shops downstairs and got the phone number for the beauty salon. I arranged to have her hair done for Wednesday of next week, which will make her feel a whole lot better. Once I joined them upstairs, Ev and I sat with Mom while she ate her lunch, I smiled at Mom's reaction after she finished her soup and the next course came. It has been very predictable for many years that when ordering food she will say 'not too much' and when food is placed before her in a restaurant she will roll her eyes and say 'that's too much'. Not yesterday. When her plate of fish sticks and 'tater tots' was placed in front of her she blurted out 'That's it?' ;)

Ev and I went out for a wonderful lunch following our visit with Mom, it was so enjoyable to just sit and visit and feel good enough to do so after the previous week. We did draw a little attention from the other diners when we burst into spontaneous laughter and then had some trouble stopping. Ev had been telling me about a time that she and her family had gone to see 'The Passion Play' in Drumheller. It had been a very wet and cloudy day. In the play Jesus was kneeling praying in the Garden of Gethsemane when the clouds in the sky broke and a ray of sunlight came down right on the actor playing Jesus. Just then a rooster crowed. She said the whole crowd gasped. My response was that you can't orchestrate something like that, like 'cue sunshine' (pointing to the sky) and 'cue rooster' (pointing to the left of me). We both looked to the left of me just then and noticed that the wallpaper border there was covered in roosters. Maybe we were tired, but it struck us as quite funny.

Today, Rod and I went shopping and bought a chest of drawers that would work in Mom's room. He put it together while I got a few more of her things ready to take out to her. With perfect timing once again, Caleb arrived, visited with us for a bit, shopped in 'Grandma Laura's' store for a suitable present for a two year old's birthday celebration this evening and helped move Mom's things to Rod's truck. He offered to go with us to the lodge, we gladly took him up on the offer. Today's items are in place in Mom's room now, it is looking quite nice and more like her room all the time. After a quick visit it was back to the city and time for a rest for me.

Hard to believe that I can still let myself get worried at times about how things are going to work out when I look back on weeks and days like the last few and how everything has fallen so beautifully into place.Oh me of little faith ;)

I'll work on that.

Take care, everyone.

A Thankful Attitude

Today is American Thanksgiving and I want to wish all my friends in the States a very Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you are having or have had a wonderful day.

Today's reading in Jesus Calling: A 365 Day Journaling Devotional by Sarah Young had a thankful attitude as it's theme -

'A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity. Moreoever, as you look up with a grateful heart, you get glimpses of glory through those windows. You cannot yet live in heaven, but you can experience foretastes of your ultimate home. Such samples of heavenly fare revive your hope. Thankfulness opens you up to these experiences, which then provide further reasons to be grateful. Thus, your path becomes an upwards spiral: ever increasing in gladness.

Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble.'

The first paragraph says that two of the by-products of a thankful attitude are hope and gladness. I like that.

The second paragraph says that 'a thankful mindset does not entail a denial of reality'. When I have a thankful attitude I am making a conscious choice to be grateful even through trials and tribulations. My focus is not on the struggles of this life but it is on God, who is greater than all my problems and ever present with me, whatever I may be going through.

My cousin Deanna posted this on Facebook today and I am going to re-post it here -

'It is not happy people who are thankful;
It is thankful people who are happy.'

Thanks Deanna :) -

 Take care, everyone. Keep looking up.
.

Working out the Details

Busy day yesterday!

I drove Kenny to school as a treat for him not to have to take the bus and then proceeded over to the hospital. I spent about one and a half hours going through Mom's things and packing them for her move and while I was in the room several staff members were in and out.

Following my hospital visit with Mom I went to Costco and picked up my groceries as well as a smaller TV for her new room. I was quite tired and once I hit the checkout I guess it showed. One of the 'helpers' worked with me to get my things out of my cart and she smiled and said 'You have had a day already, haven't you?' That meant a lot to me to have that acknowledgement at that moment in time.

At the next aisle I was drawn to another cart making it's way through that checkout. In the front part of the cart, laid out lengthwise was a small girl of about 3 or 4. She was sound asleep and the picture of peace amidst all the noise and chaos that was going on around her. In front of her, standing guard was her older brother, making sure she was not disturbed as she slept, occasionally rubbing her foot. This touched me, it felt like God was speaking to me through it. The clerk at my checkout also seemed to be affected by the scene, commenting on it to me. 

Once home, I completed this week's assignment for my Business Analysis online course that started on Monday and then had a lengthy phone call with my 'Saskatchewan friend' who is also going through her breast cancer/chemo journey with me. Wonderful to share experiences once again, no one knows like someone who has or is going through it.
 

Washroom in Mom's room

There were two times in the last two days where I unabashedly used the 'cancer card' when dealing with my Mom's move. The first time was on Monday when I had arranged with the lodge to book their loading dock for yesterday evening, in order to have some of her things in her room when she got there. There was no trouble booking the loading dock but late Monday afternoon I received a phone call. The person calling told me that since we were moving some of Mom's things into her room the night before they would have to start charging her for the room from that day, rather than Wednesday. I was taken aback by this. I said I was going through chemo currently and unable to move her things myself during the daytime. I told them Rod and Kenny were unavailable to help me Wednesday evening due to Kenny's hockey and that Mom was already being charged for her hospital room daily so, if it meant an extra charge for her, we would just have to wait to move her things until later in the week, probably the weekend. I was put on hold, when the person came back they said not to worry, they wouldn't charge for the room until she came on Wednesday. We moved some of her things out last evening, I've added a few pictures of the lodge, it certainly doesn't look like any care facility I have been in before. Wondering if I can book my room now?

Main Lobby - entrance of lodge

Sitting area just outside of Mom's room

Built in kitchenette area in room with sink, appliances provided

Larger sitting area on Mom's floor with coffee bar

Dining area

The second time I used the 'cancer card' was last evening about 5:30 when I received a call from the hospital. They told me Mom was being discharged at 0800 today and to be at the hospital by then. I clarified with them that Mom was being transported to the lodge, they agreed but said that EMS wouldn't take her things and I would have to do that. I told them I had been in her room packing things most of the morning and not once did anyone tell me that her things wouldn't be transported with her. I told them I wouldn't be able to make it back that evening and I couldn't guarantee how I would be feeling in the morning due to the after effects of chemo. They said for sure EMS would not be willing to take her walker so I would have to deal with it, this is where I said "That's ridiculous, she can't even maneuver a couple of feet without it, how can they not take it with her?" I guess I sounded emphatic enough, they said they would deal with it from their end. I hear from them that she has her walker with her this morning as she is being transported.

We have freezing rain and weather advisories for snow from 5 - 15 centimeters here today, the roads are not good. I am very thankful to be inside at the moment with no great urgency to be out in it.

Take care, everyone.

A Lot of Good People Out There

In the past few days I have been so impressed by how many good people there really are 'out there'.
Last week was evidence with the people that so readily accommodated my need for rides on Thursday.
The Breast Cancer forum I belong to is also more evidence. This supportive group of ladies from all over the world reach out to each other at all stages of their journeys to help each other out, in  whatever form might be required for each situation. Last week proved this again by the support that was given to the lady that I sat with during her first chemo, in the days following her chemo. In addition, on one particular thread that I belong to, many that have now completed their treatment are coming back to continue to support those of us who are still going through our treatment, giving much needed encouragement and hope. One of these ladies started a 2013 Survivors thread so we could all stay in contact and there is the hope that we can arrange for as many of us as possible to get together to meet at some point in the hopefully not too distant future.
In other areas of my life, when I mentioned my mother moving and our need for a bed for her, we were immediately approached with the offer of a bed that the user has the ability to raise the head or knees on. What a blessing to know this item is taken care of.
I stayed pretty quiet again through the day yesterday and it was late afternoon when Rod and Kenny came home from church followed by a hockey practice for Kenny. What a pleasant surprise to see Rod carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Steph and Mike with a nice card to go with. Just because. :)
This a.m. I once again found myself at Wellsprings, the house that offers programs for people dealing with cancer. This morning's program was called 'Cancer Chic' and it is put on by two ladies who have gone through the cancer experience themselves. Once through, they got together and started this organization to do workshops to help other women going through treatment. The workshop was 2 1/2 hours long and was comprised of 3 parts, each part starting with the person presenting sharing their cancer story  - the first part was presented by a lady who spoke to how exercise helped her through her treatment and recovery (she was a shining example of fitness and very inspirational), the second was a makeup demonstration, complete with donated samples of chemical free makeup products, and participants as models for various techniques, with the last part being about dealing with hair loss, the emotional component and then some practical tips along with pictures of this woman's hair re growth over the past two years and the different styles along the way. In addition to the makeup samples provided, there were goodie bags containing lots of other products and handouts to go along with the information presented. One of the packages that was provided in our bags was from a lady who heard of what these ladies were doing and wanted to do something to add, the beautifully presented package of products from her were her way of doing this. At this point in my treatment, gestures like this mean so much. Oprah's 'My Favorite Things' was on TV last evening and she made a statement that it wasn't the 'things' that were received that would speak to the people who received them but the fact that they were recognized and made to feel good on that day that they would remember. I agree.
I remained at Wellsprings this afternoon for my second ceramics class, the vase does look much better following being 'fired'. Today we glazed and the vases will be fired once again, apparently the type of glaze we used will make them look 'glass-like' and can hide a multitude of sins. We shall see.
On my way out, there was a new receptionist at the desk. We glanced at each other and then each of us did second takes. The lady manning the desk was someone I had worked with as we implemented the electronic health record in our health region, someone who I have great respect for. She lost her husband to cancer a few years ago. We caught up a little with each other and I found out that she uses vacation time to do volunteer shifts for Wellsprings, her way of giving back.
There are a so many good people out there! I am going to leave you with a video that was placed on Facebook today by someone who has been following and encouraging me in my cancer journey as she is also going through her own cancer journey. It sums up this post. Thank you, Joan.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=y-Q0XTAPWi4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dy-Q0XTAPWi4
Take care, everyone.

Taking it Easy

Today and yesterday,  I am definitely movng slower and feeling tired, I am so glad that most of my post-chemo activites were centred around Thursday this week and that I can take it easier now. I am also very thankful that my mother misunderstood and that she is not moving to her new lodge this weekend but moving on Wednesday of next week. That relieves the pressure and allows a little more time.

I did go out and run an errand yesterday morning and picked up my Neulasta (Nutella for you, Al ;), which I have since given myself and I am hopeful that it is the last one I will need. I am very grateful that the cost of it was all covered, I am reminded of what a blessing this is when I see the amount on the prescription followed by 'patient pays 0.00'. I was definitely much more achy last evening and during today and had GI symptoms throughout the night.

I received a wonderful parcel in the mail this week from my niece Amanda that contained some teas ideally suited to help digestively and I have a cup of freshly brewed tea beside me to sip on as I am posting. Looking forward to these weekend symptoms to be over and done with. Not a very exciting post but 'it is what it is'. Thank you, Amanda, your gift couldn't have been more timely.

Take care, everyone.

A Day Well Spent

As I sit here and post I am tired but it feels like a good tired and that today turned out exactly as it was meant to be.

I had promised one of the ladies in town who requires chemotherapy that I would be there for her first chemo session and I wanted to keep that promise. She was supposed to have had her initial chemo last week, which was on a week 3 post chemo for me and would have worked very well. That didn't work out and so her first chemo fell to this a.m., two days post chemo for me. I wondered whether I would be able to keep that promise but with a little help from my friends I did it.

Right after chemo I do not like to drive as I find my eyes are a little fuzzy and it takes a day or two to feel like I am safe out there. This meant that I would need rides to and from my activities today. Everything worked out so well, I hope the people who gave me the rides felt the same way ;).

My friend and co-worker Nicki had a meeting scheduled at the site where the Cancer Centre is for exactly the same time as this lady's chemo. I quickly emailed her and she readily agreed to pick me up and drive me there first thing this morning. In the afternoon a few of the ladies in the church and I had arranged to meet to discuss the Christmas dinner and program. Ev was one of these ladies and lives very close to the Cancer Centre, she agreed to pick me up from there about 1230 and Jane lives on my side of town so she became my ride home. I couldn't have asked for better chauffeurs.

'Benny' met me exactly where we had agreed and we went down to the Medical Day Care. There wasn't much of a wait at all, a young nurse name Stephanie called 'Benny' and escorted us to Area A where she was placed in a chair. 'Benny' has a needle phobia and did not have a port so she needed to have an IV initiated. She was very brave and I did my best to keep her distracted. As a nurse, I have to say that her veins are some of the best I have seen, so it was quick work for Stephanie.

The first chemo was the epirubicin push which took the most amount of time - four syringes which are pushed manually, just as I had with my first three chemo sessions. 'Benny' was a trooper throughout. Following that the 5FU and cyclosphosphamide seemed to take hardly any time at all as we visited throughout.

'Benny' did so well, her last obstacle being the removal of the IV, which she was also a little squeamish about but was nothing after all. What a privilege to have been able to be there with her, she will do fine in her subsequent chemo's and she is well prepared for handling her first few days post chemo at home.

Take care everyone.

Almost Done

Well, I am almost done chemo 5! I am sitting here with the last of the Herceptin infusing which will be followed by half an hour of observation and I am almost done the 'big' chemo, with only one more to go before I am on Herceptin only every three weeks until August. Rod is sitting beside me totally engrossed in the new John Grisham novel called 'The Racketeer' that I found at Costco this morning. I looked through the Pinterest site at the beginning of chemo but needed a break from that after a bit so here I am.

This morning I spent a fair amount of time on the phone but it was profitable. I arranged for my next Neulasta shot to be ordered and available for me for Friday. I talked to the manager at the lodge my Mom is slated to go to and a few more details are taken care of there. I also talked to a social worker from the hospital and explained some of the concerns regarding finances. I attempted to talk to the social worker at the new lodge but she was sick today so hopefully she will be better tomorrow. The unit called me about noon and told me they were under quarantine for Norovirus. The doctor did not want me to come and visit Mom this afternoon as I had planned. She is well but they are just taking precautions. The other precaution is that they are not allowed to transfer anyone out or in to the unit until the quarantine is lifted. That means that Mom won't be going to the lodge tomorrow. She will now have more time to get used to the idea and we have more time to prepare and acquire what we need for her, including a hospital bed. No furniture is provided in the room at this lodge whereas in the previous lodge she was provided with a dresser and bed. The extra time we now have is a real answer to prayer.
That's about it for now, I do appreciate everyone's prayers and support, I truly believe that it is making a wonderful difference in how I am tolerating this whole experience - thank you.

Take care :)