Hi Everyone:
It feels like quite some time since we have been in touch. Hoping that you are all well and managing with the ups and downs that winter brings your way unless you are fortunate enough to have been able to get away to some warmth. Even though California and Arizona have both had cooler than normal temperatures this year, these are still extremely pleasant temperatures for us.
Our two weeks in Phoenix just flew by with with first week focused on getting my mouth sores healed while Gary started doing some extensive research on the internet for a new car. The way a car drives and handles itself is extremely important to Gary so test driving his short list was a critical part in making his final choice. So, why such a big deal? Well, what you have to understand is somewhat bitter-sweet for Gary, who has not had to buy a car nor pay for gas since 1978 having had all this looked after by the company. From my perspective, it seemed like we were preparing to bring a new baby home so it was quite a relief once we finalized the entire process. We were, however, quite surprised that the same car purchased in Canada, would have cost us approximately $10,000 more. Over the next few months, we will have to research what will be required should we decide to take the car back to Toronto.
At the start of our second week, Sean flew down for a short visit from Vancouver. He was able to secure a complimentary round of golf at an exclusive private course called Quintero, located in the high Sonoran Desert near Lake Pleasant in the Hieroglyphic Mountains about 30 minutes from our home. The pictures were absolutely stunning and the course was in magnificent shape. An absolute highlight for the golfers who would normally not have had access to the course, both as it’s private and also as the prices would have been way beyond their normal budgets.
For the rest of our week, we were able to have dinner with some neighbours and friends and also invited two different sets of neighbours in for tea. This time around, we were able to meet Mary, our neighbour beside us, and she is a keen mah jong player. Expecting me to be an expert, she was surprised to find that I can barely play the game even though my oriental background might have indicated otherwise. I told her that she could teach me the finer points when we return. She loves hosting parties and has told us that when we next go back, she will have some of the other neighbours over for us to be able to meet.
We managed to drive to LA without stopping for the entire 6 hours … sandwiches, tea and snacks plus strong bladders allowed us to do this. Our “meet and greet” at the apartment, however, was not so pleasant as we found, yet again, that the fridge had switched off during our absence. The cleanup process went into high gear once more and sadly, I had to dispose of so much good food that had gone off. Bicarbonate of soda is an absolute saviour to eliminate the terrible odours that linger even after a thorough cleaning inside each of the compartments. We realized that it could not have been the cleaners as it just so happened that the day we were packing to leave for Phoenix, we met the supervisor of the cleaning crew, who was aware of the fridge issue. We showed her the on/off switch, which I had taped over and she advised that her staff had been advised of the problem.
The following morning a maintenance person showed up to check the fridge, which of course, was behaving beautifully. Gary feels that it will be extremely difficult to determine what is causing the fridge to cut out … possibly a problem in one of the circuits? We are waiting to see what will be done about it but in the meantime, I will limit how much goes in to the freezer and we will now take these items with us to Phoenix … a nuisance but a lot better than losing good food and having to deal with the smell and cleanup after.
On Tuesday, I had the first chemo session of the 4th cycle (my tenth session). Before going in for this session, we had already been advised by Rick (from Las Vegas) that Marie was still too weak from her last treatment to make it for this session. While in Phoenix, we received a phone call from David Roy’s wife, Nanc, that David had to have surgery to remove a blockage from his small intestine and would also not be ready for chemo this week. What a shame….. it made Gary and I realize just how fortunate I have been so far. We have come to realize, too, that other than the residual mouth sores which carry over in to my first recovery week, we are able to enjoy and lead fairly normal lives during this time.
With these two couples not attending, the afternoon proved relatively quiet. We were greeted by Sony, who was sniffing around for some food. Instead, Gary decided to pet him and give him some attention. Sony decided to jump up on the couch to lie alongside of Gary giving us his version of “purring” as he was being stroked.
Dr. I went through his thorough list of side effects and advised that my CA 19-9 tumour marker numbers continue to reduce, which is exactly what he is hoping will happen. We discussed my diet, retaining my weight … all of which are important to move ahead to a positive outcome. While on this subject, I asked Dr. I how he felt I was doing. Dr. I is usually quite hesitant to proffer an opinion for fear of raising a patient’s hopes. He surprised us by saying that he felt that I was doing extremely well, the shrinkage of the tumour, the quick and sizeable reduction in the tumour marker numbers and overall, the fact that I feel well enough and am able to lead a relatively normal life. (The latter comment refers mainly to the recovery period as I still have to deal with the side effects during the treatment phase).
On this optimistic note, we send you our love and best wishes. Thank you for all your support and prayers.
In anticipation of the upcoming year of the Snake, we send you our very best wishes for the Chinese New Year.
Maureen and Gary