Hello Everyone:
After a very busy recovery period in Phoenix, we are back in LA, feeling as if we had been away for a lot longer than we actually were. What this tells us is that having our visitors during that period was good for our spirit and wonderful for reviving and nurturing old friendships.
On Tuesday, we went in for the first chemo session of the new cycle. For some reason, I thought I would surprise everyone at the Clinic by wearing my “Natalie” wig, which … while it was ordered online as “brown with gold highlights” ended up looking more like a blonde wig. I figured that it was not worth sending it back since it had been on sale and it was the closest thing that would get me to be a blonde.
When we got to Dr. I’s office, Lisa the receptionist did not recognize me at first but then was so tickled by the fact that I had come in as a blonde, she high-fived me with a huge chuckle. This happened as we were walking into Dr. I’s office. The wig certainly seemed to have a playful effect on Dr. I as he immediately said — with a straight face — “you’ve lost some of your IQ but sex will be good!”. Both Gary and I had not seen this side of him and I jokingly said that he was being discriminatory. He then proceeded to ask us what we called a blonde who had dyed her hair auburn………….
Artificial Intelligence!! This then got Dr. I into other non-blonde jokes, the first of which I did not get immediately … response…. well, since you’re now a blonde, it’s going to take you longer to get it!! My apologies to any of you out there who are real blondes…. my, what you do have to live with and I just got the tiniest tip of the iceberg!!
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As usual, we went through the myriad of questions to check on how I have been managing the side effects. Everything was well under control (even the mouth sores) and it seemed that I had actually gained a pound or two of weight from all the good cooking and lots of eating. Dr. I confirmed that he was very pleased with my progress and also mentioned that the CA19-9 tumour marker #s continue to reduce – no specifics but all in the right direction. I also asked about numerous supplements and was told that Vitamins C, E and CoQ-10 were definitely on the “No” list. When I asked the reason, I was told that they interfered too much with the chemo drugs that I am receiving. While these three supplements are not to be taken, there may be others which will have to be cleared first.
After Dr. I completed my physical and my red and white blood counts were deemed good enough to have my chemo, Fay took us to the chemo suite. Martha, our tennis player, who was back for a minor tuneup after 8 years, was waiting for us to join her. All was going well and Martha mentioned that this time around, it did not take long for her to lose her hair. Reclining on the other side of me was Matt, a 39 year old who had come in for an an intravenous antibiotic. Matt told us that he had been fortunate enough to have the Whipple surgery after receiving chemo and radiation for 2 years. The surgery proved to be quite extensive and the surgeons found that they had to remove a bit more of some of the organs which appeared to have “gelled” as a result of the radiation. The final outcome meant that Matt is unable to digest any food through the normal digestive tract. He receives his nutrients through an intravenous feed connected on the top part of his left arm on the inside. He has to “hook” himself up every night before he goes to bed and this process takes place while he is asleep. He showed us the point of entry in his arm …. amidst a colourful display of tattoos which completely covered the inside of his arm. Many questions zipped around my mind but none were voiced. The net result is that Matt is able to live a normal life and looks quite healthy.
Marie and Rick (from Vegas) had a slightly later appointment. As the chemo suite was full, Marie stayed in one of the private rooms. Rick joined us outside and we took the opportunity to update ourselves on Marie’s frame of mind. It would appear that the time I spent with her on the telephone when she first received the news of her regression, had helped to calm her sufficiently to start focusing on her new reality. They had also taken an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in cancer patients at UCLA and more importantly, used to be an oncologist so has a broad range of experience.
Gary and I stayed back to join Marie and Rick for dinner at our usual noodle house. She seemed to be much stronger and was very pleased that she was now able to tolerate the slow infusion pump, which she was not able to before. She continues to receive the IV food and this has kept her strong and hydrated – one of the key items which Rick feels has allowed Marie to tolerate the infusion pump even though it is at a reduced dosage for the time being. This is a tremendous step forward both towards fighting her cancer as well as providing her with a big psychological “win”. After dinner, we drove them back to Tiverton House, which is the main hotel serving the UCLA patients. Rick suggested that we join them for a tea in the lounge area of the hotel … very comfortable and nicely laid out to allow patients to be able to relax outside of their rooms. Gary and I spent at least 3 more hours with them – in the past, Marie would have been too tired to go this distance. The time spent with them proved invaluable for Marie as it served to build a strong foundation for a more positive outlook to dealing with her situation. This would also serve her well as she had an appointment the next day with Dr. Wellisch, the psychiatrist, whom we were hoping would be able to solidify and provide Marie with the necessary tools to move ahead. Rick told us that it was the first time in over a year that he had been able to see such a positive change in her outlook.
Gary and I will be driving back to Toronto from LA in order to return his company car as well as for both of us to finalize all the paperwork related to our imminent retirements. I will be officially retiring on April 1st and Gary on April 30th. While this will be a long drive home, we are looking forward to spending Easter with family and securing a few medical appointments for the short time that we will be back.
We hope that you have started to see the early signs of Spring; my favourite season. After the long Canadian winters, I would always get such a thrill to see the new shoots on plants surfacing from the dormancy of winter and the early spring flowers as they push through the still cold soil. In the back of our garden, we would always witness the birds starting to busy themselves with building their nests and when we had a pond, we would always see the goldfish show themselves moving around in slow motion. In LA, we are fortunate to be able to have the temperate climate but even so, there are still many signs of Spring. Gary and I arrived back to the wonderful scents of the early spring flowers. We were particularly taken with one creeper in full bloom with a delightful fragrance. This creeper provides the cover to a rather unsightly amount of metal wire and post supporting some electrical configuration. The magnolias have almost finished their blooming with their petals now adorning the grass. All the cherry and apple blossoms are in full bloom and this makes us realize how fortunate we have been to have had such mild weather this winter. We are preparing ourselves for a slightly more dour reception when we return to Toronto as we know that the blooms will take a while longer before showing their colours.
I share with you this lovely poem received from an old friend which I hope will touch you as much as it did me.
THE WORLD IS MINE – Author Unknown
Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it’d do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me, “I thank you, you’ve been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said, “Why don’t you join them dear?”
He looked ahead without a word. I forgot, he couldn’t hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go.
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow.
With ears to hear what I’d know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I’ve been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
What a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! Thank you for all your support and for being so AWESOME.
We send you our warmest wishes with our deepest appreciation.
Maureen and Gary