Hello Everyone:
Each time Gary and I have a jampacked recovery period, the time goes by so fast. Our visit back to Toronto for Easter proved just that with so much having to be done. What we had not counted on was both boys getting engaged just before Easter and having everyone in town to celebrate! Our long drive back from LA to Toronto nibbled away at the time we had available, but in the end we managed to do most of what we had set out to do.
Our drive from LA to Toronto was quite amazing. The state of Utah proved to be the most picturesque with outstandingly beautiful rock formations and numerous well known national parks. Definitely worth a second visit when more time to spare. We managed to stay ahead of a few snow storms especially through Colorado but this meant getting on the road early each morning even though we would end up losing 3 hours of time along the way through time zone changes. We came across thousands of snowgeese who were migrating northwards. They would rest along the numerous small bodies of water in Nebraska, and from the highway they looked like large cottonballs covering the bodies of water. Then we came across huge swathes of what we initially thought were Canada geese flying across the skies in search of a suitable spot to overnight. When we took a closer look, we realized that their heads were a little smaller and after further research, learnt that these were Sandhill Cranes who also were migrating northwards and were following the Platte River as it wound its way through the state.
Our Easter dinner with good friends and family was very special, and in addition to celebrating the boys’ engagements, Gary and I had to make time to visit our respective offices to clear them out in preparation for our upcoming retirements. This took a lot longer than either of us anticipated as we sifted through years of good memories and having to decide what we would keep, knowing full well that we were entering the “decluttering phase” of our lives. We still managed to get in numerous medical appointments including a second CT scan which we have just delivered to Dr. I.
Before we knew it, we were all packed up and ready to take our flight to Phoenix. We got to the airport early and were absolutely amazed at how quiet everything seemed to be. Even going through U.S. Customs proved somewhat eerie as there were no line-ups and we were able to go straight ahead to be attended to. Clearly, travelling on a Saturday evening has its benefits. Gary and I then proceeded to the Air Canada lounge – a frequent flyer benefit which we will have for one more year, but which as a retiree going forward, will clearly not be retained.
After an hour of quietly settling in at the airport lounge, we heard quite a loud commotion of noise and singing. After checking into what was going on, we realized that aging celebrity Richard Simmonds (of group fitness/exercise fame) had just made his entrance! Then to our surprise, his manager decided to park their luggage in our area and promptly went to find some food for them both. Within minutes, Richard Simmonds, decked out in an all white track suit and white running shoes adorned with Swarovski crystals seated himself across from us. He is infectiously friendly and loud and immediately started talking to us. When he heard that we were headed to Phoenix, he got up and stood next to Gary’s chair and started belting out – “By the time I get to Phoenix …… ” He told us that he had just completed a tour of Canada – Edmonton, Calgary, London and Toronto – to raise funds for breast cancer- and was now returning to LA. Participants had to individually raise $1000 each in order to be able to participate. He managed to raise a total of $4.5 million! I’m not sure how the conversation then digressed to my cancer and he immediately asked me whether I knew what the “colour R” was. I shook my head to indicate “no” and he proceeded to say that when he first saw me he could tell from the aura surrounding me that I would be just fine… that it might take some time.. but that I would be okay. He continued giving us advice and after what seemed like an instant “reading”, he gave me a very long hug. This left me with such a feeling of warmth and no, we did not even think of taking a picture with him.
On Tuesday, we showed up for the first of my chemo treatments. Dr. I’s office was extremely quiet; in fact, he was not in as he had a business meeting and lunch. They had moved all appointments other than mine and Martha (our tennis player) primarily as the two of us are in good shape and therefore fine to be checked by Fay, the head chemo nurse. Other than a bit of a swollen right ankle which Fay did not think had anything to do with the chemo, everything else was fine. Fay suggested I take Aleve to help with the swelling (all sorted out now) and my chemo session was under way. Martha and her husband, John, joined us in the chemo suite. We were the only two patients in for the afternoon. It was the first opportunity for us to spend time with John who usually would go out for a walk while Martha received her chemo. Martha had just celebrated her 70th birthday even though she looks closer to 60. We laughed at how her kids had organized the surprise birthday event – it was scheduled as a visit to one of her sons who is a paramedic and whom they had not seen in a while. Martha had been gardening all day and decided that she would just stay comfortable in her working sweatpants. John tried a few times to get her to switch pants but as Martha felt she was visiting family, there was no need. It wasn’t until John actually said that the pants were stained and not suitable even for family that Martha finally decided to change!!
Normally, after my round of chemo, the pre-meds would generally get me into an “overdrive mode”. This time, the overdrive mode did not appear and Gary and I suspect that I was physically quite tired from all the activities in Toronto, the 4 1/2 hour flight to Phoenix followed closely by the 6 hour drive to LA so that my body was still in need of rest. My biggest challenge while in Toronto was getting my usual quota of sleep – partly due to jetlag and mainly as the light streaming through our bedroom would wake me up quite early. We are back to our usual routine and I have been able to make headway on my lost sleep.
The weather has been quite mild in the low 20′s all week. For the weekend, fog is expected to blow in from the ocean bringing slightly cooler and more overcast weather. Gary and I are looking forward to curling up and watching a few of the movies which a very good friend has lent us.
My apologies to a number of you who, for some unknown reason, were dropped off my automatic listing. This seemed to have happened once before a while back. Fortunately, I received a note from one of you who mentioned not having received an update in a while.
As a newly minted retiree, I would like to share a lesson especially with those of you who are still working:
A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”
It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!
Thank you for your support and friendship as we continue our journey together. Gary and I appreciate all your prayers and we send you and your families our warmest wishes.
Maureen and Gary