Hello Everyone:
We hope that this update finds you all in good spirits and enjoying whatever each new day may bring. After a very hectic visit to Toronto, Gary and I were actually glad to return to our more sedate and manageable routine in L.A.
Having said that, it is not surprising that our visit to Toronto would be hectic with everything to do and everyone to see in such a short space of time. This visit was highlighted by a friend’s fabulous 60th birthday celebration which brought together so many old school friends, including some I had not seen in 40 years! I was honoured to be asked to say Grace for the evening before indulging in some great food – my favourite, a lamb curry. We tried to be logistical when setting up our Toronto schedule as we found the traffic on the highways to be incredibly heavy so extra time was needed to get around. Since we are presently car-less in Toronto, we were very fortunate that my son, Tris, and his fiancée, Alexa, were kind enough to let us have the use of their car.
My retirement day celebration at the office was amazing. I had to attend my final Board Meeting in order to formally step down. It was, however, interesting to listen to the report on operations without having my blood pressure rise unduly and also thinking that my retirement was timely given all the challenges the company is facing. After a very nice lunch with all the board members and senior executives, we returned to a reception with all the staff and a number of former retired staff, including my very first boss who hired me. One thing stood out with all the retirees — how well they looked and how few stress lines they had on their faces!!! Something to look forward to. I was also very honoured that one of the retirees, an excellent baker, took it upon herself to bake my retirement cake. I normally can only have a sliver of the store-bought variety as they’re always too sweet for me but having this home-made treat was a delight for everyone. To me, it proved to be more than just the “icing on the cake”. My first boss started the speeches by sharing with everyone how he was told by the recruitment company that they had found him the right candidate to be his right hand person – an efficient, experienced English lady. Of course, when I walked in for my interview, I certainly looked far from English although my accent was probably a blend of South African and English, and since he, himself, is of English descent, we had a good laugh about his expectations. On the other hand, he had had a South African roommate so was able to utter a few expletives in Afrikaans, which were sufficient to break the ice and ensure that I got the job! That proved to be an interesting interview to say the least and one which began a long and successful career. My present boss gave a very complimentary speech which made me feel that my years of contribution had not only been valuable but also appreciated. A long and happy ending to my 37 year career with the firm, as I hobbled off with swollen feet from all the standing, for a quick bite with special friends.
In L.A., we experienced a few days of what the locals call, June gloom. Common in Southern California where clouds form overnight causing overcast mornings that clear up before noon. The non-retirees find it difficult to get out of bed under these overcast conditions – something akin to what a Canadian feels during the depths of winter. The temperatures in L.A. remain temperate with the jacarandas now slowly finishing their blooming period. Before leaving for Toronto, I decided that my large, beautiful basil plant needed to be put into soil so that it would survive my absence. I found a nice spot in the garden area outside the apartment, close to a sprinkler with enough sun to keep it going. With a strong knife in hand, I was able to dig a hole large enough to cover my container. To my surprise, it has survived well except a few bugs have taken a liking to the leaves. I now have a healthy holey basil plant but nonetheless, after a good wash, still edible.
My first chemo session this past Tuesday went smoothly. Since we were waking up very early the past number of mornings I decided I would bake a batch of cupcakes to take in to Dr. I’s office. The recipe made for a double batch, which worked out well. Once more, after reducing the sugar by more than 50%, the pineapple-banana cupcakes turned out to be a huge success. I kept some back for the young couple across the hallway, who were kind enough to hold on to a package that was delivered while we were away. Martha our tennis player was with us in the chemo suite and while she is a diabetic, I gave a sliver of my cupcake (we took 2 in for ourselves for our lunch) to taste. I then gave her my empty container so that she could take a few from reception home with her.
When we first arrived at Dr. I’s he was asking one of the girls at reception to wake him as he was headed for a nap which only lasted for 10 minutes as he came to give me a physical – all good — and then disappeared only to come and check on me later in the day. The afternoon was pretty quiet in the chemo suite. It seemed that a number of patients were on their recovery weeks. Martha and I have the same schedule except she will often bring her day forward if there are family events planned during the week — which is what she has done as she and John will be celebrating their 37th wedding celebration. David Roy, who has the philanthropist as a client, was off on recovery and will be back next week. He has emailed to suggest dinner after our treatments next week which will be good. He has just completed this huge project of his, which has lasted for 6 years and which had him working in one of the private rooms during the chemo treatments.
Faye, the head chemo nurse and Dr. I’s right hand will be taking off to Belize for 2 weeks in July. We checked her vacation dates with my schedule and they coincide with my recovery period. Gary and I were joking with Faye that the timing was great as, without a doubt, things will be really hectic in the office in her absence. Soon after Martha left, Gary and I were the last in the chemo suite. Dr. I came through and asked if I would speak to a potential patient who had come in for a consultation. We met Sandra accompanied by her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Sandra had the whipple surgery a year ago and unfortunately her nodes had been impacted. More importantly, her oncologist at Kaiser hospital used only gemcitabine which clearly was not good enough and so the cancer has now spread to her liver and lungs. She appeared quite overwhelmed and not physically strong so I suggested that she start her day with a nutrient-packed smoothie. We explained our own experience and progress to date, what she could expect, and answered many of their questions. She told us that she was not sure whether the insurance plan she presently has would allow her to switch to UCLA. If not, she would become a cash patient until she is able to make the switch. Here, the level of one’s plan which is tied in to the amount of premium you pay, determines where you can go. The health insurance companies wield a tremendous amount of power. We exchanged emails and telephone numbers and told her to be in touch if she had any questions. She’s aiming to commence treatment in July, which is only 2 weeks away. Before leaving, she thanked us and told us that after our discussion, it was the best she has felt in the past number of weeks.
From this high, we got back to the apartment only to receive the sad news from Rick in Las Vegas that Marie had lost her valiant battle at 4.49 pm the same day. Ironically, this was the time we would normally be making our way to the noodle house for a bite to eat. I quote from Rick’s note to us: “A single bird chirped loudly at her window at her passing (never in the 18-days that we have been here.” One has to believe that Marie was saying her final goodbyes as her soul moved on!! Gary and I may drive to Vegas for the funeral depending on the day and how I feel, to pay our last respects. A stark reminder of the reality of this disease especially this type of cancer. Much progress is being made to find a cure and only today, Dave Roy and I have been communicating on the various leading treatment protocols currently being worked on. We both feel it important to have a back-up plan in case our present treatment reaches a point of ineffectiveness – another reality that we need to be prepared for. On the other hand, cousin Pat has both my and Dave’s tissue samples which will be used for genomic sequencing so a tailored treatment plan can be considered if necessary. Armed with sufficient knowledge and what is happening in the research field on this cancer can only give us more power to succeed.
As always, we thank you for your continued support, your prayers and your ever-helpful words of encouragement. This we value and appreciate more than words can express. We wish you all a wonderful summer and leave you with a beautiful prayer by John Philip Newell.
“May the angels of light
glisten for us this day.
May the sparks of God’s beauty
dance in the eyes of those we love.
May the universe
be on fire with Presence for us this day.
May the new sun’s rising
grace us with gratitude.
Let earth’s greenness shine
and its waters breathe with Spirit.
Let heaven’s winds stir the soil of our soul
and fresh awakenings rise within us.
May the mighty angels of light
glisten in all things this day.
May they summon us to reverence,
may they call us to life.”
Lots of love.
Maureen and Gary