Hello Everyone:
We hope you are all well and that your Fall/Autumn weather is proving to be mild and colourful. The changing of the seasons is always filled with some emotion – like the joy of welcoming Spring and new life in the garden and animal kingdom after a dormant winter. And now, after an active summer where life moves more outdoors, we have to begin preparing our gardens (as well as ourselves) for the cold weather about to set in. For some, their cottages too have to be either closed up or prepared for the winter. Fall does bring with it nature’s bounty of crops after harvesting. Most of all, the many coats of beautiful colours remind us to start looking for our own additional outer layers to deal with the dropping temperatures. In addition to all of this, Fall used to be the time when my former colleagues and I would mentally prepare for the busy negotiation season ahead . Like the seasons, it would come all too soon and somehow, we always managed to come through it relatively unscathed.
This is the time when Gary and I truly start appreciating the temperate climate of the west coast and being retired, are able to take a slightly more distant view of the work scene.
Round 2 of this cycle found us with Dr. I hardly able to contain himself as he told us that my tumour marker blood test had come in and there had been a substantial reduction – 50% off the previous number!. At this stage of my treatment (yes- we had our 1st anniversary celebration 4 days ago), reductions in both the tumour marker blood test as well as the tumour itself tend to come in smaller increments. So a percentage reduction of this size is amazingly welcome news. I did not even mention that I had been to see a Healer before returning for this cycle knowing that those with a science background are not the greatest believers in areas outside of their clinical worlds. Other than the fact that I had received two cycles of treatment with the new regimen, the only other change was my two visits with the Healer!! Ultimately, whatever the reason, we are only too glad to accept and share this wonderful news with you.
From a remarkable “high” in Round 2, we showed up for Round 3 last Monday, only to find that my White Cell Count and Platelets were below the acceptable minimum for chemo so after a booster for the white cells, we disappointingly returned home. Before leaving, we decided to be optimistic and made an appointment for Friday of the same week. We were eager to head to Phoenix knowing that we needed to get a few things done which would require as much time there as possible. We showed up on Friday only to find that for some reason, my platelet count had reduced slightly whereas the white cells were over the top of the range after the booster.
We were not able to see Dr. I as he was in with one of the patients, whom we met briefly in Reception. Diane is a producer in the TV/film industry and was accompanied by a young photography student who was filming her as a project for his Program. I made a mental note to discuss the platelet issue with Dr. I tomorrow when we return as well as revisit my question as to what the magic tumour marker # he is working towards – a question he seems to refuse to answer categorically other than to say that “we need to continue doing as well as we are”.
On our walk through the neighbourhood on Friday, we heard the loud noise of a circling helicopter. On further inspection, we could see a small amount of smoke rising among some buildings a few streets away. In fact, we had just walked back from that particular street ten minutes earlier. Within seconds the smoke started increasing, getting blacker and blacker as it billowed into the sky. Very soon I was able to smell it from where we were and soon enough the sirens of the Fire Engines became quite deafening. When we returned to the apartment and checked the TV, sure enough an apartment on the 11th floor of a 25 storey building was on fire and in typical fashion, especially in LA, we were able to watch the situation unfold in real time. Fortunately, with 181 (yes 181) firemen at the scene, the fire was extinguished within an hour with no loss of life and only three hospitalizations. While the building looked very modern, we found out that it had been built in 1961 so did not have a sprinkler system which proved more complicated for the firemen to access and use the hoses on the floor. One other item of interest is that all newer buildings now are required to have a helipad on their roofs, as well as sprinklers. Fortunately, the building next to this one had a helipad which the Fire Dept. was able to use to drop off some firemen and equipment.
Halloween is fast approaching and we are realizing that it is, in fact, a very big day in the U.S. In L.A., especially, there will be many a Halloween party on the go which Gary and I will enjoy from viewing on our TV. Many of the homes have their gardens well decorated making for a more interesting walk although we have not been bold enough to do so at night.
On this ghoulish note, Gary and I send you our warmest wishes and appreciation for all your support.
We leave you with the following quote:
Every test in our life makes us bitter or better,
Every problem comes to make us or break us,
The choice is ours whether we become victims or victorious.
With our love and blessings,
Maureen and Gary