Hello Everyone:
We hope that you are all well and getting into the Holiday spirit. I’ve been busy in the kitchen(s) baking up a storm (more on that below) on my good days. No doubt, in Canada, the early cold and snow will hamper some of the shoppers and might just spur on more internet purchases. With our circumstances, we’ve done more internet purchases over our time here and have been very impressed with Amazon, Fedex, UPS, and the USPS services.
After round 3 of the last cycle, we decided to drive to Phoenix the very next day. The main reason for doing so is that we had friends visiting from Tahiti on a golf holiday. We had not seen them in six years or so when we all met up in Tahiti en-route to Bora Bora. Such beautiful memories we have of the overwater bungalows and the most gorgeously turquoise waters. While in Phoenix, we also celebrated our first U.S. Thanksgiving at the house. We had a wonderful dinner with two other close friends who winter in Arizona – with much to be thankful for, especially me.
Before we knew it, it was time to return to L.A. We decided to start the new cycle a few days earlier and to have my treatments on the three Fridays before Xmas. The clinic is open only a half-day each Friday – nice to see everyone including Dr. I dressed casually. The atmosphere is much more relaxed as the staff eagerly anticipates the earlier start to their weekend. It was very quiet in the clinic although we were told that this is not always the case. I think the time is allotted for consultations with potential new patients as well as for patients who have to come in to be treated for troubling side effects. It does mean, however, that the chemo suite tends to be empty relegating our social interactions to the backburner temporarily. On the other hand, Gary has welcomed being able to use the WiFi to catch up on a growing backlog of emails. I seem to dabble between the internet, reading magazines or eating – as per the pic below which Gary took in the chemo suite without my knowing.
The side effects from round 1 (a week ago) proved quite kind which worked out well for the Xmas project I had set for myself. I had asked cousin Pat’s niece for ideas on a Xmas gift for him – after all, what do you give someone as wealthy as he is? Surprisingly and to my delight, the suggestion was to make some home-made goodies leaning on the healthy side! This was just up my alley but it would require some planning to decide on the items firstly then also considering the shelf life if I am making the items ahead of time. Also I had to fit all this into my non-fatigue days. So, with this in mind, we started the project off in Phoenix with my Tahitian friend. With her love of French cooking, we had a few busy days in the kitchen – enjoying the camaraderie that seems to be an integral part of cooking and baking together, and for me, the therapy of lovingly creating a recipe and the joy of giving the finished product for others to enjoy. My Xmas “basket” of goodies will actually be housed on a beautiful tray which I felt was far more practical and could be used afterwards. I spent an entire day this week packaging the cookies I had baked, spiced nuts, homemade granola, dry rubs to spice up meat, savoury cheese crackers, and chocolate clusters. And, of course, I had to pretty up the bottles of chutney, lemon curd and biscotti which we’d made in Phoenix. We had to make a quick stop to pick up some labels. I used these to type up the ingredients and also to give ideas on how to use the item. All this was so much fun but still quite tiring.
While I was working on this project, we heard of Mandela’s passing, and through the innumerable reviews and TV coverage, we were reminded of his life and his accomplishments. What a man! The most powerful demonstration of forgiveness. I stop short the minute I start thinking of what could have happened had Mandela not provided his leadership in South Africa to dismantle the apartheid system! Even so, it will be many more years before this beautiful country can rid itself of all the complex problems including corruption.
I have just had round 2 yesterday. Another relatively quiet day at the clinic until Dr. I came to ask me as a favour to speak to a potential new patient. He used the word “favour” as he realized it would be a long session. Jim and Bobbi had just received the diagnosis of Jim’s inoperable pancreatic cancer earlier this week and were still reeling from the news. It was clear that other than the diagnosis and the referral to meet with Dr. I, they knew little else. We had to explain what the CA-19-9 tumour marker blood test was and of course, Dr. I introduced me by telling Jim that when I first arrived for treatment 14 months ago, my CA19-9 number was in the 14,000 range and that now I am below 700. I spent approx. 45 minutes with them, answering their questions and essentially sharing all that I have learnt during my time here. I finished up by telling them that they had to stay positive throughout the process – something which they did not feel totally sure they could accomplish. Bobbi did say that it was great that they were able to spend time with me, to see how well I looked and how positive I was. I offered for them to email me any time they may feel down or if they had any other questions or concerns. Bobbi thanked me profusely for my time and said that I was their Christmas Angel! I told them that we had to support each other as much as we can – for me it simply is sharing all the tremendous support which we receive from you all as you journey with us. Thank you for this as we pay it forward.
In the New Year, we will reactivate the research and clinical trial files. I know that Dave Roy continues to do so as he works closely with his philanthropic client on the donations side. The CBS “60 Minutes” feature on cousin Pat is scheduled to air on Sunday December 22nd. We received the following link to an excellent article in the Huff Post, which covers fairly simply and very concisely, cousin Pat’s vision for healthcare in the future. It left me feeling blessed to be in such good hands. Read the article here
Gary and I continue to take our neighbourhood walks even though the temperature has been unseasonably cool – in line with the cold weather in Canada and much of the U.S. During the course of next week, the Santa Ana warm winds will blow taking our temperatures into the 80’s. How fortunate we are to be in this part of the world at this time of year. Before leaving for Phoenix, we had noticed two hummingbirds flitting around the two trees in front of the apartment. After hanging up a feeder for them, we were somewhat disappointed to see that they were not drinking from it. Perhaps there are enough flowers in the neighbourhood to satisfy their needs? When we got back from LA, we were pleasantly surprised to find that a third of the syrup we had put in the feeder had gone. Then, we noticed during the cold spell, that only one little hummingbird had stuck around and he started drinking from the feeder. What a joy to watch – his iridescent green coat with a red chest (must be a male I figure with all that finery?). We then noticed that he would zip back into his little insulated area in the tree where a clump of dead leaves had been blown in and stuck among the branches. This he did for most of the week even though a few of the bigger birds had somehow cottoned on to our little bird’s goldmine. Gary had to refill the feeder today and at the same time decided to put some double sided tape on the edges of the feeding holes making it more difficult for the larger birds to access the syrup. They would have to hover to drink – perfect for the little guys but not so easy for the bigger ones.
We are eagerly looking forward to our very first Christmas at our house in Phoenix. We will be having a group of friends visit from Canada for Xmas through to the New Year with 10 of us at our Xmas table. How exciting this will be. Of course, I have already received my orders to stay out of the kitchen as I will likely be in my fatigue phase. With two excellent cooks in the group I am sure that my skills will not be missed at all. On New Year ’s Day, two of Gary’s daughters – Liane and Megan – will visit with us so it will be a lovely but busy time. We could not have expected a better Xmas gift than this. With Tris & Alexa just settling in Hong Kong, they will have their honeymoon over the Xmas period in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. While Sean & Irina will have their Xmas in Vancouver, we will be meeting them in Las Vegas on Jan 7th for three days.
We hope that you all rejoice in the spirit of Christmas which is Peace, the miracle of Christmas which is Hope, and the heart of Christmas which is Love. There’s much much more to Christmas than candlelight and cheer; it’s the spirit of sweet friendship that brightens all year. It’s thoughtfulness and kindness; it’s hope reborn again, for peace for understanding and for goodwill to all.
May you all have a Wonderful Holiday Season with good health, peace and much happiness in the New Year. We send you our warmest wishes and gratitude for all that you do and mean to us.
With love and blessings.
Maureen and Gary