We've just returned from a weekend in Kitchener- Waterloo where we attended the funeral of our youngest son's fiancée's mother. It was actually a very encouraging experience - a very strong family, strong in their love and support for each other and strong in their faith that their wife and mother is safe in Heaven's keeping.
Tomorrow, I take the train (the really early one!) to Ottawa to spend the week with my sister. I am looking forward to seeing her and being able to help her as she adjusts back to regular living. David is staying here and looking forward to a quiet week - not having to drive anyone anywhere !!
There's not much else to report - I'll bring news from Ottawa and elsewhere when I get back after March Break. Thanks again for your prayers for all of us.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Update - Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Another interesting week! We made it to London in good time last Wednesday - David drove - and had several eye examinations at the Ivey Institute on the south side of London. It was determined that surgery was needed and we were sent across town to St. Joseph's Hospital on the north side, where the ophthalmology surgery is done. After going through the regular admitting routines, we waited for a time slot and were fortunate to be called around 4:15 p.m. - could have been between 7 - midnight! The actual surgery took about 45 min. and by 5:45 I was back with David and we were being told we could go home. We were able to leave around 6:30 and had supper in London before driving home. What a day ! He had to sleep face down that night, because of the gas bubble in his eye holding the retina against the back of his eye. We were asked to return Thursday afternoon for a check-up, so I called Windsor and put my Avastin treatment over to Friday.
Good sleep for both of us that night and off to London again for the check-up. When the shield came off David's eye, it was a sight to behold - purple, swollen and the eyeball itself a blood red. Also, he could not see anything out of it, which was rather scary. However, it has improved daily and his vision is returning little by little. We return to London Tuesday March 24 for another check up and it will be interesting to see how much it has improved by then.
I drove myself to Windsor on Friday for my Avastin treatment, which went very well - a non-event. My blood pressure was exceptionally good, my port wasn't clogged - even had a nap while it was going in. If I had not been admitted to this clinical trial, I would have finished going to Windsor at the end of my radiation. As it is, I will see my oncologist every 3 weeks until Sept. and then every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months for the next 2 years, so I will be well supervised. Since this type of cancer has a high rate of return in the first three years, that is especially good. Once I pass that three-year point, I will be considered 'out of the woods'.
My sister is continuing to do well at the rehab and will probably be going home this coming Friday. That will be a month from the time of her fall. She is looking forward to getting out of the hospital but also realizing that this will present new challenges to her. She won't be driving for a while, so has to make arrangements with the ParaTranspo service and a few other things like that. I am planning to take the train to Ottawa next week and spend some time with her.
Yesterday, we were saddened by the news of the death of our youngest son's fiancée's mother. She had surgery Dec. 11 for removal of her gall bladder; at that time multiple tumours were discovered in her digestive system and it was not possible to remove all of them. We had hoped for a longer time for her, but it was not to be. We plan to attend the funeral this weekend.
So - we go from day to day. Robins have returned, daffodils are poking up, spring is on its way. Thank you again for your prayers and for your thoughtfulness in sending cards. A special thank you to a good neighbour who magically brings chili on nights when I haven't got the energy to cook. May all your kindnesses come back to you !
Good sleep for both of us that night and off to London again for the check-up. When the shield came off David's eye, it was a sight to behold - purple, swollen and the eyeball itself a blood red. Also, he could not see anything out of it, which was rather scary. However, it has improved daily and his vision is returning little by little. We return to London Tuesday March 24 for another check up and it will be interesting to see how much it has improved by then.
I drove myself to Windsor on Friday for my Avastin treatment, which went very well - a non-event. My blood pressure was exceptionally good, my port wasn't clogged - even had a nap while it was going in. If I had not been admitted to this clinical trial, I would have finished going to Windsor at the end of my radiation. As it is, I will see my oncologist every 3 weeks until Sept. and then every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months for the next 2 years, so I will be well supervised. Since this type of cancer has a high rate of return in the first three years, that is especially good. Once I pass that three-year point, I will be considered 'out of the woods'.
My sister is continuing to do well at the rehab and will probably be going home this coming Friday. That will be a month from the time of her fall. She is looking forward to getting out of the hospital but also realizing that this will present new challenges to her. She won't be driving for a while, so has to make arrangements with the ParaTranspo service and a few other things like that. I am planning to take the train to Ottawa next week and spend some time with her.
Yesterday, we were saddened by the news of the death of our youngest son's fiancée's mother. She had surgery Dec. 11 for removal of her gall bladder; at that time multiple tumours were discovered in her digestive system and it was not possible to remove all of them. We had hoped for a longer time for her, but it was not to be. We plan to attend the funeral this weekend.
So - we go from day to day. Robins have returned, daffodils are poking up, spring is on its way. Thank you again for your prayers and for your thoughtfulness in sending cards. A special thank you to a good neighbour who magically brings chili on nights when I haven't got the energy to cook. May all your kindnesses come back to you !
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
You Never Know....Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Greetings ! Yes, I finished my radiation treatments yesterday ! It seems rather unreal and will take a few days to sink in, I guess. I have an Avastin treatment on Thursday, so I won't be away from Windsor too long. However, after that, I think things will feel like they have changed, since I will only have to go back every 3 weeks now until September. I am tired, as I was advised I would be, and my radiation burn area is sore in a couple of spots, but that's all. I have cream to apply and I do! So it is now just a question of healing and recovering from all the treatments that I have had over the last 6 months.
Today brought a new health surprise for David. He had been noticing a dark spot in his right eye for several days, rather like an eclipse taking over part of his vision. It didn't hurt although it was tricky to read; still went to Toronto for his meeting on Friday and Saturday. (Our youngest son and his fiancée had come to drive me to Windsor.) Today we went to our optometrist and were told that he has a 25% detachment of the retina - quite a shock. He is scheduled for surgery at the Ivey Institute at Victoria Hospital in London tomorrow. We have to be there for 8:00 a.m. so it will be an early start ! As far as we know, he will be coming home the same day. We would appreciate your prayers for this situation.
My sister is still in hospital in Ottawa after her fall. She had surgery last Friday to correct her shoulder position and her wrist, since the doctors were not pleased with the way they were healing. This was unexpected and painful. Yesterday, she was moved to a rehab. unit at another hospital where she will be for 5 - 7 days while she is helped to learn techniques for dressing, showering and getting up out of a normal (flat) bed. Her left arm is in a sling to support her shoulder and her wrist is in a partial cast, so she has little use from it.
So there you have it. You never know what a day will bring ! Thanks again for your prayers.
Today brought a new health surprise for David. He had been noticing a dark spot in his right eye for several days, rather like an eclipse taking over part of his vision. It didn't hurt although it was tricky to read; still went to Toronto for his meeting on Friday and Saturday. (Our youngest son and his fiancée had come to drive me to Windsor.) Today we went to our optometrist and were told that he has a 25% detachment of the retina - quite a shock. He is scheduled for surgery at the Ivey Institute at Victoria Hospital in London tomorrow. We have to be there for 8:00 a.m. so it will be an early start ! As far as we know, he will be coming home the same day. We would appreciate your prayers for this situation.
My sister is still in hospital in Ottawa after her fall. She had surgery last Friday to correct her shoulder position and her wrist, since the doctors were not pleased with the way they were healing. This was unexpected and painful. Yesterday, she was moved to a rehab. unit at another hospital where she will be for 5 - 7 days while she is helped to learn techniques for dressing, showering and getting up out of a normal (flat) bed. Her left arm is in a sling to support her shoulder and her wrist is in a partial cast, so she has little use from it.
So there you have it. You never know what a day will bring ! Thanks again for your prayers.
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