Retirement Musings and Everyday Delights
I've posted lots of pics of Nick living life to the fullest, but that only tells part of the story. Interspersed with the fun and adventure have been moments of watching, worrying and waiting. During the pandemic, I had moments of symptom-anxiety, where I'd get a scratchy throat or feel a bit fatigued, and think … Continue reading And exhale…
Our happy news has mostly sunk in now and we've had plenty of opportunity to celebrate. We'd already planned to spend Canada Day weekend at our friends' cottage, an annual-ish tradition, but we'd anticipated that Nick would be sitting on the sidelines, unable to go in the water because of his PICC line. Fortunately we … Continue reading Joy and Gratitude
NICK IS CANCER-FREE! LYMPHOMA-LESS! IN REMISSION! The PET-CT scan was originally scheduled for July 6th, with results by July 10th, but about 10 days ago Nick thought he felt a little bump near his collarbone, so the oncologist agreed to see us the next day over her lunch hour. She couldn't feel anything but said … Continue reading REMISSION!!!!
June is a busy month as we take advantage of our reprieve from medical appointments and treatments to fill our social calendars. Our calendar is divided into the relatively known and the relatively unknown - lots of activity between now and June 6th (when Nick has his PET scan) and then empty space after that. … Continue reading Fun, festivals and fathers
Nick's six months of chemo treatments are finally behind us. At times we felt like this day would never get here. Nick banged the gong in the treatment room as we left and everyone clapped and we hoped to never see them again. As I drove out of the parking lot, We Are the Champions … Continue reading Finally
One week closer to the end of chemo treatments, and one week to go. Nick's been getting out almost daily with friends - setting off fireworks on the long weekend; stuffing himself on all-you-can-eat sushi; roasting marshmallows around our backyard bonfire (complete with guitar and sing-along); and, just hanging out enjoying the summer weather. It … Continue reading Work and Play
Eleven down and one to go! Well, not quite 'down' yet as Nick's still in recovery mode from this last one. It will be great to have an entire month with no scheduled hospital visits and for Nick to finally get a break from chemo treatments, but we'll still be living in limbo for a … Continue reading The Waiting Place
Ray is out with his chainsaw helping a neighbour cut up several trees that blew over in the storm last night and are blocking the road. Our power was out for about six hours, and it's still out just around the block from us. It was rather disconcerting listening to the howling wind and watching … Continue reading Storms and stories
What a difference the weather makes. Virtually overnight we transitioned from snow and freezing rain to shorts and t-shirt weather, and it was so energizing to get out of the house and feel the sunshine. Nick’s latest treatment turned out to be the smoothest so far. On Sunday – two days after chemo – he … Continue reading Change of Season
I read an essay in the Globe & Mail today titled 'what not to say to someone who has cancer'. After listing all the wrong things to say and do, the writer concludes with "don't feel awkward". I had to laugh because it's precisely this fear of saying the wrong thing that makes people feel so … Continue reading How to not be awkward
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