Day 133 - INR & Back To The Ol' Routine

Well, back home & back at 'er. I had a nice lie in this morning, as did Valentina. In fact, she was so tired for her 9 days of playing, she slept until 1700! She didn't even get outta bed to come with me to Bragg Creek for the mail, nor did she come with me to Cochrane! She was wiped!


I checked the messages that morning & much to my panic, the chemofit folks had left a message on the 25th saying that my package was held up at customs & if the solution wasn't kept cool enough, it might not work! Today was March 4th! Argh! Of all the messages my Mom listens to, why couldn't she have paid attention!!! I raced into town to pick up the package & raced back home to call New York. Dr. Bradford asked me a little bit about the colour & consistency of the liquid in the bottle & said she thought it would be alright. Phew! That was close! There certainly wasn't time to have another collection kit mailed out, as the biopsy is tomorrow!


After that mess was cleaned up, I unpacked, Skyped with my poor husband who was beginning to think I had left him (!), and got ready to leave for Cochrane. I had to do another INR test to make sure I wouldn't bleed to death on the operating table! I left in the nick of time & made it to the clinic about 90 seconds before she locked the door! Phew! Another close call! 


I was a bit nervous, as the gal who took my blood was asking her colleague an awful lot of questions for someone who should know what they're doing! I was also nervous, as I was hoping they wouldn't recognize me as the 'girl who left her sharps behind'! Luckily they didn't! The technician was impressed when I said 'Spasiba' as I left... Thank you in Russian & she had eluded that she was from somewhere around there! I think her direct words were, 'I'm from Russia, but I'm not Russian.' Okay, whatever!


I drove home to see the sun shining beautifully over the cloud covered mountains. I really do enjoy the Rockies when the sun is shining & it's relatively warm out! Bring on Springtime!!! 


I made my MCP Pina Colada & had an extra one ready to chug right after the biopsy. I am hoping to have a smooth procedure tomorrow, as I have to post the collection kit straight after, do some banking, buy Applecare for the laptop, drop off the bankruptcy payment and swing by another Doctor's office. Fingers crossed! Wish me luck, tomorrow's a big day!


Love & hugs,
Valentina & Maria
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

I was trying to get a good shot of Moose Mountain (AKA Brokeback Mountain), but it didn't happen!

Life is good. Air is fresh!

Contemplate clocks 390,000 kms! You go girl!

Days 105 & 106 - Rock A Bye Baby...

Hello Everyone!

I hope this finds you well, enjoying the last day of the week & packing plans in for the weekend! Tomorrow I am off to the Health Show in Calgary. Here's hoping I can score a discount on some supplements & learn a little more about cancer & health! Yay! 

Yesterday was interesting... I have been extra sleepy since the biopsy, I suppose my body is trying to recover. I can barely get myself organized by 1500! Yikes! Mom & I left for the city about 1530 for my acupuncture appointment. As I was lying on the table in Dr. Mah's office, I realized... 'Wait a second. I dread giving myself a needle & here I am with 8 needles pricked into me at once!' Something is definitely wrong with that picture! Anyhow, I think all the needles are helping my health out - if only I didn't have to administer them to myself! But you learn to be (gulp) BRAVE, right??!! 

After the acupuncture appointment, we stopped at Community Natural Foods, Calgary's equivalent to Whole Foods in the US. They have a wonderful selection of health food, natural products & very helpful staff. I inquired about a few products & got an earful on new ones I've never heard of. One of the gals in CNF, Zoe, was helping me find Graviola several months back & asked if I'd tried Modified Citrus Pectin. I said 'No, I've never heard of it.' She proceeded to tell me that she was given a bottle by the supplier & had no use for it. Did I want it? Wow! Of course I said yes! I gladly took the bottle & when I went to replace the empty one, Yikes! $97!!! Anyhow, I took a second bottle & ended up in Mexico a few weeks later. I stopped the MCP until I read the Knockout book. Mom was in CNF the other day when Zoe was working & called me to make sure she got the right stuff. I told her to put Zoe on the line & thanked her again & again, sharing my news about MCP! What a wonderful gift & how generous of Zoe! 

Next up was Prayers. Mom & I joined Neil & Lawrence & shared our weeks happenings & the people we would like to pray for. It's a nice relaxed atmosphere in Neil's living room. He has tea & snacks for us, we sit & talk & then have a group prayer. I enjoy the informality of it & it is wonderful to hear the stories of these gentlemen. They have done some amazing things in their lifetime. 

When I returned home, I checked my emails before bed & sadly, my friend Glen passed away that morning. I am glad that his pain is over with, but sad that he had to leave on such unfortunate conditions. His funeral is Monday & I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, as I have my CT scan. I'll see what the weather is like & what time I finish. I am hoping to visit his wife, Stella, the next time I am in Medicine Hat. They are both such wonderful people. 

The night for me was an unpleasant one. I'm not sure if I drank some bad juice or exactly what, but at 0600 I was sick to my stomach. Only once. I finally fell asleep after that & didn't wake up until 1300!!! I haven't accomplished much today. In fact I didn't eat breakfast until 2130, I just haven't had the will to move today! Here's hoping tomorrow will be much better! 

Jaco called & we had a nice visit. He is working so hard these past few weeks. He will be so happy to make it home & relax... Although! I heard from the recruiting agency & they want to see Jaco's CV ASAP for the position in Bragg Creek! Yay! Fingers crossed he can get it up-to-date before the lady returns from holidays on the 16th. It would be wonderful if this job would materialize into our reality! Apparently they even supply a place for us to live! I know my mother wants her house back & I eagerly want to give it back to her! As soon as I can manage & my health is on the upswing, I'm outta here! When I was chatting with a girlfriend today, I said I think I know the title of the book I'm going to write when I'm healthy... 'Having Cancer Is Easier Than Living With Your Mother' :o) My Mom is wonderful, but grown women need their space. I know, I need to leave - I am counting down the days until I can afford to pack up my things & go! Until then, it's a lot of deep breathing for both of us.

On that note, I'm going to watch one more episode of House & hit the hay. I love House. What a jerk. He makes me smile though. Ever since the first episode I've been a fan. Anyhow... Continuing with the Zuma saga... Here's a little funny to keep you going... Compliments of my friend, Werner...

Love & hugs & sweet dreams (keep your daughters close!)

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Ha ha... funny funny...

Lawrence - What an amazing man!

Neil - Our humble host & also an amazing man!

Yours truly - I'll take off the toque when the grass is green & the trees have leaves!

Mommy Dearest

Seduti Bella - Sitting pretty for a nibble of cheese. Isn't she adorable?!? :o)