Day 168 - Happy Birthday To Me!

Yup, today is my 31st birthday. Looking back on the day, it really wasn't that much fun, so I'm going to celebrate it tomorrow!


I wasn't even the last one on the list today at the clinic, so I figured I would be able to get away in good time for Valentina's Vet appointment. Today she was getting her International Health Certificate in order to travel abroad. The appointment was at 1520 downtown. 


They called me in for my treatment before anyone had really finished up & no sooner had I sat down when Emily, Mika, Karla, Rossy, Nora & Maria came out with a couple of mini cakes & a candle on each one. They sang happy birthday to myself & to Jack, another patient. Yes, Jack & Jill had their birthday's on the same day! Oh the irony! I was very touched that they girls were so thoughtful!


I was finished in good time & managed to hop on the first shuttle. Oh dear. Today was also a ridiculously slow day at the border. We waited & waited & waited & waited. By the time we made it through & back to the hotel, I knew I would have to hustle my butt! To my surprise I had a dozen beautiful pink roses in my room! What a great Mom I have! The card read: 'I wish I will there. Love Mom'. Oh how I love a good English to Spanish translation. Mom said it took nearly 10 minutes to try & spell out what she wanted the card to read! And the girl still goofed it up! Oh well. My room smelled delicious! Speaking of delicious, I had to get some food in my belly, Valentina's papers organized & get out the door to catch the bus. I left the room at 1430.


I swear, I must have just missed the bus, as I waited a good 20 minutes for the bus. By the time I got on to the trolley, I had 10 minutes to make it 11 stops! Not happening!


I decided to head up to Whole Foods after the Vet appointment, as I was low on groceries & didn't want to come all this way & go home empty handed. I had taken my carry-on suitcase & placed it underneath Valentina's carrier, so lil' Miss V was riding the double decker bus today! 


We didn't really fit on the trolley benches, so I decided I would stand at the back close to the doors & stay out of the other travelers way. There I was, leaning against the wall, my double decker bus at my feet, when along comes this 'lady'. She plops herself down on the trolley floor next to my feet. She stretches out her legs, so every stop we make, people walk up the stairs & have to navigate over her legs. Eventually she sits cross legged. Why she sat there I will never know. There were plenty of empty seats in the trolley car. Pretty soon, she's rocking back & forth, banging her head against the wall. She's suddenly scratching her head & shaking her hands in the air. She's talking jibberish with plenty of profanity thrown in the mix. Oh please let this trolley ride end soon! Please let it be over! 


Thankfully we were finally at Park & Market & I was able to hop off & away from the scary situation. I scooted one block over to the Market Street Veterinary Clinic where Dr. Dorian was hopefully still waiting to see Valentina! Thankfully I was still able to squeeze in! I weighed my little girl while I waited. She was 10.2 lbs. I asked the Vet if she was overweight & he said she could lose just a touch, as she lacks some definition from her ribcage to her lower back. You know what they say, 'Dogs are like their owners'! And this owner lacks alotta definition! :o) Sadly & certainly more seriously, I've been told that dogs will often take on the health issues of their owners. I've noticed Valentina's lymph nodes before, but didn't think anything of it. I asked the Vet & sure enough, he did say they were a little larger than normal, but not to panic just yet. OMGosh. I would surely live the day in horror if I were to pass my Lymph problems on to my dog!


Otherwise, she was fit as a fiddle. He said she was very clever, although I'm sure he says that to all the dogs & their owners that come through! :o) But this time he's right! :o) We received our International Health Certificate, settled the bill & were on our way. The Vet Clinic was a great experience - wonderful staff & helpful. They also took the time to answer all of my questions. Two thumbs up & a big dog biscuit for Dr. Dorian & co.! 


It was back on the trolley & then onto the bus. This time I had 3 creepy men scoping me out. Eeew. I sat next to one of them, as it was the only seat I could manage the double decker. I just don't get people who don't get the concept of personal space. Your bum & thighs should rest in your seat, not 1.5 seats & certainly not my seat! Stop touching my leg with your leg. I swear, I'm going to have OCD issues & need to shower after every public outing. I was very happy to get off of that bus!


As soon as I got to Whole Foods, I bee-lined it for the bathroom. I kid you not. I waited a good 10 minutes for their Unisex bathroom to open up. When it did, this 'dude' steps out with his to go mug & a book under his arm. Are you kidding me? You're lounging in a public bathroom? More gross & more OCD issues.


I make my way around the best store ever (well, maybe 3rd best after Lululemon & Le Fate Scalze shoe shop in Napoli, Italia) & find all the wonderful healthy foods I know I should be eating! To my horror, the supplements I planned on picking up are not here! Oh no!!!! I am hoping that Henry's will carry some of them, as I am nearly out of several important ones! Argh! The ones they do have are different brands, dosages & who knows about the quality!


After checkout, I've got a suitcase that weighs a ton, a dog bag, a purse, and 2 brown bags of groceries. This is going to be fun! I fumbled my way over to Kiki Sushi again for my birthday dinner. Danny & Calvin were there & they remembered me. We had a great visit while I stuffed my face full of scrumptious sushi!


I caught the bus & no sooner had I sat down when another 'weirdo' starts asking me questions about my Whole Foods bag. 'What's so special about that place?' I tell him about the healthier options in the shop. It goes in one ear & out the other. He rambles on about his big casino winnings & how so & so took money from him & paid him with his own money & it all just went in my one ear & out the other! :o) He then wound back to the health food thing & proceeds to tell me, 'Oh well, we're all dying anyhow, so what's the use?' I retorted & said, 'Some of us are dying sooner than we'd like to & we're trying to make a change'. I was so happy that my bus stop was up & I could get off... I lug my heavy bags off the bus & once I'm rolling down the street, I catch my self muttering 'uglies' toward Mr. Unhealthy. Then I realize that I'm the only one on the street & I'm talking to myself... Not much better than the lady on the trolley. Yeesh. I'm becoming one of them! 


I make my way home & finally get back to the hotel about 2100. I'm wiped. What a day. And this was my birthday? I don't think so! I'm taking a raincheck & celebrating tomorrow! 


I unpack my groceries & get ready for bed. I'm looking forward to a more exciting day tomorrow! 


Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Emily, Rossy, Nora, Mika & Maria serenading me with 'Happy Birthday'

Nora, Rossy & Maria

Maria, Karla & Rossy

Jack & Jill's birthday!

It feels so good to get flowers!

Was - Was - Was

The helpful girls at Market Street Vet Clinic

She looks pretty happy about her weight. Guess it runs in the family! :o)

University Ave

Day 162 - Hmpf. Argh. Grrr. (I'm a perplexed & grumpy Pirate!) :o)

Well, today was an interesting day to say the least. I was again, the last one on the list for treatments... It is just SO BUSY at the clinic! Today was my appointment with Dr. Castillo. I waited for only a few minutes & then Karla called me in. 


Dr. Castillo talked to me about my blood work, which for the most part, is much better than when I was here before. There is a little bit more inflammation than before, but my cancer marker is lower than last time! He copied my chemo fit test & my most recent CT scan. Then came the news. Yup. Chemo. But that's not even the worst of it! He said he wanted me to meet with his Oncologist, Dr. Losano. A quick call to Dr. Losano & I will meet with him on Monday. Basically Dr. Castillo told me I would do ABVD (same as in Canada) every 2 weeks for 6 months. I asked if it would be low dose & he replied that it would be the 'right dose for you'. Hmm. He said I would need anti-nausea medication & I would also lose my hair. Hmm. Totally not what I expected to hear. I will wait until Monday before I make any further decisions. Dr. Castillo wants me here for 2 weeks to do the first 2 rounds before I go away. He also said I could find a Doctor back home to administer the chemo & that would save me the flights to Mexico. Somehow I think if I can't find a Doctor to help me with my shots, chances are slim to none in finding a Doctor to give me chemo drugs! Anyhow, I will keep you updated on what happens on Monday.


Dr. Castillo checked my breathing, blood pressure, weight (152!), height, my neck & underarms. I'm still alive. :o) 


I had my IV right after & managed to get back to the hotel about 1300. Today was the day to visit the pet shop & get the kennel, potty, & health certificate sorted out. City Dog is at one of the trolley stops, so it was convenient to go there. The owner was very helpful  in finding me the right pup-head astro-turf potty, the right sized kennel & sending me to the vet around the corner. I needed to get an International Health Certificate for Valentina before we go to the ship. I have also discovered that she will need to be shipped cargo. I am very afraid to send her as cargo. 


I stopped at Target after the pet shop & picked up some heating packs. You know the kind you put on sore muscles? Well, I figured I could put those in her kennel to keep her warm. They last for 8 hours, so that will almost do the trick. Her last 4 hours will be chilly, but hopefully she'll be okay. I picked up a fleecy pillow cover to put in the bottom of the kennel. I'm sure she'll mess on it, but at least it will be warm - until the mess!


I accidentally took the wrong trolley on the way home & ended up in a real ghetto area. I was pretty worried I'd be the victim of a drive by shooting! I was pretty happy to see the trolley come along & take me back to the right trolley stop! Whoopsie!


Heavily weighted down, I fumbled my way onto the trolley & then the bus, exhausted from a full day. Again. I went to Coco's for another baked potato & steamed veggies. I think it depends on who the Cook is, as my potato & veggies were a lot more well done than the previous time! 


Anyhow, I'm wiped, so I'll see you tomorrow!!!! 
Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Bubu Settete!

My little blog helper!

Waiting on the trolley

Iris Trolley Station

On the Orange Line

'Do not let your children or pets play with plastic bags!' 

I left this bag on the chair & when I came back to the room, Valentina was tangled up! Whoopsie!!!

Day 151 - Driving...

Why is it that I can always find the snooze button before I gain consciousness? I hit the snooze button at 0740 (consciously) & the next time I heard the snooze button, it was 0805. Where did those 25 minutes go when my snooze beeps every 5 minutes?


Needless to say, I was late getting going this morning, but managed to get out the door & arrive at Jessica's right on time! We had a great session - how can I have a bad session? She makes me laugh for an hour & I get to lie on this really warm bed. Oh yeah, I get healthy too! Bonus!


Mom & I left for SK, but only after a stop at the insurance place & Planet Organic for a bit of lunch. She drove to Brooks & I drove the rest of the way. We had a good chat & were serenaded by Valentina & her squeaky toy. She still hasn't decided on the puppy, but I guess I'm optimistic she'll make the RIGHT choice & I'll meet Annie next time I'm home. 


We arrived at the junction at 1600. Mom was picking up a used car from my Uncle Darryl & he had left it at the junction for her. Phew. It reeked of cigarette smoke! I sprinkled lavender oil all over the seats & dash to try & eliminate the smell of smoke. We said goodbye & she headed for home.


I headed for my former home - Dad's place. It is always strange to go home & see what has changed & what hasn't. Buildings, businesses, family farms, and all the faces that I hardly recognize anymore. I politely visit & then when we're out the door, I ask Dad, 'Who was that again?' 


Dad had to take a few cows to town & his dog needed some shots, so we stopped at the vet clinic. Dad's dog, Mac, a border collie, is quite the character. He's a little large for a lap dog, but he'd sure like to be one! His tongue was out the whole time & he was happy as a pig in mud! 


We took a drive out to the 'Cabbage Patch' when we got back home & checked on the cows & calves. Valentina started to give her little 'woof' from the cab of the truck. Yeah, she is catching 'Little Dog Syndrome'. I'll bet she'd crawl right up my leg if I put her out with the cows!


Once back at the house, Dad made supper for us. (I survived my own cooking, but barely!) He made brown rice, asparagus, salmon & a garden salad. We followed supper with a pot of Rooibos tea. Quite the entertainer he is! I remember the days of microwaved perogies, so he's come a LONG way! Remind me one day to tell the toilet paper/microwave story...


We visited about a wide variety of topics & then Dad's eyelids began to get heavy. He can be mid-sentence & fall asleep. I knew it was time to hit the hay. I'm pretty wiped too! Here's to a fun filled day tomorrow...


Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxooxoo

Having a nice lie-in.

My rear view helper. (When she's conscious!)

Sleeping on the road again.

The big trees in the yard where I grew up. We used to have some swings in the trees.

Mac & Dad. Mac is the happiest dog in the world. Dad is cleaning the trail mix out of his teeth.

Grandad's Herd

My Cowdog-In-Training