Day 349 - Waterton!!!

Today we finally made it to Waterton! We have been talking about going for over a month now. We were going to go for our 3rd 1st anniversary, but they I had a few rough rounds of chemo & the idea got pushed aside. As things were going better this round, we decided to head south. 


It was a beautiful day when we left. We stopped in Black Diamond to deliver some books for Mom & then we were off! We stopped at all the usual places. Our first stop was the Buffalo Paddock. When I used to work in Waterton, we would drive out to the Paddock at night & scare ourselves silly. We would drive around until we could see the light reflecting in the buffalo's eyes & then we would all scream like little girls & drive out of the paddock, chills running up & down our spines the whole time!


Our next stop was Red Rock Canyon. We sped up just a little as we went over Butterfly Hill & stopped to take a few photos of Galwey - the first mountain I ever climbed & the only mountain I've ever climbed twice! The road to Red Rock was VERY potholed - I hope they are fixing it soon! They have paved a path from the park gate to the townsite for bikers & hikers. It is very nice, but I think the road needs more attention!


I was surprised to see flowers at Red Rock. There were a few Harebells along the trail & various other wildflowers that I don't know the names of. I took my camera along the stroll & snapped happily away. There was a family down in the canyon climbing along the rocks & water. That brought back many memories, as a good friend of mine, Breian, & I used to do the exact same thing on hot summer days!


After our visit to Red Rock Canyon, we drove up to Cameron Lake. The weather was a bit inclement while we were there, but it was still beautiful. Jaco was amazed that America & BC were so close! While we were there, we met an enthusiastic guy named Mike from Virginia. He was snap-happy & eagerly took our photo, so we would take his. We saw a little bunny rabbit while we were wandering around & observed him nibbling away on remnants of green foliage.


Next up was Cameron Falls. We hopped out for a few photos & then headed over to Welch's Chocolate Shop. Carol was there, of course, so we stopped in for a visit. We had a cup of hot chocolate while we chatted away about her summer & all the happenings. I worked 5 summers for Carol when I was in high school & she is a very special person to me. (And I can scoop ice cream with the best of them!)


We were going to go for dinner in Waterton, but decided we wanted to head back to Pincher Creek & meet up with Ilo, who was back in town for Thanksgiving weekend. We bid adieu to Waterton for 2010  & headed to Pincher. 


I phoned Karen, who teaches in Pincher, but she wasn't home. We ended up meeting Ilo for tea at Luigi's & had a great chat. She's always a blast to visit with & what a nice surprise that we were able to meet up, as she is normally in Kimberley! She's off to Honduras sometime this winter, so if you want a dive buddy or know of any great places... Let me know & I'll put you in touch!


I do love Waterton. Maybe because it was my first experience of the mountains growing up, perhaps it is because I spent so many summers there, maybe it's just because it's a special place... I don't know exactly what it is, but part of me is there. It's a little like a best kept secret - many Canadians haven't been there & most Americans don't even know it's there! It's smaller than Banff & Jasper & WAY less crowded... Maybe its the dramatic way the mountains meet the prairies, maybe it's the different 'smell' of the trees that refresh your lungs with every breath... Whatever it is, I'll be going back time & time again...


xxxxMJV&O

Day 239 - Sweet Slumber!

At seven o'clock I woke to a kerfuffle. The dogs were ready to go outside for the 'morning news'. Ilo decided she might as well get up & get ready to go. She was heading down to Pincher to see her parents & then home to Kimberley. We had some fruit salad from last night's coconut french toast & she was out the gate by 0745. I was sad to see her go, but grateful that she had been able to come & visit! I miss her a lot! She's a beautiful inside & out... and she's a riot of fun!!! 


Ilo & I met in Waterton 10 or 12 years ago. We had plenty of adventures together. She reminded me of our ill-fated tubing day down the river. We had a near death experience when a bunch of branches in the water nearly sucked us under. Ilo lost her sandal & sprained her ankle... It wasn't the lazy drift down the river we'd envisioned. She told me about a GIANT grizzly print she saw on the beach. I had CLEARLY missed it! I don't know how I didn't catch that part of the adventure, but I'm honestly quite happy to have only learned about it 10+ years later!!!


After she was safely on her journey home, I headed back to bed. Oh sweet slumber! I had a good lie in until 1330! Yup! I was officially caught up on sleep! It has been a doozy of a week! I was happy to have no where to drive to today! 


I spent the afternoon tidying up, making phone calls, chatting with Jaco & sometime in the evening Unka Jer showed up! We had a quick visit & then it was back to bed! 


Sweet dreams,
xxxxxx
Maria & Valentina

My favourite shirt - officially retired. Note the hole in the armpit. Sigh.

Day 238 - Overachiever & Achievements!

Okay, so I'll be the first to admit, I've been quite slack about keeping you up to speed! I'm now sitting a week+ behind & racking my brain to remember the past X number of days! Bear with me!


This morning was another ultrasound. I'm pleased to say that I'm no longer in the bottom of the pile for follicles! Yay! This morning found 12 follicles! Whoo hoo! It's working! I am to keep up with my shots for the next three days & come back on Sunday. Lucky me, human pin-cushion continues!


I motored home & realized that I had left Mom's cell at home. I was supposed to call Ilo when I was leaving the city, so she could meet me & follow me back to the ranch. Whoopsie! I called her as soon as I got home & to my dismay, I had the wrong number!!! The answering message that picked up was some young kid named Jordan! Oh no! I facebooked her & sent her an email, with no idea of whether or not she would actually be able to access either message! 


I laid down for a nap, waiting for the phone to ring. It didn't! I woke up & hit the shower. When I got out, there was Ilo! She found us! I quickly got ready & she decided to accompany me to my Oncology appointments. Since it was a rainy day, Shasta & Valentina came along for the ride. The first stop was blood work. It was late in the day, so the clinic wasn't busy & I made sure I didn't get the same gal who murdered my vein last time! 


Our next stop was the Social Worker. She was able to help me out with the prescription coverage application & we applied for Blue Cross coverage, but it takes 4 months to kick in! My EI benefits end this weekend & if I can qualify for sick benefits, it will only cover me for 15 weeks! Yikes! I'm feeling the pinch! It could be an interesting 6 months in so many more ways than I had imagined! 


Okay, the appointment I'm sure you're all anxious to know about. My big meeting with Dr. Daly. I had my binder of studies & tests & trials & questions (19). There he sat with his matching shirt & socks, pants pressed with a razor sharp crease & a flawless haircut. I was so nervous. I was so relieved that Ilo had come along to bring me back to reality from time to time. I started with the questions. Finally it came time to tell him about the Bleomycin omission. 


He asked me to tell him more about it, so I explained the study I'd found, what the results were & the Doctor who had done it. I told him that I'd phoned the Harvard Doctor who conducted the study. To my shock, Dr. Daly says, 'Yes, George?' He knows him! Very good! So, after I explain my reasoning, Dr. Daly says, 'Well, you sound like you're making an informed decision & as long as you're aware of the risks, that's fine with me.'


WHAT?!?! No fight? No argument? No tie me to the chair until I give in?!? Wow! That was so easy! Phew! I've just lost 10 pounds! Fantastic!


Next up, Peter Lougheed for treatments? Sure! CT scan? Well, I compromised & it will only be my neck & chest - NO ABDOMEN OR PELVIS!!!! This is turning into a breeze!


I asked about sunshine & if I could have vitamin D. He said to cover up & use sunscreen, especially if I'm going to be out all day - like if I'm doing a hike. What?!? You mean I'll feel well enough to hike?? He tells me it's much easier than I've painted in my mind. I hope he's right! I really, really do!


I also asked about the substitute Oncologist while he's away. It turns out, he's only gone for 2 weeks, so it's not such a big deal. I mentioned that I had wanted Dr. Lategan & I also mentioned that his receptionist was quite the gal. He immediately asked about HIS receptionist & was she nice. She was better than Dr. Lategan's, but she wasn't winning any gold stars... I told Dr. Daly that she was alright - he instantly poked me in the knee & roared laughing - 'Good! Because it's the same one!' Ha ha ha! Ilo, the Nurse, Deb, & Dr. Daly were all roaring. I hardly found it funny. I do now, but she was still wicked to me! Looks like we'll have to have a chat before I start visiting her every 2 weeks! :oP


With that, we finished up. I left feeling relief of some kind. My 1st chemo date is booked for June 30th. Less than 2 weeks to go. The pit in my stomach is already whirling. CT scan will be either the 28th or 29th. 


Ilo & I stopped for a Jugo Juice & some groceries from Safeway. She made a yummy sweet potato appetizer & I made (kind of) coconut french toast. We were so full from our smoothies we hardly ate anything! The highlight of the day was the photo frenzy Ilo shared with me. She spent a year in Kenya a few years ago volunteering with Global Vision. Her photographs were AMAZING. WOW! I can't wait to go there! The sunsets, the dolphins, the cheetahs, the people... Beautiful! What an experience. 


We walked the dogs for awhile in the rain. It was hilarious to watch Shasta bolt ahead & Valentina try to keep up with her short little legs! They had a blast playing! Shasta is so well behaved & she is the cutest Golden Retriever I've ever seen. She has a cute little turned up nose & beautiful eyes that know exactly what's on your mind.


We were both pretty tired, so we got ready for bed... Before we hit the hay, Ilo tried on a few wigs. It's interesting how a different hairstyle changes your look SO MUCH! I'll be anxious to see how many of my friends walk past me when I sport the wigs! :o)


Until then... Lekker slaap...
xxxxx
Maria, Valentina, Ilo & Shasta

Waiting to see Dr. Daly

Playtime!

Mushrooms & cow patty!

Catch me if you can...

Didn't think so!

You can totally rock it girl! It's Jade from America's Next Top Model!