Up, Up and Away

Wow,  this is the first week since last May that I have not had some form of a medical appt. I sort of feel lost, but am certain this will pass. All in all, I am feeling pretty good. I joined the Healthy Living Centre and have been going walking Monday-Friday. I am treating the excersize as the next part of my treatment. Chemo and steroids were very hard on me so this is a way to get my energy and stamina back. Last week I was walking and felt a spring in my step for the first time in a long time. What a great feeling that was!

I had mentioned on my blog that I had been working on a celebration and to stay tuned for details. I was hoping to plan a splashy affair this spring,  but my body isn’t where my mind is in terms of being ready for this. Because of this, I am sad to say that this is not in the works at present. I am wishing to one day do this to thank many people who have been so good to me and our family but don’t feel I can at this point in my recovery. 

This Friday, our family is off to Toronto to spend some time together. We are looking forward to this time together. We plan to do skating at the Nathan Phillips Square, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Yuk Yuk’s comedy club, the waterslides at our hotel, and we are all pretty excited about going to the Leafs vs Devils game. (Thanks to Alex Urbom for getting us these tickets!) Wohooo. The trip will be a great way to have some fun together after this stressfull year. 

My latest docs apt went well. My port has been removed and my doctors sent me on my way and will check in with me three months down the road. I will be in touch again soon. 

Donna

journey

It sure is a Jorney!

This past week I have done lots of reflecting.... I am so grateful for so many things. Having that last chemo behind me seems pretty great thats forsure. Kelly and Wes were with me for the last round and that seems so fitting as they were with me the day we got the diagnosis. I did the happy dance as we left Cancer Care and Kelly and I had a very emotional ride home. Seems a long time ago and so many things have happened since last May. Promised myself no looking back only looking forward.
Im thinking one of my biggest challenges will be to get my stamina back. I tried to get on my treadmill this week. Monday i did 15 min, Tuesday 20 min, Wednesday 30 min,Thursday 20 min and then i have crashed since then. I thought maybe i could run 30 min by now...not so much. Walking at 3.2 mph is about as much as i can do. So I need some patience thats forsure.

Have been journaling lots and resting every day. Manda continues to visit me lots and bring those beautiful little boys over to see Grammie! Kyle is away this weekend looking at the university in Leithbridge. Hes just looking ahead at what he will do when he graduates from colledge.
Kelly is sanding down our kitchen cupboards and thats our last job for awhile. Seems he has had to keep so busy to get through this.

We are all looking forward to our little get away on March 1st to Toronto. Planning on a few fun things and will be so great to just be together as a family.
Well think thats all for now. I promise i will keep resting and not sign up to run a marathon quite yet...hahhahaha

 Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna

Yahoo!

I can hardly believe we are here! Last chemo tomorrow. This week was Kyles 23rd birthday, so happy birthday to you son. I love you so much honey! Seems a very long time that I have wished for this time of the year to come...means I'm really close to my very last chemo day...our family is very excited to put this date Jan 24th. behind us all! It represents the completion of 18rounds of weekly chemo, so 21 chemo treatments in total.

 Last week I felt brave enough to say to my Dr so whats next..after chemo I mean. So the plan wll be to have my port out asap and that date will be Feb 12th in Brandon. Then meet with Winnipeg surgeon and drs on Feb 19th. I will be monitored closely and go between seeing Brandon and Winnipeg Drs.
For now,need to get this week behind us. Last chemo day,last calender,last set of steriods,last needles...oh man..Im emotional just thinking about putting this part of it all behind me and the family. Kelly is so excited to not have to give me needles anymore thats forsure!!


Im feeling ok...just really tired and they tell me I am going to need lots of resting for awhile. Not sure what I will do with all my time as I wont need to be at cancer care 2 days a week after this week. Im sure going to miss all those wonderful staff people that I consider my friends..they have become a big part of my support and my life since May. I will never forget thier caring and compasion.

Well think thats all..Kelly continues to be my rock and those little grandsons of our keep us smiling at the world.

Keeping you in the loop
Always, Donna

2 more...No more!

Well I can hardly believe that tomorrow morning will be my 2nd last chemo! What a long haul this has been for not only me but for our family. Kelly is excited as we only have 4 more needles he has to give me. I havent seen Kyle this excited for a long time...he was saying today Mom can u believe it..only 2 left. Amanda, shes rooting me on all the time... My wonderful son in law Wes gently hugs me and shares his admiration. My 2 beautiful grandsons are sitting under the finish line calling me all the time...of course I will keep going!!

The last round was sure a tough one for me. They increased the chemo dose so made it alot tougher to rebound. I slept most of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and woke up just in time for yet another round of chemo tomorrow. My Dr and dear friend has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I appreciate him and his support so much.

Kelly has been busy around the house as we have our kitchen pretty much all redone and hes done a great job. Hes sanding the cupboards now and will redo them next. I got my new bath tub in and I sure do like it!! I hopped in it for a quick sec to snap a pic for you! Cant wait to have a bath in it! You can see how relaxed I look!!! haha

Well I guess I best hit the bed and be well rested for tomorrow...number 17! Im feeling emotional over putting this part of the journey behind me. Thanks so much to the many of you who keep praying for me,phoning and stopping by and caring about me and our family. Its definetly a journey we couldnt get through without all of you.

Always keeping you in the loop Donna

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Today, I had my 15th round of chemo. I now have 3 more to go. I am sure beat up but have enough gas left in the tank to get through the next few weeks. The chemo has given me a few new side effects over the last few weeks. I have a bit of a rash on my face and tingly feet. These are common and not suprising to the Cancer Care team. My hair is growing back, but is definately white. It may/may not get color again once I am done chemo. It also looks like it may have a bit of curl to it. Will share a recent pic again one day soon.

We enjoyed the holliday season and were lucky to enjoy a few nice visits with some great friends. New years was quiet, we spent the night at Amanda and Wes's place and had a nice dinner together.
 It was nice to say goodbye to 2012 and welcome a brand new year. Our family is full of optimism and hope that 2013 will be a year full of good health, happy days and a new appreciation for every day.

We have continued working at our party and will let you know the details very soon.
I will be in touch after the next round of chemo. The countdown is on! 3-2-1 wohoooo.

Thats all for now,
Keepin you in the loop-Donna

Merry Christmas Everybody

Just had the best morning ever. I was surrounded by my beautiful family and grandsons. Sawyer enjoyed opening a few gifts and little Fraser has smiled the morning away.  Our whole family was very spoiled, everyone loved their gifts. This year though, Christmas has reminded us of the most important thing of all,which is being together. Even though some of us are on Hollidays over Christmas, there is no break for my chemo regime. I continue with treatment on Thursday.

Wes's mom, brother and sister are coming tonight to Brandon. So, we plan to do Christmas again tomorrow to celebrate the season with them.

Our family has booked a trip to Toronto. We will be going for 5 days in March. This will be a great way to all be together for a few days of fun after the difficult year we have had. I think we are all looking forward to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Tower, Waterpark, shopping, and lots more fun.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. We will update the blog in the New Year.

Keeping you in the loop,
Always, Donna

12th round of chemo, 12 days before christmas

*This was written yesterday but just got to posting it now!*      
                                                              
Hi everyone. It’s Amanda writing you all today. Mom is at chemo but asked that I give an update.
Today is her 12^th round of chemo, 12 days before Christmas. She still has one big chemo to go before Santa comes.

Everyone I talk to says how terrific she looks and how great she is doing. I totally agree. I am especially proud of her because I know that this journey has been a real battle for her. Emotionally its been extremely tough, and physically the chemo is sure beating her up. With this in mind, it is sure a true demonstration of the kind of woman she is that she keeps smiling and pushing though. I am so proud of her for working so hard to be well and keeping her chin up through this all.

The last week has been tough on mom as she hasn’t got to see her boys in a few days. Sawyer picked up an virus so we have had to stay away from Grammie for a few days.  This has been hard on all of us! Sawyer just got off the phone with her and was kissing the phone! We sure miss her. Kyle is currently writing exams at college and looking forward to a bit of a break. Dad has been busy with work and his never ending to do list mom keeps adding to around the house! He has now painted the back room and kitchen. Go dad go!  Our family is planning a trip to Florida once mom is done her treatment. We are all looking very forward to this family time. Thats all for now.

Amanda