The Journey Continuing

Dr. Burnell, my oncologist, sees no problem with me returning to work as long as I'm feeling well. (Yes, my surrogate mothers, I will listen to my body!) So, after discussion with Director Jane and Blue Cross, I'm back part-time. We've tried to define an appropriate role on a pt basis, not going back to my old (more than) ft job in fewer hours.

Although my treatment has been aggressive and the response good, because mine is a cancer which had already spread beyond the lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis (Stage IV), the prognosis is that it will be life-threatening at some point - unless I'm one of those miraculous anomalies. Typically where it recurs is lungs, liver or bones, although when that happens it's still breast cancer. Chemo or radiation may be treatment options. It is estrogen-receptor negative (the test that was misdiagnosed in Newfoundland) so things like tamoxifen won't be effective.

Because the initial recurrence was in bone, I'm continuing to receive a bone strengthening medication every four weeks. I'm convinced that diet, staying active, strong support systems and a fighting spirit are also important in this journey.

Wendy

Belated October Updates

Jim and Anna visited from Alberta for a few days - we did a little tour guiding in Saint John, fed them chowder, scallops and lobster, the latter to help celebrate Harvey's birthday. They can provide a review of the quality of our guest accommodation and services.

In lieu of a fall Okanagan trip, we went to Nova Scotia for a few days to visit wineries and stock up. One of the highlights was staying overnight at the Train Station Inn in Tatamagouche, near Jost Winery. A caboose was our bedroom, with dinner in a dining car and breakfast in the train station waiting room.

Last week I got my fake boob (formally known as a prosthesis) and a special (specially expensive) masectomy bra with a clever pocket for it. In response to my query, Harvey confirms that the bra looks like something one's grandmother would have worn, so I'm going to try to retrofit some of my old ones. I probably won't wear the f.b. all the time, but it does help to feel less asymmetrical and make clothes work better. (Sorry if this is too much information, but a not-statistically valid poll of readers said this should be included.)

On the subject of clothes, although I have gained some weight back, when the weather turned cool I discovered that none of my wool pants fit. I've learned that for me wearing clothes that don't fit is rather depressing, so I'm visiting Frenchy's in search of size 6 wool pants. (Realize that weight loss is an odd thing to complain about, but my doctor says it all depends how it happens.)

Wendy

Out and About

Caption indicates that Councillor Gary Sullivan (front left) is listening, but that does not appear to be the case with Councillor Carl Killen (back left). This was one of a series of meetings for City Councillors to hear the concerns of people in their wards.

Alternate fashion mag caption:
Dressed for community activism, cotton fleece pullover from Sally A, hat from Mark's WWh, courtesy of Joyce

Wendy

Poetry Selections

Turn Your World Red

Cardinal calls me from the
railing of the deck. "Turn
your world red," he says,
insistent, beckoning. "Risk
life outside your hard-earned
walls and windows. Cast
aside caution, propriety,
and your too small sense
of what you can and cannot
do. Fly! I tell you that the
sky knows no constraints.
All you are or can be comes
clear in the near approach of
clouds. Fly! That which you
fear the most holds your
deepest teaching. Let your
spirit be the bridge between
safety and release. Soar to
the far end of what is known
from dawn to twilight, then
throw yourself at the whim
of the wild night winds.
Turn your world red, and
live with no regrets. Fly!
And if you are blown off
course, just change your
destination. Choose to
land wherever your two
feet are standing.

Danna Faulds, courtesy of Debra

And from Glynis
Beannacht (Gaelic for blessing) read by its author, John O'Donohue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfvS2LYbZLQ

Wendy

Reading Recommendation

From my recent reading, I'm highly recommending a delightful little novel called The Uncommon Reader. The author, Alan Bennett, is British and known primarily as a playwright. A previous novel, The Clothes on Their Backs, had an intriguing premise - a middle aged, upper middle class couple living in London return from an evening at the theatre to find their apartment totally cleared out. The book, about what ensues, I thought didn't do justice to the premise. This one has a brilliant premise which is brilliantly executed.

The uncommon reader is the Queen, who as she approaches her 80th birthday, discovers a bookmobile which makes weekly visits to the palace grounds, and becomes an enthusiast reader. What happens from there is a testament to the pleasures and power of reading. I didn't want it to end!

Wendy

Thanksgiving Gathering

We picked up our fresh 12 lb turkey on Saturday at City Market and cooked it Monday. Suzanne made a pumpkin AND an apple pie for dessert, using Jack's mother's no-fail pastry recipe, which certainly lived up to its name. We served it with maple walnut ice cream and sauce made with the rose hips I picked last week. We started with curried carrot and parsnip soup, with a squash, onion and bacon tart. The very moist turkey was accompanied by mashed potatoes, maple glazed carrots, stuffing and a rich gravy made with stock from 4 partridge carcasses, courtesy of an earlier dinner at Jack and Suzanne's.

Harvey's aunt Max and cousin Michelle arrived mid-afternoon, in time for dinner, and stayed with us for 2 nights. We did some city touring, served scallops for dinner the second night and made a trip to Frenchy's. I enjoyed a reflexology treatment from Michelle before watching election results. They dropped me off at the hospital this morning, planning to visit the Museum before starting their journey back to Ontario.

Leftover turkey for dinner tonight - perhaps the real reason for cooking turkey!

Wendy

Probably No Radiation

Saw the radiation oncologist yesterday. Although he's going to consult with my other docs, because the surgery achieved clear margins, he doesn't feel that radiation to the breast area is necessary.
The last xray shows that the radiation to the neck I had before worked; he said it looks much better. He's ordering another bone scan to check to see if any other bone involvement has appeared. And I'll continue to get aredia every 4 weeks; which strengthens the bones and helps kill cancer cells in them.
I've gained a few pounds back, part of which is my regrowing hair. Harvey is pleased with that - although hopeful that I will keep my hair quite short.
Picked rosehips today and we've ordered a fresh turkey to be picked up at the Market tomorrow and cooked on Monday. Some of Harvey's relatives are headed our way and may arrive by then. And the weather forecast is for sun!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Wendy