I've since gone through radiation treatments, hormonal therapy, and now finally the six chemotherapy sessions to treat what ended up being prostate cancer that travelled uninvited and unceremoniously up into my head while leaving and depositing more cancer inside my back and spine on the way.
Here is a photograph of the dozens of empty bottles totalling many hundreds of pills that have gone into my body in the ten months since October 2016, not to mention the bags of Docetaxel, the chemotherapy medication used to treat my cancer. As well, shown here are stacks of cancer-related books that I have read since this journey began. Oh yes, and on a positive note, that's my beautiful new guitar off to the right a Composite Acoustics "Acoustic Cargo" beauty! Music jam anyone?!
After chemotherapy number six, I'm just here resting at home and getting once again used to some of the uncomfortable side effects. The good news is that I've gone through this five previous times, so I'm a pro at this now.
It's been an interesting summer. Being on chemotherapy definitely slows you down. The hormonal medication that I continue to take, combined with the chemo really sucks the energy out of you so I continue to force myself to be active, walk every day, and just remain positive and hopeful. Spending time with my family is the best medicine for me right now. Kathryn has started her work leave of absence and is doing some great little projects at home, currently painting and re-arranging the kids' rooms. She is awesome!
In the first two weeks of July, we had an amazing annual summer family vacation. It's become our family tradition to spend Canada Day and the subsequent 2 weeks in a different part of our amazing county each year. In recent years, we've visited Toronto, Niagara Falls, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, British Columbia, and this year it was beautiful Nova Scotia.
This year was the annual vacation that almost never was . . .
I was very sick the day we were to fly to Halifax. The team at the Cancer Centre at Guelph General Hospital took me in the morning of our flight very quickly knowing time was of the essence. Our airport taxi was to arrive to pick us up at 2:30 pm so the team quickly got to work. They took my blood work and vitals, started pumping me full of fluids/antibiotics simultaneously to make it go quicker, and did everything in their power to get me out of there in time to get on that flight. They were very concerned. Dr. B, my incredible oncologist, was very worried and I know that she had hoped that I would go to my "Plan B", which was to let my family leave on that day and join them a few days later once I was feeling better. I was stubborn and determined to go and take my chances. My white blood cell count was low, I was very sick. In the end, Dr. B and her amazing and caring team saved our vacation - and I can't thank them enough. She even called me on my personal cell phone after I arrived in Halifax to see how I was doing. Truly remarkable woman, I love her! Again I ask, how lucky am I?
The first few days in Halifax were rough until I started feeling a bit better, but once we got to Peggy's Cove things were fine. We had an amazing time travelling through the amazing province of Nova Scotia, on to Lunenburg, Tatamagouche, and then gorgeous Cape Breton Island where we managed to hike a couple of breathtaking walking trails - spectacular! Here is a photograph of our family at the end of the Skyline Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands, one of their most popular and challenging hiking trails.
The month of July was rough. We lost our aunt and her son in separate tragic events in Croatia only 2 weeks apart. I considered my aunt like a second mother, and my cousin Miljenko like a true brother - one of the kindest and most amazing persons I have ever met in my life. I will never forget our visits to Croatia as kids and the joy we experienced with this family. Miljenko died at the age of 57 leaving behind his wife and five children. I can't stop thinking about those kids. I will never forget my aunt and cousin, they were incredible human beings. My own mother has had her own cancer scare, and last week had major surgery and is currently resting in hospital. Thankfully, the doctors are saying it was a success with excellent prognosis. My mom is an extremely tough 88-year old, she is a rock, one of the strongest women I know! We are all thinking of her and wishing her a speedy recovery. Life is so unpredictable.
So, what's next? Over the next few weeks I hope to recover from the core side effects of the chemo, and am expecting to feel better as the summer winds down. We are very much looking forward to our annual stay at the cottage for the last two weeks of August, and then back to school for the kids.
In terms of analysis and treatment, I have some appointments coming up for new CT and Bone scans, and the doctors will then compare them to the originals that were taken last fall. Once everything is analysed, my oncologist will determine the next steps. As mentioned before, the hormonal treatments only usually work for a limited time (like 2 or 3 years), and at that point a "Plan B" is put in place, whatever that may be.
It's the first week of August. Today is a great day. I feel happy and loved. I'm glad to be alive. I love my family, I cherish my friends. Life is great! I hope all of my great friends and family out there are enjoying this summer, and once I am feeling a bit better, look forward to seeing more of you real soon!!!
