Saturday the end of April!

'Tis Beltane Eve, the annunciation of spring officially is tomorrow. We will celebrate Beltane quietly and most likely with a short walk about our gardens, enjoying what Mother Nature has bestowed on us. The weather report looks less than acceptable with about 50cm of snow in the forecast... what's up with that?

As with most weekends, Deb is down for the count after a little while downstairs with the family. She is really quite tired, weary and full of good intentions, but no steam to carry through. I also think that the dull, wet weather plays a role in it all too.
I worked for the morning, getting caught up on all the work that just seems to propagate while I am not there. The kids were in preparation for a road trip to a "social" about 2 hours away by car. The highways are closed east of where they are going, but a text message just came in and all is well, they made it safe and sound. This crazy weather will be over by tomorrow, so their drive home late in the pm will be most likely uneventful. Still and all, they must keep in touch with Dad.
With Deb in bed for the most of the day, we worked around her needs and requisites. Taz was over and fixed our WiFi systems, that is a good thing for sure.
The typical laundry, household chores and shopping all are reasonably completed. Alas I think that I burnt the ice cream... oh well!

I plan to join Deb after dinner in our room to watch whatever she has on, have a wee chat and turn in early.
Christopher doesn't work until about 11:30 tomorrow so we can all sleep in a bit. Last night was not a great night for sleep so a good night is hoped for. I plan to drive him to work and then I will go in for  4 hours or better.

Keep well, and thanks for your cards and good wishes, they are all helping.

Friday April 29th

Friday turned out to be not a bad day at all. The events of yesterday didn't seem to have the nasty effects of general radiation treatments, however, we are always expecting them. Today is blood work day, and Deb found out that it may be her last one. Her hemoglobin was great but she needs to hydrate more as her electrolytes are a bit off, magnesium for sure, apparently predictably so. That means Dad will need to ensure that G2 is cold and always available.
We purchased a whey protein, clear, colorless and tasteless supplement for Deb to add to her puddings, water or whatever. Her muscles are not building as they should so protein is necessary for that. She has lost weight but not the right kind according to the nurse, darn it! Fat apparently is not effected by radiation but muscle tissue is, odd but true. At any rate I regularly assure Deb that this is not a diet that we would offer to try again!

Later on in the day we popped in for a radiation treatment, the broad spectrum ones that she has been getting. By this time next week she will have completed her regime of 25 exposures. That leaves only three more internals and five "spot" treatments. This is very positive news and even more so as the side effects are probably not going to be there, as the internals and spot treatments are extremely focused and calculated. Hurray, stop buying shares in Immodium the stock is about to fall.

We taped the Royal Wedding on Tvo so that we could enjoy it at our leisure, and all of us found it wonderful. After dinner, Chris was over with Lizz watching it, I mused at what was going through both their heads. Often, Chris got the "shhhh" from Lizz as she was engaged in the ceremony. My mind turned to the wedding plans that I have made for her some time back, as well as the menu for the wedding dinner. Most of you know that I apparently have a knack for planning things; at any rate the extension ladder will be decorated in a very contemporary style. For the dinner, Colonel Saunders buckets will be festooned with fresh dill weed from  my garden (organically grown). No fuss no muss, simple, elegant as all get out and by gosh the price is right!

Dinner arrived as well all prepared for us again by Patty, wow it was wonderful as are all her dishes. The best part is I didn't have to make it, they aways taste better.
Deb is doing remarkably well, with the requisite tiredness and queasy tummy. But all in all her spirits are high and it sure looks like she is going to beat this. Today I will visit the travel agent and arrange for our flights to Holland, that she is really looking forward to. Now I just have to get my presentations finalized.

Stay well and thanks for the truckload of cards and mail that arrived, we love it. Your kind words and good wishes really  help.

Thursday, April 28 A Big Day

Thursday, somewhat dreaded, somewhat anticipated came all to early for sure. Deb had to be in the surgical ward at 06:45 so, much like the night before an early flight, I didn't sleep well and Deb was a bit restless as well. Great pair of old crocks lumbering into the hospital greeting custodial night staff and less than awake interns. Thankfully, our team was bright eyed and bushy tailed awaiting us.

Deb was whisked away after changing into her "blues" far beyond the lead doors, I was relegated to the waiting room. Not a bad gig actually, I got to watch CTV as I normally do at this time of the day, read my book, worked from my "crack berry" issuing edicts and e-mails for the duration.

Closer to 11 am one of the team called me in as Deb was awake.



Groggy and wired up to the machines she seems to weather the invasion well. Deb told me that she was awake, or at least aware of what was going on, so the sedation wasn't too powerful. She was not the least nauseous and was treated to soup before they unhooked her.

Once everything was checked out, BP was taken numerous times and the all clear sign given,

we just went home, both pretty tired.

flower of the cannon ball tree

I went back to the office just for  a little while to retrieve some paper work and see how everyone there was doing. Christopher stayed with Mom and checked on her diligently every few minutes. Deb slept for most of the afternoon, and we were both asleep early for sure.

Wednesday April 27th

Oh my, doesn't the time fly when you're either really busy or having fun? In our case it is not the latter! This was by all accounts a dandy day, I worked as much as I could, rearranged a meeting or two so that I could drive and be with Deb for radiation. It must be some sardonic rule of the universe that when you absolutely need to be somewhere, everything that can possibly happen to hold you up does.

No matter, the COO (my direct report) was introduced to my staff by one of my superintendents and he managed quite nicely until I arrived, out of wind.
Deb, like me, was a bit apprehensive today as Thursday brings an entirely foreign procedure to our scheduled world.
Indeed, no more cisplatin (chemo) and weekly dates to the third floor of Cancer Care, we now are basement dwellers; downstairs in the basement amidst the whirring and chugging of these giant radiation machines, much lead and all in all, a very high tech area of the hospital.

Deb was beat for most of the day, and as you are now aware, this is predictable. The rest of the day was ho hum with the regular stuff happening; comings and goings of kids and me. I attended the annual Volunteer Awards banquet until about 10:30 or so accompanying one of my favourite volunteers.

All is well, we shall see what tomorrow brings.

Tuesday April 26th - Last chemo day!

A happy day for sure, final chemo and a positive check up with the Gyno-oncologist. Apparently the tumor is reducing and all is set for the first of four internals, starting on Thursday.
We had a visit with Dr. Jones the lead radiology oncologist, brief and to the point. His assistant chatted for a few minutes taking the information from Deb, but really not a whole lot.
Looked like a sale day at Cancer Care today, people everywhere, perhaps a two for one sale?

We were placed in a rather dingy area compared to the atrium for chemo, but we just read our books and waiting out the drips.
I went back to work for a few hours to try and get caught up and of course check in with my staff.

Take out tonight for dinner as nobody felt like making anything... what a lazy bunch.
Early to bed as tomorrow is a full day and Deb will be up for some time tonight I suspect as her meds will have kicked in. Maybe not... life is certainly unusual these days.

Hope all is well at your end and keep sending all the good thoughts our way.

Monday April 25 - A Day Off - No Treatments

Rhubarb a clear sign of spring

What a great day all round! I got up early and went in to work, Christopher took the bus to work, Lizz and Deb slept in. Once home at about noon or so, the ladies were awake and in the living room watching TV and chatting. Deb looked great and actually had some energy.
I made some brunch be that as it may, and proceeded to work in the front gardens.

violas planted today



Tucker post gardening!

 Deb moved out to the front porch, but declined a walk about to peruse the estate. Something about scaring the neighbours as she had clearly no intentions to get dressed. She basked in the warm sunlight of the front porch, with the door open allowing the spring air to filter in. She was writing notes to what seemed an army of people (sure hope there are enough stickers at Dollorama to go round). I popped in and out checking on her and actually taking a break if truth were known.

Deb's spurt of energy lasted until just past three when she had to retire. I peeked in a few times and she is reading another book in the series and seems ok. She does need to get more fluids into her but for some reason, she just can't. This is critical after chemo in particular to flush it through; maybe tomorrow she will feel better and can get some fluids into her. The nurse will of course hydrate her with an IV prior to her treatment.  Yes, tomorrow is the final chemo, hard to believe it already.  Actually tomorrow is a rather full day. An early appointment at a different hospital with the Gyno/cancer folks for examinations and all that goes with that. Then we are back to Cancer Care (a different hospital) for our date at high noon. ( I look forward to the cookies and juice). Rounding out a less than perfect date is another blast of radiation, then home. Whew, can you top that for a day out?

Deb's company in the front porch.

I will take the day off work even though it is the first day for my new supervisory staff and the first intake day for seasonal gardeners. Perhaps I will head in at 07:45 just to meet and greet but we have to be leaving the house at 08:20 or so to make our appointment. Traffic also will be an issue at that time of the morning, yuk!

Everyone made it home for dinner and I made one of the kid's favourites, Greek Ribs. Mom ordered off the menu as well as having her Popsicles.

Celebrate with us at about 1pm tomorrow as that is the last of Cisplatin that we hope to ever see! Hurray.

at least it's a start! could be a mechanics garden <LOL>

Take good care of one another, I will update tomorrow.

Hoppy Easter - Easter Sunday April 24th

Happy Easter everyone!

The bunny did find his/her way to the Beattie residence; so glad it is a bunny, otherwise any other animal couldn't hop over the piles of laundry that I have left sitting around. Nevertheless, all is cleared out now just not put away!

Deb's Easter watermelon

Deb can't have candy, chocolate in particular so Easter Bunny Chocolates were for the kids, she got an Easter Watermelon. Breakfast was nothing over the top, of course with Deb's cravings it might well have been.
After breakfast we hurried, or at least I did to get ready to go to Cancer Care for Deb's blood transfusion. Actually Sunday turns out to be a good day to go, not overly busy, no traffic to speak of and more parking.
The commissionaires were delightful seniors who allowed us to park in the loading zone for the three hours and a bit that it took to fill Deb up.
We both read our books, chatted a wee bit and just soaked up the sunshine that pouring into the atrium. Deb had soup delivered and really enjoyed it. She is much weaker than I had expected, but what a great excuse (not that one is needed) for her to hold on to  my arm. We waddled out to the car and zipped off home for the rest of the day.
Deb spent the day in bed drifting in and out of naps and watching endless "food network" shows. Turns out we misplaced the remote so Deb was quite satisfied to just watch whatever was on. Later on in the evening the lost was found, hurray, now John Wayne movies will flood the bedroom.

I was very tired today as well, maybe it's a sympathetic response! At any rate I worked a bit on my presentations, watched the King's speech, took Tucker for a very long walk and stopped for a glass of wine at a local cafe. Tuck and I sat on the patio, just like those doggies in France do. He was a hit with all the passersby as well as the patrons.
It was an early night for me, Deb was awake when I turned in after dinner. Christopher and I had a nice lamb meal that I made, Lizz was out with her Chris at his home and Deb snacked.

We are all doing fine as we trudge through what seems to be a particularly deep part of our swamp. Monday is a holiday for most folks but I will go in and water Toucan Ridge.  Take good care of yourselves and hug someone you love today.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Saturday April 23rd

The morning workout at Toucan Ridge

 Saturdays are usually rather slow at the Beattie's but today seemed awkwardly hectic. Christopher had an early shift (08:00) and Dad was the chauffeur. As his work is about 300m from mine, I decided to go in at that time too.
Deb of course along with Lizz slept in and that's a good thing, both looked exhausted. Lizz is feeling better and rebounded after her migraine, Deb is still pooped.


Toucan Ridge is quite a different place in the earlier part of the morning. The nocturnal animals (tree kangaroo & Red Pandas are quite active and the birds are singing 'coz they are starving. Toucans make a cool sound not at all what I expected and the Flamingos, well they are plain noisy.



My early morning audience today - nice chickens eh?

We all had a good night's sleep and that is so important these days. Of course we are up like most folks our age for the nocturnal pee parade, but for the most part a good night. Deb watched TV longer than I did (natural occurrence) but I'm sure fell asleep several times with her glasses on. 


The spotted guy is called `Tiger'

  Once home just ahead of noon, Deb was up watching TV downstairs with Lizz. (mindless crap that is on, I'm sure it is the meds and radiation that encourage her to watch such, well shall we say politely, crap... on the TV.) Alas it does beat John Wayne, but not by many points! A dear friend Linda sent me a care package which included a DVD for that very reason. Deb and I have diametrically opposed views on TV programming and movies.



Bomeliads abound at Toucan Ridge

  We both had calls from family today and great visits. Deb retired back upstairs mid afternoon as she is really exhausted today. I think that the transfusion(s) tomorrow at 10 will perk her up too.
Lizz works until about 7pm today, so we may see her for dinner or not. The kitchen is more like a restaurant these days with odd shifts, cravings and a general disgust for all things healthy <lol>.
Intentions were stellar about an hour ago, as I planned to work more on my presentations, but an online game is looking more favourable now. Not a bad idea to just chill and do something mindless. For me, that doesn't require a great deal of effort.

Maybe this week I will book our tickets to Amsterdam, and that was a maybe!

Toucan Ridge's cave and waterfall



my work cubicle today

HAPPY EASTER  to all of you and remember to hug someone you love today!

ps: does one eat the chocolate bunny from the ears down or the bum up?

Friday, April 22 - Good Friday



Ken & Deb's cottage on the Island (Singapore harbour actually)

 Most of the city is closed up today respecting the Easter Holy week and Good Friday. Drizzling of rain, cool and an overcast day made watering in the greenhouses and Toucan Ridge much less of a chore for sure. Sunny days require constant monitoring of humidity and soil moisture for our lil green buddies.
Deb slept well but when I got home she was still in bed (with Lizz joining her) watching TV. She was so tired that she almost couldn't get out of bed and Christopher made her some food to have in bed. The odd thing is that her brain is going a mile a minute but from the nostrils down is terribly, terribly tired. This is devastating , cumulative effects of so much radiation apparently, and the worst is yet to come.

Good Friday was just a nice quiet day at home, enjoying the kids here, getting caught up on a few chores and mostly taking it easy. I did a wee bit of grocery shopping surprisingly, as the market across the street was open! So provisions are plentiful in the event that the menu for dinner takes a detour and a craving for, oh let's say  escargot with no garlic and a baked potato emerge. Gotta be prepared for it all, right? So I have ribs, lamb, chicken, fish, beef, pasta and KD (a favorite apparently) in the larder so I think that I'm covered.

The day sort of just "poofed" away with a couple of great phone calls with family and some time to just collect thoughts. Deb never did come downstairs today so enjoyed room service (such as it was) and a few naps with Lizz right there for the day too.

Banksia from Australia

I did manage to make a decent meal tonight, get the dishwasher cranked up and a few other chores around the nest. I am confident that it will be a early night for sure. Saturday can be also a quiet day for Deb, but I need to do a few things, like finish my presentations. We leave for Europe in 7 weeks or so. I looked online today at the best routes and of course most economical way to get us there and back, unfortunately Air Canada is the highest bid. We prefer not to fly through the States or on any American carrier, so that too narrows it down. Looks like we will fly KLM again out of Toronto, and we do like there service for sure. It's a shame that Clyde (our brother-in-law) who flies for Air Canada wasn't doing that route. Would have been cool to have him taxi us to Europe on our favourite carrier! Maybe next year.
On the cruise business, I was contacted today to do a back to back cruise for the month of July out of Vancouver to Alaska. Nice to be considered and contacted personally rather than the typical cattle call. We will not be taking that assignment, but then again, there is next year.

our wake

Enjoy your weekend.

Thursday April 21

Off to a reasonably good start today, albeit closer to the end of the week. Deb's spirits are high and the day was well planned out, a lot slower paced than yesterday for sure. Today is blood work day and the regular radiation treatment. Deb thought that there was some sort of special on at the clinic as it was chocked full of anxious patients, guess the long weekend backs them up as well.

Later in the day Deb called with unsettling news that her blood work didn't come back great; hemoglobin was below the safe zone for this radiation treatment, so transfusions are ordered for Easter Sunday morning. From the glass is half full perspective, this is the first time since treatment has started that blood has been ordered.

It's a good thing Deb is not expecting chocolate for Easter morning, otherwise it might have been a toss up what to do <hahaha>. The reason for such a close monitoring of her hemoglobin is that the research which is very current (by her doctor actually) shows tremendous success with this radiation therapy for cervical cancer when her count is over 125. The result when below this threshold are dramatically different. So you do what is ordered and knowing the reason why eliminates any fears.

I arrived home after a particularly tedious day around 6:30 to a wonderful meal prepared and delivered by Chris Stewart and his mom. Boy is that a nice thing to come home to. Deb was very tired, I was not in the mood to prepare a meal so this works so well.  Chris stayed for nice visit as Lizz was under the weather recovering from a wicked migraine. Seems that the boys are holding up health-wise the best at the Beattie household.

All in all it was a very early night as I am working on Friday at Toucan Ridge.

Take good care of yourselves and enjoy the holiday ahead. Always eat the chocolate bunny ears first, leaving his candy eyes until the very last! Hoppy Easter.

Wednesday, April 20th

Tucker is quite comfortable having Mom share his chesterfield with him, they make a good pair. Deb's cravings don't quite measure up to Tuckers, but they are both "curious" to feed.


look at this thing! OMG check out the hind leg...



Today was a more "normal" day in our lives, Lizz was home for the day so spent time with Deb, helped a bit around the house and of course drove today in the late afternoon for Deb's treatments.

Christopher buses it both ways again to work and had a great day; he is so well suited for his employment and so happy
I made it home for lunch, one of the many perks of my position, and as such had a chat too.
Busy as ever so couldn't stay to long, but it helps me to know that all is well at home.

Toucan Ridge, great plants eh?

Tonight will be a TV night and again, an early one. We both need to keep our strength up for sure. We have been discussing Easter and what we might do. Looks like we will catch a meal between shifts, naps and good tv shows. Life is not as regular as it used to be and we are not entertaining at all. Love to see people but with Deb's lack of immune system we don't want to take any chances at unwanted bugs, germs and all that comes from hugs, tugs and kisses. Sad, she has to put up with just me!

I will be helping out by watering and providing some general maintenance at Toucan Ridge over the holidays as my staff need time at home and I can use the time there to chill, gaze off at the Toucans and water the garden. This will take about 3-4 hours daily, so not tons, but actually a nice break for me. With all the time that I am away from the office, the work hasn't shrunk but my time allotment for sick family etc has. So wherever I can, I put in extra hours (on top of my 55hr week LOL)

I'm holding up ok too!

Thursday Lizz will drive for Deb and I plan to get a full day in at the office.  Hope that you are all well, we are actually doing very well. You know this when the doctor sends in the teaching nurses with their charges and the intern deals with your medical issues. I think that the team quite likes our energy, positive attitude and somewhat intelligent blather.

Tuesday April 19th

the signage outside

Today was a busy day for certain, between a major opening with all the media, Mayor, Councilors, Chairman of the Board et al ats... plus the regular day. Toucan Ridge is a project that I designed the plantings and my staff and I installed, representative of a Neo-Tropic (Costa Rican in this case) rain forest. This is the habitat for a number of species of Toucans, Ibis, a fat Capybara, Ocelots, Monkeys and a great list of others. The affair was exceptionally well received by the media, making all the networks as well as both papers. I missed my interview, as I forgot to ask which network as I dashed out to make our next medical appointment.



view from the top of the waterfall in Toucan Ridge



Deb was tired today, but managed to wait rather patiently for me to arrive home, switch vehicles mid stride and accompany her to radiology and thereafter to meet with our doctors and team. The meeting was very good and satisfied a number of questions that were causing much anxiousness for Deb. Her radiation treatments have been increased a bit from the original number based on findings from the PET scan. A couple of lymph nodes are affected and must be treated as well her internals start next week. She was very concerned as the holiday weekend has thrown a wrench into chemo therefore in a domino affect everything else is skewed. In particular the anti nausea meds for the day of her anaesthetic. Solved, as she will be given an IV of very potent meds to combat as we don't want her nauseous at all, in particular when she is under.

Deb is looking forward to some time away from treatment over the Easter break, but I suspect the road ahead is much tougher that we can imagine. Four internal treatments are booked and we schedule the entire morning from 07:00 for the procedure. Thereafter, I will spend the day at home with her to ensure there are no side effects from the anaesthetic.

our cool new signage, hard to read for you but it is great!

our beautiful Easter Basket  arrived



one of the quiet pools in Toucan Ridge, Bromeliads everywhere



Work for me is ramping up at viscous speed with most of the seasonal employees arriving the Tuesday after Easter, the remainder the following week. So, new supervisors are to be trained, initiated as it were with cruel and unusual time restraints ahead. Rather a baptism by fire for them unfortunately, but most are up to the challenge.

We are both looking forward to an early night, a sound sleep and as well hearing from all of you as you can.



Monday April 18th



Lynn played some lovely Irish music today



Hurray, only one more chemo day to do. Deb and I arrived at Cancer Care just on time, or actually a bit late. I parked, Deb scuttled in and we met just in time to be called in and asked the regular "birthday" business so as to check that Deb is really her. Like anyone else would offer to come in for treatment for the free cookies and juice!

We were seating in a beautiful atrium room with sunshine pouring in over the plants which were in abundance lining the windows. Mind you, I could have suggested better species, but kept my inner voice on mute and enjoyed the scenery.

Just after the IV was started with her anti nausea meds and the Chemo drip started to pump, in walked the music therapist with her harp. By this time Deb and I were the only ones in the atrium so had a command performance by Lynn, it was spectacular.

Deb was very tired today even after what she calls a good night's sleep. The cumulative effects of the radiation are really evident with exhaustion being the most prevalent. Although some of the anti nausea meds can knock the starch out of you too I have heard.  I fell asleep just about a minute or two into the movie (as per usual... I was tired this weekend too, and not from over work that is certain.



artist concept of a new conservatory - 2016



Work is ramping up with newly appointed supervisors to be announced on Tuesday morning, the grand opening of our newest exhibit Toucan Ridge, a Neo-tropic rainforest with the Mayor and all that this brings, and if we don't wash away in flood water, the gardens will be busy with gardeners too.



Today actually flew by with the two of us reading our books, taking an excursion to the EKG facilities and then following our cookie crumbs back to Cancer Care for radiation. We did not too badly, but surely did get our exercise. Deb typically is very hungry after Monday's treatments, but not so much today. She found it difficult to decide what she felt like, so we decided to come straight home, avoiding traffic and I would go to Tim's for soup and a sandwich at 3:30 or so. Rather a fashionably late lunch I might add.  I headed back to work to tidy up a few loose ends, check that all is set for tomorrow's councilor's cameo appearance and the media.

Hortus, the original plant book!

Lizz met us when we got home with a new fish for Mom, named Fireball, I suspect as he is scarlet red. He lives in a brandy sniffter and apparently will do just fine. Chris Stewart was here to greet us as well and I suspect helped Lizz tidy up and do the dishes etc. The house looked much better than when I left it this morning.

Christopher worked today and is upstairs in his loft doing what he loves to do, watching his tv and playing his games. He will contact his buds tonight and chat away for at least an hour.

All is well enough at the Beattie residence as I peruse the kingdom. Tucker has secured a perimeter warding off politicians and lawn maintenance sales people. An early night, lots of rest and a brighter day tomorrow we expect. A visit with the Doctor and a lot of question to ask as well.

Oh, by the way, I found the Graviola pills that I was looking for. This product is a standardized formula of leaves from the Sour Sop tree that my shaman friend in Rarotonga prescribed for Deb. He would use the fresh leaves of course, but this is adequate and will shrink tumours in the cervical region apparently. We will check of course further with the oncology team, but so far it looks like it's ok to use. Isn't that the coolest?

scented Thai orchid - Ceologyne

Stay well and hug someone you love today!