Day 11 - Thursday



Deb's Peridot necklace by Jane Clark, Winnipeg

 Wow, today should be bottled and sold in mid February, what a stellar spring day. Sunshine and birds singing, puddles almost all gone and very little snow.
Deb had a reasonable day even though she didn't get into bed until 3:30am. Suppose the anti nausea medication keeps her firing on all cylinders; safe to say that the PVR is working overtime and Deb has almost finished another needlework project.
Lizz was the chauffeur today for radiation as I was tied up at work. Lizz thought at just about 3 o'clock that Deb might consider getting dressed; by 3:20 Deb was waiting outside of Cancer Care, finished and raring to go to MacDonald's. She is loving her new diet that forbids anything healthy. No whole wheat anything, just white breads, rice and yes fries too. Ice cream ranks high on the menu as well. This somewhat interesting diet is due to the ravages of the radiation on her bowels and lower middle kingdom. As the cancerous cells are bombarded with radiation, so too are the good cells within a certain vicinity. Chances are that there will be permanent changes in that region, but she will be cancer free, at least this is the goal.
After scarfing down a healthy big mac, choclate shake and fries, a trip to Dollarama is order naturally! Goodness knows what got stored away before I got home from work, but there is a lovely new treasure box for more letters.

Cannon Ball tree flower - Malaysia

Tomorrow, as with most Fridays, is blood work. We always hope that her hemoglobin level is above 120 so that transfusions are not ordered for Monday when chemo takes place. So far with both times no blood required. The weekend we stay home or at least don't go to the hospital. Deb gets very tired so a time at home without even a little commotion is a good thing. She retired to our room at about 6:30 or so with a G2 (diet Gatorade) to replenish fluids as well as electrolytes. She is taking immodium as well, reluctantly after our bout in Australia, but she is watching carefully. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is apparently not good at all in this condition.

count 'em! Tons of gods and goddesses here.

I put the photo of this lovely necklace by our friend as it has such deep significance. There are five larger Peridots to signify the chemo days; the 25 smaller stones reflect the radiation days. The necklace has no clasp, therefore no beginning or no end, only a continuous circle of energy. The stones are specific to healing, feminine energies and as you can see, a gorgeous color. Silver is also very strong and feminine as well, so all in all a totally perfect gift. So nice to have talented friends who understand what it is that you want and can create such a custom piece for you.
I am doing just fine as are the rest of the gang too. Tucker is upstairs as I write this note comforting Mom and gnawing on a disgusting doggie treat. He was groomed today so feels particularly "emperorish" so snacks on the bed guarding Deb of course.
Tomorrow is a very early shunt for me as my first interview is at 08:00 and continues on for the morning; but it is Friday.

The final note is that we are almost over the half way mark and as of Monday end of day will have only two chemo sessions left. It probably seems longer for Deb, but she is sure not letting me know it... what a trooper!

Outer harbour islands of Langkawi, Malaysia