Back on Track

CC has begun the next stage of her treatment as of last night. In preparation, we had a couple of appointments yesterday followed by a trip to the drive-in at McDonald's for dinner.  We shared some fries and had a nice drive home with the windows down, soaking up the fresh air on a beautiful spring day.

Barb drove CC to Burlington on Friday, where she enjoyed a two-night visit to her brother's and helped celebrate her newphew's birthday. Otherwise, CC has been been building her strength in anticipation of this round of treatment while staying in constant contact on her new iPod.

I hadn't seen CC in a while and I must say she was looking good. Fingers crossed that there will be no major side effects as we enter into this phase!

This Week

Am doing ok- have been getting better since radiation. Will be seeing doc tomorrow and may be moving forward again with treatment...am getting out and about a bit which is really good.

Easter Monday

Been a bit since the last posting- I've been having a bit of a rough ride since radiation, but have been improving since last week. As a result, I was able to go to my brother's place on Good Friday for a dinner with my mom, etc. I have not been anywhere (with the exception of hospital stays) in 7 months so this was a big deal for me- I even stayed overnight and returned on Saturday. It was good to have a change of scenery and to spend time with my nephews- now 17 and soon to be 14! My brother has been taking care of my car as I haven't been driving- it is now like a brand new car! I was up to driving a bit around the neighbourhood, but am still very weak to be able to drive back to TO (my car is standard, so takes alot of effort). On the way to my brother's, my sister-in-law and I picked up my mom at her house- I haven't seen the house since Sept, so it was good to be there again. We had a nice Easter and Rhonda and Judi brought dinner yesterday as well, so was all good. I will be seeing doc next week- we decided not to rush into my next teatment given how I've been feeling- I will likely start soon though. Am seeing another doc tomorrow to discuss how I am managing and will be seeing another doc later this wk as well- I have lots of excellent care and I need it all. Hope everyone had a happy Easter.

Hanging In

Finished radiation for now yesterday. Am feeling fatigued and have a few ongoing problems to deal with as a result of treatments. Last week, I was able to get out and about a bit and had a great day at AGO with Hil, Connie and Nada- we even had a great dinner at FRANK restaurant- a real treat. Would love to have that kind of energy every day- I think the radiation tiredness is kicking in now which will take two or three wks to get better (am still tired from the chemo too).

I've been through alot of serious urgencies lately- had to have a blood transfusion around my birthday (am better now) and hospitalization/radiation was unexpected- meant to deal with a specific tumour only (that was a tough one for me). My doctor and I discussed a change of course for my treatment (I currently have 4 doctors for a variety of things) which will begin once I recover from radiation in April.

I have received some terrific bday wishes and gifts and really really appreciate them. I have just made it to 46 and will keep hanging in through all this.

Back From Hospital

CC returned home from the hospital on Monday though she continues her daily radiation treatments as an outpatient. They are quick and easy, just a bit of a pain to make the trek back to the hospital everyday for about a minutes worth of treatment.

Back at home, CC is loving her new handheld technology (iPod Touch and a beautiful sleek new Sony camera). She is discovering all their fabulous features and will be getting back into her photography tomorrow (hoping to go to her beloved AGO tomorrow for the first time since September).

Learning from past mistakes, she will only be handling her delicate new camera with the wriststrap on!

Change of Plans

CC is not undergoing a fourth round of chemotherapy after all. There has been a change of course in her treatment, which will see her taking oral chemotherapy in a few weeks. In the meantime, she has had a setback and is in the hospital for a few days.  She will be undergoing radiation therapy for the next 10 days, although it is uncertain for how long she will be in the hospital. She is stable and comfortable and hooked up with TV, magazines and her new iPod.

Ready for a change of scenery...

Catherine enjoyed the fabulous birthday weather yesterday and the good wishes of friends and family. Here she is in one of her more footloose and fancy-free moments (note the nice socks! ).