Surprise Weekend

I realize that my posts have been more sporadic lately. I want to think it is because my life has become more normal lately compared to the chaos it has been over the last few months. I hope it is not because I have been more tired lately. (ed. note: I started writing this post Friday afternoon. Plans changed Friday night. Will become clearer as you read on.)

On that note, I visited my oncologist this week. Something, as I have found, I need to do prior to each chemo treatment.  I know this now because orginally it was scheduled for the day after my next treatment but they called me this week to reschedule it. The appointment was, for the most part, uneventful. We chatted about how I have been since the last time I had seen him. MA and I brought up some concerns we had. He prescribed a bunch of medications that I may or may not take to deal with  these issues.

The biggest issue we discussed was the fact that I have been more tired this time around. My Besty thinks that I may be anemic so he ordered more tests with my next blood test. If I am he may need to do a transfusion. I personally want to avoid this if I can for obvious reasons. We will know more next week after my next blood test, which is planned for Monday, just before my next chemo treatment on Tuesday.

This week was a slow week, just one baseball game and two hockey games. Isa and Cassy were in Hamilton earlier this week for a school volleyball tournament. They did not do great but had fun. This weekend, on the other hand, will be a bit more exciting.

Besides the big Costco run this morning (that is always exciting to snack on the goodies in the aisles), MA’s soccer friends are coming over tonight for a visit. She has not really seen most of them since her accident. This is the last night of their Fun Friday night soccer, so she offered to host a post-soccer social.

Or, so I thought! Friday evening, my friend Richard, took me out shopping. I needed to “borrow” his truck to get some wood for my deck that was too long for the van. My deck needed some TLC so we decided to get the materials to complete the job. On our way to get the materials, we stopped at his place as he wanted to show me his new toy. He bought himself a new tractor, one with both a backhoe and a front bucket. It was really nice and I can’t wait to use it :). At the time, little did I know he was stalling as he showed me how easy it was to disconnect all the tools off of it. Makes me want one now. We went to HD to pick up my stuff and packed up the truck. When we got home, we noticed quite a few cars on our street. We both commented that someone is having a party and we hoped we were invited. At the time, I knew MA was expecting her friends but there were more cars than expected.

When we got to the house, I proceeded to unload the truck not knowing what lay ahead. I finally came inside the mud room. I could hear people talking but did not think much of it as MA had friends over. To my surprise, it was more than just a soccer gathering but a full-on party! And the best part was that it was for me! MA and the kids planned a surprise birthday party. There were plenty of people here from all aspects of my life: baseball, hockey, the band, current work and past work, recent friends, old friends, some who I have not seen in a long time. It was a great night and I was happy to see everyone. Later in the evening, two ice cream cakes came out. My band entertained in the foyer while others sat on the deck braving the mosquitos. It was a fun night and I got to open more gifts, yay! I would like to thank again everyone who came, who brought food, drinks and gifts. I know I thanked you during the night but I cannot thank you enough. It was what I needed to keep me focused on the coming week.

By the way, Richard came back early Saturday morning and fixed my deck for me. It was very nice of him as all I needed to do was watch. I owe him big time. For now though, I will thank him perfusely until I can repay the huge favour.

Tonight, MA and I have our annual fundraising gala dinner. It started 8 years ago as a fundraiser for the Relay For Life for one of MA’s soccer friends, Kristi. She had been dealing with cancer for several years and this was a cause dear to her. How it started was that another soccer friend, Yvette’s neighbour Gord, wanted to do this dinner as a way to support the cause. Everyone who attends the dinner pays what they would think the meal is worth and Gord, the amazing chef, donates the proceeds to Kristi’s Relay for Life team. When it started, it was going to be a soccer girls only event. On this first occasion, I had been away in Australia on business the week leading into that weekend so MA had found a way to convince everyone that I should go. She missed me so much that she did not want to spend another day without me! At this party, I was the only husband allowed at the table. There was one other husband, Gilbert, but he was helping out Gord with serving the guests. Since I played so nice with all the wives, the following years, the husbands were invited. (You’re welcome guys!)

The meals themselves are very elaborate, prevised at the quality of a high class restaurant. I am always envious of how well the meal is prepared and presented. The night typically starts with champagne with strawberry in the glass, provided by Gilbert, as you walk in the door. From there, we socialize a bit before we all sit down at the table. The table seats 16 so we are a good sized group. The table is well docorated and there is a printed menu at each place setting. It is a five course meal that changes every year. There is plenty of wine to go with the meal. With each serving, Gord or sometimes his wife Dot, come out of the kitchen to describe the dish in detail. The main attraction for any noobe (pronounced new-bee) is the pepper grinder. It is a 3′ tall grinder that allows Gord to season any dish on the table with ease. Though all the courses are amazing and keep you wanting more, the best course has to be the last one. Gord typically makes three desserts. It is really hard to pick just one so I usually get a bit of all three. While everyone is feasting on dessert, Gord picks someone out of the group to go downstairs to the cellar to pick the final palette cleanser. Gord is a scotch connoisseur and has a full selection of some of the best scotches ever made. On this night, he opens and shares two different scotches. It is an amazing evening with great food, greater drinks and the bestest of friends. It is the way all charity dinners should be. I will share how this year’s went in the next post.

As it has been a slower week for me, especially with me being so lathargic, my mind has been racing. I am bored around the house but do not have the energy to do anything to quench my thirst for knowledge or problem solving. In my spare time, MA and I have been watching Breaking Bad. If you have never heard or seen it, it was a TV series that has recently ended about a chemistry teacher with cancer (appropriate, no?). He was diagnosed with inoperable and non treatable lung cancer. His wife does not work but is pregnant with a child and his 15 year old son has cerebral palsy. As a result of his diagnosis, he is determined to find a way to make money to support his family after he dies. He gets the idea of making and selling methanphetomines as a way to make quick cash. This idea came to him from watching the busts that his DEA officer brother-in-law had done. Though it is a great show, it is probably not the best one to be watching when: 1) you have cancer, 2) have a ton of spare time on your hands, and, 3) are looking to supplement your income. We just finished season 2 of the series so, for those who have watched it, don’t spoil the ending for us.

Next week will be a rougher week. Chemo is planned for Tuesday and this time around I am not looking forward to it. I know that it is making a difference even if I do not see much progress yet. On a side note, I have not had any abdominal pains in weeks. I was even able to have my favorite wings last night with no side effects! However, I do take a beating after each treatment and, as such, I am anxious about how it will go this time around. I know that the prednisone will keep me up and, when I do not sleep enough or get enough rest, I get very nauseous. I do have a prescription for sleeping pills this time around but I do not want to use them as I do not want to rely on them moving forward. The last session was harder than the first so I am nervous that this one will be even harder than the last. As it will be leading into the long weekend, I have already decided that I will not go up to North Bay for that weekend just in case I do not have the energy to do so. Who knows, maybe I will feel well enough and go at the last minute which will stress out mom not knowing if I am coming or not but that is the best that I can do right now. Besides, that following week, Gen will be taking a bus to Knoxville, TN for her competition and she may need to leave early so it could shorten the weekend too much and would not justify going down in the first place. I will have to play it by ear (a common theme for me during this saga of my life).

Thanks again for all those who have provided comments and feedback to me personally and on the blog. It helps me stay focused on my goals and keeps me motivated to continue to write. For some of my international friends (yes, I am spying on you!), thanks for taking the time to read up on my progress. I do wish you were closer so that I could thank you in person. For those asking, the blog has received visitors from all part of Canada, US, UK, Germany, Australia and even the United Arab Emirates! This is truly a global affair and I am very thankful to have all of you as friends and family. Your support has been very generous and very much appreciated. Please keep it up as it helps me a lot!