Three Months Late

Weather: Summer has arrived three months late in Central Alberta!! Yesterday was the warmest day since 1888 with temperatures of 25-26 degrees C. It is such a beautiful time of year with the mild weather and the vivid fall colours!!

Wellness: Since last posting I have been to Sundre twice to have my PICC line flushed and dressing changed. The only troublesome side effect of chemo that I have so far experienced is a sore on my tongue making eating difficult. Thankfully that has taken its course and my mouth is much more comfortable today. I had some non-related chemo sores, however. My fingernails were getting too long and needed trimming. Unfortunately before I attended to that job, I caught one of my nails on my clothing and ripped it off. Ouch!! Then earlier this week the pups (10 of them) got into the chicken pen and killed a chicken. Helge was away so I had to get them out of the pen. In the process, I caught my head twice on barbed wire and got a bit of a deep scratch. The worst has passed now. We are down to six pups. (We are selling them one by one.) I'm due for my second chemo next Wednesday, October 8th if all goes well. I picked up my new glasses this week and am enjoying them. Today I had my hair shaved except for a little bit on top. I made this choice since my hair was already falling out. I also found myself a new hat at Winners. The best thing about this journey I'm on is the sleep I'm getting. Eight hours plus per night in addition to frequent afternoon naps is bliss!! What a contrast to my usual six or seven hours!! I've virtually eliminated coffee and sugar, and am walking almost daily.

Wills and welfare: Helge and I finalized our will this past week. I have completed the necessary paperwork for EI sick benefits, and tomorrow will finalize the necessary paperwork for insurance on our personal loan.

Social: Last Saturday I enjoyed my first ever (and Caroline's first ever) Women's Wellness Workshop. That included a continental breakfast with fresh fruit, breads, and cheeses and lunch with homemade soups and do-it-yourself buns. Louise Bruns did a presentation on eliminating the single-use plastic bag. Georgina Woodward-Fay shared sacred teachings of the medicine wheel with emphasis on creating balance in four areas of our lives: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Pat Carsand from Rimbey did a belly dance demo and showed workshop participants a few moves. Finally, Kelly Rowell, a financial advisor, shared some financial tips for women. While Helge was at a meeting in Rocky on Tuesday evening, I had supper with my good friends Judie and Darrell. That was a special treat as I hadn't seen them probably since Helge's B.D. in May.