Three Down, Three to Go

Spencer's two beautiful cousins on Rebecca's side, Ava and Anna

This photo was taken in front of the Caroline Library and Fire Department. The Fire Department hosts a Haunted House every Halloween. We had only four trick-or-treaters come here. Why did I buy so many treats?!! What will I do with them all? (I've stored them out of temptations way!!)

Enjoyed a nice visit with brother Glenn and nephew Braden on October 26th. Glenn also picked up a load of firewood. Braden turned ten on October 28th, same birthdate as Aina.

Aina, Trevor, and Madison moved into their new home in Red Deer on the weekend of October 24th. Aina's birthday was on October 28th and our 31st wedding anniversary on October 29th. I was to have had my third chemo treatment on the 29th. Then our plan was to celebrate our occasions by going out for dinner in Red Deer, and to see the new home. This did not materialize. My neutriphil (type of white blood cell) count was a little on the low side. It was recorded at 1.3, a couple points short of the 1.5 they want as minimum. I was disappointed but not altogether surprised. I had been walking daily but carrying reams of tissue as my nose and eyes were running continuously. We thought it was a good idea to lie low and not run off to Red Deer for dinner, etc. In addition, Aina was tired from moving so it worked out best for everyone. I had my third chemo treatment on Wednesday, November 5th. My neutriphil count had risen to 3.4 and I was certainly feeling much better. My neighbour in treatment was a man named Keith, probably around 50 years or so. His chemo was scheduled for 5 days in a row followed by a few weeks rest. That sounds pretty brutal to me!! When you think you have a challenge you always run into someone who appears to have a worse one.

Helge didn't come with me to Red Deer for my 3rd treatment. I advised him against it since after treatment I was to have an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Tarukandirwa. In addition, my cancer support group was scheduled for the evening. I knew it would be a long day, so I decided to go in by myself and stay overnight with Aina. Turns out my support group was cancelled. I had supper at Aina's then enjoyed some retail therapy (Winners). I had a relaxed Thursday at Aina's, sleeping in, watching Regis and Kelly and having a nice jacuzzi bath. I also did a few dishes and a bit of laundry for Aina as she is very busy now with work and studying module 3 for her CA. Trevor is also under a lot of stress with his new position. After I left I delivered my Great West Insurance forms for disability to Dr. Topstad, the surgeon who performed the biopsy which detected my breast cancer. If all goes well these benefits will be in place once my EI sick benefits are complete.

Madison is having difficulty adjusting to her new school. There is continual homework in every subject area. Imagine that at grade 3!! (I told Aina I believe that has to do with living in a higher socioeconomic community where parental expectations can be somewhat unrealistic.) When they left Peace River, Madison was at the top of her class. I'm sure that once she adjusts to all the change her grades will improve. She has always done well in Math but has now encountered word problems so that has slowed her down. There is a long list of new spelling words every week, so it is a challenge to learn and remember them all. Her feelings are hurt when her teacher says, "I am so disappointed...." However, she continues to amaze everyone with her artistic talents, lately cartooning. She does karate two days a week and really enjoys that, too.

Spencer is in Kindergarten in Peace River. He continues to be very social with both girls and boys as special friends. He is playing in a hockey tournament this weekend and scored two goals. He was so happy! Parker will be one year old a week from tomorrow. He is a highly energetic child. Rebecca is a busy but capable Mom. She is in charge of 40 hockey jerseys, so that is a challenge when one also has a baby to care for. Luckily she has the support of good friends. Jarl went to Edmonton for the weekend and will probably be there until Tuesday, hoping to finish a surveying job where the Anthony Henday joins Highway 16.

Kai has a new love interest, Jocelyn, and his motivation seems to have substantially improved. It is difficult for him to know whether or not to take a welding job in the city when he could get a call from Grande Prairie at any time. There are so many uncertainties in the trades. Sonja is busy with her studies, working out, and a part-time job. Her last exam before Christmas is December 12th.

Aina is planning to have the Nome family Christmas at her new home (Christmas Eve and Day). Our Bjorgum family Christmas will be at Laurel's on December 28th, so I am looking forward to seeing everyone, and to seeing Laurel's new home.

If all goes well my next treatment will be on November 26th. I will be starting on a different combination of drugs so the plan is to spread treatment over two days, with each of the two drugs being given on separate days rather than together. That way they can assess the side effects of each drug separately. The first day (26th) I will be given Taxotere which can cause pins and needles and skin rash. On the second day (27th) I will be given the antibody Herceptin. One in four women with breast cancer is HER2 positive. HER2 is a protein/gene that promotes rapid growth of cancerous cells. In the past the prognosis was not so good. However, targeted treatment with Herceptin has been very successful. Dr. Topstad tells me I am fortunate to have this option. One of the possible ( not a given) side effects, however, is heart damage. Thus, before my next treatment I have to have another MUGA scan. I continue to be proactive by eating nutritiously, getting tons of sleep, taking my supplements, minimizing sugar and caffeine, and walking almost daily. So far I am doing better than expected. I have no hair but am enjoying my collection of hats and toques.

Helge has been doing much research on the history of the Social Credit Party, and went to a Socred Party meeting yesterday. We both would like to see a more equitable distribution of wealth in our society. He believes the time is right to start a ground swell with the Socreds. It is unfortunate that all the funds that federal governments pump into the banking system enable large banks to gobble up small ones but do not benefit the common man.

Hopefully Helge and I will go to hear our local musician Allen Christie in Caroline on November 15th. (His performance was postponed from Nov. 1st.) I am also trying to arrange meeting a few friends at Red Deer's Festival of the Trees on November 22nd, health-permitting, of course. I am considering the idea of donating a white Christmas tree next year, covered with origami decorations in various shades, textures, and prints of pink paper. I would also add some pink ribbons and balls. (Perhaps I'll ask for support in the form of loonie and toonie donations - have to figure that out yet.)

We had a light frost last night. I so enjoy the smell of the air after a frost. The temperature now at almost 1 p.m. is 10 degrees Celsius so I must get myself going on another lovely walk. Helge has been busy using his tractor to create trails in the bush to access areas for firewood cutting and pasture grazing for his goats. This makes so many special spots in the bush much more accessible for walking so I really enjoy that!!