GOOD NEWS AND I AM EXCITED

JULY 21, 2012

I know I am a little behind in my blog, but life has been busy. Since I last wrote, Pegs and I along with cousins Joe and Jan have spent a week opening up the camp and preparing it for a season of fun. Boy, if you ever need help with this type of task, Joe and Jan are the go-to people. They were fantastic beavers putting their hosts to shame with their energy and efforts to beautify and renovate our humble abode. Thanks guys. 

Unfortunately, we only had a week as Pegs needed to be back in Ottawa to meet her old teaching buddies for their annual bike trip, this time to the Niagara peninsula. I escaped to a friend’s cottage near Calabogie for a few days while she was away. We reunited at week’s end and travelled to “The Abbey” , a B&B work in progress with great potential located in a small town called Glen Levis about 30 minutes north of Cornwell. The occasion was my niece Martha’s wedding. It was a small intimated gathering and as the saying goes, “a grand affair with lots of fun, laughter, dancing and frivolity.” The Bride never looked more beautiful nor as as happy as she did that weekend. Even Pegs and I, the Old Farts that we are, managed to dance till after Midnight and still get up early for a short 20K bike ride the next morning.

All the time I was on my second round of Sutent, cycle two! As you can see, the side effects were definitely manageable and I was feeling good. Of course I still have the metallic mouth, the burning tongue, the sore, sensitive hands and need to rest periodically, but I am adjusting and able to keep pace. I even managed 9 holes of golf. (I won’t brag about my score.)

SO.... Yesterday, when I met with Dr. Morretto to discuss my recent blood tests and cat scans, I was not surprised at the news and my spirits continue to soar. She announced there were no new tumours found and those I have, had reduced in size. Sutent appears to be working. However, my platelet count is low and my blood pressure tends to be on the high side. This combination concerns her and as a result my regime is being changed slightly. When this cycle of sutent is completed in two weeks, I will start a cycle of two weeks on the medication and one week off and then another two weeks on rather then my current four weeks on and two off. I have been warned about keeping my skin intact, no falls, no cuts or other hazardous activity.

 Life is good and I thank God for that. (I am discovering my spirituality again.) I just finished a biography of “Dietrich Bonhoffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas. It is a great and inspiring read, so much so I sought out some of his sermons to peruse at the library. I can’t say I understood them, but they did give my brain a workout. It was good excerise. This book, along with those of Bernie Siegler’s which I have read and certain passages from the Bible have been good for my psyche.

We are heading today for the camp where for the next five to six weeks we will relax playing golf, cycling, canoeing and reading good books. I am free until mid September when I undergo another round of tests. I’ll write to you then, if not before.