I hate Chemo. Make no mistake – it sucks. However, this cocktail is definitely not as hard on me. And I have gotten better at managing it. 

Its day 3 post chemo today and I am actually typing in my blog. Not much health to report since my last blog. I thought I would just expand on my weight. During the first 4 months of chemo I would drop to 137/138 pounds and then struggle to get up to 145 for my next round of chemo. This was a combination of my diet, the two day prior fasting and higher toxicity of the drugs I was taking. 

I have been less concerned about the diet and I no longer fast before my chemo. It is about trying different things in the hopes something works. And it is not just about beating cancer but also getting the quality of life while doing it. I still try to eat well, but I am less strict on things and I don’t stay away from anything if I feel like eating or drinking it. – In moderation of course…

As I mentioned before my mental state has been pretty good too. We have been trying to get away here and there and I find that when one vacation is planned, I am already thinking about the next one. We have a california adventure we have been planning for a while and it is almost here. However, I am already thinking past it to have something else to look forward to. That “looking forward” to something has been a huge help for me. 

Heading out next week with my parents and sister’s family to Disneyland and San Diego for two weeks. I pushed back chemo another week to do this. Its anyone’s guess if this is a good thing or bad thing. But I don’t want to just be on chemo and focusing on my disease. No one knows how much time I have – so I will enjoy what I can. I am also trying to get out a little more – meeting with friends, going into work. A little routine is shining a light back into our home. 

When we get back I will have 3 rounds of chemo in June and then another scan. If all shows well, I am going to take 4 weeks off chemo in July. If it shows REALLY well, maybe even more!!! 🙂 But I don’t want to get my hopes up too much. Plans change quickly in my situation. 

On a life note, my family is doing great. Renee has been doing her amazing juggling act running our household and Audrey is 4 going on 10 I think. And she has also surpassed her father as the worlds slowest person when it comes to getting ready. You all know how great I am at it – well she makes me seem fast. Hilarious and frustrating at the same time, but I guess I deserve it!

Renee is getting busier with her weddings and events (its that time of year) and Audrey has lots going on too. Soccer, Gymnastics, Dance, Music and swimming. Not really uncommon for kids but it does make for a busy schedule.

Finally had to bite the bullet and have the shingles replaced at our house. I have pushed it back the last two years, but there is no avoiding this year. Also having some of the old windows replaced. There is mould inside them and they just look crappy. I am afraid to open them…

Anyway, even though it poured rain today it wasn’t snow. Feel pretty good and getting excited for our trip Tuesday. Thanks for comments and messages. I appreciate and enjoy reading them. Will update with pics of our trip when I can.

Slow it down,

Dan

It is our anniversary today.

Seven years ago Renee and I got married in Mexico. We think about that trip often. Not just because of our special day, but it was a great time with lots of family and friends.

In total, I think we have been together around 12 years. We dated for 3 years in our early twenties. And then she decided she could do better and moved on… 🙂
Six years went by with us both having significant relationships in that time period. We did keep in touch periodically though.
In 2004, Renee had been living in Austria and had come home for a visit – with some intention she may not go back. By the summer of 2004 we were both newly single and started very casually hanging out again. In October 2004, I convinced Renee to come with me to a friend’s Mexican wedding. For those that were on that trip, you will remember Renee leaning out the cab yelling “its a good thing were not dating!” when the girls caught us at a the ladies club for stag night. It was pretty funny, but we officially starting dating the next day!
Dated for year and then we took a trip Montreal where I proposed to her. That was the most nervous I have been in my entire life. We had gone to a restaurant in Old Montreal (Gibby’s) and I had the ring in my coat. No problem, this would be fine I thought. Except there was a coat check at the front. I panicked. A) How do I get the ring out of my coat and into my pants. B) How do a HIDE this box in my black dress slacks without getting noticed. Well I got it into my pants without incident. I actually had to check the ring with my coat and then fake a bathroom visit to get it back. With the box being in my front pocket, I had to keep my hands in front awkwardly at all times. Not only that, we were in the lounge first which was nicely decorated with those big sink in chairs that automatically pushed your hips out to expose said ring. I did manage to tuck my chair under the table enough to hide it. But it wasn’t ideal and I was VERY stressed.
Thankfully, when we went for dinner there was a table cloth which allowed me to relax a little for our dinner. Table cloth = Hidden lap. We had a great meal and then at dessert, Renee went to the bathroom, I hid it under her napkin and she said yes. We were married just over a year later.

So, happy anniversary wife. I love you.
Dan

Made my first trip to New York just before my new cocktail of chemo. It was a struggle for me at first. I missed my family and I couldn’t relax, but slowly I came around about 24 hours in.

Eight guys all descended upon the big apple for superbowl weekend. We looked at superbowl tickets, but for the price, it was tough to justify. For that kind of money we could do another vacation somewhere else! Still, we thought being in New York for the event would be pretty electric.

Got in Thursday night and had a nice dinner at a place called Becco. We stayed at the Belvedere hotel (48th st/8th Ave) so it was just around the corner.
During the days, we were generally split up doing our own sightseeing, but we all converge for the evenings.
Friday, we made it to The Met. Loved it here, some beautiful pieces and having Jason with us was like having a personal tour guide. Definitely would go back and spend more time here.
After The Met, we headed to a place called Keen’s Steakhouse for dinner. It was also good, but we were in a hurry to make it to the NYR/NYI game at MSG. What an awesome arena. And just a different group of people. Everyone WANTED to be there. I don’t think I saw one suit the whole night. Rangers won BTW.

Saturday we did a good walkabout. Through Times Square, past Bryant Park and down to Grand Central Station. Times Square was pretty much shut down for all the Superbowl activity. I have never seen that many people on the streets and no two languages were similar. It was crazy! And Grand Central Station was almost surreal with the amount of times I have seen it on TV.
Saturday night we headed to New Jersey to see the UFC at the Prudential Center. Between the Prudential Center and MSG it only made the Saddledome look that much worse. Embarrassing actually. These places were beautiful!

Sunday we took another long stroll. Started out at the Chelsea Market for lunch and then walked the Highline for a little bit. Then made our way to Washington Sq. Park and Union Square. Washington Square was very interesting; we watched some chess games, observed some colorful characters and enjoyed a guy playing a piano in the middle of the square.
Sunday night was Superbowl and we had reservations at the Brickyard. Good local pub with craft beer and higher end food. Had a good time here making stupid side bets and then off to Mickey Spillane’s after the game. This place was hilarious and cool spot to be.

Monday we were headed home, but we awoke to a huge snowfall, foggy sky and an email saying our flights were cancelled. After some grumbling we decided to just try for the next day and spend another day in New York. None of us wanted to sit in the airport and MAYBE get out at some point. So once we got our flights re-organized and booked another night at the hotel, we headed out for lunch and then to the Museum of Natural History. Glad we had an extra day to see this place, it was impressive. No where near enough time (Like The Met) to see everything, but saw enough and we were pretty gassed from the weekend. Decided to go back to Becco for dinner that night and then off we flew back to Calgary on Tuesday. Because of the flight delay I had to push chemo back a day to Thursday. I will follow up that on a health update soon.

On a separate note, I finally got the hockey pool re-draft done for those in the pool. Ryan is still going to win though…

Off to dinner with my girls tonight. Feeling good enough for our local mom and pop Italian place Hanni’s  Check it out if you have never been. They do take-out too!

After Christmas, we left for Vernon to spend with my sister, her family and our friend Jason. Thanks to Neil’s mom and dad for letting us use their place again.
It was a week of being lazy and spending time with loved ones. We played countless games, went for walks, puttered around town and just relaxed. While this seems perfect, it was also a challenge. With the ringing in of the New Year and having a lot of time to reflect – it played rollercoaster with my thoughts. I find it hard to relax. My brain works too much.
Nonetheless, we enjoyed our friends/family and being away.

Back to routine this week. Audrey starts back at pre-school as well as music, dance and ski lessons. I am in the routine of preparing for next Chemo on Wednesday. Renee is off to Nashville for an events conference. I will miss her this week, but I know she needs the break. I have some good support coming to help out!

Going to see the Hobbit today. Need some distraction.

To a hopeful New Year…
Dan