Another "weekend" moment

The above photo is from the opening ceremonies... my sister Kelly (middle) and niece Heather (right) represented 2/3 generations participating in the walk..... the flag they carried has the names of all of the people who walked the 60 km.

I continue to be the same - recovering from chemo, with CT scan next week, Sept. 4.

And here is my team (and their fans!)...... emotions are high for me as I think about what they have done in my name.

Weekend to End Breast Cancer

This is my mom and I and these are the same T-shirts that the walkers are wearing right now as they walk in Vancouver's rainy weather. The front says "Her Courage gives us strength" and the back says "I am on Joanne's Team 2007" I guess we are the honorary walkers.....

I am on Day 3 of Chemo (Cytoxin, Myocet), and feel the typical crappy chemo feeling, but nothing unusual, so all is well. The good news is that there is slow improvement in my lungs. My oncologist says my lungs sound much better, that much of the fluid surrounding my lungs is gone. The right lower lung is still collapsed, and I am still on bedrest, oxygen and morphine 24/7, but I also notice an improvement in my breathing, so really, it is good news.

I guess I won't be scanned for a couple of weeks yet..... I will let you know.

Joanne

"Chapters" outing

Well, I made it, thanks to my mom, and a good time was had by all! Although it certainly tired me out, I enjoyed at least an hour wheeling around Chapters, and of course, refreshments via Starbucks.

This week leads up to my next chemo treatment (Thursday) and I am feeling relatively stable. Unfortunately, I still need the oxygen, and I am unable to walk any distance without distress, even with the oxygen. HOWEVER, as long as I use the oxygen, and either stay in my lovely hospital bed, or wheelchair, then I am comfortable and I enjoy my time.

I haven't yet heard about the CT scan, although it should be coming up soon! I'll let you know.

Thanks to all of you faithful blogger responders, it really is a treat for me to see all of you who follow along with my journey. It makes me feel very fortunate to have so many of you in my life.

Joanne

RCMP kids

This is my son (Craig) and my nieces Heather, Laurel and Holly at the RCMP Heritage Centre here in Regina. Kelly and the girls were here in July. They had lots of fun touring around Regina, believe it or not.... went to all kinds of places that a person who lives here never does!

I am doing OK..... am now in the second half (the good half) of the chemo cycle. Some days are better than others, but for the most part I am breathing comfortably. Still have not made it to Chapters or anywhere else..... good thing my bed is in my sunroom.... makes it tolerable to be in bed 24/7 as it is a very lovely space and I might be driven crazy if I was off in some dark bedroom........

Thanks all for your continued support

Joanne

Happy 50th Anniversary to Arnie and Jenny Schweitzer

Last weekend, Gord's sister Laurelle, his brother Bret and he held a tea honoring his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I was sorry that I was unable to attend, but the photos look wonderful and I think that all their hard work paid off with a nice event. They also had extra special help from their cousin Martha and their aunt Lorraine.

The actual anniversary date is July 26. What an achievement - 50 years of marriage!

RE: Me - I am fine, the blood transfusion worked it's magic and I am breathing easier. Just recovering now from the chemo; it is my goal this week to actually go somewhere on an outing, maybe even just to Chapters. Have wheelchair, will travel. So far I really don't have the energy for it, but I am HOPING !!!

This last photo is of Gord and the kids with their grandparents, they all look beautiful, in my humble opinion!

Blood Transfusion Today

Being a permanent cancer patient means there is always something on the go. Well, my hemoglobin levels took a dive this week, and so I had a very unplanned blood transfusion today. Although it took all day at the cancer clinic, it is really not a difficult procedure, and I am assured that I will be breathing much better virtually immediately.

It was a long day though, so right now, I'm very tired and I can't really tell - hopefully I will wake up tomorrow full of beans and ready for another day. Otherwise, all is well, I feel pretty OK, and the Neupogen is keeping my white blood cells in good shape.

Thanks to all for your continuing support...... Joanne