Happy Friday

The Sunshine Coast is living up to its name today. Warm and sunny. All manner of bird life has invaded by slowly growing garden. Dafs are starting to bloom, and tulips not far off. Yes, spring has definitely arrived.

A brief update: My chemo has been delayed until mid April due to the need for a MUGA scan prior to the first treatment. That will give the oncologist a baseline re my heart function - so she can gauge any issues that the Herceptin might create. That test will be performed at VGH's nuclear medicine dept on April 7. The test goes something like this: When I first arrive at the dept, I will be given an injection of "tin". I will then wait about an hour to give the tin time to travel through my blood system. I will then return to the dept where I will be given a radioisotope which will affix itself to the tin thereby enhancing the image the tech collects during the scan. Aside from the injections, it's a painless procedure. (I do hope my ol' pal Herschel is still working there. He did a great job setting up these tests when I had them two years ago. I thought it funny that Herschel had no idea there was a planet floating around the heavens with his name on it!) Oh yes, I will have the port-a-cath inserted in my chest on the same day as the MUGA scan - also on April 7, also at VGH.

The following week, on April 14, I will start my chemo here at St Mary's. The day before, I will have a blood test (and weigh in, snort!) to ensure my system is strong enough to be able to take the chemo. At this point, I should expect to have a similar routine each week, with blood work/weigh in on the Tues and chemo on the Wed. The first treatment will likely last a couple of hours as there is a wait period between administration of the two drugs to ensure there is no allergic reaction/intolerances. Once it is determined everything is okee-dokee, subsequent treatments will only take about an hour or so. A nice change from the 5-6 hours I endured during the last time I had two chemo drugs at once!

The delay will allow me time to get some things in order, e.g. CPP application, that only I can do. 

I continue to feel pretty good, although tired. Most people tell me I look healthy. Still have trouble breathing when I laugh - as was the case when I joined friends for a movie last night. Flick was "The Last Station" starring Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirin. Highly recommend it. Not a comedy per se, but some bits did elicit a chuckle just the same.

After a nap, I plan to spend a bit of time in the garden today. Too nice to spend all the day indoors.

 Garden looks a tad bare at the moment, especially the veggie beds as shown above. However, the photo (from Jan 2010) doesn't show the growth on the strawberries, raspberries, loganberries, currents and fig tree, nor the sprouting garlic and radishes. LOTS of blossoms on the nectarine tree this year - had 12 juicy nectarines last year and should have at least three times that number this season if the blossoms are anything to go by. In the flower beds, the bulbs are starting to put on a show and the hollyhocks, lilies, irises, and peonies are breaking ground. Looking forward to seeing all the colour. Also the butterflies and hummingbirds. Here's a butterfly who frequented the garden last year.

Want to do some more weaving. And knitting. Have a number of UFOs (unfinished objects) that I would like to finish up. Also have a couple of ideas for new art projects. The story idea area of my brain is also working overtime, but I don't have the energy to do any of the research just now. Spending a lot of time with Mom, too. I'm so glad she moved closer. She is great company. We laugh at the silliest things and spend hours talking about everything and nothing. She really is one of my dearest friends.