Seems it ain't over yet

The sickness saga seems to carry on.

Around 10pm last night I was hit by sudden onset of diarrhea and vomiting. GI tract remained unsettled throughout the night.

Called St Mary's ambulatory care unit this morning to ask their advice re coming in today for chemo. Since there is some doubt about the source of my seemingly ongoing ailment, the decision was made to postpone my second treatment until Thursday (Day 10 of the first cycle). For now, I'm going back to bed.

Or was that ...

the flu?

Just as I was filing my latest post, I received a phone call from Penny. She has come down with a very sudden case of soul-nubbing chills and vomiting! Minutes before she was happily knitting, and then WHAM!!

Sooooo ... was my weekend of malady due to A) chemo side effects; B) flu which I may have since passed on to at least one other person; or C) mental angst at the thought of some guy who shares a name with a species of small reptile or a piece of sports equipment (to this jaundice Canadian eye both also seem to share the mental and moral capability of their respective namesakes) leading the country to the south?

Or is that my paper panties are just way too tight?

Crash and Recovery

I have a feeling weekends won't be my best time for the next while.

I had my first chemo treatment last Tues, and on Fri afternoon the "crash" hit and hit hard. It started with the most horrible chills I can remember experiencing. Despite wearing my warmest clothes, two extra sweaters, two pairs of socks, and curling under two doubled-over quilts, I could not get warm. Mercy arrived in the form of Penny who brought with her two extremely warm hot water bottles which she tucked against my back and my stomach - and cuddly wee Bearloom, an "heirloom" bear fashioned from an old mink coat (next best thing to curling up with a dog!). By 10pm, I finally stopped shivering. Interestingly, there was never any sign of fever, just the chills. Pretty much slept until late last night. Out for pre-chemo blood work today (next treatment is tomorrow) and although I felt a tad shaky, was able to get through that, some other chores, and a brief visit with my mother before heading home for a short nap.

Previous chemo drugs have caused side effects that follow some sort of pattern. I expect the case will also be true with these two new drugs, but since I've only had one dose thus far it will be hard to say what that pattern might be until I've completed a couple of cycles. FYI, a cycle on these drugs = a three-week period. On day 1 and day 8 I have the drugs via IV. The following week, no drug is administered. After a total of 21 days has passed since the Day 1 count down, the three-week cycle begins again. So it's 21 days per cycle with drugs administered on day 1 and day 8. This process will be repeated indefinitely until a) tests such as CT scans indicate the drugs are no longer effective, or b) the side effects become intolerable. Guess there is also a c), but I don't think that's in the cards just yet thanks. There are, apparently, still options if this latest cocktail fails to do its work. Then I have the option of trying some of the "alternative" treatments - God help me if I'm so desperate to live that I agree to live only on the pureed asparagus diet! All kidding aside, truth of the matter is, I know that c) will show up at some point. At least most of my bags are already packed for that leg of the journey.

If last week's experience is the pattern that will form, I will likely feel well on Days 1-3 and possibly part of Day 4. Side effects will kick in for at least a couple of days. I have no idea if they will increase in intensity with the number of treatments given, or if they will be pretty much the same as last week. Also don't know if other features - like the much-warned-about vomiting and diarrhea - kick in over time. If the following week is the second week of the cycle, the pattern will likely repeat itself. I have no idea yet what the third week will bring but will after next week (the third week of Cycle 1).

Currently, Day 1 is on a Tuesday. That means weekends will likely see me engaged in serious pillow talk with my pillow. Fortunately fatigue is my biggest issue thus far. But I haven't had much of an appetite the last few days. Between that and walking in Japan, I'm down about 12-15 lbs from my pre-Christmas weight. Bonus: I'm not wheezing anymore!

Back to Chemo

Had my first treatment with the new chemo on Tuesday. Haven't felt so tired for some time. Fortunately the expected vomiting and diarrhea have yet to materialize. I credit the anti-nausea meds I'm taking for much of that. Interestingly, constipation is more of an issue this go 'round. Good thing I like prunes. So I'm taking things rather easy. Sleeping when my pillow calls, reading, a bit of crocheting, and eating lightly. Hey, could be worse. Not sure if this is my new normal or if the side effects won't kick in for a few more days. With previous drugs, there was often a delay of three to five days before I felt any ill effects. Also don't know if the side effects get worse with each subsequent dose. Yes, my care team can tell me what they think about all this, but everyone reacts differently to the different medications and thus far (knock on wood) I haven't been dealt too many bad hands. Fingers crossed my good luck continues.

When I receive Yoriko's photos (Penny is delivering them), I will post about my trip to Japan.

Nap time!

Happy Memories of a Warmer Clime at an Earlier Time

Now that winter has decided to descend upon the West Coast, it seems a good time to warm up the ol' memory bank with a review of my days with Donna in balmy Barcelona. Picture it, Bar-TH-alona, October 2011 ...

****

After winding up our adventures in Paris, Donna and I took an overnight train to Barcelona. The choice of rail was a no-brainer in that it was considerably cheaper than any airborne alternative, and also saved us the cost of one night's accommodation. That is not to say we went without creature comforts. In fact, we snagged a private compartment that could easily have slept four so provided ample space for Donna, me, and our luggage. Bonus: the bathroom was next door and we had our own in-suite sink. Shut the sink lid, and it became a table top. Yup, nothing quite like riding the rails! Woke up occasionally to see a few stations pass by in the night including Orleans, Cerbere, and Girona - the houses and landscape along the rail line in Cerbere looked much like Mom and Dad's place in Martigues, France (northwest of Marseille).

Our digs at the Hotel Barcelona Universal were on the Ave del Paral.lel, a short walk from the grand pedestrian thoroughfare called La Rambla. After our cramped quarters in Paris, the room was nothing short of luxurious.

Once shelter was acquired, it was time to search for sustenance Spanish style. Imagine our delight at finding the internationally renowned Mercat de la Boqueria a short walk away. La Boqueria is likely the most amazing public food market I've ever seen. Want fish but haven't got anywhere to cook it? No problem. You can sit at the fish monger's counter and watch the catch of your choice being grilled before your eyes. Or perhaps the vast range of fresh fruit will whet your appetite. La Boqueria is also THE place to pick up local specialties such as pimientos de padron (small green peppers), bacalao (dried salt cod), and fuet salami as well as more exotic tidbits like ostrich and emu eggs. Of course, we couldn't bring any of that back with us but were more than happy to gawk at the goods just the same.

All manner of other things edible were also on offer, including some foreign to delicate North American gastronomic sensibilities.

Not all of our eats were procured in the market, however. We did enjoy a couple of tapas dishes along La Rambla, as well as that bit of heaven known as paella (with a nice little Tempranillo from Rioja, of course).

Here's a recipe for one of Barcelona's signature dishes, pa amb tomaquet (tomato-rubbed toast):

2 large slices day-old sourdough or other rustic bread

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 ripe tomato

Olive oil

Sea salt

       Toast the bread until it is a deep golden brown. Cut the garlic in half and rub it over the bread to flavour it. Discard the garlic. Cut the tomato in half and rub the cut half against the bread. (If the bread is slightly stale and well toasted, it will act as a grater against the tomato). As you rub the bread will become slightly soggy and you will be left with the tomato skin, which should be discarded. Drizzle the top of the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Repeat with the second slice of bread. - Serve alone or as a first course. Anchovies, roasted vegetables, or salami, ham or other cured meats are good accompaniments.

Despite what you might think from this posting thus far, food was not the actual focus of our journey. Rather, it made a tasty little side dish to the entree - architecture.

No doubt when most people think of Barcelona, they conjure up images of Antoni Gaudi's fantastical architecture. The colourful eccentric structures certainly make a statement. Although Donna and I weren't able to see all of Gaudi's creations, we did manage to get to a goodly number and even toured the interior of a few. Here's a sample of what we saw:

Casa Batllo on the prestigious Passeig de Gracia was originally built between 1875 and 1877. In 1900 it was bought by a rich industrialist who commissioned Gaudí to tear down the old house and reconstruct a new one. Gaudí however convinced Battló to remodel the existing building. Between 1904 and 1906 he redesigned the facade and roof, added an extra floor and completely remodeled the interior. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the completed building is said to symbolize the legend of St George killing the dragon, whose scaly back arches above the main facade.

Casa Batllo (right) - together with Casa Amatler (at left - designed by Puig i Cadafalch)and Casa Lleo Morera  (only an edge is visible at far right in photo - designed by Domènech i Montaner) are the three important buildings of Barcelona's Illa de la Discordia ("Block of Discord"), a reference to each being designed in a different interpretation of the modernist style in what seems like a competition between the architects..

View of Casa Batllo from Passeig de Gracia

Light well in centre of building

Main Drawing Room: note stained glass in window overlooking Passeig de Gracia and in transom between room sections.

Plaster ceiling in Main Drawing Room is moulded into a spiral.

Rear patio. Note trencadis (a Catalan type of mosaic often used by Gaudi) planters on back wall.

Attic spaces are formed from beautiful parabolic arches. Ingenious lighting system: the side walls are fashioned like inverted plaster versions of Venitian blinds that are always open to the outdoors. This allows natural light and air into the space while eliminating glare and maintaining privacy.

The stunning trencadis work on "the dragon's back" detail on the roof. The structures on the left are a group of cleverly disguised chimneys. Normally unseen and strictly functional parts of a building, Gaudi elevated the lowly chimney into an integral part of his designs.

 

Located a couple blocks down the street is Casa Mila, another UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Gaudi. Unlike Casa Batllo, people still live in this unusual multi-unit building, but a suite is open for public viewing. Better known as La Pedrera ("The Quarry"), it was completed in 1912. A controversial design at the time, Casa Mila is known for the bold forms of the undulating stone facade and wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows, designed largely by Josep Maria Jujol, who also created some of the plaster ceilings. 

Casa Mila as seen from Passeig de Gracia.

An example of Jujol's work.

Light well in the centre of the building. A courtyard with tropical plantings occupies the ground floor. Elevators located off to one side. The bright paint visible at right of photo is an extension of a mural that covers the main lobby (photo too dark to print here).

Some of the chimneys.

Note the grand Sagrada Familia in the distance.

Love how so many of these chimneys look like people.

A period phone hangs in the hallway next to the display suite.

Bedroom in the display suite.

Handmade Spanish lace curtain hangs in bedroom window.

Sidewalk tile based on interior tile designed for and installed in Casa Mila. The tile can be seen on several blocks of the major streets - as well as on the little souvenir chocolates I bought at the gift shop (yum!).

The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia is generally thought to be Gaudi's greatest work, even though it is still far from being completed. In 1883, a year after work had begun on a Neo-Gothic church on the site, the task of completing it was given to Gaudi, who changed everything. It became his life's work and he lived like a recluse on the site for 14 years. He is buried in the crypt. At his death only one tower on the Nativity facade of the Sagrada Familia had been completed. Work resumed after the Civil War and continues today, financed by public subscription.

The main public entrance is via the Passion Facade. The bleak expanse chronicals the stages of Christ's "Passion" through a series of sculpted vignettes which often feature sinister looking characters or elements. 

Detail of the main entry doors. Note the small brass square. It's called a cryptograph. A larger ceramic version of the same thing can be seen in the photo above. The cryptogram is one of the most popular symbols of the Passion Facade. It is an enigmatic square with sixteen numbers that allows one to count up to 310 different combinations, always adding up the number 33 -Chirst's age at his crucifixion.

The building's interior is jaw-dropping gorgeous!

My favourite part of the building was the Nativity Facade. The "dripping" texture reminds me both of alter candles and of a grotto. There is so much detail, so much symbolism, it's almost overwhelming. The more you look, the more you see. This is the most complete part of Gaudi's church, finished in 1930. Doorways represent Faith, Hope and Charity. There are scenes of the Nativity and Christ's childhood embellished with symbolism such as doves representing the congregation.

Gaudi didn't just envision revolutionary design, he was also an early advocate for the health and welfare of the masses. A good example is this hobbit-house-like school he had built next to the Passion Facade for use by the children of workers on the site.

Comprising some 17 hectares, Park Guell is another of Gaudi's jewels. Originally the parcel of land was purchased to create a housing development based on the garden-city model that was in fashion at the end of the 19th century. When the project didn't meet with favour, it was interrupted in 1914. In 1922, the city bought the estate and converted it into a public park. Today it is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Park gate.

Park entrance.

The park's famous dragon on stairway up to lookout.

View from lookout. Barcelona and the Mediterranean in the distance.

Donna was impressed with the ergonomics of the seating surrounding the lookout area. So much so that she pulled out a measuring tape to record the proportions! Must say that colourful lumbar support was much more comfy that it first appeared. Apparently Gaudi was at the forefront of ergonomic design. He was also something of a pioneer in the area of sustainability, and used rubble stone from the estate to build the infrastructures and had a water storage tank built in one of the squares.

Casa Museu Gaudi (Gaudi Museum) is the architect's former home. He lived here prior to moving into Sagrada Familia. It is nestled into a lovely landscaped area of the park, and is visible from the lookout. 

Some of the covered walkways that snake through the park.

Other Gaudi sights were seen from the outside only, due to lack of public access as well as time constraints. These sights included:

Palau Guell

My favourite dragon, at Pavelions Guell

Of course, one architect does not a city make. And we wanted to see so much more of Barcelona. Thankfully we found a very helpful hop on-hop off bus tour that took us to several parts of the city we wouldn't otherwise have visited. Toured around the waterfront and watched gondolas ferry intrepid individuals across high wires suspended above the Port Vell waters. Had a nice drive up the hill of Montjuic where we caught sight of some buildings constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games as well as vestiges of the 1929 International Fair. A highlight of this part of the trip was an extended stop at Pavello Mies van der Rohe. This elegant structure, built in the Bauhaus style, was Germany's contribution to the 1929 International Exhibition. Despite its age, it looks as fresh and modern today as when it was built.

A glimpse of Poble Espanyol, a collection of replicas of buildings from many regions of Spain that formed another part of the International Fair can be seen in the background

As in Paris, we also took time to explore many of Barcelona's green spaces. One place that was a real oasis in the midst of the bustling city was the Parque Zoologico and adjacent Parque de la Ciutadella. Approached from the Arc del Triomf by means of the P. de Liuis Companys, the area is alive with activity from both two-legged and feathered visitors.

These chatty parrots are heard far more than seen as they tend to hang out in the crotch of palm trees, building their nests in the spent fronds that collect at the top of the trunk.

A glass-less greenhouse, the Hivernacle is a massive structure that is part of the Museu de Ciencies Naturals, another Parc de la Ciutadella attraction. Apparently concerts sometimes take place in the building.

There was no time to take in any of the art galleries nor the Picasso or Miro museums. Just not enough time to cram everything in. Would have loved to take in a concert at the magnificent Palau de la Musica Catalana. Unfortunately, nothing was on while we were there. In fact, we only had one opportunity to tour the building and that was on the day we went to Parc Guell. No matter. A good excuse to go back. Managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping time. My most prized finds: tapas dishes made in a wee studio where I was able to speak (via much sign language) to the artist who made them. Then there was the search for the perfect peineta (a large comb worn under a mantilla veil). After being cursed by one shop keeper when I asked if her wears were made in Spain, I spied the best one yet at a department store of all places. Was hoping to find a mantilla to go with it, but didn't see anything that caught my fancy. Although I did lust after a highly embroidered flamenco shawl that was going for a mere 500 Euros. But the peineta suits me just fine, thanks (the Chianti bottle is not part of the comb - nor is it on my head!).