After a rather listless week, it seems the chemo gods opted to give me a break for a couple of days as I had more energy this past weekend than I've had in a good six weeks. Hence the lack of posts. On Saturday I took Mom to the local farmers' market. We had an especially good time avoiding the light rain cozied up on Jon's truck tailgate while he encouraged passersby to eat more rhubarb. Since the market is on the local band lands, we also took the opportunity to visit the local museum which boasts one of the most extensive Native basket collections in the province. The lady in charge of the museum/gift shop that day was very informative and very entertaining. I must remember to visit the shop next time I'm looking for a special present for someone. Later, Mom and I went to Davis Bay for lunch. I had heard a lot about a purple food van (like the one that used to be in Tofino - perhaps this is the old van in a new location?) that had set up shop beside the beach. A friend had raved about the halibut tacos, but Mom and I both chose the crab/shrimp/avocado bonny. It was something like eggs benedict: two slices of toasted homemade corn bread covered with a generous amount of avocado and a poached egg. The lot was topped with a lovely hollandaise sauce that was hard to find amid the fresh crab and shrimp that was mixed into it. Roasted veggie hash browns and a fresh salad filled out the already overflowing plate. Not bad value at $10.
That wasn't the only gourmet meal I enjoyed over the weekend. On Sunday, while at church, David and Stephanie invited me to Chasters for dinner. I wanted to go ever since the restaurant opened a couple of years back, and more so since Stephanie took up the sous chef's toque. The elegant (but not stuffy) room has a nice view of the Georgia Strait. The meal was one of, if not the, best I've had anywhere on the Coast. Amuse bouche was a savory bit of pork belly, the appetizer arguably the best onion tart (yummy onion relish) I've ever had, and the seafood trio (salmon, halibut, scallops) was cooked to perfection (Hooded Merganser in Penticton, take note). Our server, Ben, recommended the pear martini - swear I was biting into a fresh Bartlett pear! Needless to say, I had no appetite issues that day. Topped off the evening with a brief visit to George and Merrily's to see their newly renovated kitchen. I'm soooo jealous.
There was a price to pay for all this frivolity, however. Spent most of Monday and Tuesday in bed recovering from too much good food and a bit too much exertion. Mom tells me I have to do what my body tells me (guess she gave up thinking I'll listen to her sage advice) so I did just that. Refuse to pass up the opportunity to make the most of what energy/good feelings I have, but am resigned to sleeping to speed the recovery.
Today was "Chemo Day" again. The easiest day thus far, mostly because nobody attempted to access the port-a-cath. Even so, it to a couple of attempts before the nurse could find a willing vein in my forearm. Sigh. I fear I have glimpsed my future. Forget being Aunt Edith's dog, or even her cat. I am destined to be a less than happy pincushion!
It wasn't all bad, however. Clarence Li, my priest and self-appointed "chemo buddy" sat with me for most of the treatment. We had a great talk and a few good laughs. Warning to the world: Clarence may have convinced me to try playing the harmonica! Barb Cotgrave was also there as she was sitting with a relative who was having IV treatment for a nasty infection. With such good company, the morning passed in rather a pleasant fashion. I had hoped to drop by the contemplative service at St Hilda's en route home, but the treatment ran overtime and I was rather tired from all the talk and treatment. (I just woke up from a rather lengthy nap as I type, so please pardon spelling and grammar errors.)
Tomorrow, Marjorie Ann will be driving me into Vancouver to VGH where I'll have this useless port-a-cath replaced by another, fingers crossed, that actually works. Stay tuned, as the stomach turns. Did I mention the bruise from the original port insertion on April 7 is still with me? I've decided to look upon it as inspiration for an art project - the colours are beautiful (at least in this photo taken on April 7), even if the cause was less so.
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