On the Mend...

Just a quick post to let you know that I am feeling considerably better!!

I am no longer nauseous and the flu seems to have changed course and is now a cold. I am finding this much much easier to manage!! It's good to have my appetite back...

I have being lying pretty low the last couple of days so I don't have much to tell you about. I've been getting tons of sleep, so I haven't even been watching much tv...although I did watch the new series "The Whole Truth" and enjoyed it!! I'm undecided so far on "The Event".

I am not allowed to go to fitness while I'm sick (obviously I can't risk infecting the other cancer patients with my icky germs). I have been walking and trying to get some fresh air and hope to be back at the gym next week. For those of you who know me well...yes, this is Sue talking...I'm missing the gym!!

Thank you McGonigle clan for the beautiful bouquet of flowers I received today - they definitely made me feel better!!

I want to send a big shout out to my good friend, Ian Thom, who is celebrating his birthday today! Happy Birthday to you, Ian! I got a great little package of goodies from the Thom family this week, including a bracelet that Ian made for me!!! Thank you so much!!

I continue to be blessed by the outpouring of love, support and positive energy that is coming my way. Sometimes it even comes from the most unexpected places!! It is amazing to have such wonderful people in my life and sure makes getting over hurdles like the flu much easier!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Down and Out!!

Bad news...I have the flu. I have had a scratchy throat for a couple of days and I've been wondering if it was the white blood cells recreating themselves...OK...hoping it was the white blood cells rapidly dividing and recreating themselves...

I was wrong. I am just plain sick. I have a sore throat, a headache and I've been sick to my stomach...and it sucks! The oncologist confirmed for me today that this means no chemo this week. Everything gets rescheduled to next week...

I did do my blood work up today and it was all good! So this means my immune system should be in a good position to fight this stupid flu. And I'm preferring to look at this from the perspective that maybe my body needs an extra week to get ready for the next round of chemo.

And in the meantime, I'll drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest...

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bummed...this means my treatment is now going to take longer and my surgery will be pushed out, running dangerously close to Christmas. But it is what it is...and we just move forward from here. I figure a little flu isn't going to deter my journey for long! I have cancer to eradicate...flu is nothing!!

xoxoxoxoxo

It's Still My Birthday!!

What a GREAT birthday!! I have had a really great day! Not only did I get a visit from Dad, Dave & Nancy - which was awesome - I have also received more emails and text messages than I can count, the phone has rung off the hook and I have received a huge abundance of posts on my wall on Facebook. And my amazing man made me an amazing dinner (more details on that to follow)...


What says a birthday better than a big bouquet of balloons??!! Big thanks to Luke & family for the balloon bouquet they sent to me today. I love balloons and think it's awesome that I actually got two bunches of them today!! You are never too old to enjoy balloons!!

I also want to give a shout out to my nephew Luke, who is doing the Terry Fox run on Thursday at school. I asked him if he knew what the run was for. And he said "Yes, it's for cancer. I'm running for you Auntie Sue!". Yep...got me with that one!!




Matt totally understands how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE my birthday. Of course, I start warning him weeks in advance...and I have to give him credit because he totally comes through for me!!!




For dinner we had Roasted Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin with Cherry Sauce, Grilled Asparagus and Rice. It was so yummy!!

I know the picture doesn't do it justice...suffice it to say my man can cook and I'm one very lucky girl!!



For dessert we had Angel Food Cake with Caramelised Peaches and fresh Whip Cream. It was delish!

And of course, keeping with the birthday theme, I had a candle in my dessert and Matt sang Happy Birthday to me! See, I told you he does a great job of indulging me!!

And no...I didn't eat the whole thing...

My friend Kim sent me my horoscope from the Globe & Mail today. I thought it was pretty good and wanted to share it with all of you:
Your physical energy may be low at the moment but that will change as the new solar year progresses and soon you will be looking for new physical and creative outlets for all that inner power that is building up. Aim for excellence in all things you do.

For my Facebook friends, I wanted to let you know that I've been trying to keep the whole cancer thing off Facebook...mostly because I can't really control what other's write about it on Facebook and I'm determined that this will be a positive journey. So, if you happened to write me a birthday message today that referenced the cancer journey I'm on, please do not be offended if I deleted it. I'm grateful to have you on this journey with me and sure appreciate the loving and support you are sending my way!!

Well...my day is coming to an end...I think it's time to start planning next year's festivities!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

It's my Birthday!!!

Did you ever see the movie Sixteen Candles? I love the part where Anthony Michael Hall as the Geek starts singing to Molly Ringwald's character "You say it's your birthday...it's my birthday too!!" I've been singing that to myself all day!!

I love love love my birthday!! It's my most favourite day of the whole year...because it's Sue Day!! Today I am 43. As an aside, I realized earlier today that the year my Mom was 43, was the year I graduated from High School!!! Interesting the different roads we take...

Anyway, my brother Dave and his wife Nancy phoned me on Saturday and told me they were going to come today and take me out for lunch for my birthday. I have been very excited about them coming...and they brought my Dad with them too!! What a great birthday surprise!! They brought me a big bouquet of birthday balloons and some homemade banana bread and the best homemade cards from my nephew Billy and my niece Sharleen!! And than we went to Swiss Chalet for lunch (my first time out to a restaurant since I started chemo). See...what's not to love about my birthday??!!!



I am grateful for all the loving that is coming my way today!! Thank you for the emails and birthday cards and phone calls and "wall postings"!!

xoxoxoxxoxoxo

Feeling Groovy...

Good Morning Saturday!!

It's been a few days...I've been a little tired...but today I feel ready to do something! I know it's early, but so far I feel like I might have some energy!! Oohh...what to do with that???!!

It has been a good week. I've had a couple of really nice visits, I had a GREAT workout at fitness on Thursday and hockey season has officially begun!!

My friends Mary and Kim came to see me (with ice cream in hand - who doesn't like a friend who shows up with ice cream???!!). I haven't seen Mary in a long while and it was great to catch up!! Thanks for the beauty candle gift set, Mary. I love the pulsing heart!!

On Thursday when I went to fitness, they told me I was going too hard. Can you believe that? I never ever go too hard. I was just in such a great mood when I started fitness that I went for it. It felt great. Maybe there is something to that whole endorphin thing after all!!

I was VERY happy to have my friend Karen pick me up on Thursday afternoon and take me for a drive by her new house! I can't wait to see inside!! I'm very excited for her and Larry and since the new house is in Wellesley will definitely be showing up next year for the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival!! The Festival, by the way is this weekend, for any of you who may be looking for something to do!!

A big thank you to Matt's cousin Ardythe, who made me a beautiful hand-painted silk scarf with daisies on it! I'm so happy you came by for a visit yesterday, Ardythe. And I love my new scarf!! And the bookmark too! I love Ardythe's work and am inspired by her talent!!

Matt came home yesterday with a basket of spices from my friends Jim & Bente. They sent me spices that are known to be cancer fighting (pepper, oregano, rosemary, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and garlic), with instructions for Matt to get cooking for me. I love it!! Of course, Matt has being doing loads of cooking for me, I just figure the extra encouragement can't hurt!!

Yesterday was the Kitchener Rangers season opener. No, sadly, I did not go to the game. I've decided I will avoid the Aud until my immune system is actually in existence again. I did, however, watch most of the game at home and am VERY happy to report that the Rangers beat the Saginaw Spirit (5-3). Not only did the Ranger season begin last night, but Alex started up his hockey last night too...yes, we live in a GREAT country that can't get enough hockey - it's not even October yet!!

I did open another gift from my big bag of gifts from Jim & Donna and have been munching on Jelly Bellys for the last couple of days. I think the cinnamon ones are my favourites, or maybe the popcorn...no the cherry...ok, I love most of them. For the black ones (that I'm not so found of) I'm grateful my good friend Alex is happy to help me out!!

Well...I'm sort of excited to see what today might bring. It's kind of cool to feel some energy coursing through my veins...especially after a week of being on the tired side!!

Happy Weekend Friends!!

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxo

List in Hand....

So today I have a list of things I want to get done. I have things piled at the back door ready to go...and now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that my energy holds out and I can get everything done...and than come home and crash later!!

Funny...the list I have to work through today is not that big (get some blood work done, mail some letters, send a package, renew my licence plates), and yet, I'm excited thinking about getting out and crossing these items off one by one!! Not to mention, I've decided today I will have my free Starbucks birthday drink!! Yes...my favourite day of the year is coming up and I am already getting excited about it!!

Yesterday we increased ALL my weights at fitness. It was harder than I thought...partially because day 5 or 6 after chemo my energy levels go down and I get tired easier...and partially because I keep thinking I'm stronger than I am. I still find it frustrating that I can't do what I think I should be able to do...

I had some lovely girlfriends come and join me for lunch on Monday and they brought me the best basket of goodies!! A really nice package of things to help me "take care" of myself. Thank you so much girls! And thanks for coming to see me!

Last night our friends Jim & Donna came by with a bag full of gifts. Everything is wrapped up and when I have a day where I need a pick me up, or I'm tired, or I just want to open a gift, I can take something out of the bag and open it up! I'm excited to see what all is in there. Last night I opened up a big beautiful cup that I'm looking forward to having some tea in later today!

You'll be happy to hear that I am pretty sure I've figured out how the PVR works and have the schedule set up for my tv shows. So far so good...I'm already behind in my viewing!! ha ha ha

Well...I'm off! Wish me luck on my mission today. Hope you all have a fantastic fulfilling day too!!

xoxoxxoxoxo

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

I got the best phone call yesterday from my nephew Luke. He called to tell me he was happy that my fourth chemo treatment went well!! I was glad he called because I wanted to thank him for sharing his Mom with me this week. Hope you had a great time at the cottage, Luke...did you go swimming in the river or was it too cold???!!!

Yesterday my friend Jodi came over and we watched the second half of the first season of Glee. We are now ready for the season premiere this week. I am surprised to admit how much I like this show. They have a lot to live up to after a great first season...I'm excited!!

While Jodi and I were watching Glee...Matt was at the MX track and took a spill! Turns out it hurts when your dirt bike lands on your foot! He's a little sore today and moving even slower than me!! That means I get to help him out a bit...nice for me after being waited on so much by him. We got him some massage therapy today (big thank you to Tammy!!) and he is feeling better and more limber. Lots of ice and rest and enjoyment of the 50 inch seem to be helping too!!

We went to a 50th birthday party last night for our neighbour Matt. I didn't stay too long...started to fade and needed to come home. I continue to struggle with not hugging everyone. I love to give and get a good hug so it's tough for me to decline one!! It's just too dangerous with no immune system...you just never know.

I'm feeling really good today. A little bit tired, but good. I had big aspirations of things I thought I'd get done today...not so much. Hopefully tomorrow. I've even made a list. We did enjoy some time on the front porch this morning. It was so beautiful and warm...I ate my breakfast out there and enjoyed the sunshine on my face!

We have homemade butternut squash soup on the stove and homemade banana bread cooking in the oven...it smells amazing in this house and I'm excited for dinner!!

Thanks to Peggy & Nikki for the beautiful flowers ... and you're very welcome!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Shout out to my buddy Chris M who is celebrating his birthday today! Hope you had a great time at the fair!!

xoxoxxoxoxoxo