A great day at sea!

We have had a wonderful couple of days in Ixtapa.

We watched the sunset on the beach last night. Callum and Ray went deep sea fishing and caught 2 little tuna, a 6 - 7 ft sail fish - and the best thing - a 180 lb, 9 ft long blue marlin! They brought home some marlin for supper - apparently not really tasty - but great fun catching it! Val and I had breakfast and floated in the pool until the guys got home. We headed out for some shopping and the guys relaxed. Callum has been quite tired the rest of the day - hopefully he picks up tomorrow. We are very sad that we have only 2 sleeps left before we head home. This trip has been therapeutic for me and has been a great vacation away from our

cancer life. It is nice to have some "normal" things in our life. I know Callum has been tired - and frustrated a bit that he can't do things like he did before. But he doesn't complain, takes a nap when needed, and just keeps going. He is amazing and I am so very happy he got his blue marlin!

Hola

Hola!

We have arrived safe and sound in Mexico and are enjoying my sister's hospitality. The routine here is wonderful - get up, have coffee and breakfast, jump in the pool, make lunch, and then relax. Callum has done pretty well although he says he is feeling good, but tired. We think it is likely the humidity. He got stung by a gigantic wasp yesterday so we were a bit nervous until he got up this morning and all is well. The wasp is known as the Great Black Wasp, or Sphlex Pennsylvanicus - if you want to look it up.
Last week we made arrangements to return the Avalon to Toyota. It looks like Callum will not have a driver's license for at least a year and we have a year left on the lease. We don't need 2 cars and will keep the newest one (since it is the hottest car in Saskatoon!). They will pick it up on Dec 6.
He was happy to hear that he could cut back on his blood pressure meds - cut by 1/2. His blood pressure was quite low when he was at the doctor last week so we hope that with it back to normal he might get some more energy and have no more dizzyness.
His chemo schedule now changes to Dec 3 and 17th this month. It works well as he should be feeling better in time for Christmas and will be 2 weeks past the last treatment before we head to Scotland.
He sees the oncologist again on Dec 2 and should have a CT scan around the middle of Dec. I think we are back to the "normal" schedule of chemo treatments!

That's it for now.............
TTFN
Lorna

Another busy month

Good day all! 

We have had quite a busy few weeks. Most of you know by now that we had good news earlier this month - the 2 brain lesions have shrunk and nothing new is showing up. So far it seems the disease is stabilized - all due to the perseverance and commitment to Callum.  He is still feeling some fatigue from treatment and doesn't recover quite so quick from chemo but he is doing pretty well. He had been lucky to keep away from mouth sores for so long but he is now on his second outbreak of them. they aren't as bad as he has had them in the past, but they are still quite annoying! 

The last week has had a couple of "downers".  We found out that Callum is pretty much out of his short term disability time and is now dealing with the paperwork to go on long term disability. It breaks my heart to see how disappointed he is at having to take a step back from his job. He has worked so hard for over 27 years to get to here - and he just loves it. Then we had a call from his oncologist last week to let him know that he shouldn't be driving since he has brain tumours. It is illegal and he really shouldn't have been driving since June. It will certainly make a change to our lives and I can't imagine what it is like to lose that independence. He never says much so I don't really know what he thinks about it. I think it is quite depressing to him - yet another thing he has to rely on me to do. Not that I mind, but I am sure he doesn't like to have to depend on me. If he was really, really sick then it would likely be easier to deal with. But he is usually quite well at least 1/2 the time so it really sucks right now! But, better to not drive than hurt someone if he should have a seizure - even though it is unlikely. 

I have taken a medical leave from work until the end of January. I find that I lack the ability to concentrate for any length of time and get easily overwhelmed and fatigued. I think I just need some rest to recharge! 

We are headed to Mexico this weekend to visit my sister for a week. We are so lucky to have family living in Mexico in the winter! Then off to Scotland in January to see our wonderful 90 year old Nana and all the other relatives! We are taking Jamie, Vanessa and Stuart so we are all excited for this wonder family holiday! It will be so much fun. 

We are going to be in Saskatoon for Christmas.  The chemo schedule has changed somewhat due to the Mexico trip.  Callum will have chemo on Dec 3 and 17 so should be feeling better by Christmas, and in good shape for Scotland. Both kids will be here along with Callum's brother and his family.  We haven't spent Christmas with them for many years so are looking forward to spending this holiday season with them. 

Callum should be having a CT scan in Dec to check his lungs, abdomen and pelvis, and likely an MRI again at the end of January or early February.  Sometime in February he will likely have an ultrasound on his arm to check the blood clot. He hasn't had any issues with it lately so we hope all is well enough to stop taking the blood thinner shots. 

Well, that is likely enough for now.  We continue to stay positive and look forward to hearing that there is no more cancer in Callum's body. 

Til next time...Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmache

TTFN.......