Oh the weather outside is frightful.....

We have had a cosy weekend staying indoors from the large winter storm going through Saskatchewan. Lots of blowing and drifting snow!

We have had a pretty uneventful couple of weeks. Both Callum and I had little colds a couple of weeks ago, but we managed to get rid of them with no major problems. Callum did have a bit more of a crash than usual after chemo last weekend. I imagine it was likely from having had a cold - just harder to handle the chemo. And then he picked up a bit of a flu. He slept quite a bit and hardly ate for a couple of days. It was a little scary to me - it can be hard to tell the difference between what is just a normal flu or cold and what might be the dreaded cancer starting to grow again. However, he is quite back to normal this weekend so we are sure now it was nothing more than the flu. He had his regular follow up CT scan on Friday, and we see Dr. H on Tuesday so I am sure if there is anything happening we will find out then. It is just good to see him back cooking and eating. We even hung a couple of pictures yesterday!! And he is talking back to the TV golf commentators so is as normal as ever!

We are excited to head down to Medicine Hat on the 31st to look after Cade. I am sure Vanessa and Stuart are counting down the days until they head to the beach! We will have so much fun that week! It will be quite a time looking after a 7 month old baby again. :-)

“There are those who work all day. Those who dream all day. And those who spend an hour dreaming before setting to work to fulfill those dreams. Go into the third category because there’s virtually no competition.”
- Steven J Ross

TTFN

Happy Birthday Callum!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLUM!

We are just thrilled to be celebrating Callum's 49th birthday. Nothing exciting planned as he is on chemo. I know, it isn't fair to have to have chemo on your birthday. The sad and ironic thing is, without chemo, there are fewer birthdays. So, we must really celebrate every birthday (and say a little thanks to chemo)!

I do believe he has had an incredible year. He started 2009 in Scotland, and had a great trip to Carnoustie and St. Andrew's Golf Courses - a celebration for Jamie's birthday. Callum celebrated his 48th (2008) birthday in Glasgow. Lots of travel, the exciting birth of our grandson, Cade and here we are, a year later.

This birthday is a little bit quieter. A day spent at home, cooking his own birthday supper! He made the most fabulous oven ribs. They definitely rival BBQ ribs! Some good chocolate fudge cake and an evening of watching TV and we'll call it a day! Thank goodness for some good old SNL stars' TV shows tonight - I have turned into the biggest 30 Rock fan!

so, here we are, heading into Callum's 50th year - we look forward to some great concerts, seeing our grandson grow, a bit of travel - and writing one year from now "Happy 50th Birthday, Callum". Isn't that something to look forward to!

"Inside every older person is a younger person -
wondering what the hell happened. "
- Cora Harvey Armstrong

A hardy prairie winter!

Ahhh....the memories of warmth, sun and no socks! After a few weeks of very cold weather in Saskatoon I am trying hard to remember what those days in Ixtapa were like. Temps of plus 30 and nearly never ending sunshine. Oh, why can't we just pack it up and bring it home??!

And how Canadian am I - talking about the weather!

Today our first baby turns 30! I don't know how I can have a 30 year old when I am only 35! Oh well, I like to think we are only as old as we feel! We wish Jamie a very Happy Birthday and many, many, many, more!

We had a pretty good week this week. How lucky are we to see Team Canada play in the World Junior Hockey Tourney! Callum saw 3 games and I saw 2 - both of the Canada - USA games. While the gold medal game gave us nearly a thrill a minute, we, like the rest of the country, were hoping for a different result. It was a great atmosphere to experience and so exciting.

Both of us are doing quite fine. A little cold to make us a little more tired, but maybe it is just time to slow down for a while anyway. We are planning to be home for January and will head to Medicine Hat in early Feb to look after that sweet little Cade while his mom and dad get to fly away and get a much deserved break. I have accomplished some important things like cleaning my fridge! There are a few more things to sort out (ugh! pantry!), throw out, organize. Isn't that what January is all about?

Callum is doing quite well. He continues with the chemo treatments and each treatment comes with the surprise of steroid side effects! It is an adventure! He has a CT scan on January 22 so at his doctor appt on the 26th we should find out whether there has been any new growth in the chest, abdomen or pelvis. I am a little anxious about this test result since there was new growth in the brain. It is important to remember, though, that the chemo doesn't go through the blood brain barrier so the chemo doesn't stabilize anything in the brain but could still be working to keep the lungs stabilized. His new oncologist, Dr H, has been getter better acquainted with his file and we have every confidence he will be on top of things just like Dr A had been. We do have positive thoughts and expectations that the status quo will be what takes us into February!

I will endeavour to write more often, even if it is just about our boring life in the middle of the prairie!

"Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. " John Quincy Adams

TTFN

Lorna

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Cade and Grandad watching Canada play Latvia.

Happy New Year everyone!

I am sitting at the computer uploading some music so Callum can change the songs on his iPod. So, I thought it would be a good time to update the blog.

We had a great Christmas in Medicine Hat with Vanessa, Stuart, Cade, Jamie, my Mom and Earl. We squeezed in a dinner with my nephew and family too. It was a busy few days but wonderful time spent with family.

Callum had his last chemo treatment bumped a week. His neutrophils were too low. They were just fine this past week so he carried on with treatment this past Wed.

Many of you know that there were a couple of suspect spots on his brain. The MRI in November showed some growth so he headed off to Winnipeg for Gamma Knife surgery (see Aug 2008 blogs for more information on this amazing procedure!). The MRI in Winnipeg in mid-December showed a tumour around the same spot as the last one in the right cerebellum, and a new, very very, tiny (3mm) one on the top of the brain. Both spots were treated and we can only assume it will be as effective as the last gamma knife treatment. The spot at the front of the brain that was treated last year no longer shows up on the MRI's! The CT scans of abdomen/chest/pelvis have shown no change to date. Overall, quite remarkable to keep things stable this long! What a guy!

It is a very interesting time. When I think back to a year ago, I know we were all really hoping that Callum would see another Christmas, but I don't know how many of us honestly thought he would - or be doing so well! After such a busy 2008 with new medical issues monthly, we have had an amazing and wonderful 2009! We started the year by taking our kids to Scotland for 2 weeks. After a bit of a lull, Callum picked up his Porsche in Winnipeg in May, we had a baby shower for Vanessa in May, went to Medicine Hat in June for the exciting arrival of our first grandchild, who decided to keep us waiting until July! We were so thrilled to be there on the arrival of our grandson, Cade Scott Bonneville.

In August we helped my Mom and Earl auction many of their belongings on the farm and had a trip to Ireland so that I could attend the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit.

We headed to Vancouver Island in September to celebrate my brother in law's 60th birthday. We had a great time and were able to visit many old friends! September and October were quite busy as we had the launch of Saskatoon Supporting LIVESTRONG (a group I founded) which included The Giant Colon Tour, an educational exhibit of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada. Our group was busy fundraising and had an amazing day!

In November we headed to Ixtapa, Mexico to visit my sister for a week,

and then to Manitoba to celebrate Callum's parents 50th anniversary. What a milestone and it was a great party!

We spent Christmas in Medicine Hat spoiling Cade a few other people there.

Along these many journeys we were able to spend time with many old friends, meet some new ones, and enjoyed the company of our family. Thank you to each of you for helping to create so many wonderful memories!

All in all, it has been a very memorable, exciting and busy year!

Want to keep the spirit of Christmas all year long? Try this:

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder

That opens up our eyes

To the unexpected gifts in life—

Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation

For the people whom we know;

Like festive Christmas candles,

Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,

A dash of Christmas food,

(Amazing how a piece of pie

Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;

Wrap it up in love and peace,

Decorate with optimism, and

Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,

We know we will remember

To be in the Christmas spirit,

Even when it's not December.

By Joanna Fuchs

TTFN

Lorna