Wednesday, May 24, 2023

I had a very quiet day yesterday. I may have been a bit depressed. I fought back tears all through my treatment and then spent the rest of the day laying on the bed and reading. I gave myself a stern “talking to” this morning and it seems to have worked because I’ve had a better day today.

My treatment this morning was later than usual so I did some stitching until it was time to go. Being later they were a bit behind and I was probably ten minutes late getting in. We still had lots of time to walk the couple of blocks to see my oncology doctor. The waiting room was packed and I expected we’d be waiting a long time but I think we actually got in a bit early.

We have spoken to Dr. Mitri a few times over the phone and it was nice to meet him in person. He is really a nice man and I was impressed that he knew my history without referring to a chart, notes, or his computer. I’ll see him again in about six months but he assured us we could call him anytime. He’ll continue to work with Dr. Burns in Powell River too. He answered all my questions and basically said once the radiation is done I just need to go home and recover.

We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant down the hill and then took a long drive to a Canadian Tire store to pick up a cultivator. Pat thinks it will work well for the beds; I’m not convinced but if he is going to be the one using it I don’t really care. I found a propane torch for killing weeds in the patio bricks but Pat thinks I should check it with the fire department first because there is a fire ban in effect.

We took a drive out to Pacific Spirit Park and did a walk – lots of trails through the trees and we stuck to flat ground. There was a lot of cotton in the air (it bothers me) but once we were in the trees we didn’t see it.

Supper is over and I think the rest of my day will be spent laying on the bed reading – but not because I’m depressed, I’m just tired.

Monday, May 22, 2023

We spent another good day with Christy and family on Saturday. For supper we ordered pizza from “Show Me the Pizza”, the place where Dylan works. I rode along with Rick and Taylor to pick it up so had a chance to see Dylan hard at work.

On Sunday we went out for breakfast at the Sylvia Hotel. I’m sure I was there at least once before; I’m not sure but maybe it was a celebration around the time of Brian and Diane’s wedding. From there we headed back to Stanley Park and a lovely walk around Lost Lagoon. We did 3500 steps which is more than my average but there were lots of benches to sit on while we enjoyed the view.

Today we went to a movie – the first time we’ve been to a theatre since Covid started. Pat bought the tickets online at a theatre in North Vancouver because they had reclining seats – what a nice way to see a movie. This morning I admitted to Pat that I was looking forward to the popcorn as much as the movie – The Book Club – the Next Chapter. Although I love the ladies I have to say it was a terrible movie. What was nice though were all the scenes from Italy, many of which we saw on our trip – Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Florence. 

I’ve managed to finish another book from the library shelf so I think I can get the other one read before we leave – just one more week. I also finished a stitching project this week but I still have lots of others to do.

If I had enough energy I’d go see if there is a machine open in the laundry room but for now I’m having trouble getting off the bed!

Friday, May 19, 2023

Yesterday was a day lacking in treats so I made up for it today.

I had my treatment Thursday morning and my fitting in the afternoon. I was able to walk the six blocks there and back although I did have to stop and rest for a bit both ways. I think it is because of all the medical facilities in the vicinity that there are a lot of benches everywhere. Pat was out at an open mic again last night and the dinner menu here was not appetizing (fish and herbed quinoa). I had two options for an alternate dinner – down (and then up) two blocks to Whole Foods to get something or half a block up to food court in the mall. I picked the mall.

Other than those outings I spent most of yesterday laying on the bed and reading. I was able to finish my book (Paula) with a bit of time left in the evening to carry on with my stitching.

This morning I said I didn’t want to go out anywhere – I thought I would enjoy a day at “home”. We went out for a walk right after lunch, through a different neighbourhood than we had been in before. When we were at a small park resting Pat mentioned that the shop that sold baklava was just a couple of blocks further out as we made our way back. I’m not a huge baklava fan but they advertised that they made 28 different kinds so it seemed worth a look.

And now I’m sold on this particular spot. I had small pieces of a hazelnut baklava and a coconut/almond baklava with an iced coffee to wash it down. Pat enjoyed a hot coffee with his pistachio treat. When we were walking “home” I mentioned that it was only a couple more blocks to the Whole Foods so we walked down there and picked up some muffins to enjoy later. It was two blocks straight up to get back so I lay down for awhile when we got back.

When we got “home” from the walk, as I was putting my borrowed book back on the shelf in the library, I intended to pick up another one of the two I’ve been eyeing. I ended up bringing both of them back to the room with me – I think I’ll have time to get through them both.

I’ll do a bit more stitching before bedtime.