Thursday, March 2, 2023

Last Saturday around lunchtime I noticed that there was no hot water coming from the bathroom sink. After a quick check at the other sinks with the same results we called the maintenance people. Something inside the tankless unit had sprung a leak and we were going to have to wait for parts. Originally we thought the part would come from Vancouver or the Island but it had to be shipped from Ontario.

This morning the part was installed and we’re good. It was inconvenient having to heat water for everything but we managed.

Even better news – we have booked accommodation for the three weeks in Vancouver while I have radiation treatments. Early on we received a listing of places to stay while undergoing treatment. We looked at this particular place but someone or something in the literature led us to believe it was only for patients.

Pat went to the Cranberry Hall Coffee House last Sunday and was chatting with a friend who also had three weeks of radiation. He couldn’t remember where he stayed but he promised to get us the information. It turned out to be the spot we originally looked at.

This is a great deal. They provide three meals a day plus snacks, we have a private room, free parking, there are laundry facilities and several lounges. We will be very close to the Cancer Clinic and at the end of our stay we will get a tax receipt for at least some of the expense. We’ll each pay $52 a day but that is so much less than even the cheapest hotels around.

We’re booked in from May 7th to May 30th. Although we don’t have firm dates from the radiologist when we called the office they seemed very willing to work around our booking.

Friday, February 24, 2023

Just a few more days until my next treatment. Although it won’t necessarily be the same as it was the last time, I’m dreading that first week and all the various side effects I went through. I am better prepared this time though; I know more or less what to expect and I have ways to mitigate some of the issues.

I’ve had a couple of really good weeks; this past week I’ve felt as close to “normal” as I have since this whole process started. I’ve done some sewing – with the neuropathy in my fingers it is difficult to nest seams but I haven’t lost too many points. I’ve also been working on the border of one of my Peppermint Purple projects; if I have a sleepless night as I did after my last treatment it will be done.

I have a sewing day arranged with Stacia and Deloise for Sunday. While they are both moving on to a different pattern in the book I’ll be working to finish the project I started the last time we sewed together. The only quilting I’ve done since summer has been small cards so it will be interesting to see how a larger project goes – assuming I get that far.

We’ve had a real spell of cold weather – well cold for us. We had snow one day earlier in the week and we are expecting quite a bit on Saturday night. I’m glad we don’t have to go anywhere until Monday by which time I expect it will all be gone.