September 2008

Hello Folks,

I've decided that I would create a blog to keep everyone up to date with my progress and all of the Keough/Hopgood comings and goings. It will also give me a space to share and express my feelings/thoughts/ramblings and rants.

I'll start off with a picture of Hoppy and I on our 33rd wedding anniversary. We went to a local restaurant and had an absolutely wonderful meal. Since I am only eating local and organic we chose Bishop's, whose owner, John is the pioneer of the local and organic dining scene in Vancouver. Basically he's been doing it forever.

As many of you know my father passed away while we were in Nova Scotia on vacation. It was not entirely unexpected and he died just the way he wanted to, peacefully in his sleep in his home with two of his children with him. Unfortunately I didn't get to see him before he passed.

Dad's passing changed the focus of our trip and we spent more time on the move than we had planned. This did slow down my recovery from the radiation but I didn't realize that until we arrived back in BC. One real big bonus was that I got to spend 5 days with my children, two of them at the cottage we rent in Ingonish. I also saw a lot of my relatives and many old friends at my Dad's wake and funeral service.

It was a shock to my system to arrive back in Vancouver. After being so social for three weeks it was an adjustment to be on my own. Hoppy was back to work so I was spending my days by myself. After three days I felt myself falling into a depression and decided that I really didn't want to go there. I forced myself to get out and see friends in the neighbourhood, start baking again even if I couldn't eat it. As my friend Joanne says, "Motion is lotion". In any event I'm feeling much better now and there are more good days than bad. My energy is mostly up and I don't have to take a nap every day. I have lost more weight but it is mostly due to radiation and a change of diet (no sugar).

My eye oncologist said that the mass behind my eye has shrunk and I'll see her again in December for another checkup. My radiation oncologist says that they just don't know what lies ahead for me at this time. I had a CT scan on Tuesday (yesterday) and I see my medical oncologist next week for those results and to find out whether or not chemo is recommended. I will also be seeking a second opinion and am exploring alternate treatments and trials.

I have a new naturopath who is also an oncologist. It may be a coincidence but I feel so much better after seeing him and taking the supplements he prescribed.

It is difficult not to be getting up each day and going to work but I am starting to develop a new rhythm for myself. It helps that the weather has been so sunny....and Amber is coming to visit . Yahoo!!!!!

Friends, if you want to respond to me you can do it either here where it is very public or email me at my home email. I must thank so many of you for all of the support you have given me so far. I love all of you so much and think of you often.

Until my next post,

Alayne