Got Pink?

Anyone that knows me is aware that I am a loyal fan of Aerosmith....okay, some may say obssessed.

For those that have listened to me talk about Aerosmith ad nauseum, they have also heard me blather on about the best Aerosmith cover band ever, Mama Kin. Check out their website at http://www.mamakinrocks.com/ for more info (yet another of my shameless plugs)! If you haven't seen them, pick and date and go. And don't forget to invite me!

This past weekend was the 3rd Annual Saugeen Springs Barn Bash held at the Saugeen Springs R.V. Park, headlined by Mama Kin of course.

Two years ago, Rosie planned for Mama Kin to play for her sister's 40th birthday at their RV park and it has turned into an annual event. Last year was the first year I attended and we all booked this weekend in our calendars a year ago. Well a year ago, I didn't really plan on having cancer, but what are you gonna do?

I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to travel up to Hanover for the entire weekend of frivolity with Cheryl, Rosie, Joanne, Jamie, band members and their families. I just didn't have THAT much energy in me.

So Pookie stepped up to the plate (yet again) and agreed to take me up to Hanover on Saturday evening for the show, pitch a tent and stay overnight. Mom kindly took Sydney for the night so we could enjoy ourselves.

Upon arrival, Rosie had made some special shirts for the girls to wear. They were entitled Got Pink? (Aerosmith plays a song called Pink), including a breast cancer ribbon and the Aerosmith logo. I was extremely touched by her thoughtfulness.....although Rosie does continue to try to squeeze me into the smallest shirts on the planet! Ha, ha.

So Mama Kin (namely, Frank, Mac, Jesse, Glenn and Andrew) came on at 9:10 p.m. and rocked that packed barn until it nearly came down!

During their first set Frank announced that they were playing a new song that they had learned especially for the evening (one of my and Rosie's favourites)....Seasons of Whither. Thanks, guys it was perfect. Also, thank you for NOT playing Angel!

The boys played until around 11:30 p.m. with all of us shaking our butts until they pretty much fell off! Then they left the "stage" while the crowd screamed for more.

While they were off the stage, I kept saying to the girls. "How come they haven't played Pink? They always play Pink?" Boy was I in for a surprise.

The next thing I know they all come running back to the stage each wearing a specially created shirt (again by Rosie). Their shirts said Show Us Your Pink, also with the pink breast cancer ribbon and the Aerosmith logo. I immediately burst into tears.

I was completely surprised and totally unaware of these plans. But knew immediately that Rosie was the mastermind behind it all.....with the band not far behind in agreement.

Mac got up in front of the crowd to say a few words to explain their t-shirts. I was crying so hard he couldn't look at me because he didn't know if he'd make it through! So sweet.

He explained to everyone that I was probably the biggest Aerosmith fan ever and have supported Mama Kin for many years (I'm thinking it's about 12 now). He said that I was going through a tough time right now and they wanted to show me their support.

Then steps in Frank to add that they were honoured that I had made the effort to come up to Hanover for their show and that they were going to play Pink for me!

Well they got a little help because I stayed on the stage for the whole song. It's a good thing that I know all of the words to that one!

So at this point, I really don't know how to say thank you to Rosie for making the shirts and working with the guys to pull this off. Words cannot really express how truly loved I felt at that moment in time.

I have so often said that my cancer (and bald head) are going to get me backstage to meet Steven Tyler again. I've got to work it out somehow!

But even if I do manage to be able to pull that one off, I'll just be another fan of the thousands that Steven Tyler and the band have met over their careers. It would be a memory that would last me a lifetime, but he'd forget about it in an instant.

In many ways, this weekend outshines that possibility. Because I have my own little "Aerosmith family". They have all taken me under their wing during my battle and I'll never forget it.

A special thank you again to Rosie for coming up with the idea and moving into stressed Rosie mode to make sure it all got pulled off perfectly without me finding out. I just know you've been picking at something on your face all week!

I'll never forget Rosie's first full-time day of work at SWOTA in 1994. I had just returned from an Aerosmith concert in Detroit, completely bagged coming into work with only 4 hours of sleep. She asked me "What concert did you go to see?" I said "Aerosmith." Her retort....."Why would you EVER go to see Aerosmith?"

Ah sweet grasshopper, I have taught you well.

Here's a photo of my Aerosmith family (Deb, Mac, Andrew, Rosie, Frank, Joanne, Glenn, Jesse, (Me) and Cheryl)!

Love CJ

Proud Mommy!

This week we found out that Sydney is moving up to the Junior Preschool room at daycare. What a surprise!

Generally this room accepts children at age 2 1/2....and Sydney doesn't turn 2 1/2 until November 22nd! I figured that she would move up early, but I wasn't expecting this early!

So, next week she starts visiting in the new room gradually spending more time each day. Then on Friday we deliver her to her new room first thing in the morning.

Sydney is completely prepared, it's Mommy that's not ready yet! Ha, ha.

It's hard to believe that she will be starting Junior Kindergarten in 2 years. But we already have to start thinking about making plans for that move.

Sydney will be attending Ashley Oaks Public School starting in September 2008. Apparently, there is a daycare centre right in Ashley Oaks school (London Children's Connection).

Since Sydney is currently the only child at KidLogic that will be bused to Ashley Oaks, none of her friends will be going to the same school. So it makes sense to move her to the new daycare centre when she makes the move to JK. We'll likely start her in July so she can adjust before school starts.

JK at Ashley Oaks is 1/2 day, everday, so we'll drop her off at the daycare and they will take it from there.

Of course, there are waiting lists for everything nowadays, so I have put Sydney's name on the waiting list (yes, 2 years in advance is normal).

My baby is growing up so fast.

I am glad that I will be here to see it all happen.

Oh and Happy Birthday, Mort.....from wherever you are watching. We miss you!

Love CJ

Therapeutic Touch

I went to Wellspring today to take part in a Therapeutic Touch session.

"Therapeutic Touch is a method in which hands are used to "direct human energies to help or heal someone who is ill". Proponents claim that the patient's "energy field" can be detected and intentionally manipulated by the therapist. They theorize that healing results from a transfer of "excess energy" from healer to patient."

Sounds like I know what I'm talking about, but I just copied this off of a website. Oops!

At any rate, all I did was lie on my back on a massage table while Ellen worked her magic. There was only light touching of my shoulders, arms, hands, legs and feet. The session lasted about 20 minutes (including relaxing music in the background) and then she left me to relax on my own for another 15 minutes.

I must say that I didn't really know what to expect going in, but it was very soothing. I would highly recommend it.

Earlier this week my Auntie Beryl from Victoria and my cousin Little Maddy from Ottawa were here in London for a visit. We had them and Mom over for a BBQ on Sunday. It was so nice to see them and spend time with family. A big thank you to them for all of their support from their different locales.

I'm feeling better every day as I move toward my next chemo session on September 1st.

Love CJ

Fluid

The ultrasound I had today "unofficiallly" showed that the lump at the surgery site is likely fluid. Whew!

The results will be sent to Dr. Perera in about a week or so. So I would imagine that I will hear back from him at that point.

Likely nothing needs to be done as Dr. Potvin mentioned that quite often fluid can still be at the surgery site because the body can take awhile to reabsorb it.

Love CJ

Sad

This week an announcement will be made for my replacement at work, so today I went to my office to clean out my personal stuff. It was hard to do.

I know I am going through all of these treatments so I can ensure a long and healthy life, but today I am just sad.

Sad that everything is being taken away from me and not by choice. My life has come to a complete standstill because of this thing called cancer.

I guess it's just a bit overwhelming today. The sadness had to come sooner or later, right?

Onwards and upwards tomorrow.....and yes, just 57 days left to Steven Tyler.

Love CJ

Hairless Cat

Now I know what it feels like to be a hairless cat. Well to have a hairless cat head!

Last night I took the final plunge and shaved it all off (with Pookie's help of course). The little hair I had left was starting to look a little "mangey", with spots of complete bareness. My anal retentiveness took over.

Sean and I were laughing at one point, because he hadn't yet shaved his head....his hair was actually longer than mine last night.

To quote the movie "City Slickers"......"this was NOT in the brochure" when Pookie married me. But he's been there every step of the way, no matter what. How lucky am I?

Sydney....well she didn't even notice. Mommy is still Mommy to her, hair or not.

I was pleased to wake up this morning to no nausea. I have been given a couple extra pills to take today and tomorrow to manage the nausea that I had the last time, so I will be glad if this works out. The fatigue hit a bit earlier on the weekend, but that is much more manageable. In fact, I'm going back to bed for a nap right now.

Thanks for hanging in with me everyone. Each one of you are a big source of my strength every day.

Love CJ

Home

When we went to the hospital today, we were fully expecting to wait as usual. And of course, the unusual happened.

We arrived at 8:50 a.m. and I had my blood test taken right away.

Then over to Clinic 2 to wait and meet with Dr. Potvin. I was called in at about 9:10 a.m. (early) to meet with the nurse first and then Dr. Potvin. All my counts were good (yes, Kim I got a copy of the reports), so I was all set to go.

I asked Dr. Potvin her opinion about the lump at the surgery site and she agreed with Dr. Perera. It is quite common to have lumpiness at the surgery site, and it is likely just fluid. But, of course, they need to check to be sure. She is not concerned in the least that this could be cancer again so soon. It was so good to get a second opinion!

We got out of that appointment about 9:35 a.m., fully expecting to wait until at least my 11:00 a.m. time slot for chemo. Then they called me in at 10:20 a.m.!

Out by 11:50 and home by 12:15.

So round two is done. Off for a loooooong nap now.

Love CJ

Round Two - Ding!

This morning, Mom and I are heading to the hospital for my second round of chemo.

9:00 a.m. - blood tests

9:30 a.m. - appointment with Dr. Potvin

11:00 a.m. - chemo

The odds of this happening as above are slim. There is always a huge waiting period even if you are scheduled first thing in the morning.

It's unbelievable that there are so many people waiting every day to have chemo. One hundred people per day go through that chemo suite. That's five hundred a week.

So what is going on in our world that so many people are getting so many different kinds of cancer? When will it all stop?

Note: My ultrasound appointment is scheduled for Thursday, August 17th.

Love CJ

Cross Your Fingers

Today Mom and I met with my radiology oncologist, Dr. Perera. It was just a brief visit to outline the treatment which will likely start about 3 weeks after my last chemo session (likely sometime in early January). He confirmed that the treatment would last for 6.5 weeks.

He took a moment to do a quick examination. He felt something at the surgery site, approximately 1.1 cm in size. Dr. Perea indicated that it could be fluid or perhaps scar tissue. He said that this is common, but he would like to do an ultrasound just to be sure.

The last time I was examined was June 29th by Dr. Engel and he didn't feel anything at the time. So logic tells me that likely it isn't more cancer since that examination was only 6 weeks ago.

But I still have this horrible sick feeling in my stomach. I just can't help it. I guess that's natural.

So cross your fingers everyone.....that it's nothing.

Likely the ultrasound will be scheduled the week of August 21st. Stay tuned.

Love CJ

Twins!

The deed is done, thanks to Sean.

I had so much hair coming out that I was feeling itchy all over. It was time.

No turning back now!

Love CJ

It's Okay Mommy!

The shedding has begun.

I wasn't sure what to expect when my hair started to fall out. Basically, I'm like a shedding cat. As long as I don't touch my hair all is good. If I run my hand through my hair I get a nice handful. What to do?

So far I haven't had a huge hunk of hair come out all at once and there isn't much on my pillow so I am still waiting to shave it. It if starts clumping out well then I guess I'll have to suck it up and shave it off.

I have heard that your hair starts to hurt when it starts to fall out. Mine doesn't hurt, it just feels like the hair is barely hanging on by a thread. It is a very odd feeling.

I have been preparing Sydney for the baldness that is coming. I was reminding her the other day that Mommy's hair was going to fall out soon. Sydney simply said "It's okay, Mommy." I have a great kid.

Anyway, I am off to Goderich for a couple of days with Dawn. A much needed getaway for the two of us.

Sean and Sydney will be spending some quality Daddy/Daughter time together this weekend. Thanks Pookie.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend!

Love CJ

Yoga?

Today was another good day.

Since the breast cancer support group is over at Wellspring, Kim and I decided to keep our Wednesdays free for our smaller 2 person support group. Today we had lunch together and did some one on one catching up. Thanks Kim for all of your support.

Afterwards I headed over to Wellspring to sign up for a few of their programs. I registered for a couple of Reiki and Therapeutic Touch sessions to see what they are all about. Apparently, both are meant to help relax you. Something I definitely need!

I also signed up for yoga starting in September. No, I am not the most flexible of people, but I have been assured that this is beginner yoga and I will not be expected to fold myself up into a pretzel. More good news.

I am feeling well, although still a bit tired. Just waiting patiently for the hair to fall out. Methinks it will be in a few short days.

The clippers have been purchased.....so bring it on!

Love CJ