The morning view from my window while convalescing
Since I’ve been back in Calgary I’ve been seriously focused on getting better. After sitting idle and not eating for four days in Ontario, along with three prescriptions of antibiotics and one antifungal prescription my gut has been pretty messed up.
Had an endoscopy last week that has now set me up for an ERCP on Aug 11th to see if we can get some stents in the pancreatic and/or biliary orifices. My GI doc has indicated it will be a challenging procedure due to distortion of the duodenum due to the existing tumour. Dr. M is brilliant and I feel very comfortable in his care.
Also had a meeting with my Oncologist to review what happened out East and to put together a plan. We moved up the CT Scan to Aug 11 as there was indication from an unltrasound in Wiarton that showed growth of a tumour on the spleen. I’m not convinced there has been additional growth (there was a tumour there in the scan in March) but this scan will verify all scenarios.
Am also weaning slowly off the steroids which will eventually allow me to get a decent sleep, which has been elusive for weeks.
All in all my mental game is strong and I am being diligent to exercise, eat right and get rest.
I spent the first week out at my Brother and Sister-in-laws place convalescing and they have been absolutely over the top generous with their time and care. We even did a one day, six hours of driving, trip up to Buffalo Lake to celebrate my other brother Dave’s birthday and retirement. The original plan was to stay up there but they kindly came back so I could be back in peace and quiet…my family is action packed.
I have now been back in my own bed for a few days and have been filling my walk schedule.
My three brothers kindly rescheduled our planned golf tournament from Ontario to Calgary this weekend so I’m fully back in the sports saddle till next weeks procedure. I will be driving a cart of course.
Had a lovely dinner at Scott and Dar’s last night. Great walks with friends, a chai latte. Life is good right now.
Phew, a long update but certainly filled with a lot of action items that are rebuilding me back to my fighting weight (as I lost 14 pounds along the way.
My lesson from all this - accept help when it’s offered, we are all better together.
