Archive: December 2004

Two more weeks to go for my tests, hopefully the last in a while.

Attended the first managers meeting today, so I'm getting back into a routine of sorts.

So far the weather has been unseasonably warm, but that's about to change over the weekend. We're looking at -20°C next week...

TGIF... Started to do some more of my regular work, including going over budget submissions. I got 3 versions, so now I need to figure out what is what.

It's snowing today, and much colder than the past week. Time to get straw on the garden, but my back is sore. I'll just do a little today, and see how I feel tomorrow.

Last Friday it was ten degrees Celsius, and tonight we're going down to minus thirty degrees Celsius... Yikes! Fortunately by the end of the week we'll warm up again. Then again, this is Alberta Canada, so these "surprises" are not that surprising--just annoying. No wonder my back is acting up...

Committee to Save Merry Christmas is an organization that takes offence to the generic "Happy Holidays" that many stores are now using. I support this initiative. I am proud to celebrate Christmas. I realize we live in a multicultural society, but let's not forget that people from non-Christian persuasions celebrate their own holidays or holy days. Are we witnessing a marketing ploy or a watering down/commercializing of Christmas?

Northlands Park, my employer, exists for 125 years. That makes us older than the city of Edmonton, and older than the province of Alberta. Last night we had a gala evening for staff and volunteers. Over 2,000 people were in attendance. There were speeches by the mayor and deputy premier, among others. Chef Adel and his staff outdid themselves with a most extensive buffet, which included prime rib, chicken, salmon, sushi, a variety of salads and veggies. This evening won't be forgotten soon.

I was asked how my lily seeds/seedlings were doing. Here is a photo of some of the early germinations. I did not do any candling, but instead used the "broadcast method" suggested by Walter Britton.

Do you appreciate classical music? If you do, you should really check out André Rieu's website. I had heard of him before but did not realize until today that he is a fellow-Dutchman as old as I am. PBS in Detroit were doing a special on him, so it pays to channel-surf...

Speaking of André, (or Andrew), our financial software consultant Andrew is back with us for the rest of the week. He flew in this afternoon so we had our kick-off meeting at the end of the afternoon. This is going to be an intense week for me, especially when juggling my tests on Wednesday.

Submitted my budget changes today. We'll see what questions come out of that.

Happy 9th birthday to my granddaughter, Alicia.

This morning I was at the Cross Cancer Institute bright and early. First up (8AM) was the abdominal ultrasound, for which I had fasted for 12 hours. The procedure was not bad until the technician started poking on the scar and my ribs. At least the goop (gel) was warm. Next some chest xrays and then off to the lab for a donation of three tubes of blood.

I was a bit nervous and did not sleep well last night, but it's done now. Now I wait for the results when I see the oncologist next Thursday.

One Year Ago I met for the first time with my surgeon and found out that I would definitely have a permanent colostomy. A lot has happened in a year. Chemo and radiation, surgery, and more chemo. This week I find out if that abuse to my body was successful. I pray that it has been...

Found out today that Helen, one of my email friends, is not doing well. Her doctor is not happy with her breast after surgery. Helen remains positive and at peace. I admire your faith, Helen. Prayer warriors, please pray for Helen.

Started the day finding out "Doc" or "Pumps" has experienced much of what I have, except for the colostomy. After 3 years he still does not have his strength back. That's a bit disconcerting, but he's a bit older too.

Met with a co-worker today, and found out her mom has her second bout with cancer. Twelve years ago her mom successfully beat breast cancer, but now it's back in her other breast. Having two treatment options have left mom confused and scared. Please pray for clarity for Joan.

Helen has decided that if she's going to lose her hair, she may as well have some fun beforehand. So now she has a pink mohawk. Good for you, Helen.

The weather is like a yoyo, cold one day, warm the next. Yesterday was 8°C and today -16°C, that's a 24 degree drop in 24 hours...

9:15am - appt with Dr. Pedersen to find out the results of last week's tests.

The battle with cancer is over, Praise God! Saw Dr. Pedersen this morning and everything was 100% in order. "There's no bad news, everything is honky dory." New medical terminology, I guess. ;)

It is now time to start thinking of going back to work on January 10th.

A huge thank you to all those who supported me over the past year with prayers, visits, phone calls, email, and just being there for me. A big thank you to Northlands also, for giving staff the flexibility to provide support during working hours.

Today was only a half day at work, but very nice. There was even a birthday cake for me, the first one ever at work. Cheesecake with fresh fruit (that does not make it a fruitcake!) That was an even greater surprise now that I've decided to celebrate my birthday on June 26 instead of December 26. Gotta love my team for the gesture. Thanks, guys.

Then we went to the SportEx (a different building) for some Christmas cheer at the invitation of our general manager. Nice to exchange so many Christmas hugs.

Well, I'm off work until January 4th, then four half days and then fulltime. It will be interesting to see how well I cope working full days. It will be good to develop a regular routine again, even if I run out of steam and have to pick scheduled down times. Working two afternoons, a morning, then two more afternoons was not conducive to developing a routine, especially with tests and doctors visits along the way.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day was very peaceful. Both Cecile and I slept till about noon. I had gotten up earlier to put the roast in the slow cooker (apricot glazed pork roast) and gone back to bed.

Because of the cold weather, my back had been sore and stiff for a week already. So I had taken some "happy pills" and gone back for a nice 2-hour sleep.

Around 3PM Cecile went to take food to a community dinner for the poor. She has done this for a number of years already and really enjoys it. This year she was the entertainment too...

When she came home, the roast was ready and with brussels sprouts and new potatoes, we had a wonderful meal. After Bible reading and prayer, we listened to some music from Suriname. Some was Christmas music, some very old songs.

December 26 is my official birthday, although I celebrate on June 26th for my friends so we can be outside in the garden. Usually my sons go to their in-laws for Christmas and come over for Boxing Day, aka my birthday. This year we were invited to my son, Vincent's, for the afternoon and evening. Thank you, Angela, for being the perfect hostess!

And... This year I did not get just underwear and socks... Got a beautiful bathrobe (I can go and shovel snow in it, that's how warm it is); a birdfeeder (this one is more sparrow friendly) and a track suit. This track suit, if I wear it inside, allows me to lower the thermostat 3 to 5 degrees. Cool! Literally...

Helen is going for another chemo treatment. Hang in there, girl. The side effects are temporary. Check our new Yahoo group for more encouragement.

We're having Christmas roast leftovers today, and they taste delicious!

Spent the day building and testing a new chat room.

Got a visit from Bob and Bertha, so now I can start work on the Parkland Perennials 2005 catalog. That'll keep me busy for a while.

Helen is really starting to feel the effects of chemo today.

Had a quick note from her before she had to go puke again...

2004 has been one of the most intense years in my life. I have felt up and I have felt down. "Rollercoaster" somewhat describes what I have been through. Started the year with cancer, and now end it cancer-free. Yet with chemo/radiation, then surgery, and more chemo being the identifiable physical events, the year has brought many subtle emotional changes.