So yes, August was a great month! It started with most of my family arriving for the long weekend. And it was a very long weekend. From the first arrivals to the last to depart, about two wonderful weeks. There were those who came early to prepare for the hordes, and those who stayed afterwards to help clean up the aftermath.
But we had an agenda and a theme this year. Saturday was "Burning Man" day. (for those of you that have not heard of Burning Man, just google it and you will find out all about a crazy wonderful annual event in the Nevada desert). We started out the day in costume
From the risque
to the ridiculous (yes, that is me in my polkadot tutu)
and continued throughout the day with our own MacDonald version of tutorials/seminars. These were fun, crazy, carney types of entertainment demonstrated with the greatest of skill, style and expertise. Just a sampling included the "Picnic Cessna" as demonstrated here by Mira and Jeremy
and attempted here by Mira and Mike with not quite the same finesse
And then there was Kristen with her ukelele and her colorful entourage that performed a brilliant song and dance version of Tiny Tims "Tiptoe Through The Tulips".
But the "tutorials" were not all fun. Some were so very educational as well. We learned: how to Floss For Fun and Revenge, how to Use a Pee Funnel, and how to Make Fun Buns. And the list goes on.
The finale of the evening was a spectacular Burning Man. The first picture is just as we lit the fire below the burning man, and the second was of him in full flames. It was spectacular!
Sunday we had my "first annual wake". This was done in the spirit of hope and the expectations of this annual event for many years to come. It originated a few years back when we promised our mom that we would have a spectacular wake for her, but she insisted that she hated to miss a good party and wanted to partake in the event. So we decided to have one every year while she was still alive, so she would NOT miss the celebration of her life.
So we all put on our special "wake" hats (wish I had some pictures of those) and everyone took turns in telling touching, funny, emotional, AND embarrasing stories of events that we had shared over the past 57 years. It was wonderful in that most people never get to hear the stories and feelings that generally are said at a funeral. I feel very blessed that I got the chance to hear that, not only was I special to so many people, but also that I was a typical bratty (and not always such a good) kid and sibling. I was truely touched!!
The weekend events pretty much wound up with a spirited (and very competitive) 2nd annual Beer Pong championship tournament. Last years winners made a valiant effort at retaining their champion status but this years winners, Nathan and Kim (Nathans beautiful partner) gave them a run for their money. Championship belts, made especially for the event, were the just rewards for the winners. Below is a picture of Kelsey protecting her territory and preparing for the onslaught.
The rest of August was spent relatively quietly. My dearest and longest (notice I did not say "oldest") friend, Noni - and her fabulous husband David, drove all the way from Sue St. Marie, Ontario to visit. It was a few days of basking in the joy of a great long time friendship, the sharing of some great memories, some good chuckles, and a few stifled tears. It was with great sadness that I watched Noni and Dave drive away. The visit was too short and I am sure we both felt the heaviness of not knowing when, or if, we would see each other again.
August ended with a 5 day trip to Calgary for a Cardio workup. All results came out positive. The doc gave the "all is good to go for the surgery". Whew! That was a relief! Some good news regarding my health was very welcome.
And I should not have said in the title of this post that Sept was not so good. I had some wonderful visitors during the first 10 days. My lovely niece Leah, her husband Nick, and their most beautiful, smiley, happy little girl Cora came and spent a few days. What a joy to spend some one-on-one time with them. And the same with my dearest Aunt Kay who came a few days later. Usually family time means a gathering of 40 plus people and it is so hard to get any personal time with any one person. So these two visits were very special to me.
And now, unfortunately, the good news comes to an end. Last Friday, the doctor/surgeon in Calgary called to inform me that the surgery has been cancelled (although there is the tiniest, and I emphasize "tiniest" chance it may still go through, although I doubt it). This was devastating news for us. This was my last hope for a few more years of life. The reasons for the cancellation I am still very confused about (and still waiting for answers). It has to do, AGAIN, with having an unknown primary. I guess the doctor really thought it was from the ruptured appendix I had removed 15 years ago. It now appears to not be so, or cannot be definitely determined. And thus, the exact chemo bath of my peritoneal cavity, that was part of the surgery, is unknown. However, the doc did say I should get on some kind of systemic chemo IMMEDIATELY (easier said than done). But this again is kind of iffy. If they didn't know what kind of chemo to use in the surgery, I can't see them knowing what kind to use in the regular chemo treatment. Again, I am still waiting for answers and for an oncologist to get back to me.
Although I don't know for sure, I THINK that if they do give me chemo, it will be what they call "palliative chemo". It won't really do much for me. Maybe lesson my symptoms somewhat and for a short period of time. All this I will TRY to keep you better informed of as I learn more over the next few weeks.
I have, in the past two weeks, moved from the stage of discomfort into full blown pain. I am on pain killers all the time now. I will be connecting a little more now with the palliative counsellor in Grand Forks. And I have registered for the Home Care program. I am certainly not at the point where I need home care but they will be helpful with pain management and probably some of the emotional and psychological support Neil and I will be needing in the future.
So, yes! At the moment things are not very optimistic BUT we are still hopeful and are not discounting some reprieve from either chemo or some kind of that wacko alternative therapy. Please, be hopeful with us! And keep sending that good energy, those good vibes, and lots of prayers (or whatever you are comfortable with) my way. And especially send them to Neil. This is all so difficult for him and he needs all the support he can get.
My love to all!!
Tons of our love is coming your way. We are praying for some answers, and that they may be positive. We love you.
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