Good Friday!!!

It was a good Friday today. I excaped from the office and took a drive around the 502 Road and out S-10 to the Salmon River Road. My first excursion. I checked in with Colleen by radio to the office every half hour just to let her know I was OK. My first drive on a dirt road and my back held up really well. :)

Have a good weekend everyone.

Gotta Post the Bad Stuff too..........

The last month or so it has been eerily quiet on the ole blog. That is mostly due to the fact we've been waiting for a CT Scan to be scheduled and then the results.

Well the results are in and the news isn't great. The tumor on my lung has grown approximately 50% in size since April and is about 4.2 cm. My oncologist suggested we change up the treatment since my current one apparently ain't working. Good news it is a pill. No more chemo. We will try it for 3 months and then reassess with a CT Scan. My breathing certainly has been affected but on Monday morning I'm going back to work here in Chipman. I'll be strapped to a desk but that's alright. There are a lot of folks in my situation that don't have the choice. I am very fortunate to work where I do and have been given great support.

Although the news hit Carolyn and I pretty hard we are confident this will work. I won't be on the roof putting up Xmas lights but will certainly enjoy the summer turning to autumn and then a cooooooooooooold winter.

That being said we have purchased a new pellet stove to heat up this old house. It isn't installed yet but it'll lessen our dependence on wood. Carolyn and Yogie did an amazing job cleaning the junk out of the basement. An old washer and dryer, a huge freezer, an old cabinet TV, large chairs, etc.... It looks amazing down there. Carolyn and Yogie are going to insulate the walls this week and the stove will be installed in a month or so.

So for now keep the positive thoughts rollin' in. I'm feeling pretty good about things. I'll keep ya'll informed. Thanks a bunch for keeping things upbeat. You folks are awesome.

Been a long time but I'm still here.

Hi Everyone,




This summer heat takes a real toll on me. Hard on my breathing and with all the medications it is very taxing.




Carolyn and I along with Fides and Mr. Snickers survived Arthur being so much more fortunate than a lot of folks by only being without power for a couple of days.




Having a new roof installed on the house today. Bedroom started to leak so a new steel roof is going up. Not cheap but should last for a good long time. The crew putting it up has done a lot of new steel roofs here in town. Be a nice surprise for me when I get home.




Despite the hot spell it has been quiet here at Air Ops. As you have probably noticed the humidity has been high also. Another kicker to my breathing difficulties.




Chemo this morning so I'm taking the day off. Most of the province had some rain and the pilots are on a call-in so I will be too.




My sister is home from Mississauga so I spent part of last week with her over at Art and Phyllis' and had a wonderful roast pork dinner last Saturday. I'll see her again before she goes back.


Sorry for the short and infrequent updates but everyone's life is so much more interesting than mine. Thanks Facebook friends for your updates and I hope everyone got to read my post in regards to the angels (aka nurses, LPN's and support workers) that looked after me in Moncton and Fredericton. Like Lou Gehrig I often believe I am the Luckiest man in the World.




Wayne

What a Day......okay week.....maybe month!

I won't make this too long but I'll start with today. I was asked by Geraldine Legere and Sheila Ferris to be the guest speaker at the Survivor's Brunch prior to the Relay For Life. It was a great honour and I didn't embarrass myself too bad.

I joined the parade up to the Minto Arena and picked up Paul Gardiner on the way. Paul was volunteering at the Relay. I also got to carry the banner to lead all the survivors on our first lap. Another honour.

I sat with the Poohs Relay Team for most of the rest of the time. I got up and did the occasional lap and bought a lap marker in memory of my mother Edith Burpee.

It was an awesome day and I left around 2 o'clock. It continues to midnight with great music and other events. I wish I could have stayed but I have another busy day planned for tomorrow. I hope to, and encourage, everyone to attend. They have hotdogs!

Carolyn and I visited Pierson Waye in the Moncton Hospital yesterday. Pierson and I shared a room for most of last summer. He had a relapse but they caught it quick so we are all hoping for a short stay.

Other than that it was a good 8 days at work. I survived. Was in bed at about 9 o'clock every night.

Work and Chemo and New (to me) Car

It has been an eventful two weeks. Went back to work for my first full 8 day shift and having to look after myself. NOT TO WORRY! I luckily have a couple of nurse like caregivers AKA Air Tanker Operations Dispatchers who assist in my care with treats to meals, cooking breakfast, cabin heaters and bum cushions! All in all it was a good, not great week. I was tired at the end of most days but did get stronger through the week. Very promising.

Also made arrangements through my oncologist and his nurse to have my PICC care and every other chemotherapy session at the Miramichi Hospital. Less travel and should be nice and quick. Good stuff.

I sold my truck and bought a used Hyundai Elantra this past week. Nice little car and something Carolyn can drive. Sad good-bye to my little Ford Ranger. The little truck served me flawlessly well. She has a new home. :)

Chemo yesterday in Moncton and I'm a little tired today. It is the first day since I've been off that I don't have to travel and plan on taking it easy.

That's all for now. Time to rest up.

Wayne

Edith Adelia Burpee

My mother, also the mother of Art, Loretta, Anita, Marilyn and Marjorie passed away 48 years ago today at the age of 54. She died of bone cancer.

That was one of the first things that hit me when Dr. Charest told me I had bone cancer. I was 53 and am now 54. Thankfully things have come a long way in the fight against cancer in these 48 years past.

Even though I was only 6 when she passed away I still have some memories of her and think of her often.

Wayne

Leaving the Nest!

Was on my own for the first time since June 3 of last year.

It was a pretty exciting week all in all. Started with my first two days back at Air Ops. Pretty well stuck to my desk but it felt incredible to be back. Got to see a few of the pilots and DNR crew. I managed to "exist" down at my little cabin.

The next two days was spent on bloodwork and chemotherapy in Moncton. My Oncologist, Dr. Abdelsalem, said it appears my bones are strengthening with my medication and my lung cancer is still in check. I'm going to continue with the treatments. I really think the nurses in oncology would be devastated if I didn't come back. I can't do that to them.

The next two days I attend our spring Animal Protection Officer training in Fredericton. A really good couple of days and my first chance to see the rest of the crew for some time. A few new faces which was great to see.

Then back to Miramichi for a couple days. Felt tired on Sunday night but got a really good snooze. Then back home Monday evening.

Thanks to Art and Phyllis for having Carolyn and I over for supper.

And thanks to Kim at air ops for the little heater to help keep my feet warm at the cabin and for the lunch at the Wok! Got my wonton soup! YUM :)

It feels great to get back to semi-normality. I haven't flown yet but I did make it out to the aircraft to make sure I could still manage to get in and out. Next shift I'll be airborne!

I'll catch y'all later. Thanks Everyone

Wayne