Best Dippy Dog EVER!!!!

Carolyn brought me a dippy dog and I have to say compliments to the chef!!!!!

A little bit of ketchup and then I was transported to a Utopia few get to visit.

Now, it is a memory. A little pointy stick broken in half wrapped up in a napkin. The moment is over but shall linger sweetly on my palate for me to choose when to let go.

Did I mention I like Dippy Dogs?

W

The Climb

I don't think Sir Edmund Hilary had a tougher final few steps to the pinnacle of Everest as I had climbing the 6 steps up to my back door. What I can tell you is that my triumph was as satisfying. Carolyn by by side with Art behind I repeated best foot up, secure, weak foot followed. Got to the top, turned the doorknob and I was inside my home.

I'm very, very weak and require a ton of physio. Mostly doing exercises from my back to strengthen my legs enough to walk. I can walk around the house with my walker and Carolyn beside me and hopefully by early next week I'll be able to walk the driveway. Steps are my nemesis right now. It'll come though.

Other than that yesterday was an amazing day. It is soooooooooo great being here in my own bed and seeing the Dawgs for the first time in a month. Carolyn is an amazing nurse. She is also amazing patient with me.

Funny thing is that through all this getting home and concentrating on healing my back we both kinda forgot about the cancer! I guess we are taking it one step at a time. Kinda weird but hey, we focus on what is immediate, my back.

I'm not sure how many disc they supported with screws and cross members but perhaps 8-10. I wanted to get a copy of the x-ray but when we got the ok to discharge it was forgotten.

So nice looking out MY window. Have a great day everyone.

DIPPY DOGS later today! WOOT!

Wayne

Season Over..........

Bombers back to Freddy.........

................See you in the spring Blackmore!!!!!!

Be it ever so humble.............

there's no place like home.

Tic, Toc,,,,,,, Tic, Toc,,,,,,,,

Carolyn and I are patiently waiting to have me discharged!!!!!

Home for rehab and some baby steps back to walking and getting outside and then maybe even down Chipman visiting. Not on the weekend though. I'm still very weak.

Next Chemo is next Thursday.

Been a longgggggggggg stint but what a great bunch of nurses, LPN's and other support workers.

I'll check in tonight if I'm able (tired).

DIPPY DOGS TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne

Truck Still For Sale and Puppies, Yer Daddy is Coming Home!!!!

Maybe, just maybe, my lil truck Smokey may have a buyer. Someone looking anyway. I'm not picking up as many hounds as I used to with the SPCA and since she is a manual transmission I figured it was a good time to sell her and use the proceeds to get something Carolyn can drive too. She is third peddle challenged.

I didn't want to send anyone into a high speed wobble so be rest assured I am trading down from Smokey. From the vehicles I've looked at as a replacement I'll actually be saving a few bucks.

So perhaps you'll still see Smokey in my driveway for some time or perhaps something weird n wonderful. I'm just soooooooooo looking forward to getting back to my DNR job in Chipman and NBSPCA in the Northeast even on a limited basis.

I want to attend everything, I want speak to everyone, I want to share my experiences here at Moncton City and the Dumont. I'd kinda like some hair back too! But Jody Brown said "Humph, you got a pretty good shaped head"! Can't make fun of Sheldon anymore though.

I have a treatment next week and then another 21 days after. I also have a shot of a bone strengthening drug that is covered by Blue Cross (hello for optimum points) that I take every 28 days. Two more Chemo, assessment, then continuance.

Won't make the Olympics this year but..............

Have a great evening folks!

PS: Carolyn may have a one year old Border Collie who at times replies to the name of Mr. Snickers for sale really cheap. Ok free to a good home! As long as that home is nowhere near Red Bank. I'm sure if you checked Mr. Snickers head there is a tattoo 665!

Wayne

Hump Day!!!

Another huge step forward. Literally!

Art and Phyllis were over and of course Phyllis brought cinnamon stuff. Art said I was lucky any of it made it this far as between Greg and Sam it usually doesn’t get the chance to leave the house. Carolyn over again for her daily visit. She helped the physiotherapist and I do the stairs twice just to show the proper method. We got that down.

Red Cross has my stuff in Fredericton ready. A walker and a commode chair for home. I’m hoping Friday is the day. We have to be cleared by Dr. Charest (Neurosurgeon) and Dr. Mo (Oncologist). If that is the case then I may just have to come back in for treatments. Yeeeeeeee-Hawwwwww!!!!

So Hump day was huge. I am feeling really good.

It is mid-afternoon Thursday and Donnie and Jody paid a great visit this morning. Perfect timing as Carolyn had lots of stuff to think about in prep for my return to home.

Thanks to everyone again! The positivity that surrounds me sustains my spirit. At some point I will explain my blog name “cancersaddened”. 

Tuesday's Gone

Hey Everyone,

Fell asleep at supper but needed the rest. Last two days have been busy and tiring as physio has had me up and moving. Yesterday was great, today was greater. Took a couple of walks and am starting to build strength.

WHAT A MOMENT!!!!!

Got in the wheelchair and Carolyn took me outside. Totally wondrous and overwhelming feeling when we wheeled out from underneath the canopy of the Hospital entrance. I bent my head towards the sky and saw it (no glass) for the first time in 22 days just as a light breeze bathed across my face. You know what happened next.

I am healing, and asked the surgeon today about the tumour on my back to which he said he believes the radiation pretty well nailed it and although there were some remnants on the spine he felt it would very rare if it returned. WOW!

Roommates here are coming and going. Norbert has been here a bit longer and had close to the same surgeries I've had. He is managing well.

More physio tomorrow, possibly home for the long weekend? We'll see.

Catch y'all later. Have a great evening.

Wayne

Monday, Monday, Monday,,,,,,, Monday, Monday , Monday!!!!!!

Have a great start to the work week everyone!

Feeling great this morning because.................................................... Carolyn is coming over and............... bringing a couple of Sue's fresh home made turkey sandwiches!!!!! Well I like the delivery girl too. But yea, Carolyn and Sue's little trip to Minto scored a turkey and therefore..... sandwich. Fresh.

Did I mention that I like turkey sandwiches? Well I do. Especially Sue's. Her and Carolyn went to Minto and got got a turkey at Foodland. She is making me a turkey sandwich or two today.

Carolyn is bringing them over. May hire police escort.

Ok, ok. Enough about that.

Nothing much planned medically today I don't think other than Physio coming back in to get me up on the high walker and perhaps if the breakthrough with my lower back continues, some transitioning from bed to wheelchair to (drumroll please) the flush. Ahhh! The flush. Even though you are my cold unfeeling friend how I cherish our relationship and you do not realize how much I've missed you. Well, in the next day or two I hope to rebuild the foundation of long lasting, UNINTERRUPTED liaison that'll fulFILL both of our expectations.

Anywho, everyone. I'll close on that note and later this evening send y'all the results of the day.

Later all,

Love
Wayne

Woot!!!!!

Amazing day today!!! Will fill y'all in a bit later!

Stay tuned.

Baby Steps

Kinda one of those rougher days where at the end things fall nicely into place.

The end result was sitting up in bed with pretty well my full weight placed on my hip and lower back without too much pain. Of course this was drug assisted but none-the-less, achieved. :).

So with that being said there is no need to go go over the rough edges. I can still carry them. Lots strong enough.

Was a really good day to recharge so Carolyn and I had talked about it and she spent the day in Chipman with the dawgs and of course with her Yogie and Sue. Had Sue for a drive to Minto. Not much room to squeeze a fart into that conversation on the way there and back. I bet it was great.

So hopefully tomorrow we can get back sitting and work on the transition from bed to wheelchair. I figure if we can do this, I'll be able to use my legs to pull myself around some and build strength. We'll see though.

Wayne

Meds and Whack-a-Mole !!!!!

I'm a bit whacky today. Everything went well in surgery and my back is feeling much more stable. Just a matter now of strengthening and conditioning. So bear with me as I get my wits about me.

I got up on the high walker this afternoon, didn't walk but it felt good to get up. The physiotherapist is really nice.

It is always nice to see Carolyn and Yogie. Carolyn may stay home tomorrow and give us both a nice rechearge.

Dr. Charest visited and we talked about the surgery. He was pleased. Amazing what can be done. I'm hoping that I'll get to see the apparatus before I'm discharged                                                                                                                      

Disappointing

One thing I must say that has disappointed me is the total lack of contact with the Canadian Cancer Society. It seems to me that for all the money that is donated there should be a proactive approach to cancer patient support right from the outset. I've heard nothing and from some of the other patients I've spoken to, they've had the same experience. Programs with time restraints for travel support have limited time to respond and how are cancer patients and their families who are overwhelmed by the news that someone they love has cancer be expected to think about researching what support programs are available to them?

I'm not concerned about myself, I'm ok. There are so many others though that could use $500 allotted for travel. A pamphlet sitting in a slot near the nursing station shouldn't cut it. How much is donated to them each year?

Wayne

Biz.......... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Been a wild 24 hours or so with not enough time nor internet access to get everything I want to up here on the Blog.

So noon tomorrow is surgery time. I'd tell you what they are going to do but someone would Google it and scare the proverbial crapola outta someone. I looked it up and it's kinda neat. Another room mate has come and gone. George from PEI made his way to another floor. I called him a pirate because his IV pole had four IV drip bags of various sizes hanging from it. I told him as he left I was going to play "Come Sail Away". He said he's glad I didn't because he'd be crying.

Long time roomie Sherman may be heading back to Blackville tomorrow. One more treatment. Once again Sherman is one "genuine" personality. Carolyn and I have enjoyed his soft spoken good nature and hopefully get up to the Howard Road to say hello this fall.

Carl starts his treatments soon. Once started he may get transferred to the Miramichi for treatment.

Like yesterday was incredible. I've been trying to find the words for what transpired but I'm still working on it.

So yesterday Becky, Kim, Gilles, Barry, George and Lynn, Glen and Ned were here from Air Ops. Darren and Mark from Region 3 East. And probably someone else........ it was a whirlwind.

Carolyn was here of course and then today............................................. Alex and Jade were here. That was really great. Super visit that helped make this to be one of my best here! Like I said on FaceBook they were thinking of going to the Zoo to see monkeys! Right after seeing ME! Don't know if I should be developing a complex or not? Anywho, I'm sure the monkeys will be entertaining and hopefully not too intellectually superior to AHEM!!!!!!

So wish me luck. I'm really looking forward to walking again!!!!

Nothing tomorrow I suspect with the surgery n all. Word will get out.

Wayne

The Knife

Back surgery scheduled for Thursday! Dr. Charest was in yesterday and we went over the procedure and I gotz to ask many questions. After all was said n done I feel very confident I'll be mobile and relatively painless in another 5-7 days.

Basically the tumour has weakened my spine to the extent that it cannot support itself so some metal rods, bolts, springs, whatever has to be installed. My only worry is the hospitals proximity to Princess Auto!

Carolyn and I are excited about getting this surgery behind us and then getting home. What remains then are 21 day cycles of Chemo.

Big Jim Dobson was in today. Jim had smuggled salt packets and was going to go find the folks on low sodium diets and sell them for $2 a pop! Always an angle with Jim.

Wayne

Puppy Visit!!!!

I was just dozing off and waiting for my got to bed meds when one of the nurses woke me up and brought her little chihuahua puppy in for a visit! Holy Crap what a surprise! They know I work for the NBSPCA and just figured I'd enjoy some dog time. The little critter was skittish as heck but just to give her (the puppy, not the nurse) a scratch behind the ear and a pat on the head was so great. Like I said, wonderful people here!

Can't wait for Carolyn's visit today! What a great day yesterday. Goal for today is to find out when my surgery will be. Well, I have another goal also but we won't go into detail. Tis between me and Mr. Pan.

Best hour of my life in a looooooooooooooonng time!

Wow. Carolyn just left a few minutes ago but from 1:30 - 2:30 she climbed into my bed and we just held each other. I had no pain as we snuggled together. It was fantastic.

Cueball

Oh oh! Spaghettios!

Was running my hand through my beard and with a lil tug noticed a LOT of beard hair coming out! Sooooooo I tugged on my scalp hair n YIKES! I knew a couple weeks back I wasted $20 on that haircut!!!!

Badge of Honour! May be Dew Rag wearin' Wayne here in a bit.

Great Saturday with Yogie and Sue over in in the afternoon. Thanked Sue for the fudge. Yummy! The good ole fashion brown sugar melt in your mouth kind that I suspect is illegal in several parts of the world! Delicious.

Kevin MacBeth stopped in for a surprise visit also and we yakked about the NBSPCA of course and my wanting to contribute more (feeling guilty). For those of you who don't know Kevin supervises the Animal Protection and Dog Control Officers in much of the southern parts of NB. And Jeff was back in for a quick visit.

Of course Carolyn was here for much of the day.Carolyn's visits seem like 20 minutes. She's here usually close to 4 hours but wow. So happy that time seems to just fly. Must be LOVE!

 I went with Todd Beach's suggestion and the Teen Burger Combo from A&W. Bacooooooooooon!!!!!!!

A little sore in the evening but overall not too bad of a day. Thankful for all the well wishes n such. Donnie checks in regularly to see if I need anything and others also seem so willing to go out of their way. Like I said before, I have shed many a tear on this road but never a sad one.

Going to try to wash my hair on Sunday. What will be left? I'll take a photo.

Wayne

A super fantabulous day! I went with the Big Mac Meal by the way.

Carolyn was here for over 4 hours but it seemed like 20 minutes. Arrrrgh! Colleen and Greg stopped by and kept me company which was excellent and the Shauna Billard who worked with me with the NBSPCA stopped by with a couple more books to keep my feeble mind occupied!!!

But the really big news was my buddy Pierson got to go home! Carolyn and I were so happy. Pierson was a great roomie and an inspiration to us all. Quite a guy.

Blood count is looking good and early next week we'll be able to talk to Dr. Charest about surgery options.

I'm counting the minutes til tomorrow when Carolyn comes back.

Woohoo............ the doctor said I was a young man!

Carolyn's on her way and I'm so excited. Missed her yesterday. We are ordering out today! I'm torn and still wondering what to get for dinner?

Deluxe Clams n Chips?
Pizza Delight Combo? (I love their Caesar Salads)
Big Mac Meal? (I know, I know. But the fires)
A & W Teen Burger Combo?

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!!

Glorious Day out there today!

Just laying back here waiting for blood to get with it so they can get me mobile. Have a wonderful day everyone and please try to put a comment on my blog so I know things are working. Paul Blackmore got one on there but we are connected through Google. Just need to know it can be done through other methods or I have to change settings somehow. Thanx.

:)

News today that blood platelet count is on the rise and when they reach a certain level Dr. Charest will operate. So it is a waiting game of sorts. Lori and Rob stopped in for a cool visit that I didn't expect. One their way to PEI for the weekend with a bunch of the Brown Family. Finally met our new Chief Animal Protection Officer, Gary MacAuley, and am looking forward to getting working with him. Danny Goddard snuck out of Region 3 for a visit also. 

So there it is. Pierson may be heading home tomorrow. :)

That's it for now. I could blather on forever about the great folks here at Moncton City. 

Carolyn has 2 weeks in NO SMOKING! 

With my illness, her looking after everything at home including 3 dogs, and to on top of that deciding to quit smoking, she never ceases to brighten my day with smiles. She is amazing.

And a big shout out to Shyanne who goes up home and let's the 3 hounds out for business and plays with them, gives em their treats and really makes their day brighter allowing Carolyn to stay in Moncton with me a little longer.

Alright. A moments time near the end of another spectacular day. Way too much to post but here goes:

The girls from Physio came at about 10 AM and I had already done my exercises so they strapped me into a belt that they could hold on to AS I STOOD UP!!!!!! I could actually see the parking lot and people scurrying about! Another small victory. (simulate a fist pump everyone). Art and Phyllis drove Carolyn over this morning and had a great visit. Art and Phyllis visited Phyllis' sister Sharon after visiting with me. Carolyn as usual made sure I had everything I needed. More treats (Russell Stover from Sue) and cheesies for which I had a hankerin'. Really good day. My buddy Pierson had phenomenal news. Perhaps home on Friday. I am really hoping it works out. We knew all these little victories we reach every day turn into a huge one. That my FB friends and others who get my messages is the power of the positive flow of kindness and love. Awesome.

Dr. Mo stopped by and said that maybe Friday or Monday for my back surgery. Hoping for Friday of course. When Dr. Mo says any questions I just look to Carolyn. LOL.

Others in today were Dan Michaud a co-worker with DNR, Marguerite Diotte who worked for me as an Animal Protection Officer and is now taking a trucking course, Jeff Hay was in again and delivered some mail and news from Chipman.

Once again, a simply awesome day!!!! I am trying to start a Blog to document things a bit but wow, I have oodles of time but things just get piled up (literally). LOL.

Gotta stop now even though there is so much more I want to share. This journey gets more and more unbelievable each passing day. I am truly blessed and so very happy with my life. Thank You All.