Sunday, Sunday

What a beautiful day!

Since my last post on Thursday it has been quite uneventful. I guess I am just so looking forward to chemo on tomorrow. It ain't that bad but it kinda messes things up. Taste buds are like WTF?

Been to Tim's a couple times, been over to the office using my walker a few times, legs are getting stronger. My back incision is still slow in completely healing (due to the steroids and chemo) but has really improved so I feel good about that.

OK, always worried about losing weight when you have this disease. IT AIN'T BEEN A PROBLEM! Spare tire? Maybe a spare skidder tire!

So things are really great and I'll post again tomorrow night after I get back from chemo to let you know how things went (unless I'm really loopie).

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone.

Wayne

Thursday - Super Thursday

Rain held off today so I got a couple nice walks in. Tomorrow I think I'll go to the office and check on the moose count.

Told Carolyn I usually get up at 5 am and try to get back to sleep but I so look forward to the day I get excited and just stay up. Things are going well, Carolyn and Charlene with extra-mural are doing a great job looking after my back.

Supposed to have a few beautiful days weather wise so I'm going to take advantage of them. If I could sing, I would. Life is pretty darn good!!!

Here is a photo of the North East Incident Management Team in Georgia in 2011. The "Summer of Wayne"

Alright. Another milestone!

Hang on! Hang on! You better sit down for the news!

I have enough strength in my legs to stand up and wipe my butt! Sniff! That IS big news although Carolyn refused to high five me afterwards.

Wow. What a great afternoon yesterday and great day today (more to come I hope).

I made it all the way over to the DNR Office today to see the crew but especially to see Jeff Robinson who works at our Regional HQ and is a survivor. Jeff is doing wonderful and returns to visit his oncologist and surgeon at 2 and 3 month intervals. All is good for him. A bit uplifting for sure. Most of the Resource staff were there as well as COs Randy and Greg. Colleen was there of course to. We had some great laughs and boy do I miss that. It is the best place to work and you seldom get up in the morning regretting having to go. same as Air Ops. Can't wait to get back!!!!!

Feeling great and waiting patiently for Monday and chemo (not, lol). I know it'll zonk me a little but it is just another step in the process of "Wayne Get Better"

W

Road Trip

Art and I took a road trip to Tim's in Minto this afternoon. First time in a couple weeks I've been away from the house. Great drive and noticed the leaves starting to change colour.

Did quite a lot of walking with my four wheeler. In and out of Art's paved driveway about 5 or 6 times. That was enough. I'm a little sore but that is expected when you are trying to build strength.

All in all a great day with an awesome boiled dinner to finish off meal time. Tomorrow I'll walk again and try to keep it up until my cardio and leg strength continue to guide my way to sweet freedom!!!!!

Joked with the extra-mural nurse that with all this back strengthening I almost forget about the lung and bone cancer. My back incision is healing but the steroids I'm taking slow the process. Kind of a catch-22 situation but everything looks good. Just taking things in stride right now and enjoying the good days. Fell asleep way to early a couple nights ago and paid for it the next day. I have my last meds at 10 pm and it is sure a struggle to stay awake until that time. The day wears on a person.

Anywho, the apple fritter was good, the coffee was typical Tim's (y'all know what I mean.) Thanks to Art for the escape.

Wayne

Monday Morning Coming Down

BLAH!!!

Another wet day and I need to put some mileage on. May not be too bad though and hopefully I'll get a little break to get over to Art's nice smooth driveway to build some strength.

Everything else going alright though. Feeling pretty good and can hardly wait til next Mondays chemo session (sarcasm). More needles to the belly for a week afterwards.

I will be going somewhere today though. Lots of offers for a Tim's run n such and I'm up to it. Maybe to Doaktown! Carolyn can do the Dollar Store!

That's whats its come to!!! Groan!

Just kidding of course. I can't nor shouldn't complain. Hoping everyone has a Great Wekk Ahead of Them!!!

Wayne

Four wheelin' n lookout dogs!

Bedtime!

New to me walker tomorrow. Dog tails n toes better look out! The freekin' hounds know exactly where you wanna go then they race to get there n lay down. I need a bell on this walker. Dollar store maybe?

                                                             Terry in Thunder Bay

gordon lightfoot race among the ruins

I love this song. Great lyrics by this poet. Great Canadian.

Still Here

Thought I left yas didn't y'all. Nope, still here.

Back is healing up pretty good as extra mural is in every other day checking things out and changing dressings n such. Going to the can all by myself too. Moving around a lot better and looking to graduate to a better walker. Four wheel drive model that'll maybe get me out on the driveway in the fresh air.

Carolyn and Shyanne went to Fredericton to get groceries and other stuff we were in need of. Filled the Mazda and have to go back next week to pick up more. Carolyn has been kinda trapped here looking after me so it was great they got away today.

The boys from DNR came over and piled the rest of my wood. It is all ready now for Art and Carolyn to get into the basement to pike for the winter. Many thanks to the Guys!

Cutting short. Going outside for a few minutes.

Giddy as a Schoolgirl,,,,,, Gruntin' like a Hog

Haha! Bet that Title has y'all a tad confused. Well if you wanna read further It'll be quite self-explanatory. If you choose not to read further then you may indeed have chosen the wiser path Grasshopper!

Giddy (urban dictionary);

"to feel extremely excited as if you just saw a rock star, crush, celebrity, that made u seem speechless or incompetent of acting normal." This is exactly how I felt after sitting up on the edge of my bed tonight after I thought such a feat would have been next to impossible earlier today. And, I will repeat AND. I had to poop This of course leads me to the gruntin' aspect of the title. "Does that really need an explanation?" Needless to say after a 3 day buildup Carolyn said there were turds that required their own area code.  So Wayne is happy, no, downright giddy! Basically what led me here was the fact I was weaned off one of my medications which led to inflammation of a muscle group that when pressure was applied to it, caused EXTREME PAIN. Short term jabbing pain. Excruciating! After one day back on the medication, WOW, my recovery, slow as it may be, is back on track.  Have a Great Tuesday Everyone! W

Race against the Clock

Hi Folks,

We are in the midst of getting me straightened out again. Over the last couple of days they have weaned me off one of my medications and that particular one was helping me gain strength. Now we're working to get me back on it until such a time I have the strength once again to walk comfortably on my own. So that is why I haven't been posting of been seen on facebook.

So I'm still here, just busy. And the more busy, the more tired.

Carolyn and I got off the merry-go-round directly on to the roller coaster. Carolyn doesn't like the roller coaster. Hopefully it'll come to a stop soon and we can get on the helicopter ride.

:)

The 14th? Bah!

Getting boring isn't it?

Everything is going well. Like I said. Sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

Friday the 13th blew by without much fanfare and we all woke up Saturday.

Back was sore today so It is a bit of a game to try to figure out what I'm doing to make it sore. Sitting up too much, not enough? More exercises? Less?

Well, I'll figure it out.

W

Another Day chug, chug, chugging along!

Hello again everyone.

Trying to post something up here every day but as this process of back recovery moves along there is very little new to report.

I'm continuing to use the walker through the house. Starting to sit up a bit more. It's just a lotta work and patience is the key.

So if you happen to see a day or two go by without an entry, DON'T PANIC!!!!.

W

A little loopie

New drugs after Chemo and I am a little loopie. Messes a bit with your belly (lot of excess gasses) and a bit of heartburn. Just throws you off. Taking one pill to counteract the effects of another pill. LOL

Anywho, feeling good nonetheless and had a visit from Extra-mural to change the dressing on my PICC line. Cleaned up my incision on my back which seems to be coming along decent.

Other than that just chugging along. Would like to get outside maybe later for some air. Beep if you are driving by and see me. Probably after supper if the Head Nurse gives me clearance.

Later folks.

Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

Hi Folks. Time for a little update.

Yesterday was a long day starting at loading my carcass into the car at 8 am and heading for Moncton for my 2nd Chemo treatment. Of course I tweaked my hip a little and that caused me some discomfort but all pretty well went OK.

Got to Moncton Hospital and checked in at the Oncology treatment level and waited my turn. Spoke to my Oncologist, Dr Abdel'salam, and we talked about my progress etc.... Mass on my lung and one spot on my rib so nothing new.

Carolyn in the meantime found me a cool cancer beanie to cover up my semi-haired head. I may model it later. 

The chemo treatment was expected to last until 7 pm so when my surprise dinner showed up at 1 pm and Carolyn and I found it to be decent she drove back to Chipman. Not much for her to do but watch them come change my IV mixes so she came back to look after the dawgs and catch up on some other stuff. 

It wasn't long after she left when I fell asleep and stayed asleep most of the afternoon. Carolyn came back shortly after 6 pm and when the treatment finished up we drove home. Art came over to help Carolyn get me from the car to the to of the steps and I was happy, happy, happy to get back into my bed. A very long day. 

Now I hope I don't offend anyone but some of you fine folks would like to visit me here at home. I'm not a social butterfly but do love it when I get visitors. That being said it is very difficult for Carolyn and I to accommodate folks because of the dawgs. We have to corral them away in bedrooms, bathrooms and kennels. It stresses them out also. My solution is that as my back condition and strength improves I'd love to jump into the car and take a drive to Tim's or even sit down Chipman for a half hour just to watch the myriad of traffic. That would be appreciated oh so much. I'll let y'all know when the boss gives me permission. Thanks for understanding. I certainly don't mean any disrespect to those who have given me so much strength.

Meanwhile, it is Tuesday afternoon and I'm feeling pretty decent. More needles today, thank you Carolyn Lemon. 

Adventure Moncton

Second Chemo complete! Just got home after a loooooooooooooong day. Full update tomorrow as right now I am too pooped to write too much. Feeling fine.

A Man Again!

Well. For the first time in over a month I had enough strength and was painless enough to pee while standing up. I know, I know it may sound trivial but it is a high 5 moment here in the Burpee household (washed hands first BTW).

W

Sunny Saturday!!!

Looks like a beautiful autumn day gaining strength outside my bedroom window. I'll be outside this afternoon taking in the rays.

I haven't posted too much on the ole Blog in the last day or so as things have been moving along fairly well. With the staples out and me finally coming to the realization Rome wasn't built in a day, I can relax. And that is what I intend to do.

It has been great chatting with Georgina Wallace who of course has intimate knowledge with cancer and her never aging husband Fred. Well Georgina, you haven't aged either.

Also talking with Sheila Ferris and seeing what we can do to see that the Canadian Cancer Society can do to help with their programs and patient services. Sheila has made a phone call or two which is dearly appreciated.

Family too of course. Speaking to my sister Marjorie in Ontario and Anita in Saint John over the telephone. Some laughs, some tears and all good.

And to everyone on the demon FaceBook. The "likes", the comments, the messages and such. It all lifts my spirit in such a way I cannot begin to explain or be able to put it into words. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Scored a loaf of Phyllis' homemade bread yesterday. Hope she don't mind but I wanted, no needed to have a bologna sandwich. It was AWESOME!

It is nice having the best nurse in the world. She is my rock and also my "brain" when I get to  being stoopid.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

The last spike - REMOVED!!!

Thank you Tracy Gilbert and Debbie Blyth for teaming up and removing the 48 staples from my back. NO, one of them didn't need to hold me down, Debbie got tied up in bloodwork and Tracy stepped in. Back home now and feeling great. Shyanne came up to help Carolyn get me up and down the steps and it was much easier than when I came home from last Friday. Feeling stronger and now I'm going to rest up, let my back settle, watch some Duck Dynasty.

Next Chemo is Monday in Moncton and I'm looking forward to it. Great bunch of folks at Moncton City. May even get over to visit Mario at the Dumont. Super nice guy. He's the one I had Alex pick up the Super Mario Cap for. 

Have a great day everyone!

Hey, I even got over to the office and chatted with Kevin, Jody, Greg, Colleen and Donnie after coming from the Clinic. Best therapy ever.

Wayne

Resting Up

Heya Folks,

Staples removed from my back tomorrow so I'll be having a quiet evening. This means of course driving to the nearest Emergency Department and waiting for how long? Hummmmmm,,,, maybe HOURS at the DECH? Perhaps Oromocto would be a better bet.

Anywho, things are chugging along and staples out is a good thing.

Big day tomorrow, lotsa stress, I'll be putting something up tomorrow night unless I'm mega-zoned outa it.

Have a great evening!!!

W

Not all Roses

Been a bit of a downer today after yesterdays Super Day. Pain that I thought had been had been rectified by surgery seems to have creeped back into the picture. May have been my own fault for doing a stretch that I wasn't prepared for but I'll talk to the surgeon on Thursday to see what's up.

Anyway, other than that, things are going well. Been up with the walker three times Monday and twice today. Managed to sit in the living room and watch some television for the first time in a month and will try again tonight perhaps OR maybe just recuperate and let my hip pain ease. Either way there will be minimal strain put on these old bones.

Have a great evening everyone.

Still Puzzled

I am still a bit puzzled at the Canadian Cancer Society and their lack of support. Am I missing something? Was I out taking a whiz when their rep can to my bedside offering what they could offer me and my family for services at this time of severe emotional crisis? Are they prohibited by some sort of doctor/patient privilege to approach the patient or family? Help me out here.

Every day people are diagnosed with cancer and every day people give thousands of dollars to the Canadian Cancer Society. At some point shouldn't it be understood that some of this money should trickle down to the struggling family in need of fuel money so they can travel to see their kin in the hospital? It is there. Five hundred bucks if you meet the criteria and KNOW ABOUT IT!!!

Like I said, maybe by some policy, oath, confidentially reason the CCS cannot directly offer assistance. I would expect that every Oncology Department in our hospitals would have a representative from the CCS to meet with the patient and/or family as soon as their diagnosis is confirmed and say. "I'm from the Canadian Cancer Society and here are the services we can offer you at this time that may help you through difficult period. It is up to you should you wish to take advantage. We are here to help you."

I must have been in the can. Perhaps if I direct my query at whoever is hauling in that 6 figure salary running the outfit he/she could help me out? I'll continue to  research and hopefully come up with a reasonable explanation as to why this isn't happening. Can anyone out there shed some light?

Wayne

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy Sunday Afternoon

Made some great steps this morning. Out to the bathroom and back a few times with pretty good steadiness. Very encouraging!!!! As my Buddy Pierson and I would say "Little Victories".

I heard the fireworks last night, well what I could hear over Fido's barking! BAMM WOOF!!!! They went on like forever.

Every day I feel great. Even yesterday when I had a great deal of pain trying to walk Carolyn got me back down on the bed and told me I'm expecting too much of myself. She is right, as always. A days rest and ease into your muscle rehab. Just been over a week and there are 10 or so discs fused together with genuine Princess Auto parts!!!!

That by the way is another story!!!!

On the day of my surgery my timing got delayed from  noon until late afternoon. When things finally came together and they wheeled me into the operating room I lay there with probably 10 surgical staff surrounding me. I looked at them and said I know why we were delayed. It is Thursday afternoon, this weeks sales flyers are out and we are way too close to Princess Auto for you guys to pass up a deal on pins, rods n screws! Then I went to sleep.

On Friday I awoke in my room. Of course I could barely move but was comfortable. I noticed Gary who was in the bed beside mine sitting over by the window reading. When he saw me he asked if I minded him looking through my Princess Auto catalog that was sitting on the window sill!!!!!!

THOSE !#%$#$%% !!!!