Very Cool

Lat year my parents commissioned a painting of my family by their accomplished and talented artist neighbor Judy McLaren. It was based on a couple of photographs and is a great piece of work. She was also kind enough to provide a .jpg of the image for use online. The original is en route to Calgary this weekend and will be hung somewhere in our house. Thanks to Mum, Dad and Judy for this great keepsake piece of art.

On The Right Side Of The Grass

I went to visit a friend this morning at the hospice where he is holed up for the time being. He's a guy with cancer that I met a few years ago after he was diagnosed with the same cancer as me. We were basically at the same stage in treatment until recently when the chemo he was taking didn't seem to slow down the cancer. Since then things have taken a turn for the worse and he is now receiving palliative care.

The visit was at once sad and uplifting. It was good to see him happy and comfortable although very very thin. His sense of humor was still intact and despite his physical weakness he was still quick with a witty retort. With a 9 year-old daughter and wife it was easy to see a little of my own situation in his. His room was decorated with clay art and drawings from his daughter, a heart breaking reminder of the family he will leave behind.

I did take a positive tip away from this encounter that I would like to share. It seems that no matter how dire the situation, it is always better to say something rather than nothing at all. In this case, he knew perfectly well that there was no magic "git-er-done" pep talk I could give and no words that could bring about a magical return to vitality. He just needed a short chat between friends about his habitual bad driving or my inability to eat anything remotely spicy or whatever else came to mind. I could tell my presence there made a difference in what little time he may have left and I hope if I ever find myself in that situation, my friends will visit me, not to inspire healing, but to just be there as friends.

Stupid Cancer

I'm beginning to get annoyed with chemo again. It sucks being tired and useless. I sleep all the time for 3 days straight. My teeth grow fur and my skin gets hot. I feel sick and gassy and septic. I made it out to swimming last night with the kids and to Home Depot today for some paint but that is about it. Penny and the kids are very encouraging and helpful but I feel like a anchor. Can't wait to finish these next 2 or 3 cycles and have a scan and see how bad those tumours are doing.

Stupid cancer.

I Think This is About Boating

But I'm not entirely sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxVH5sKUlPg