Settling In

It is a grey, wet, rainy Vancouver day today. I think this is just what November looks like here, people from Vancouver seem to carry on their way as per usual. I find the rain miserable and would take snow over this any day. We are doing alright. Taking this last step in stride, doing everything we can to make the news settle in a comfortable spot within us. It is coming. Certainly the last ten days have shaken us but we are still us and so we know we can deal with it and make the best of it. Speaking of making the best of it, one fantastic part about changing from chemo to radiation is no more time in the hospital. We have been eating out a lot, going for walks and checking out parts of Vancouver that we haven't seen yet. On the whole Mark is feeling really good, and his appetite has returned to heroic form (cheers steroids) which makes meal time much more enjoyable for everyone.

We are starting to realize that we are actually going to have a baby and we are getting more prepared for that. There's even a cradle in our room - how strange is that? We are pretty pumped about it, but there are times when all we can do is laugh about the amount of unknowns and question marks floating around in the very near future. It's funny, right? Laughing is the only thing to do, right?

There's room for a baby in there somewhere

We have made progress on getting what we need to comprehend and deal with the next step. We have a new oncologist whom Mark and I are both really excited about, our counsellor at the BCCA has remained a huge support and advocate for us, we are connected with a radiologist who is known to be very skilled and at the top of the game, and then of course there is Dr. Joseph who is like a guardian angel for us. Having an oncologist, with 30 years experience, call you at home at 10 in the evening just to make sure you are feeling o.k., and then inviting you to his house for tea and a meeting to make sure any questions or worries are settled sure makes us feel incredibly lucky and well looked after. Did I mention the furnished comfortable apartment we are renting belongs to Dr. Joseph and his lovely wife Fiona too? Amazing. We will be getting more details on the radiation and the schedule for the upcoming weeks on Monday or Tuesday this week. We will keep you posted.

My best bud Sarah has been here with us for the past week and while challenging for her I am sure, it has been a real treat for both Mark and I to have her with us. She is laid back, open and compassionate and is super easy for both of us to be around. Plus as I type right now, she is making us an apple pie.

If baking cures cancer (which I suspect it might) then we are miles ahead after Sarah's visit.

Finally, this week has been filled with many emails and posts of support and encouragement and it has boosted us in a way that can't be described. It is amazing to feel that web of support and it is growing to places we did not know. We have heard from old friends, friends of friends and friends of relatives and we are genuinely touched that people are following our story and let us know they are thinking of us. Thank you.

Yay friends (and family too).