Dr.Ken Has Cancer? (Yup, Appendiceal Carcinoma)

  What do you mean, unexpected? You've been promising us an update for months, girl! Uh-huh, I know, I know, sorry — life got in the way, as it so often does.  However, I've given myself permission to eat chocolate while blogging, so hopefully I'll be posting with a bit more regularity.  I had no idea just how cherished a gift my prize of a $100 gift card each month from Jacek Chocolate would be. It's almost like God knew I'd need more really, really good chocolate than usual! What I mean by unexpected is that the contents of this blog may come as a surprise to most of you. I promised you authenticity, and I meant it! However, first, let's bring you up to speed. 🏎️ At the end of June, I posted about Ken's journey thus far, which has been anything but easy. I then posted a personal update on my blog (which can be found  here ) in mid-August. Unfortunately, despite switching chemo protocols from CAPOX to FOLFOX, Ken continues to struggle with debilitating sid...

  Starting upper left, going clockwise: The entrance to The Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) CCI was built in 1968; it's older than both Ken and me! Ken is waiting for his appointment with Dr. Zhu. I found on-street parking, but because it's only for an hour,  I'm not sure it was worth the stress! 🤨 Sorry for the lack of communication; life has been a bit turbulent lately. 😵‍💫  And that would be the biggest understatement of my life. 🫤  While I was going through my own treatment, Ken would often say that it's harder on the caregiver than the patient. After Ken's second infusion, I asked him if that was still true. 😇 "Come on, that was a stupid comment." Actually, it was more like "Khum ahnnn, thad was a 'tupid commennnnnt."  No, he wasn't drunk; he was in the midst of Hell Week. Yes, it occurs every time, and no, it doesn't usually improve with each infusion; rather, the opposite. 🫤 It is extremely difficult to watch loved ones go t...

The calm before the storm. 🍪  (Volunteers come around with coffee, juice, and cookies. Ken loves cookies. 😋) Whoo boy. I'm kinda regretting promising authenticity. 😏 Don't let Ken's smiling face fool you, the past week has been he🏒🏒.  (H-E-double-hockey-sticks.)  When I was going through chemo, I affectionately dubbed the first week post-infusion "He 🏒🏒  Week," referring to the brutal training of Navy Seals.  Unfortunately, that label also applies to Ken.  The infusion went well, though the pharmacy was running behind, so we had a late start. Then Mr "My-veins-are-great" decided to allow his veins to play roly-poly-olly, and a second nurse had to insert his IV, since the first one gave up. 🙄 Now, in all fairness, she only tried once; they're supposed to try twice before getting a colleague. Our nurse, I'll call her Sharon (not her real name), was interesting. She also works in the ER at the Royal Alex, which caters to a rough crowd, so pe...

  Waiting for Ken's turn to have his blood drawn at the CCI lab. "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." What's that even supposed to mean? It's true, though a bit trite. 😒 This phrase has been echoing through my mind for the past couple of days as we prepare for Ken's first chemo infusion scheduled for Thursday, the 24th, at the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI). We all know there are different seasons in life; some have a distinct beginning and end, while others just fade into and out of being. As the season of chemo begins, the line between before and after is very clear. But let me take you back to our first oncologist appointment before I bore you further with my philosophizing! 🥱 On April 17th, exactly one month after Ken's surgery, we arrived at the Cross and parked in the basement parkade. I drove, as Marigan doesn't enjoy the challenge of the golf-cart-sized parking stalls, and Ken wasn't supposed to be driving yet. (Ha! He drove t...

  Spring is here! Tomorrow is Ken's first appointment with his oncologist at The Cross Cancer Institute. (CCI) 🤔 Marigan will be joining us just as she accompanied me to my appointments, as the first visit is an information overload. I'm so grateful! Ken continues to heal  pretty   well; there's only one spot along his incision that doesn't want to behave. As the Steri-Strips fall off one by one, the slow-mo unveiling reveals a pretty impressive  scar. Below is a photo of NOT KEN! But this individual had the same procedure (CRS-HIPEC)...and posted their photo online, so obviously they are willing to share! (I've kept the photo small for those with weaker tummies. 🤢) Again, THIS IS NOT KEN!  😁 (He looks very similar, but he has more chest hair. 😁 ) Ken purchased the beautiful hydrangea during one of our  excursions to Salisbury Greenhouse, our happy place.  Every time  I look at his scar, I'm reminded of a zipper.  I've been trying to...