Good afternoon everyone,
Fall has arrived and the colours here in Vanderhoof/Fort Fraser are something to behold. The alfalfa fields take on a new colour of green which is rich and vibrant and to see a 60 to 75 acre field outlined by 100's of birch, willow, aspen and cottonwood trees is beautiful to behold. Vanderhoof sits at the geographical center of B.C, nestled in the Fertile Nechako Valley surrounded by the scenic Sinkut, Blue and Pitka Mountians.
I have had some limited success in holding my weight steady this past week. I bottomed out at 170 lbs. and then managed to gain 3 pounds before running into a savage bout of constipation caused by the codeine in my liquid T-3 . Dolores keeps after me to stay within the regime of my meds, tube food and regular meals. It sounds so easy but, after the rigours of the radiation therapy and the damage it did to my body, every time I waiver from the established procedures I pay a heavy toll.
I am tired all of the time. The little gizmo I bought to counter act my sleep apnoea has been a disappointment. Tomorrow I am seeing Dr. Campbell for a referral to the Sleep Centre in Prince George. I think I mentioned to you all that my sleep apnoea problems have been exacerbated since the Trachea tube was removed. I may need to wear a mask which forces air into my lungs and in some cases it removes the air as well. I must do something.
I've started to get ready to pack and move my stuff from 527 Pilot Street. Yesterday Dolores and I spent the day in Prince George. We took measurements of my antique roll top desk, bed room suite, computer desk, filing cabinets etc. and started to think where these various pieces of furniture will fit here at the farm. I sold my living room furniture to my neighbour Tammy's mother (sofa, love seat, coffee table and 2 end tables). She was very happy and I feel she got a good deal.
I went to Solomon Movers and bought used 2 and 4 cu. ft. boxes (10 of each) and 25 lbs. of clean white packing paper. I'll also buy some more plastic totes at Canadian Tire specifically for my books. I will dismantle all of my book cases and with some careful planning I will probably not need to rent indoor heated storage space. I will sell, donate or give away all of that which I do not need. After I renovated Pilot Street, I really hacked and slashed and got rid of oodles of stuff.
I guess that's it for now, I'll be back to you as the move progress.
Until then,
Rick
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Take note
Good morning all,
My new address is:
Box 27
Vanderhoof, B.C.
V0J 3A0
res:250-567-9516
fax:259-567-2244
You may remember that I have been thinking of moving here to the farm for some time. Dolores and her family have all made me feel as if I am one of them and I have now accepted Dolores's invitation to move here permanently. Earlier this week I spoke to various Realtors in Prince George concerning the CMV of my house on Pilot Street. I also spoke about renting the house, partially furnished or empty with just the fridge and stove. I will get $1,500 per month partially furnished and $1,100 with just the stove and frig. I will leave the portable dishwasher and the washer and dryer but, the tenant will be responsible for maintenance. No pets and no smokers.
I will be a busy person during the remainder of Sept. and most of Oct. as I get the house ready for occupancy. There is virtually no room here for my furniture or other stuff so I'll rent a heated, in door storage locker and hire ACD Movers to move my stuff there.
I am feeling much better these days. My throat is still clogged up with mucus and saliva and it is most annoying. Yesterday I started taking 30 mls of liquid T-3 30 minutes before all meals and I also Rinse and gargle with Fraser Valley Mouthwash, a concoction of 5 friendly drugs which seems to cut through the mass in my throat and I am able to swallow with very little discomfort. I have also started taking 6 cans of "tube" food every day and I am hoping to stop the weight loss. On Thursday I weighed only 170 lbs, down from 226 May 8, 2008..
I find myself learning to grin and bear the pain. I'm alive and getting stronger. That's far better than being dead or still having the cancer.
Talk to you soon my friends.
Rick
My new address is:
Box 27
Vanderhoof, B.C.
V0J 3A0
res:250-567-9516
fax:259-567-2244
You may remember that I have been thinking of moving here to the farm for some time. Dolores and her family have all made me feel as if I am one of them and I have now accepted Dolores's invitation to move here permanently. Earlier this week I spoke to various Realtors in Prince George concerning the CMV of my house on Pilot Street. I also spoke about renting the house, partially furnished or empty with just the fridge and stove. I will get $1,500 per month partially furnished and $1,100 with just the stove and frig. I will leave the portable dishwasher and the washer and dryer but, the tenant will be responsible for maintenance. No pets and no smokers.
I will be a busy person during the remainder of Sept. and most of Oct. as I get the house ready for occupancy. There is virtually no room here for my furniture or other stuff so I'll rent a heated, in door storage locker and hire ACD Movers to move my stuff there.
I am feeling much better these days. My throat is still clogged up with mucus and saliva and it is most annoying. Yesterday I started taking 30 mls of liquid T-3 30 minutes before all meals and I also Rinse and gargle with Fraser Valley Mouthwash, a concoction of 5 friendly drugs which seems to cut through the mass in my throat and I am able to swallow with very little discomfort. I have also started taking 6 cans of "tube" food every day and I am hoping to stop the weight loss. On Thursday I weighed only 170 lbs, down from 226 May 8, 2008..
I find myself learning to grin and bear the pain. I'm alive and getting stronger. That's far better than being dead or still having the cancer.
Talk to you soon my friends.
Rick
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Chandler, Raymond (Phillip Marlowe series)
Yoski,
I may have mentioned that I am hooked on Robert B. Parker author of the "Spenser" series of mystery novels as well as the Jessie Stone series and the Sunny Randall series. I have been reading his books voraciously. Now that I have read nearly all of his titles, I am looking to find a new series of mystery novels to get into and the Phillip Marlowe series by Raymond Chandler has caught my eye. Has anyone out there read the "Marlowe" series. If so, please give me some feedback on this series. If anyone has read the Mickey Spillane series I would like to know what you think of it. Also the Sam Spade series.
Write me with your comments at: rdhoney@tlpg.com
Thank-you.
Rick
P.S. Code Clements I hope to hear from you since you've read just about everything under the sun.
I may have mentioned that I am hooked on Robert B. Parker author of the "Spenser" series of mystery novels as well as the Jessie Stone series and the Sunny Randall series. I have been reading his books voraciously. Now that I have read nearly all of his titles, I am looking to find a new series of mystery novels to get into and the Phillip Marlowe series by Raymond Chandler has caught my eye. Has anyone out there read the "Marlowe" series. If so, please give me some feedback on this series. If anyone has read the Mickey Spillane series I would like to know what you think of it. Also the Sam Spade series.
Write me with your comments at: rdhoney@tlpg.com
Thank-you.
Rick
P.S. Code Clements I hope to hear from you since you've read just about everything under the sun.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A new mile post
Hi everyone,
Really great news today. The fire like pain I feel in my throat when I eat something I shouldn't appears to be gone. I first noticed that it was gone on Monday afternoon. Yesterday and today I have not felt it at all. I saw Dr.Campbell in Vanderhoof today and she was elated for me. I still have the pain caused by the build up of mucus and saliva but, it is manageable most of the time. Now its time to slowly reintroduce fruits, vegetables, and other things into my diet that bothered me before. I am really hopeful that this is going to last.
Dr. Campbell would like me to keep the food tube in at least until I see her again on Oct. 15th. I will see Dr. Filatov on the 8th. Time enough to take the food tube out at that time.
Maybe I will now be able to eat a more rounded diet and perhaps put on some more weight. We'll soon find out.
That's it for now.
Love to everyone,
Rick
Really great news today. The fire like pain I feel in my throat when I eat something I shouldn't appears to be gone. I first noticed that it was gone on Monday afternoon. Yesterday and today I have not felt it at all. I saw Dr.Campbell in Vanderhoof today and she was elated for me. I still have the pain caused by the build up of mucus and saliva but, it is manageable most of the time. Now its time to slowly reintroduce fruits, vegetables, and other things into my diet that bothered me before. I am really hopeful that this is going to last.
Dr. Campbell would like me to keep the food tube in at least until I see her again on Oct. 15th. I will see Dr. Filatov on the 8th. Time enough to take the food tube out at that time.
Maybe I will now be able to eat a more rounded diet and perhaps put on some more weight. We'll soon find out.
That's it for now.
Love to everyone,
Rick
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Fall is coming
Hello all,
Ho, hum, life goes on. It is starting to feel like fall. The days, when it is sunny are wonderful. The mornings are cool and we have had frost on a number of occasions already. It has also been unseasonably wet and Dolores is disappointed with the vegetable garden.
I'll be able to ride my bike today. The back roads are now dry enough for me to get out. My throat is starting to feel better. The fire like pain in my throat that shoots up into my left ear is finally starting to subside. Perhaps the hydromorph that I'm taking is helping. I am still plagued with the heavy,sticky, white saliva and mucus build up in my throat. This seems to cause me more pain than any thing else. I will persevere with the anti histamines and the Flonase which seem to help keep my sinuses clear.
I see Dr. Campbell this coming Wednesday. She was going to try and talk with Dr. Leong in Vancouver re: the sore throat and what type of long term pain management for the damaged nerve endings might be put in place. Anything will be helpful to me. I also see the Dietitian on Wednesday and she may have some suggestions which will help me gain weight or at least stop the slow and gradual losses I have been experiencing. Most days I ingest 4 cans of tube feed (255 mls each with 355 cals) and on a really good day about a 1,000 calories in real food. Swallowing is still my largest problem due to the dryness in my mouth (no thin saliva glands yet) and the aforementioned mucus etc. which is lodged in my throat.
I am starting to regain some of my strength although my stamina is still far short of where I would like it to be. This is an on going project which will likely take months. Yesterday Dolores and I were in Prince George running here and there. We stopped at Pilot Street to say hello to the neighbours, pick up the mail etc. and I happened to see my skis. Well, that caused my blood to rush and as I ran my fingers over them I promised myself that I will be up on the slopes this year for sure. What finer incentive to get back in shape is there than downhill "skiing".
That's it for this report. Talk to you soon.
Love to everyone.
Rick
Ho, hum, life goes on. It is starting to feel like fall. The days, when it is sunny are wonderful. The mornings are cool and we have had frost on a number of occasions already. It has also been unseasonably wet and Dolores is disappointed with the vegetable garden.
I'll be able to ride my bike today. The back roads are now dry enough for me to get out. My throat is starting to feel better. The fire like pain in my throat that shoots up into my left ear is finally starting to subside. Perhaps the hydromorph that I'm taking is helping. I am still plagued with the heavy,sticky, white saliva and mucus build up in my throat. This seems to cause me more pain than any thing else. I will persevere with the anti histamines and the Flonase which seem to help keep my sinuses clear.
I see Dr. Campbell this coming Wednesday. She was going to try and talk with Dr. Leong in Vancouver re: the sore throat and what type of long term pain management for the damaged nerve endings might be put in place. Anything will be helpful to me. I also see the Dietitian on Wednesday and she may have some suggestions which will help me gain weight or at least stop the slow and gradual losses I have been experiencing. Most days I ingest 4 cans of tube feed (255 mls each with 355 cals) and on a really good day about a 1,000 calories in real food. Swallowing is still my largest problem due to the dryness in my mouth (no thin saliva glands yet) and the aforementioned mucus etc. which is lodged in my throat.
I am starting to regain some of my strength although my stamina is still far short of where I would like it to be. This is an on going project which will likely take months. Yesterday Dolores and I were in Prince George running here and there. We stopped at Pilot Street to say hello to the neighbours, pick up the mail etc. and I happened to see my skis. Well, that caused my blood to rush and as I ran my fingers over them I promised myself that I will be up on the slopes this year for sure. What finer incentive to get back in shape is there than downhill "skiing".
That's it for this report. Talk to you soon.
Love to everyone.
Rick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
