I just got off the call with Dr. Johal (oncologist). He apologized to me for what I went through. He says it is hard to predict who will react that way. He went on to say that some people do well when they try again. I said “Well, that will not be me!! I am terrified of that drug and I will NOT go on it again.” He did understand. We agreed to start with fresh bloodwork and a CT Scan In the next couple of weeks and an appointment with him in early December. He will put together some options for me by then. He did say that the colitis should resolve itself and no become a chronic condition. The 2 polyps were benign. I am still waiting for a follow up with Dr. George (gastro guy). It sounds like I may need periodic colonoscopies going forward.

I have been home for 2 weeks and I still love the silence of home. I am working on my strength and stamina. It is improving slowly.

I AM GOING HOME!!!!

It has been 4 weeks since Mike and Nicole brought me here. There were definitely times that I wondered if it was even possible for me to go home. The past couple of weeks I have progressed much more quickly than I imagined. Fraser Health will be coming in to give me some assistance twice a day for now. I will continue walking at home to regain my strength.

I would like to thank all of you for the good wishes coming to me from all over the world 🌎

The Dr told me last night that I could go home today. I needed to be assessed by physio and visited by Fraser Health Home Health first.

Well I have been waiting all day. Dr did come by again to tell me that the “Team” were working on a plan. 3:30 came and went, then 4:00 came and went. I gave up hope for today. Someone came and said someone told her that I had a wound. Nope, no wound. Then she said Home Health will be by soon and I will be released tomorrow!!

Just more night!!

Michael and Nicole came to visit. We did a little walk down the hall to the scale. Today I am just 4.3 lbs higher than my normal weight. That certainly makes it easier to move around!! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

Well today was finally colonoscopy day. Yesterday’s meals consisted of jello, broth and juice.

About 3pm my nurse brought me the first batch of prep goop. It was about 3.5 water glasses of it followed with a couple of glasses of water.

Then at 9pm she brought me 9 glasses of it!! 🥴🤮

I questioned her about why so much more than this afternoon. She wasn’t quite sure. Went away and then came to take away 4 of the glasses. It did produce some results.

In the morning the fluid was not the clear water that the gastro guy was expecting. I called the nurse and she assured me that “it’s fine”. Yeah, I’m not so sure and I don’t want to re-do this later. Nurse did come back telling me how she told the gastro guy it was not clear fluid. He sent her with 2 enamas that she gave me. Gastro guy kindly delayed the procedure so that the enamas could do their work. It was very uncomfortable. Eventually they worked and I was able to have the procedure about 3pm. It was originally scheduled for 11:30.

My 8 glasses of the prep.

The results of the colonoscopy will take a couple of weeks to get. I will now start the process to find out when I might be able to go home. I require less and less care here. I certainly feel mentally ready to go home. I will put out the feelers on what needs to happen to achieve that next goal.

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

I finally got the date for the colonoscopy!!! Thursday the 15th.

It feels like a long time that I have waited, but now I on the schedule!!

I dropped 2kg overnight and I am less than 10lbs of my normal weight. It soooo much easier to move around.

More progress!

Well today is the day that Dana and Aidan go home to Auckland. I am so grateful for how my family stepped up and were able to ensure that even though circumstances brought me here into the hospital that Aidan’s school break was filled with wonderful adventures. The weather here has been soooo extraordinary that past couple of weeks. Really you could not have asked for better.

Dana and arrived at the hospital this afternoon for a little final visit. We were able to once again get out into the sunshine and fresh air.

We got to make some silly face photos before they had to go.

I desperately hope another visit can happen in the future!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The family is celebrating Thanksgiving today. I am obviously disappointed that I am not able to participate in the way that I would normally do.

The family arrived en masse to break me out of this room for about 45 minutes out in the fresh air and sunshine 🌞. I must say it was glorious!!

I continue to progress with more movement each day. Still outstanding questions, but moving in the right direction.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy this beautiful day!! 🦃🦃🦃

Due to circumstances of timing etc. I was late getting my little walk in. I managed to get myself out of bed on my own. The big chair had been moved to the guy next door as they had cleaned his bed up, so the only chairs were the little ones. I got to the chair and sat. Surprised how low it was. The physio lady came by and between us we couldn’t get me up. She recruited someone else and we made it. She didn’t have her following chair so I only went a little bit past the nurses station. Left enough in the tank to get back to the big chair she arranged before we left. I requested a popsicle for my reward!! I am using my yoga band and it definitely helped me wriggle to the edge of the bed and get my legs off of it.

Dr Lee was just here. She is looking into the colonoscopy. As today is Thursday and it is not on the schedule yet, it is probably not happening this week. Long weekend has an impact as well.

She is going to refer me for in patient rehab soon. Right now medically they are monitoring my electrolytes based on the depletion caused by the diuretic Lasix. She feels the colonoscopy can be done if I am on 3W or wherever the rehab unit is. It is a delay, but I’m definitely not ready to go home, so not the end of the world. I will do the work I can to gain strength to be able to return home when the time comes. 👍👍👍👍🤞🤞🤞🤞

I “almost” recognize my legs again!

The physio person came back today to take me for a walk. This time I was able to shuffle all the way to the end of the hall. I had a little rest at the end and then shuffled back to my room.

I did not drop much weight overnight, so I will be given the diuretic again sometime today. They will remove the leg massager soon as I am becoming more active.

Progress is being made, definitely!! 🎊🎉🍾

I have had so much fluid build up in the last 2 weeks. I did not recognize my legs at all. Last night they started mild leg compression massage. This morning they weighed me. This magic bed does it. Anyway, I estimated that I was carrying 30lbs of fluid. That is very difficult to do much of any movement.

Before they weighed me, I was being adjusted in my bed and was able to pull my knees to my chest. This surprised me as that was basically impossible before. Along with the massager they also gave me diuretics too. It was so obvious to me the difference this morning.

Then the weigh in. It indicated that I am 12kg/26lb higher than my normal weight!! So, my initial estimate of 30lbs of fluid was quite a bit light. Just imagine trying to move 35-45lbs of extra body weight in an extremely weakened state.

The Physical Therapy people came back today. We were able to get me up using only a walker. I walked out of the room and down to the nurses station and back again. PT people following with a wheelchair.

I am now sitting in the chair in my room and will be able have lunch again sitting up.

Good progress again today.