Sooner or Later

Third Anniversary

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my tripping on the sidewalk while walking the dog, going to the Emergency Room to get my ribs x-rayed, finding out my ribs were okay but that I had a tumour in my lung, and then finding more tumours in my brain (10), an adrenal gland and a lymph node. Perhaps an odd anniversary to celebrate but anyone who has had cancer or a relative who has, knows that every year, every month, every day becomes another reason for giving thanks, another reason for spending time with family and friends, and another reason to make the most of each hour.

Lastest Medical Update

My brain oncologist reviewed my MRI from two weeks ago and not only is there no spread but they feel confident that all the remains of the lesions are scarring from the radiation treatment in January 2022 and no longer active tumours. Today my melanoma oncologist confirmed the same regarding the other three tumours! My sister calls me a miracle but in reality, the miracle has to be the immunotherapy treatment. When I first started the treatment in February 2022, the oncologist told me the data they had (based on about 6 or 7 years the treatment had been available) suggested a 50% chance of surviving for five years. This he explains includes people for whom the treatment just didn’t “take.” Cleary it has in my case. While I haven’t reached that 5-year mark, things are looking pretty good.

So what happens now? Well apparently they have little data on people who have melanoma which has metastasized (i.e. spread) to the brain so to err on the side of caution, we’ll continue the monthly treatments for now. It’s only two consecutive half-day visits to the hospital once a month with minimal side effects so was really a no-brainer to agree. And in another sign of the doctor’s confidence, brain MRIs are going from every three months to every six, and CT scans from every three months to every four.

I really can’t say enough about my treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital – if you haven’t bought their latest Lottery Tickets there’s always time 🙂

And on the Non-Medical Side of My Life?

Still plugging away at The Queen’s Own Rifles Regimental Museum and Archive as the Director and Archivist. Among other things, I’m working on creating profiles on the 102 QOR soldiers killed in 1945 in support of a trip by 35 current soldiers of the regiment travelling to Holland in May 2025 to commemorate the 80th  Anniversary of the liberation of Holland and the Victory in Europe – you can read more about that trip here.

This fall we’ve had lots of volunteers for our weekly Thursday work nights at the museum including four University of Toronto students specializing in archives which is great because this has been our biggest backlog and weakest volunteer strength in previous years. It not only benefits us but gives some practical experience for the students. The photo above is our year-end holiday drinks at the Madison Pub with the first drink courtesy of our Curator, Shaun Kelly!

We also upgraded most of our exhibit cases and installed lighting, installed a new exhibit with very rare 1860’s equipment, and redone our Second World War exhibits including new interpretive panels.  Our collections database includes over 4,900 items and varying amounts of detail on over 6,350 people.  Our website page views are up over 14% all of 2023 with two weeks still to go. November 9th saw over 900 visitors to our “QOR Day at Casa Loma.” (photos here) AND my former work colleagues will appreciate that we actually received our HODG grant before our fiscal year end LOL.

I’ve also spent quite of bit of time this summer and fall in Brighton with my now 92-year-old Dad at the family home and visiting my 91-year-old Mum rocking out in her nearby nursing home. And that’s where I’ll be spending the holidays with some trips to North Beach Provincial Park to walk 13-year-old Apollo on the VERY windswept beach!

No promises on my next update but for now, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!