Now It's my turn to deal with Cancer

    I have been diagnosed with cancer. While doing a reality check I realized that D'Nile is not just a river in Egypt. That was my first reaction.
Now that it's set in, while not a full acceptance it will be a challenge to deal with it. I will provide in insight as how I handle it. I will post regularly. It's late in the evening and I have an iPhone app called Calm that I use for meditation. It is a daily agenda item and now is the time for it. Look for my blog tomorrow.

It began a month ago when I visited my doctor. Small bleeding while peeing. Probably a urinary infection as he prescribed  an antibiotic to be taken for 12 days.  

Colon Cancer Part 2

For those of you in the U.S. whose gov't is still debating the cost of "social" Medicare I wish to point out a few facts regarding the treatment of Elizabeth when she first visited her family doctor. He suspected that the problem might be greater than he could deal with and referred her to a specialist at the Ottawa General Hospital. Within four days she had a colonoscopy. The specialist then ordered a CT scan and an MRI. Three weeks after Elizabeth met with the anesthesiologist before her operation to remove the tumor. He commented on the fast tracking when he looked at her medical file. The operation took place two weeks later but was cut short because the doctors felt that the tumor was too large.
Elizabeth was then put on a program of chemotherapy and radiation. Pills were prescribed and while I can't remember all the names I know they were expensive. I remember the pharmacist telling us that one particular prescription cost $1,000.00. Her work health insurance would have covered some of the costs but since one of her medications was in trials we didn't have to cover her prescriptions. Three months of treatments and pills. All the visits to the hospital, the doctors, then the visits to Mt. Sinai and the operation and finally the air ambulance back to Ottawa. We never saw a bill. Her recuperation at home in a hospital bed provided by the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan is covered including the home care of nurses which come and go almost daily.
The Medicare plan applies to all provinces in Canada. It is supported by the federal and provincial government. While often called a socialized-public system it is in fact merely publicly funded. Most services are provided by private enterprises, and doctors are not on a government salary, but operate as independent businesses.

Colon Cancer

We have all come to realize that cancer affects all of us since we know family, friends and acquaintances that have contracted this disease. For some it is a devastating event with dire consequences. For others, while going through an emotional roller coaster, a glimmer of hope. Such is the glimmer of hope for Elizabeth.
Diagnosed with colon cancer March 3 2007, she has always been a a pragmatist. She confided with friends (in comic relief) that I was supposed to die before her. "After all he has all the worst habits for being healthy and besides he's old. I was supposed to get his inheritance." she said in a deadpan manner Her girlfriends didn't know whether to cry or laugh. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, Elizabeth was told the tumor was inoperable. "Does that mean that I should prepare for God?" The doctors looked at each other without answering her.
An oncologist at the Ottawa General suggested a second opinion from a doctor at Mt. Sinai in Toronto. He made the referral and we left for the meeting with the medical file and a CD of her scans. After an hour's consultation of the medical file, the doctors told us that indeed they would perform the surgery. We asked who would do the surgery? The door to the room opened and we were introduced to the surgeon who had been reviewing the CD in another room .
She told us that the surgery would involve four medical teams, orthopedic,plastic and surgical oncology and a colostomy team. The doctor told us that it would last 16 to 18 hours. It would be performed as soon as the teams could be assembled for a date when all would be available. Dr. Carol Swallow, the team leader called another meeting a few weeks later so the we could meet the other team leaders and ask any questions about the operation. Congenial and obliging all our questions they gave us a sense of security. They told us that even though the operation was complicated they felt confident that given no unforeseen difficulties they would be successful. It was an experience I will never forget.
Elizabeth was admitted to Mt. Sinai on the 10th of August 2007. Saturday morning she was released from hospital for the day. We went to CN tower and then toured the shore events We enjoyed the day. It was like being on a picnic.
She was re-admitted Sunday and surgery began at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning.
Sixteen doctors, six nurses and three anesthesiologists in the operating room. The operation lasted about 14 hours as it went better than expected. Two weeks at Mt Sinai then back to Ottawa by air ambulance. A hospital bed was provided for the home.
Medical supplies including pharmaceuticals arrive almost daily and nurses visit the house regularly. Social services provide counsel. It is a miracle.
Dr. Swallow called yesterday and wants us back in Toronto for a follow-up. We're not quite ready yet as some sutures haven't been removed and Elizabeth still must be on her back for awhile.

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The weather is slowly but surely changing. Procrastinating, I know have to hurry to play golf.

JigZone: Jigsaw Puzzles Online

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USA with a viEw

Crossed the Thousand Island Bridge to NY state. Strange as it seems the border crossing seemed different. Being the long weekend the scrutiny seemed high. Different for me as being a neighbour in Niagara during my youth we crossed freely without incidents. Being a senior has it's privilege, greeted with a smile the agent asked for our birth certificates. After we answered that we were going to Oswego for the car races he smiled and sent us on our way. Interstate 81 and 2.5 hours later after going thru New Haven, Mexico, we arrived at Oswego. The towns mentioned are all in NY state. Oh, oh, another line as police officer were doing visual check on the outskirts. The car line slowed and then we were signalled to go thru. The sun came out, and we enjoyed the whole day including Labbats Blue being served at the speedway. Ever so gracious, we were treated to friendliness and comaderie. Many actually said they wished they lived in Canada. They felt they had lost the freedoms they once enjoyed. I reminded them that since the NY disaster their feelings were really that of feeling insecure rather than losing freedom. Being the only superpower has responsibilities.
and the consequences attached. And being their neighbour to the north, I reminded them that Canadians by and large share their values.

Mermaid and Lovers Portraits in Oils and Pastels - isa Maria - Kauai Hawaii

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Golfing for fun

Joined the real seniors for golf yesterday. My partner from France who only knows soccer, could only speak french and his english was no better than his game. We let him tee on the fairways and other than a putter on the greens he only used a No. 1 driver all day. The other couple (man and wife… late sixties) surely love each other not only in complimenting each other on their short drives but occasionally giving kisses to each other. . Just imagine that for golf etiquette. They had a picnic lunch made and offered some but we kept to our barley lunch that we packed in our golf bag. Anyways our scores definitely were not as good as the steaks that we got at the legion. Huge T-bone cooked on their BBQ . And what I really enjoyed at the legion was their approach to golf scores…..none….get a ticket get your prize. This is a real eye opener for thesaurus give it a try

Living with a younger woman

The real challenge is living with a woman half your age. Why you ask? Because she views you as daddy. Surprisingly, the more experience we get the more we revert back to childhood. As I uncomplicated my life through retirement trying to keep it simple sort of speak the harder it got to manage my time. She fills it with with her ideas of what life should be.

August 10, 2003
Keeping young is a passion for most of us. Health issues now predominate most media outlets. Magazines, television, newspapers and for a good number of us the wwweb. We are spamed daily with cures, exercise equipment, and a plethora of pills all designed to restore our youth. Tommorrow I will be 26......excuse me 62 years old. Nobody believes me but the fact is I look youthful and still have brown hair. As a man who is six feet tall and weighs 180 lbs I possess the physical attributes of a thirty year old. I have never taken medication other than asa. I have been retired since 1995. I'm sure my dna has something to with it but I believe all of us can be healthy by living wisely. Look to my next post as I share my ideas with you. If you have comments or suggestions please send me e-mail.

How do you stay young

August 10, 2003
Keeping young is a passion for most of us. Health issues now predominate most media outlets. Magazines, television, newspapers and for a good number of us the wwweb. We are spamed daily with cures, exercise equipment, and a plethora of pills all designed to restore our youth. Tommorrow I will be 26......excuse me 62 years old. Look to my next post

August 10, 2003
Keeping young is a passion for most of us. Health issues now predominate most media outlets. Magazines, television, newspapers and for a good number of us the wwweb. We are spamed daily with cures, exercise equipment, and a plethora of pills all designed to restore our youth.