Cant thank enough the folks at the Cancer center for scrambling to accommodate us on Friday. Medically, it probably would not have made a difference to wait until next week to start, but psychologically…. Mentally, it would have been really tough to sit around this weekend wondering what the cancer was doing unchecked. Normally it takes a bit of time to get it all organized, but they did it. On a Friday. On a Friday of a long weekend no less, several folks worked past their quitting time just so that we could begin the Folfox treatment. First some hydration with calcium. Then some sterioids and Zofran and then the leucovorin (Folic Acid) followed by Oxaliplatin over 2 hrs….A blast of 5FU and then the 5FU take out bottle for 46hrs which Kath finished today. (This will happen every two weeks until March.) We didnt get out of there until 7pm. Amazing staff.
It was pretty hard on her Saturday and Sunday. More vomiting both days. Now that she is off it, she is starting to recover. The steroids (or Chemo?) did take the swelling down a bit on her lymph nodes, so some pain relief from it. But she is feeling pretty miserable. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Just want to say a big thank you to everyone for their support throughout this. Every email, comment, card in the mail and phone call really helps both of us. So keep them coming when you can 🙂
—Mike 
in the cancer bubble 
hi Mike and Kathleen. We also appreciate your blogs with the updates. I’m sure that it must be so much easier than answering all the calls, emails and cards. We don’t want to inundate you thru any medium but we’re all here, anytime, for anything…..
Kathleen and Mike,
I wish that there was more I could do…I wish I lived closer so that I could just come by and have a chat and give you both a big, fat hug! Know that I think of you every single day and send you wishes and prayers for comfort, strength and healing- and a few laughs to lighten the load…
Much love,,
Jennifer xo
Yes, I agree so much with Anne P- thank YOU for your blog posts. Writing is powerful as it offers so many benefits to both the writer and the reader. I hope you take some comfort in the process of chronicling this difficult journey…xo
Hi Mike and Cath God bless you both, we are thinking of you and with you both in each of your messages. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Let us know if a visit is in the cards All the best Don and Sheila
Dear Kathleen and Mike,
Whether it be from here in Cambridge as I type this presently or from Ottawa or from from wherever I may be, you are forever in my thoughts and feelings of caring and love. I am very blessed to be one small part of your big circle of friendship and support. Just wanting to reach out to you and send big, warm hugs through this posting and by way of thoughts
Mike thanks for the continued updates. Uncle Mike and I would love to visit, but we will leave that to you and Kathleen. our prayers and love are with you. Uncle Mike wants to know how so many problems can get into such a little person as Kathleen. you can call us anytime…416-288-9389
Hi Mike, Kathleen, Orville & Betty,
Back from the cottage and looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow & taking Orville for a spin in the park. Yes, we are very fortunate that you live so close to treatment and how world class they are…..so glad you can be home to recover between rounds of treatment ….I shudder to think if you had to travel. Home is where the heart is. Tobermorry was superb as always….my one dog was kayaking this year……Cosmo is now called Kayak Cosmo…..he swam out & jumped into Jason’s Kayak and stood on the bow…..we need to get him a lifejacket….we also visited Greig’s Caves….my first Cave experience…..small but impressive…..lots of swimming, biking & hiking. I still have a good feeling you all will get up there for a brief visit……if not next year for sure. I don’t pray but I am a person who meditates and within the practice there is a pause where you dedicate the meditation to a person…..sometimes I “pay it forward” to animals, …but most often people. We all know so many people challenged by cancer …..living one day at a time……..with tremendous courage. Every time, I read another posting…..I decide to practice my courage as you do. Cheers to you both.
This is so positive. It’s amazing how you and your team are pulling together! Thinking of you today and everyday, keep up this fight, this time this disease has a battle on its hands! xxoo Colleen and Terry
Dear Kathleen and Mike: Glad to hear that treatment was fast-tracked. Sending positive thoughts and hugs to reinforce the Warrior Spirit!
Dear Kathleen and Mike. Thank you for the updates. Through them, we walk with you on this journey. For each moment of sadness we wish you a day of comfort. Sending loving thoughts your way. Fran Fisher
Dear Kathleen and Mike,
You guys are an inspiration. You inspire all of us. You inspired the people in the hospital to do overtime on a holiday weekend.
No small feat. We think of you every day.
Love Judy, Rob and Michael
Dear Kathleen and Mike,
We are back from Vancouver and baby visiting and ready to hit the ground running re the by election on Thursday.
You will be missed, but your own journey is so much more important.
Thinking of you both every day and waiting for the word to come and visit.
Warmest wishes,
Diane and Keith
So much courage! Proud to know you.
–jsf
Hang in there Kathleen & Mike – Foe me the side effects have lessened each round – I do round #5 when I return from Copenhagen. Carl