It was a year ago Saturday. It was supposed to be a case of gallstones. A quick 30min procedure, 2 days of recovery and Kath would be back at work and hopefully feeling normal once again. Instead, the bottom fell out and Kathleen would be in the hospital for 37 days. Its been a tough year.
As the day approached, Kath didnt know how she wanted to mark it. “celebrate” ? Doesnt seem quite the right word. A friend of ours had many great suggestions in terms of marking it in all sorts of ways. Something over the top, something somber, something defiant ? We opted for something very pleasant at Nougat.
Fittingly it was a chemo weekend, so Kathleen along with her pain pump had her chemo bottle attached to her, went off to mark the day at Nougat. She takes it in stride. Despite having all the crap connected to her, she does her best, and it was a lovely afternoon.
So here we are one year later.
A reference to the old Timex commercial….
She always looks great to me.
Young and not so young around us.
It was a really wonderful way to mark the day.
Today however, was a stressful day for Kathleen. Its that time again– time for another full CT scan to see what the cancer is up to. New sites ? What about the old sites. There is the node in her neck that was zapped with radiation, 2 in her abdomen and of course the 4 small, but defined mets in her lung and the troubling signs in her liver. Results a week from Wednesday. Stressful waiting.
Had a funny moment in imaging. The nausea was getting really bad just prior to her CT so we had to do some gravol ASAP. Kath was in the wheel chair so we couldnt go in the closet like last time. I primed the tubing, flushed her line and then looked where I could hang the gravol. Nothing…. Hmmmm, I needed something tall to hang it on
A mobile tree.
—Mike 
in the cancer bubble 
Mike you are honestly the best mobile tree ever!!!
It was great being there Saturday with you guys.
Praying for positive results.
Smooches.
OMG, that is so funny. Well, tall people have got to be good for something!
Kathleen looks great, but she always does. Hopefully one year later, you are thinking how wonderful it’s been to have the love and support of all of the family and friends. I know I’ve been impressed by all of the gatherings, visits, etc you’ve shared with us.
You haven’t mentioned Kathleen’s back in a while. Hopefully that’s been doing well lately.
Lots of love,
Mo
looking great. love the cake and the mobile tree- begs a “priceless” ad and especially you both. here’s to many more anniversaries to celebrate. wish I was there. sending showers of cherry blossoms Diane ( vancouver)
Hi you two,
Wow, what a year you have had. And still, you two are so spirited and beautiful, each step of your journey, taking it in and dealing with it face on like true warriors of goodness. I really can’t put into words how you inspire me. You are in our thoughts and fill us up each day with the most wonderfully inspiring feelings of living right here right now with what you are faced with and really shaking the dust off the fears and saying hey we are not going anywhere. I love that about you. You are so very brave and real and honest.
hugs your way,
love Stacee and Isobel
I tend to compare Elaine to Northern Dancer, (the strong-spirited little racehorse who came from way behind and won the race, when she inevitably wins at Scrabble. Kathleen you have that same spirit. Mike and Kathleen, you are both so inspirational. The way you all have faced your fierce competitor is unbelievable! You have a very steadfast tree by your side Kathleen! Such a blessing! Hope to visit soon. Hugs!
you two are the best!..hugs
Being so tall certainly has its advantages! Love the photos of Noughat celebration. Thoughts and prayers for a “week from Wednesday.” Kathleen, they have managed to cut the number of geese nest sites in half here at UW but this morning I had to duck and run from an aggressive one when I got too close to its nest. Wish I had a photo to make you smile about that…..
Mobile tree, indeed! I still remember the spring/summer I met Mike at Williams Coffee near the Stone Road Mall in Guelph in 1997. He was there with his friend/business partner Keith to meet me to discuss a project. When I arrived, they were both seated and I sat down to discuss things. When we were done they both got up. Well Mike just kept getting up and up. I thought to myself, ‘Holy smokes, that man is a giant’. 🙂
Anyway, it’s not a very good anniversary, but it’s how we deal with things that make us who we are. I am always happy to see the two of you to make the most of what life has thrown you.
Dear Kathleen and Mike, It is just so delightful to see you both enjoying precious time together in the company of family and friends. You are simply incredible and we are all so very privileged to be in your special circle. Looking forward to seeing you soon with big hugs to share. Much love, Jill