The last week has gone fairly well. Other than experiencing significantly lower energy levels, I’ve been feeling pretty good for the most part. That said, not being able to get medical insurance in the U.S. meant I also had to skip my trip to Chicago. I was going there to watch the Blue Jays take on the Cubs. However via FaceTime, both Joe R and Sheryl gave me the opportunity to see Wrigley Field from the bleacher seats…it was a perfect day for a baseball game!

It was also a perfect time to spend with family and friends here at home. I was able to enjoy a visit with two people who have known me the longest. They go by Maggie and Rick, but I like to call them Mom and Dad. We had lots of great time together this past weekend, and had several delicious meals. Friends Andy and Andrea joined us for an Italian feast at my place on the Saturday evening (thank you, Nino’s Oakville!). On Sunday evening, my parents and I drove in to the city to have a barbecue with my cousin Krista. The good eats don’t end with dinner: on Saturday, I lunched al fresco at Elena’s home, followed by a long walk in the Credit Valley. And I had a fabulous Sunday brunch with my friend Michelle at Spencer’s on the Waterfront in Burlington. Clearly, I’m not having any issues with my appetite!

Monday night I was able to experience one of the best concerts I have ever attended. Coldplay came to town with their Head Full of Dreams tour, and it was simply phenomenal! I needed a two-hour nap pre-concert, and had to take a vacation day to recover post-concert, but it was so worth it!

My vacation day was also important as I had a special visitor drop by to see me at home in Oakville…

Fresh from her summer internship at Fisher-Price, Caroline is spending two weeks at home before heading back to finish her MBA program at the Tuck School of Business. So what did we do? We went out for a meal and a drink of course! I was delighted to discover that my Dark and Stormy was served in a classic ‘copper’ cup.

I’ve rounded out this week by meeting my friend Jen C last night for yet another meal. We had a great dinner and catch-up visit at a local sports bar, which had a surprising diverse menu. I was expecting burgers and wings, but ended up with a delicious seafood linguine for dinner last night. Again…no issues with my appetite. I’m basically eating everything I can get my grubby little hands on. Just kidding…my hands aren’t grubby…they are more likely over-sterile now that I have become a germaphobe!

Heading into next week, life is going to be hectic. I am at hospitals on four different days between next Monday and Friday. Wednesday is my only day off! There are several routine appointments, but the big news is that my next round of chemo starts next Thursday and the treatment will consist of three drugs that I have not had before. After each drug is administered, I will go through a period of observation for about a half-hour afterwards. Because of this, I will have two drugs administered on Thursday (about 5 hours in duration) and the last drug will be given to me on Friday (about 2 hours). I’m a little apprehensive about the new drugs as I have no idea how my body will react to them and what the side-effects will be. Everything has gone so well thus far that I’m a little fearful that the next rounds will be a lot tougher. Fingers crossed that I get to sleep my way through the long weekend!