Snowstorm? pshaw!

To make myself feel better in this raging almost-MAY snowstorm, I think about how great yesterday was. This is a crazy place - this city gets blanketed in snow in about an hour and if you try to walk in it your face gets ripped off by the wind and snowy/rainy pellets. Meaning no disrespect to any Calgarians.. I MISS VANCOUVER! But enough of my plight. Let's talk about how great yesterday was.

We are amazed at how many people shared in the joy of Charl's good news the other day. You people are amazing!! If you ever doubt that you can have an impact on someone else's life, by a small gesture like sending a quick email, or hugging someone, or lending a hand or sending cards etc.. please rest assured you doubt in vain. It is always an ecouragement to know that people are walking alongside us in this cancer journey, and for all the things, little and big, it means so much to us.

OK so back to yesterday.
Charl received a package of hand-made cards from the entire Swedish contingent of the Overend family. My brother, his wife and their three kids all made get-well cards for Charl, personalized to perfection. Isak's favourite was cutting and glueing portions of his card into little green pieces (he's 4). You can't start a day better than that - so sweet!!

South Africans all like this hard bread called Biskuit, or Rusk, dipped into their coffee or tea. It's similar to the Italian biscotti, only not as sweet and infinitely harder to find in Canada. Which is why they tend to bake their own. Hence Alida, our friend from the old country, decided I needed to know how to make this for my husband to keep him even happier than he already is at home. Happiness to a man is a full stomach (or something like that).

Armed with nothing but ground flax-seed and some sunflower seeds (from my trusty cancer cookbook I know that ground flaxseed has 3000x more healthy-ish somethingorother than other stuff that could possibly make up the familiar chunchy granularity of Charl's favourite coffee-soaked bread), I showed up at Alida's to start the learning process. Yup, that's me with the apron (alot of strange and wonderful things happen when you get married)

You'll see that this bowl of goo actually turns into delicious Canadian-made super healthy RUSKs, which I'm proud to say, tasted pretty darn sweet.

Upon returning home with the warmly baked goodness this fact was proven by Charl and I gorging ourselves silly on them.

How sweet of Alida to spend her afternoon sharing her million year old trandition with the likes of me??




Well to round the day off - as if the day wasn't already good enough - after we'd overindulged in the baking, we realized we didn't have anything prepared for dinner and were in that half-lazy fog of helplessness just before you capitulate and order take-out pizza. No word of a lie, the next minute, the phone rings and it's Barb from our bible study, saying she and her daughter had made us dinner and were bringing it over now and would that be ok?
ummm.. ya!

Totally kind mom and daughter taking care to make sure we had a home cooked meal.. Amazing grace!

Thanks everyone, for making our day soooo good, that even this freaky snow can't shake our good mood.

WOW

After having to drink 1.4 litres of medicinal-tasting water within a 2 hr period while waiting in the diagnostic area of the Peter Lougheed Hospital, Charl's name was called for his X-ray. A few minutes later, Charl bounced back into the waiting room, hurriedly suggested I leave my book there and follow him. The X-ray tech agreed to allow me to come in and take a look at the X-ray that had just been taken of Charl's chest.

We looked first at the screen that showed the X-ray that was taken back in January, when the tumor was first discovered. It was a big white mass on the screen. But when I looked over at today's chest X-ray, I immediately choked up. We have been praying for a miraculous result and we feel that is exactly what we got. The mass is virtually gone. Incredulous, we looked at each other with big teary smiles. Wow. Charl was going to be ok.

While we were so thankful for such a clear picture of the chemo working in Charl's body, we know that this is not the 'final' analysis of his cancer, and that a radiologist, and Charl’s hematologist, needs to inform us of what the CT scan results are. An X-ray is a one dimensional image; a CT can is not. It shows you multiple angles of the same image. We are well aware that there could be more to this story - i.e. more tumor left in his body - but the joy at seeing the chemo doing its job was undeniable. The CT scan results will be revealed to us next clinic, May 5.

We walked out of the hospital with a hope even more fierce, a feeling more exuberant and an outlook more positive than before. We are not out of the woods yet, but we will be soon. We thank God for the gift of modern medicine and the impact it has had in Charl's life, and we thank you for your prayers.

Birthdays

Some of us like birthdays, some of us don't. But is there anyone among us who doesn't like being remembered on their birthday? I think not. Yesterday was Charl's birthday. The day started with receiving a HUGE hand-made signed card and 4 (!) specialty cakes delivered to our door from his super thoughtful colleauges at work.
Here's a peak at the card:

Then he got a flower delivery from my mom (south african flowers), text messages, calls from friends and family... talk about everyone making his day! He was pleased as punch.

Then, given all that Charl has been through I thought I would do something a little different for his birthday, a change of scenery, so to speak.

So I secretly packed an overnight bag for him - which I will tell you is no easy task, given that Charl notices everything - made the requisite reservations, and told him I needed him for about an hour after lunch. It was a ruse ! Here is me kidnapping him and whisking him off...

 ... for the day and surprising him with a stay at a gorgeous hotel where we dined in the evening.




If you have ever been fine dining, which I'm sure more of you have than me, the more you pay, the less food you get. Our portions were laughably small but exquisitely delicious.

Take a look at this dish:

Have you ever seen a portion so tiny? But it was a divine taste experience! PS if you can guess what that food is, I'd be impressed.

They lavished us with flawless service, unexpected extras and even a special birthday treat for Charl (notice the edible white chocolate label):

We sat by a fireplace after dinner and let the beauty of the day sink in. It's so healthy to just get away and do something different. Except next time I steal my husband, I need to remember to take his toothbrush and medicine. Oops!
Dont' worry, he said it was worth it.

Progress Report

We heard from the Tom Baker Center that Charl is scheduled for an appointment for a CT scan. It is scheduled for Sunday April 25. He has to go get some liquid pumped into him an hour or so prior to the test, after which the test is at 11:00am.

This will be an important day for Charl; those results will determine whether he will stay on the planned course of treatment or deviate from it with more or different therapies. We are confident in the Lord's good providence, and we are not worried about a negative outcome. That said, we are hoping and praying that it is a good outcome and the tumour has shrunk down from the size of a football to the size of a ... pea (I just made that size up. Actually we hope it's totally gone!). We trust that when we see that CT scan, it will be a miraculous result.

Should the results be as expected (ie that the tumour has indeed shrunk), Charl will continue with two more rounds of chemo, and finish off with radiation therapy every day for a month. Once that is done, he will get one more test, a PET scan, to detect if there are any remaining active cancer cells left.

God is reverentially referred to in many ways: Yahweh, Lord, El Shaddai (Almighty God), Adonai (master). I've also heard him referred to as "the Great Physician". I like this title and especially like that Charl is in good hands!

We would love it if you would join us in praying for the best results possible this Sunday.

Sunny Recovery

One week ago today, Calgary was hit by a freak snow storm. While driving we were blinded by diagonal sheets of snowfall, and the city was white within an hour. We had no choice but to surrender to Winter - it was upon us in an instant. Today, however, it was summer in an instant. It was one of those perfect spring weather days: light breeze, azure skies and temps hovering near 20C.

We took advantage of Charl's prednizone-induced energy and went for a very easy walk by the Bow river, on the west side of Calgary. It was a thing of beauty to be back out in nature, feeling the warm touch of the sun on our skin, seeing tiny colourful specs resembling owners and their wildly sniffing dogs on the other side of the river, listening to birds chirping, watching a pair of Mallard ducks silently float downstream. I've missed this connection with nature, as Charl has, while being all too consumed by the torpor of illness.

We know that treatment plays an important role in recovery, as does rest and eating properly. But this fresh air walk - as mild and unstrenuous as it was - was ironically not what the doctor ordered, but was just what Charl needed. It was so lovely. Charl is tired but well pleased.

Chemo 4

Yay! Charl got through the 4th round today without a blip.

Charl got a bed in the 'corner suite' by the window where I read by his side most of the day. He napped on and off while his various IV bags went drip, drip, drip. I had the pleasure of receiving a call from some of my former colleauges in Vancouver -  catching up with them was a nice way to pass the time. Even though they haven't met Charl, they sent their warm regards. All these little bits of support are very encouraging when you are lying in a hospital bed on an otherwise beautiful sunny day.

April was our nurse and she was very chatty and friendly. Originally from Saskachewan, she thought Cape Town was in Eastern Canada somewhere, and commented, after Charl politely corrected her,  that she didn't think Canadians had strong accents like that.  (!)

We left the TBCC and returned home to another home cooked meal by Chef Overend, (formerly known as the chips and salsa girl with the empty cupboards ha ha).
:)

Clinic #4

Just a quick note to say that Charl's clinic went well today.  A few points on why :

a) Even though his white blood cell count was "in the boots" as the nurse practioner called it, she gave him the shot to boost his immune system (ie he didn't have to give it to himself, which is just not fun)

b) They gave him the thumbs up for taking Tylenol 3 for the pain associated with the injection (ie - Charl is in a happy place tonight, vs being in lots of pain)

c) We only had to wait 1hr 45 min to get in to be seen by the staff

d) Charl is still handling the chemo very well all things considered, and

e) The staff is great and the interaction with them is always pleasant.

We are hopeful again for a good day in Chemo #4 tomorrow - even though Charl doesn't look forward to it - and hopeful that these chemicals are doing an outstanding job of killing all remaining cancer cells in his body!!

Friendship

Friendships are interesting things. Some are lifelong, and are there because they've been there forever. They are dear and they fit like an old pair of jeans. Some friendships are new and fun and unencumbered by trial and unmarred by history. All have goodness in them. But some surprise you with special moments you won't ever forget.

We received an email from dear friends of mine - Mike and Mae Ward - from Vancouver. These were the first two people I was fortunate enough to call my first friends at church. We did so much together in the first days, before they had kids, before my job took me away from the city for long stretches, before I moved away. We'd shared many struggles, dreams, prayers and laughter over the years since we met. 

When Charl was diagnosed with cancer, they - among many others - prayed for him regularly, and let us know that we were in their thoughts and prayers.  Mike and Mae only met Charl the day of the wedding, but they considered him a brother and a friend all the same.

Today something out of the ordinary happened. Mike decided to really walk through this with Charl - a man he only met once, but for whom he cared deeply anyway. He decided to shave his head in solidarity for a friend going through cancer.

Words fail to express what this means to me and Charl. Or perhaps I just don't have skill to figure out which words to express it. Mike gave Charl an unexpected gift of friendship, solidarity and love. And it means so much.
Thanks Mike.

Brother and Sister

Life doesn't always allow for quality time spent together. But illness has a funny way of pushing aside hectic schedules and forcing us to make choices between our schedules and spending time with loved ones. I love being part of seeing Charl and his sister reunited at this time.  It has been such a blessing to have Elsje here, to spend time in meaningful conversation, cooking and tidying up together, going for walks, touring Calgary, watching videos, laughing, and hanging out. I suspect this is as much a restful rejuvenating time for her as is it for Charl. Makes me long to spend time with my brother who lives overseas.. 

In the meantime here are brother and sister together in steadfast South African tradition. The Afrikaans word Braai translated loosely means "BBQ" in English, but in fact the actual cultural and emotional translation is closer to it's in our lifeblood to bbq and if we don't we will die - or something like that. The men bbq in South Africa. That tradition has not died in the last 10 years Charl has lived in Canada. (This is a tradition I fully support)

Here they are braaing in what Charl thinks of as 'beautiful spring weather' and Elsje unapologetically calls 'freezing!' (note her wearing her brother's parka).

We will miss her dearly when she goes back tomorrow night but will cherish the memories of sweet time spent together.

Easter 2

One of the things I love about Easter is time spent with family.
Early on Sunday morning, around 1:00am, Charl's sister Elsje arrived in Calgary. She was on a trip to North America with her family, and on her way back to South Africa she detoured in for a visit. Charl and I are thrilled to have her here.

We have lots planned for the week, and we are going to treasure the time spent with his wonderful sister.
(I have to remind myself that this is now my family too, and not only does Charl have 'a new family', but so do I. So I'll enjoy this time with my sister too.)

We also invited Mike over for dinner and it was a great evening. Elsje brought us a lovely Sauvingnon Blanc from South Africa:

The main event at dinner :

and the hosts:

Easter

I love Easter. It's a time of lovely time of the year with birds chirping, warm(er) breezes, and green shoots starting to sprout. But it's a time to reflect upon and celebrate our risen Lord. This Easter we attended a good Friday service that included a one-man act depicting the life and character of Father Damien, the Belgian priest who gave his life to the people banished to the government sanctioned leper colony of Molokai (Hawaii).

The actor was from the Rosebud Theatre in Alberta, and he was able, through a simple monologue (and no props) to artfully insinuate the island's imagery and the resounding sense of isolation and drudgery those poor outcasts must have felt every day of their miserable lives. By moving there on his own - the only able bodied person on the island - he gave up his life so that they could better live theirs. A fitting play for Easter. Although less significant than Jesus's sacrifice, still a brave, loving soul. He eventually died of contracting the disease in 1889, and his martyrdom is still recognized in Hawaii, where they celebrate his life and death each April 15 (incidently my brother John's birthday).

Visits and Visitors

It's our tradition that each year my sister Aldyn and I take our mom somewherefor her birthday. I didn't want to venture too far from Charl this year, so they decided they would fly to Calgary and we'd go to Canmore for a couple of days. Unfortunately, she got sick and couldn't make it (aka was kind enough to forego joining us for fear of infecting Charl) so mom and I went for a night in Canmore on our own.

We went to the dinner theatre that we went to last summer, that fateful day when Charl and I were seated at the same table, the night we met. It felt strange to be there again, like he should have been there with us!
We saw the Andrew's Brothers (a parody musical based on the music of the Andrew's sisters) - where three guys played the three sisters. It was a fun night out.

Since then we've had lots of visitors, and kind wishes and we still can't thank everyone enough. Flowers from friends and emails and visits.. it's all good for the soul.

This weekend Charl's sister will be flying in from her whirlwind tour with her family, and we're excited to welcome her for a 6 day visit. It will be lovely celebrating Easter with her.