Spring Cleaning

All week I've been going through closets and drawers trying to empty out some space for when the kids move in here while they're waiting to move into their new house. Went out to Costco, hadn't been out there for a long time so our order was pretty big. Took Mom with us so after I loaded up our cart, I sent B through the checkout then helped Mom figure out what she needed.

Saturday B and I went out to Langley to see #1 granddaughter's ukulele concert. Had a great visit with everyone and as we were about to leave, grandson W came up to me and handed me 3 pairs of jeans. "Grandma, could you patch my jeans for me? Please?" He's forever tearing out the knees of his jeans. What was I to do? Say "no"? Couldn't do that, now could I???

Sunday was church then after lunch B, C and the kids came down to discuss the dates they'd be moving in and tell us all about the house they've put an offer on. I showed them the cupboards I've already cleaned out and what I was planning...C was quite impressed that I should go to that much trouble for them...but hey, it's great motivation to dung out some of this stuff that's been hanging around for years!!!

Today was a trip to our chiropractor then I patched W's jeans and cut up an old sheet and made bandages. Our church sends these bandages to Africa to the missions hospital, so it's nice to help them out and get rid of stuff at the same time!

Quite the Day

Yesterday I was up bright and early, walked over to Mom's because the Handy Dart was coming to pick us up and take us to Vancouver to see Dr. Lemmo. Of course our pick up was late and we had to pick up another lady, so I phoned the Dr.'s office and told them we were running late. He was very efficient and since he already had Mom's medical files he got right to work and recommended a regime of several suppliments. Gave us a booklet with some very practical ideas and suggestions, told us we could buy the supplements from him or any health food store or even Costco. His speciality is naturopathic oncology and believes you have to treat the whole body...quite interesting. Mom was especially pleased when he said he has a patient who has tumors in both lungs who's been on this regimen and has been a patient for 6 years...so that gave Mom hope even though she realizes everyone and everyone's cancer is different.
When we got home I had quite a time explaining how and when to take all the supplements, so I was expecting a phone call this morning to ask what she was supposed to do, instead I got a call saying she juiced her carrots, mixed up the supplements and was feeling great! I thought, "Crap, she feels better than I do!" (I hadn't slept well and woke up with a headache). Anyway, just hearing her being upbeat and positive was worth it all!!! She's "doing something" and feeling positive about it!!!!

Lots of Changes

Several months ago our son and daughter-in-law started talking about selling their house. C asked B what would happen if they sold the house but hadn't found one they like. B said, "not a problem. We'll kick Mom and Dad out of their house...they can live in their trailer and we'll stay at their place." When he told us, we got rather excited and said we couldn't wait.....well guess what???? Last night they got an offer on their house but the people want possession by the end of May. Looks like I'm going to be cleaning out some drawer and closet space for them...what a great way to de-clutter. We need something like this to get us motivated. Looking forward to living in the trailer for the summer. My only regret is that at the same time we're dealing with Mom's illness, but this is all going to work...and if it doesn't WE'LL MAKE IT WORK!!!!! Quite excited about it actually!!



In the meantime Mom has decided that she wants to explore alternative medicine. Conventional medicine can't offer her much so she might as well. I've checked out a couple of websites www.inspirehealth.ca and www.lemmo.com We have a consultation with Dr. Lemmo next Monday. Mom's anxious to go...she doesn't like sitting around waiting and at least with alternative therapy she'll feel like she's doing something. My Mom has always put others first and now she's actually doing something for herself, so whatever the cost it'll be worth it!!

Update on Mom

We took Mom to the cancer clinic today. We had a really long wait, so I wasn't impressed, but when we met the doctor he was really nice and gave Mom a really detailed exam and asked lots and lots of questions. I was quite impressed with him. He told us that Mom is termianal and radiation would only make her feel sick at this point. Apparently radiation can be used to shrink the tumor to relieve pain and symptoms but it won't increase her life span. At this time Mom doesn't have any symptoms...she feels great in fact. Mom was upset, she thought she'd have radiation and be "doing something". He said he'd do it if she wanted. I asked if it was him who had the cancer what would he do...he said he'd not take radiation until it was absolutely needed. I asked if we could have some time to think it over and he said, "of course" then told us what to do as things progress and gave me some literature about radiation....apparently chemo isn't an option for Mom.

De-cluttering

I know I'm a pack rat but there comes a time when even I get rid of stuff. Got B to take the old microwave and some other stuff up to re-cycling the other day, then it was getting rid of some of those returnable bottles that keep multiplying in the back room.

The other day I was digging in the back of a cupboard and found two boxes of old tax returns, bank statements...you name it. The scary part is they were dated in the 70's and 80's...all nicely filed, but I guess I haven't been into the back of that cupboard for a lot of years...anyway the papers are now shredded and waiting for re-cycling pickup on garbage day...and I've got an empty spot in a cupboard. The kids are always telling me to get rid of stuff, but hey!..there were some of their old tax returns in that box...they didn't take them when they moved out!!!!!

Today we went and got our eyes examined...we both need new glasses...expensive proposition, but I noticed I was having trouble reading maps when we were away. Tomorrow we take Mom to the cancer clinic...kinda anxious to find out what sort of treatment they're going to propose...hope it's treatment and not just a bunch more tests, but we do what we have to do!

Building Permit Required

Finally got the last load of laundry done and got through all the mail. The kids told us we got a lot of mail while we were gone...now I believe them.

Just to keep my life from getting boring I decided to make dinner for Easter Sunday. Made a deal with the kids that I'd make the lasagna if they would bring salads and dessert. I also had garlic bread, cut up cheese and sausage, several kinds of pickles and a fruit punch, so there was lots of food. Saturday morning I made the spaghetti sauce then after it cooled I made the noodles (I hate store bought lasagna noodles) then I started to "build" the lasagna. I make it in my big turkey roaster and it ends up being about 6 or 7 inches deep, so it's huge...I often think someone is going to tell me I need a building permit. We had 13 in for dinner Sunday. There was actually some lasagna left over so I invited a couple of friends in for dinner on Monday as well. It turned out really good and everyone thought it was yummy!!!!

Update on Mom & Trip Stats

We got fairly good news from the Dr. on Wednesday. The tumor in the right lung is a non-small cell cancer (apparently slow growing) and hasn't spread to the bronchial tubes. The cells from the left lung are classed as "A-typical"...not normal cells, but not cancer...yet. She's going for a bone scan on Thursday, April 8th and we're waiting for a call from the cancer clinic for an appointment to arrange treatment...probably radiation.

I figured out some of the stats from our trip. We drove 4,081.9 miles or 6,569.2 km. Were gone 47 nights (6 1/2 weeks). Spent 32 nights in 6 of our Thousand Trails parks, 5 nights at Beachwood and 10 nights at other places (casinos, truck stops, friends and Wal-Mart). Diesel prices ranged from $2.709 to $3.299....just over $1000. in total. We were in 5 states. Now the big question is, "When can we go again???"

Hope everyone enjoys a Happy Easter tomorrow and that the rain will hold off till after the kiddies have their Easter Egg hunts!!!!