October 2

Judy was supposed to have chemo tomorrow, but her nutrafil levels were too low so second chemo is delayed until October 10.  In typical Judy fashion, she is looking on the bright side.  She will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving weekend without the effects of chemo.  We are also going to Jersey Boys on Saturday so she will be feeling well for that event as well.  The girls and their significant others will be with us on Sunday for turkey.

On the weekend of October 13-14, the Kolach family is having a little reunion out in Kelvington at Dad's place.  Mom will be there too.  She has already made pies, perogies, and cabbage rolls.  Everyone is pitching in with something.  We are looking forward to celebrating together.  My oldest brother, Vince, turns 65 on October 4, so we will celebrate that milestone as well.

In sporting news, all my hard work in getting in shape for hockey season was not as effective as I hoped.  I was bagged after the first game.  I skated like a wounded duck in the second game.  After all that, I was considering early retirement.  On Sunday afternoon, my third game, I still skated like a duck, but I got a breakaway goal.  Now the sun shines so much brighter and my outlook is greatly enhanced.  I may not retire just yet.

September 20

Judy had her first chemo yesterday.  She felt a little nauseous, but was still up for a ten minute walk.  Today, she was feeling well enough to start organizing closets and make a trip to get her eyebrows braided.  When I got home from work, she was in the garage messin' with my stuff.  I really hope she didn't throw out any of my 8 track tapes.  Judy felt hungry enough to eat baking soda biscuits with cheese sauce and we also had farmer's sausage.  She's eating well.  After each chemo treatment, she has to wear a chemo pump for an additional 46 hours so she has her pump removed tomorrow.  Next chemo is October 3.

September 12

I took Judy to her surgeon appointment today.  The surgeon is happy with Judy's progress.  He also looked at the wound on Judy's tummy.  It is about as large as a dime now, but shallower.  The stuff I thought was pus was actually the mesh that was inserted during surgery.  The mesh will gradually be absorbed by the body.  This makes my job easier because now I don't have to insert packing tape or iodosorb salve.  I just have to irrigate the wound with saline and cover with clean dressing.  I know... too much information.  Bottom line... everything is good.  It is not an infection.  Chemo can progress on schedule next Wednesday.  God willing, Judy's treatments will all be on schedule.

And now, in the world of sports, my ball team is in provincials this weekend.  I feel confident we will win bronze, for sure.  No, I am not being over-confident.  There are only three teams in our age category.  Oh yeah, and training camp for hockey is on Tuesday night.  First game - October 3.  If you see an old guy roller blading through the park stick handling a tennis ball, it's probably me trying to get in shape.

September 9

Sorry, I haven't been updating people on this blog, but there hasn't been much new regarding Judy's condition.  Her wound is continuing to heal; however, it is a slow process...could take a loooong time.  Judy feels great, looks great, and is eating well.

We went to the lake yesterday and winterized the trailer.  Judy really enjoyed the day because it was a getaway.  She is starting to get out more for coffee with friends.

This week, Judy has an appointment with her surgeon on Wednesday and plastic surgeon on Thursday.

Unless something changes, her first chemo is on September 19 and if there are no delays, she would be done chemo in the last week of November.

September 3

Judy continues to do well, in spite of her new home care nurse...me.  I learned how to clean and repack the wound on her stomach.  I also apply clean dressings.  Judy and I went to the lake for the weekend and had a relaxing time.  Mary is back to Foam Lake for the beginning of the school year.

I begin visiting my 28 intern teachers this week.  It is going to be a busy September, but I am really looking forward to being back in the schools working with young teachers. 

My ukulele workshop last Wednesday went really well.  I already have a request out to one school to work with a grade 5/6 class.

My ball team lost out in the city finals.  I have a tournament on September 15-16, then I am done ball for the summer.  Old timer hockey starts at the end of September.  Life is good.

August 28

Judy was to the oncologist yesterday and the news is all good.  No surprises.  He is pleased with the results of the surgery and the margins are all good.  That is to say, he thinks the cancerous tissues have all been removed.  He is such a peach of a guy.  Always gives Judester a hug.  He took the time to look at Judy's pictures even though he is a busy guy.

Judy will have six chemo treatments starting around September 18.  Every two weeks as long as white cell counts are good.  Should be done by Christmas.  They will use the Folfury treatment to make sure any microscopic cancer cells are blasted out.  A shot of Roundup after the major cultivation if you understand farming lingo.

In other news, we have had Judy's cousin, Bob Buhr, visit us over the last three days.  Delightful time.  He is Judy's oldest cousin, a medical doctor who has just retired.  He wasn't able to attend Judy's dad's funeral so it has been great to have him along for another trip down memory lane.

And... if you are interested, my ball team, The Rage, has made it to city finals.  We beat out last year's champs, The Road Hawgs, 2-0 tonight.  We play the finals starting tomorrow night.  Sorry, the game isn't being televised, but you can come and watch at Umea #4 behind Lawson Heights Mall.  Arrive early because seating is limited.

Tomorrow, I am off to Circle Drive Alliance to present a ukulele workshop to the teachers of Prairie Spirit School Division.  I hope to proselytise another 30 ukulele converts.

August 26

Life is getting back to normal for Judy.  She was out for lunch on Friday and spent the day at Bartsch's Cabin, Marten's Lake yesterday.  She has one opening in her wound that is still quite deep and continues to drain so home care has been using silver infused surgical tape to aid healing of the incision.  Judy is going out for longer walks every day and she is able to do something new each day like bending over without pain, sweeping (I don't encourage this one), and navigating stairs.  Life with a colostamy is becoming normalized as well.  Judy is learning little tricks that make things more comfortable for her.

In other news, Mary and Haley are back to work tomorrow.  I am taking most of the week off so Judy and I hope to make it to the lake sometime during the week.