Dont miss out. Raffle tickets almost sold out.

Good Day

 As you know we are participating in this years Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. To help raise funds I have put together a Raffle. We are close to achieving our teams goal of reaching Bronze Sponsorship level for the relay.  Thank you to everyone's support thus far.  Those who have not picked up tickets, there are only a few days left and a few tickets remaining.  Digital tickets are available for those who are a fair distance away email transfer can be done to complete the transaction.   

jteamfundraising@gmail.com

Keep Smilin   - Jason

Great weekend and a new blood test.

Back by popular demand - crazy fish joke.      Two guys are talking about fishing. One says to the other, “I am NEVER going to take my wife fishing with me, ever again!” “That bad, huh” “She did everything wrong! She talked too much, made the boat rock constantly, tried to stand up in the boat, baited the hook wrong, used the wrong lures and WORST of all she caught more fish than me!”    :)


It was great to have Chris visit for a few days, we had alot of fun. I really enjoyed spending some time with him.  Though we could have done without the days of rain.  There seems to be a trend when visitors arrive - the weather turns bad.  It either goes incredibly cold, starts to snow or now rain.  In the end though every visit we have some fun.  There may have been rain this past weekend - but when the clouds broke for a moment we were outside hanging out on the new patio set for a few hours, doing some work , even squeezed in a BBQ.  Almost grabbed a nap - real close, the outback nap will have to wait.    
Cheers Chris - thanks for a great extended weekend.

Recently there was an article in the Local newspaper the Leader Post about a blood test developed to detect the early stages of Colorectal Cancer.  Not that this would replace the unpleasant Colonoscopy, though the masses could be tested then the second step is the scope, which is the best method being a visual inspection.
Here is the complete article.  Really great news and progress.  This news brings me a sense of peace for those who are high risk for this disease.  Many lives are going to be impacted and effected by this advancement. A great number of  people will have an increased opportunity to beat this thing, including those in my family who are now considered a high risk since my diagnosis.  

Dont forget - screening is crucial in battling this disease and increasing survival rates.  So get your butt seen.

Enjoy the beautiful moments when they are there. 

Keep smilin

Jason

Left Speechless

Quote:  Treat  Cancer like fishing, catch and release.    Friend - Dave MacDonald

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So this week is turning into the best few days so far of 2011 and has brought one of the most joyous days of my life.   To start - My brother Chris will be flying in tonight for a weekend visit – really looking for to the few days.   Going to be a great weekend, I have really been looking forward to this.

Yesterday - May  18^th, we received a package from family and friends which knocked me off my feet, leaving me speechless.    The contents were from an event held  at Chris’s favorite watering hole earlier in the month as a show of support for Teresa and I.  There were 3 pieces – each numbered in a order to open. 

1^st – A poster of positive personal messages and a list of show of what Cancer cannot do.  Though I think there was one fact missing – cancer cannot keep this guy down.   I will be framing and hanging the poster on a wall to be seen daily.   And Chad not to worry I have been practicing my dancing just for you.  

2^nd – A video of personal messages from family and friends, time to break out the tissues.   The video is amazing and will be viewed when I need a pick me up or just because.   Looks like everyone had a great time.  Mr. Macdonald there are a couple of ladies here requesting you finish your show.   I am ok if you pass on itJ.   Sam glad to see Gar did not hurt you.  Gerry and Brenda hope you travels were safe and you were able to party with everyone till the sun came up.   Todd – the video is great – well done.  To everyone, great to see you and your words of encouragement certainly help put my foot in the cancer kicking position.    See you all soon.

 The 3^rd – A gift of extreme generosity to set at ease some worries and stresses we may have.   As we go through the process of treatments and encounter the unknown or required to travel for additional treatment we will not have to be concerned about – how are we going to make that happen?      Combining all this was very overwhelming and put me into a state of shock throughout the afternoon.     In short I cannot say thank you enough or express how much deep hearted joy this brought me.      

It is hard to thank everyone responsible for putting the event together as I don’t have all the details yet.  I am sure Chris will be sharing in length over the weekend. 

So to everyone who knew, participated, enjoyed, assembled, gave, cheered, tossed a toonie, tossed some cookies, had a beer, tied their shoe,  enjoyed the food and especially to all those who smiled.   A long distance hug and love you back. 

Keep smilin

Jason

Another Treatment Down

Joke - What did 1 rock say to the other?  Dont take things for "Granite".   (taken from Extreme Home Makeover yesterday - the little guy was very inspirational)  

Last Thursday was my review appointment with the Oncologist which went well. He was happy to see I put on 10lbs, I was not overly thrilled.  I guess I will have to cut back on the ice cream and pizza. :(    Just eat some better "good for you" food.  That is ok.

He advised with the progress so far they are going to max out at 12 treatments, meaning we are almost half way there.  At the end of the 12 there will be a determination of partial or full remission and the next step.   Is it ongoing maintenance treatment or surgery to remove the tumor?  Personally fingers crossed for surgery, at this time he is saying it is in operable, though he is not a surgeon.  Some second opinions in the future will be sought that is for sure.  Chop Chop - clean me up please. 

While at treatment this week there were a couple of older fellows in the same area, which I have seen around when visiting in the past.  During the hours we were there some conversations were overheard to how their treatments are going.  I am very very lucky to be handling and responding as I am.  The degree of side effects these guys are going through has taken total control of their life.  Lack of appetite is also making it hard to recover.  I will be sure to take advantage of every minute I feel well enough to do something.  That time during treatment is very valuable and considering what others go through - I cant waste it.


After further reflection on my situation combined with Friday's experience I began to think about how we take things for granted.  Time we have, family and close friends to provide us support in the time of need.  Heck the roof over our head or the children you have been blessed with. Through good health in the mix and you should be party time all the time.  Perhaps saying it a different way may help to get the message across.  Sometimes it may not be so much taking things for granted - but being negative about things around us.  I will try not to be to cliche here though taking some time to smell the roses is good IF you dont complain that there could be bee's or thorns or  you have allergies or the colour is not the colour you like.  Just recognize the pleasant smell, the beauty of the flower and that bees are beneficial to all plat life.  The perspective is what matters and the rest will fall in place.  Being in a not so good situation should never be the push to change the perspective you may have, make the effort to look at brighter side.  Lets  not take for granted the gifts you already have in your life.

Keep smilin everyone.  There maybe rain which will bring bright grass, lots of plants and sunny days have to follow.

Jason

Advances in the Screening process.

Good Day 

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  Teresa and I were able to start some basic yard work - much much more to go though. 

No jokes today about this one - though a big high five to Canadian research.   For those who did not see the CTV news cast yesterday or today.  A new urine test screening process maybe possible to detect Colorectal Cancer - even in the pre-cancerous stages.  Now hopefully this screening process can done easily and economically enough at the lab level, allowing it to become a standard testing process.  Check out he article it is great.  
Simple Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Was interesting to learn that fecal occult blood  testing is only 30% accurate for Cancer Screening.  Basically what is the point of the test?  30% really that is what is relied on?  That would explain why no one wants to participate and provide the the samples for testing.  I have unfortunately gone through the process - no thank you to ever have to do that again.   The restricted diet for days and the collection process is just not welcoming and then to have testing basically having weather man accuracy is ridiculous.  Now the question to my doctor - what was the purpose of doing this test?  (this test was part of the many tests completed in Jan/Feb when trying to figure out what was wrong - really angered about this)   I can only imagine someone in the future who is in the unfortunate position I was in at the beginning of the year: going through multiple blood and urine tests over the course of weeks, and in their case an answer actually produced because of the testing. That my friends would make me really happy as an advancement in the detection process.  Finding a cure for Cancer is important no argument there.  I advocate spending more research funds to improve screening process's which could save more lives or improve quality of life for many.  The survival rates of early stage detection to later stage is drastically different along with treatment measures.  Hopefully our great Canadian research will produce an economically sound process which in the future we will see as a check box on a requisition page as we go to the lab to pee in a cup.  Simple for all. 


As an added tidbit of info for today:    Dog taught to sniff out Cancer.
(could Cesar do that one?)

Keep smilin

Jason

What a week it has been.

Fish joke:   What did Noah do while spending time on the ark ? Fished, but he didn’t catch much. He only had two worms !  

Boy starting to run out of fish jokes. Good ones that is, there are some real nose squeezers in my pile I have been holding back spare everyone.  (even myself)   I may have to change it up a bit in the upcoming posts - not to worry though the jokes will be just as good.

What a week it has been.  (since last Wed)   Thursday we held a Steak night at the local Hub Restaurant to raise funds for the Relay for Life.  It was a great success as we hosted 125 people for a bite and some beverages.  We were able to raise alot of funds through raffle and 50/50 draws.  Our team goal of raising $5000 in 90 days is almost met at this point, the steak night added a great big chunk in there.  Thank you to everyone who helped out and contributed to the night.  I had a great time, it was nice to be out and socialize with people, like I have at any other event in the past.  It was great to meet some new friends and catch up with others I have not been able to see in a while.  Thank you for making the evening happen. 

After Thursday's 14 hour day it was time to rest and get ready for Treatment Friday.  This weeks treatment we learned something new - the catheter line from the power port to the artery can become plugged or a flap of skin heal over top of the opening.  Now the trouble here is trying to push and pull fluids becomes difficult.  It became really nervy with 2 nurses pushing and poking having trouble getting the port to work.  Not really any pain just annoying and then when they start suggesting using longer needles, well not a fan.  In the end there was a cleaning agent injected into the port - as I called it Draino - and then we were in business.  Was frustrating though got through it and glad this was a typical complication - phew.

The weekend went well - nothing unusual.  Which is good.  Today the fatigue is kicking in gear.  So the next 2-3 days will be napping and eating.

What I am really looking forward to is landscaping our backyard.  We have been planning for the past couple of weeks, well actually almost a year.  Nice that we have a fairly blank canvass to work with and looking to keep it simple.  A pleasant backyard green patch, then a vegetable garden, a flower bed , washer zone and potentially a hammack for afternoon summer naps.   BBQ and Patio are already in place.  Add some nice weather, a few visitors (all are welcome - HINT HINT)

Off for a nap and a backyard hammock dream.

Keep smilin

Jason