Merry Christmas!

Well Christmas has come and gone and this year was a special one. There were mixed emotions. The highs were watching my girls enjoy opening gifts and being spoiled at christmas. Spending time with my family and friends alot who I haven't seen since my diagnosis. Food!!! Oh my god tons of food everywhere I turned. My health throughout the chemo so far is excellent! Lows are the uncertainty of my future health and what will transpire after my chemo is done. These are the hardest things for me to deal with at this time. I feel very comfortable with the care I receive and there is a safety blanket for me while I do my chemo. Even though I'll be watched frequently after chemo I feel like I'll have lost my security. This a bit scary to me but there is the reality I may have to go down this road again. Because of this I need to be healthier and stronger then I was before and I will be. My greatest fear is that I would get so sick that I couldn't get out of bed and my young girls would watch there father suffer. I don't want my girls at such a young age to watch there father suffer because they wouldn't understand what was wrong. I don't beleive that I'm anywhere near that but it haunts me somedays! I'm truly not scared to suffer or die but I just want to watch my girls grow!

Anyhow today was the start of my 3rd cycle of chemo can you believe it? My sister came to this chemo treatment. It was nice to have her she's my only sister and I love her and look up to her so much because she is so strong. It sounds weird to say I look up to her because I'm the older brother but I'm so proud of her she's a good person with a beautiful family. This time felt so fast it felt like I laid in the bed and 15 minutes later I was out. I think I started at 8:45am and was out just after Noon. So not to bad at all!!! My chest x-ray came back negative so that was good it looks like it is just the common cold and cough after all. I don't expect any nausea again but I do think I will be much more tired throughout the rest of the chemo which is fine. Sleeping is something I enjoy and will take advantage of it. So keep your fingers crossed hopefully no barfing for yours truly.

I did some fun things throughout the holidays I played poker at a friends on the 27th and came out 35 bucks ahead so that's good. I was out to past 3am. Because I don't drink while I'm on chemo so I've become a good designated driver which is fine. So I loaded up the mini van and drove everyone home. Highlighted by pulling over at around 3:30 am so my brother could jump out and throw up all over the driveway of some swanky riverside drive house. Followed up with " well that should freeze up nicely!" I was able to talk to Dennis my work partner he keeps me up to date with work which is nice. I miss those guys they're a hoot. Rob my long time school buddy called and we had a nice talk. It's wierd we don't talk much but when we do it's like old times. There's nothing but well wishes for each other it's so nice! I just want to apologize for not responding to some of my emails sent to my gmail account. I hadn't been checking and alot of people sent me nice emails that I didn't know about. But now it is my primary email and I check everyday. So send me emails at jmaisonville@gmail.com. I have a new computer and a blackberry that I check all the time now so generally I'll respond quick!!!

Colleen And Chico you must have some connections in the ornament making business if you could find a fart ornament. Linda I might stop over to see you and Mike if I get down in the next couple of weeks to drop off my money for the golf trip. I hope you guys had a good christmas? Erin I think about you guys alot through the holidays because you travel alot like us and I'm glad you had a safe holidays. I hear the boys were sick poor mommy Erin had to take care of her boys and I'm talking about Todd too!!! LOL

Twas the night before christmas!

I think the wacky wednesday fart story was a hit with everyone. I could write a book on my fart stories I think my wife would agree. I haven't written in awhile because I've been so darn busy! But it's christmas eve and this is always been a special time for me... I love christmas my mother and father always made christmas a special time for us. I'm really looking forward to the morning with the kids. Marissa is beyond excited for santa to come... Mikayla is excited also but doesn't understand what's coming in the morning. After gifts We'll be off to see family and friends for the next couple of days. We also had a great dinner with my brother and sister in law and the kids at there house for christmas eve... Maybe we've started a tradition? No pressure guys!

Well I had my appointment with Dr Chin-Yee on wednesday. He felt my lump and said it was down considerably since last visit. I asked him about a cat scan to see just how much my tumor has shrunk. He said in about 6 more weeks we'll have the cat scan to measure it again. I was also concerned about my cough I've had since about a week after I started chemo. He asked me alot of questions about my cough. He thought it almost sounded like an allergic reaction to the drugs. Which he says can happen with some chemo treatments. But he says he's never had this with the chemo I'm receiving. So he sent me for a chest x-ray right after I was done with him. No results yet though. My next chemo is 8:15 am dec 30th and I'm ready to go because my blood work is all good. I only visited wellsprings once since the fart. Not because I'm embarassed but because I was to busy. But i did do theraputic touch on wednesday. Also did peer support on minday and let me just say I've met some amazing people. I hope we can stay in contact after the group after the 8 weeks is over. I thought they would have repainted the meditation room and thrown out the old furniture... But I peaked in the room and it's all still there. Other then the cough still no nausea or sickness so that's all good. The trip to windsor was quite fun I even stayed out to the wee hours of the morning. I slept like a baby that night at my parents house. I had a wake up call from Mariola and my uncle Turk just like the old days!!!

Just wanted to say hi to an old buddy Steve. Steve I will be in windsor so call my parents or I still remember your parents #. Thank you to my wife I know times are tough but we'll get through this we always do. Colleen let me know if you can find a fart ornament. Bev you're telling me that farts get harder to control as you get older oh man my poor wife. Craig and BJ we would like to meet miss victoria soon!!! Turk thanks for the wake up call friday morning that was awesome! Erin I hope you didn't do one of those snorty pig laughs after you read my blog that's almost as bad as my fart. Christine for some reason I knew you would have a fart story... Poor Mr. Gubbs! Cathy you're right the whole body fart thing is messed up but makes for some funny stories. Jen I'm the blessed one to have a wonderful family that I have it truly makes everything so much easier. Thanks for the wonderful dinner tonight.

Lastly I want to thank everyone for there encouragement and prayers throughout this difficult year for me. You'll never know how much I appreciate all off this. A special thanks to Brenda and my Mom&Dad for coming down through the week to watch the girls so I can take care of myself mentally and physically. I know it's not always easy watch the girls while I take off to do my thing. Also my wife who has to put up with my moodiness which isn't easy because I was perfect before I got cancer right honey? Love you guys! Merry Christmas everyone and to all a goodnight!

 

Wacky Wednesday!

Steph you're pretty swift unlocking the cuccumber and vinegar mystery (pickles). Tina I just know I will run into Rob at the spits game thursday. Jolaine we will see you for sure... Us 4 kids make a heck of a family don't we? I always love being around my Brothers and Sister you guys rock!!! Colleen A big thanks to yourself and Chico for supporting us through all this. Linda that story about Jeff is sooooooooo funny. I had completely forgotten about that. After reading your comment it all came back but seriously sending the kid to bed with a piece of tape Mike must of thought of that one. Lisa I think your ginger root may of helped with the prednisone to... Dano you will have some serious fun doing the 12 bars of christmas. I wonder if you be thirsty the next morning and yes Cooper is moving today so he will virtually be your neighbor. Wendy I have a costco card if you ever need pickles. Erin the support groups out there are a saviour and were lucky because London has alot of them. I completely recommend them for anyone who has cancer or has a family member with cancer. You and Todd are awesome the support my wife and I recieved from you guys will never be forgotten! I think Todd would look sexy with the pink hair... Derek milk has been steady throughout the whole process you are a dedicated reader. Yes I'm sure we have a bunch of I owe yous to our wives. Leslie I'm glad you're in on the blog now. Feel free to stalk me I've never had my very own stalker!!!

Well Mikaylas favourite book to read right now is Wacky Wednesday! So keeping up with that theme today was just that " Wacky Wednesday". I went to meditation at wellspring at 10:30 and like I always do I embarassed myself. I've had a tickley dry cough and wasn't sure if I should go because I didn't want to cough while people were trying to meditate. But I said ahhh you'll be fine.... So were in this 15 by 15 room jammed with couches and I'd say there are 10 or so people. We're 10 to 15 minutes into meditation and I feel the tickle in the back of my throat. So I'm fighting it desperately trying not to cough. I'm torturing myself trying not to cough until finally I just have to cough. So i kinda do this cough thing and out pops a fart at the same time... The cough was so loud that it muzzled the sound of the fart a little. Unfortunately it didn't muzzle the smell of the fart... As my wife says chemo farts are nasty! So the poor lady beside me was hung out to dry. Well the whole room was in bad shape. I think the paint was peeling off the walls. I was mortified and just shut my eyes and tried to meditate but not working very well. No where to run or hide and no one to blame... So I guess I'm finding meditation stressful instead of relaxing. I'll try again next week it couldn't get worse. Everyone in the room acted like nothing happen.... Then I got in the car and had a few things I had to pick up and then back to wellsprings for theraputic touch. Theraputic touch went as well as the first time it was so calming I think I'm going to sleep good tonight. Then back out to find a freaking parking ticket on my vehicle. Just bloody great!!! The ticket said I was parked there from 11:10 am until 2:30 pm which was true other then the fact that I left for an hour in between... So I guess I'll fight that in court... Wacky wednesday!!!

I had to laugh the other day I gave Marissa a piece of gum! I've never seen anyone enjoy a piece of gum like that well maybe other then my nephew Noah! When she has gum in her mouth as she chews it she has this smile on her face. Even a half hour later she's still chewing on it and has a huge proud smile on her face enjoying every chomp! So every time I have a piece of gum I laugh because I think of her and Noah... I'm off to Windsor tommorrow for the big game with my brother and then Pizza to follow. Right mom and dad? I'm kinda trying to make my blog a bit nicer. You'll start to see more pics maybe some video and slide shows and other fancy things you all might enjoy... Thanks for reading and goodnight!!!

Yours truly the Farter!

Monday Monday!

Well my dad called to say that his cousin Chico is having a mass or a prayer said for me in mexico... So that's pretty cool!!! Prayers around the world how awesome is that? I wish I knew some spanish other then the Dora the explora spanish. Dad and Mom thanks for your support and all your positive support and help. B&B always so supportive and helping me take the beast on... Of course watching the little ones. Erin I love that you follow and always comment you're great! Jewel & little Eric are becoming little fixtures in the Maisonville house.

Today I went to the wellsprings to my peer group meeting. It was awesome I wish I could talk more about it but it is confidential. The people are positive and awesome and so supportive. I am losing hair in some odd places on the body. All the hair on my belly has pretty much fallen out. But the hair on my upper chest is all still there and I look like a crazy circus freak. I shaved my face last monday and now my facial hair won't grow back. My wife is disappointed because she likes my goatee but after a week of not shaving there's no goatee coming back. She's says I look like a molester without my goatee. Sorry honey I guess it's Lester the molester for awhile. My cravings are picking back up although not so much for pickles anymore. Newly added cravings include, Fruit loop, Regular fritos,Cuccumbers in vineager,oatmeal, all fruit, Summer sausage, milk. I'm obsessive when a certain flavor taste good in my mouth. I bought some regular Hubba Bubba gum on the way downtown yesterday I had chewed and spit out all 5 pieces before I got downtown. So I stopped and had bought another 2 packs because I had to have the flavor. I bought some spearmint halls and ate 2 of the 3 packs in about a half hour and then went onto chew a big pack of sunflower seeds. They could make a movie out of my eating a freaky hairloss. I feel like a hillbilly inbred from that movie wrong turn...

Ok so I have theraputic touch and meditation on Wednesday and I'm going to work thursday for a bit and a Windsor Spitfire game Thursday night in Windsor. I will stay the night in Windsor and hopefully see a few people when I'm there. Roma Pizza will be something I need to have when I'm in windsor. I haven't been to windsor since my diagnosis and that's my hometown so that will be special. A huge part of my support is in windsor so it'll be nice to be back although it'll be a brief visit. Sometimes I get chemo brain so if I forget to thank someone or told you something twice or slightly different just shake it off. Jen actually goes out in the middle of night to get stuff for me or fetches my drinks without a complaint because of my sickness. So not all is bad when you have cancer. Oneday when my doctor tells me I'm in remission I'll have to run for my dear life from my wife because I'll owe her a few...

Well Christmas is close and I'm so excited for the girls and there christmas. They really got a grip on it this year and are so excited for Santa as am I. Christmas has always been my favourite time of year I love the music, gifts, Baby Jesus. I love it all so hopefully my spirits will stay high through christmas and it will feel as normal as it possibly could. I don't feel like I have the ups and downs I had when first diagnosed. I feel like life has taken crappy turn but I still feel so lucky and blessed for all I got. At the end of the day that is the way I feel so bring christmas on and lets celebrate! And food at christmas yummy!

Crazy Cancer!

Dano M nice to hear from you hope all is well with the diabetes. Jewel & Eric have fun at hockey today I didn't sleep well last night so I'm going to stay home and sleep... Erin your not addicted as long as you continue to take care of the kids which I know you're good at.

Well yesterday was one of those days that just explains how tough sometimes cancer can be. Things go so well during the day and then nightime was a rough one for me. Health wise I feel great through the chemo and I'm very thankful for that. I think I feel better through this round then I did in my last. One side effect this time is hair loss. My facial hair is growing back like an old man. My chest hair is patchy and thinned out and the hair on my head is even less. I really don't find this a big deal at all. Just thought it was interesting to see the drugs working now and causing some side effects. The predinsone didn't seem to effect me like the first cycle either not sure if the ginger root I took this time helped relieve the symptons or if therapuetic touch or meditation helped with the sleeping. Overall very happy with the second cycle of chemo.

I went to Wellspring at 10:30 for some meditation to help with relaxation it was my first time so I was a bit nervous. Most of these people have cancer or are cured so it's nice to hang out with people who are cured or surviving. I was there early and met a lady we talked for about 10 minutes about having cancer she is now cured. Her story was funny she said that she was diagnosed with cancer and had 7 opinions before the 7th doctor told her she needs to face the truth and go get treated. She is a self described health nut and has never been sick a day in her life. When she went in for treatment she felt great and couldn't believe she was there. I know how she felt because other then this stupid lump I've felt great through this whole thing. Anyways people started coming in the room in the back for the meditation I figure there was about 10 of us. They tell me this was much less then they usually get. The room was packed... so that means standing room usually so I'll have to get there early. The lady leading the meditation was great I'm a first timer so she explained everything and how it would go. Didn't realize how hard it was to meditate. To stay in one spot for such along time and not to move or say nothing is not my thing. But I'll have to work on it because I did enjoy the challenge. I didn't realize how spiritual the meditation is. I always thought you just tried to think about nothing and relax your body which is part of it to. I've got alot to learn and am along way from competing with the monks. I do kinda look like one though. Anyone want to buy me an orange wrobe for christmas. Maybe I could meditate with a pickle in my mouth.

Then I went out to work to see the guys. These guys are the best were just like a family. You could be on your death bed and walk in there and they make you feel good. I miss the jokes and the challenge of work and the fast pace... But I need to be home mentally healing right now and don't feel guilty about being away from work. Just wanted to make sure they were doing a good job as they always do. Sometimes us autoworkers get a bad wrap. But if people could see the situations that were put in and the things these toolmakers repair when these machines need to run you'd all be impressed. Lots of skill there trust me!

Later Jen got the kids off to bed and ran out to the grocery store to get me some fritos. What a great wife! We laid in bed to watch a movie which was nice since we haven't had much time to relax since the diagnoses. About an hour into the movie I passed out. Marissa snuck in are room around 1:30 am and woke me up. I was a bit stuffed up and wide awake so I just took my pumpkin head and moved on downstairs. As I sat alone bored I started to get mad at this cancer I was pissed and not happy with why this was happening to me. Just sat and reflected and alot of good and bad things run through my head. I can't believe that many thoughts can run through your head in a short time. This is the way some nights go and I understand that I don't get to worried about it. About 4:30 am I hear Mikayla calling Daddy Daddy! This is unusual she's a good sleeper and hardly ever wakes up. I run upstairs and jump into bed with her and take her in my arms. This is what daddy's do and this is what I'm good at. I begin to think this is what little girls need. They need there daddy's to hug them in the middle of the night to keep them safe to comfort them. That's what I do and I'm good at. How dare this cancer try and take this away from my girls makes me sick to my stomach! They deserve to grow up with a mom and dad. That's why I write this so they know if things ever take a turn for the worse they will always be loved. I cry for a bit while I lay beside Mikayla give her lots of hugs and kisses. She's already sleeping because shes so comfy with daddy. I stare at her beauty for a bit just amazed at how we created such a beauty. I think for awhile about Marissa she's just another beauty. She's my little salesmen always trying to sell me a line of crap to get what she wants. She's great at it and I love playing the game with her she always makes me laugh. So now I'm laying in bed laughing thinking about how funny my girls are and what little stinkers they can be... I have alot to be thankful for!

I want to thank miss Sarah the girls daycare teacher for dropping off gifts for the girls. They each got a barbie which they haven't put down since they received them. They polished off the candy to!

My pumpkin head is back!

Well Derek thanks for your encouragement I just think positive is the only way to go. Jen you are my beautiful wife that gave me those 2 little girls man there is nothing we have ever done better together. Chores well I'll get to them eventually. Chico and Colleen I'll take all the good luck and prayers I can get. Erin I don't know why they do it that way. I think because the Drs. clinic is on thursday so they like to have the results and discuss where I go on my next treatment. Steph the prednisone doesn't seem to be hitting me as hard as it did the time before. You need to get my wife to relax the list over here before I could ever get to your house.

My pumpkin head is back but my body is great. No nausea and I'm feeling great and very much positive today. I had my theraputic touch today and it went great. The lady told me that it takes about 5 to 30 minutes to get your energy field aligned depended on stress level and then she'll leave for 15 minutes for me to relax. I told her I've been so stressed that she'd probably bounce off the wall when she touched my energy field. But all was good she spent 20 minutes on me or so then left the room and came back 15 minutes later. Then we talked a bit she told me my energy field wasn't so bad. WOW! Thought it might knock her off her feet. The graet thing about wellsprings is all the volunteers have had cancer so there very easy to talk. I goto meditation on Friday so I'll let you know how that goes... Then I rushed over to mcdonalds for french fries don't ask just another weird craving I get and it's just fries no Big mac or chicken nuggets. I picked Jen up from work and off to costco for pickles and spinach.

Tiger Woods I'm shocked I just have to say I'm becoming intrigued with this whole mess. I mean what was he thinking he's famous did he really think he could pull this off seriously... Oh well!!!

Day after 2nd cycle of chemo!

Well first of all I just want to thank everyone for the supportive comments from my last blog the are always appreciated. Ron & Moe I'm not sure about the curry and pickles. Jolaine anything is possible and Erin I'm now curious what you wanted to drop off I'm like a 4 yr old at christmas.

Well yesterday was a bit different my appointment was at 9am when I got there they told me my blood count was to low on thursday so i had to do blood test again to see if I could still get my chemo. My thursday count was 1.3 and they need it to be 1.5 to start next round. About an hour and half later my blood results were way past the 1.5 and in I went for my chemo. The nurses as usual were awesome the whole cancer clinic has been awesome. Everything was the same as the first treatment except way faster. I started at 11:30 and out before 3:30. The first night was the same as the first night of my last cycle. I had a decent sleep with no nausea so I have high hopes that these 3 weeks will be much like my last. The predinsone Already has me buzzing so I'm not excepting to sleep much this week and that's ok. My spirits are high and looking forward to christmas. My next appointment with the dr is on the 23rd of Dec. My next chemo is on the 29th of Dec So I'm sure the steriods will keep me up for new years for the first time since I had kids. Maybe I'll have a glass of red wine and pickles to celebrate the new years.

Thanks Chico and Colleen for the pickle ornamment for Christmas it's already on the tree and hopefully I don't get desperate and take a chunk out of it.

Ups and Downs!

Ok Jolaine & Kim we'll work out chemo dates! Colleen I'm doing good but there are ups and downs and I knew there would be... Jennifer the lasagna was great thanks again! Jewel when is the food coming?

Well I was bummed out this weekend because basically my prognosis has changed since My last visit and it never hit me until friday. Basically I was told last time at the cancer clinic that they had all my results and they believed that this was acting as a 2 or the non agressive grade. So even know they call it a 3a they think it'll act like a 2. Dr gascoyne the pathologist from BC cancer clinic who I sent my biopsy to for a second opinion says it's a 2. So most likely I'm a grade 2 not a 3. I think i'd rather be a 3 besause the chance of it coming back would be alot less. But if a 3 comes back it could be nasty. 2 almost always comes back and can come back as agressive 15 out of 100 times and could be nasty to... It can come back non agressive to. So I kinda got my mind on 3 and focused on where I had to go and now I'm a 2 most likely. So I'm learning about 2 which most people have on my Follicular NHL with people from Ontario website and is very positive and amazing stories. Most of these people all have relapsed 2 and 3 times so they have more ups and downs. One Man from BC was diagnosed with 3a that acted like a 2 in 1988 pretty much exact same diagnoses as I have and he relapsed 2 yrs after his first chemo then 10 yrs later relapsed and 10 yrs later relapsed again and is still here. So his story is awesome and is the one I'll feed off of for my confidence. So many of these people talk about diet and alternative techniques like meditation,reiki,yoga and completely believe these techniques are the reasons they are still here. So what do I got to lose I'm open to everything and am confident once again. So I thought I should update everyone as I go into chemo Tommorrow. Went to 2 great parties this weekend thanks Rob and Tina for the pickles. Thanks Gary for the help on the stairs. Thank-you Brenda for babysitting me this week. Wish me luck in my second cycle of chemo I'm ready to go!

More Chemo on monday!

I was thinking that a pickle infusion is a great idea. Colleen & Chico I hope you keep on enjoying the blog. I'm bringing my dad to my next chemo so he'll be incharge of finding me food. Linda Jones those guys aren't that old that I golf with although most of us are sleeping by 10 oclock at night now. Kim I'm glad you and others tune in everyday it makes me feel good that you are all so interested. Aunt Lisa thanks for the ginger root and I need to call you and find out when I'm supposed to take it. Erin pizza every night for Todd. I think Jen and Todd should have married. They could of ran a little ceasars together. Uncle Jim if you converted your RIF to pickles from gold to pickles then you'll be living the good life soon! Derek I couldn't agree more with everything you said I'm learning what fruits a veggies I have to buy organically I'll check out the Comsumer guide. Dr OZ has his website that also tells you what veggies are safe to buy and which ones you need to buy organically. Apples are one example of ones you should buy organically. I was surprised because broccoli is safe to buy naturally. Jewel you always bring food it seems to be your thing no wonder I like you so much!!!

Ok I went to the cancer clinic today and met with Dr. Howsen-Jan. it's the first time I met him. He's another oncologist on the team I was told by the time I was done I will have dealt with 4 or 5 doctors. Dr. Howsen-Jan was great very informative. He felt my armpit and told me he could feel 2 swollen lymphnodes in my armpits. He told me this is good because it was so big last time they couldn't distinguish how many lymphnodes were swollen and that they had almost fused together. I asked him why we have to wait 3 weeks between treatments. He told me that the in the old days they used to do the chemo week after week. They would kill off all the good cells but this would leave the patients vunerable to dying from catching the flu and other things. They've learned since that three weeks leaves time to kill off the cells but not as much cells. By the end of the 3 weeks your body creates more cells on its own and then back in for more chemo to kill cells again. I've had a dry cough for over a week the doctor didn't seem to be concerned as long as I have no fever. I've noticed that I have some mouth sores. I'm not sure if it is just a canker sore from all the pickles or if it is from the chemo. They really sting when I eat my pickles but the milk makes them feel better. Also tried eggnog and pickles tonight not too bad! Jeff gave me some special mouthwash for mouth sores and I'll have to try it out tonight. I gained 6 pounds over the last three weeks and that's not bad considering I ate like a pig. Anyhow at this rate if I gain 6 pounds every 3 weeks and 7 more cycles. So 7 times 6 is 42. my current weight is 242 plus 42 makes me 284. Then I can go on my wifes favorite show the biggest loser. It is very surreal being in the cancer clinic because I don't feel sick. But I am very sick! I look around and so many people look sick and most of the patients are older. When I'm in the clinic I feel like someone slaps me in the face a says hey dummy your sick. I realize the seriousness of my diease when I'm at the clinic. Well at the clinic today I met a real character today. He was sitting right across from me and I could tell as soon as I sat down that he was going to talk to me. Then off he went into a conversation about the clinic and kinda started to talk negatively about the doctors. That's where he lost me because my experience with the doctors and nurses have been amazing. So up I stood and off I went and my poor wife had to listen to him rant. This is where my life has change a bit since I've bee diagnosed with cancer. 2 months ago I would of listened to him rant but now I just get up and leave. Then I go home and carry on with life and that's all I can do and I'm good at doing that. I do occasionally say why me? But I don't feel sorry for myself for long. I feel lucky for what I have and who I have around me and all of you. Round 2 of chemo I'm bringing my dad with me and Jen. I plan on letting as many people who want to come and check it out to do that. So if anyone wants to see a chemo treatment I have 6 left after this one. So sign up! You will have to fetch me food though and that can be tiring. I haven't lost any hair yet but my wife is hoping my nose nair will fall out they tickle her when we kiss. I hope my chemo will be done before 1:30 so I can go to my cancer support group after my chemo is done. Anyhow I'm sooooooooooooooo tired everyone have a good night sleep!

One week until my next treatment!

Jen & Mom & Colleen it's so nice to hear those words about Grandma Rose. Grandma Rose loved my Jennifer and it was sad that she didn't make it to see us get married. Brenda one more week of a quiet house and we'll have the 2 little busy bees buzzing around. Craig now that you've told everybody that I once break danced drunk in my santa pajamas. Seriously though that was one funny night and I think there is a video floating out there! Krystna you need to come over for a coffe or tea one night. Jewel the anwser is no you're still not aloud to shop with my wife. Erin I thought you were some fabulous cook but maybe I'm thinking of Todd? I'm well over a month now since I was diagnosed with cancer. I have to say I'm overwhelmed as cards and emails still poor in from people all over the place. Friends and family constantly call to offer there best wishes and help.

Today I went to my first peer support group for people with cancer. Since it's confidental I'm not going to say much other then it was awesome. The people were supportive and there stories were familar. I'm still on the pickle and cool whip kick. I think my mother in law sat in shock as i devoured 5 huge dill pickles and a glass of milk right in front of her eyes. I think she thought it wasn't possible that my gut could take it. Somehow I managed to not get sick through my first treatment. My white blood cell count should be on the rebound this week. These cells help fight off infections so I have to be careful I don't get sick. A fever of 38 will put me in the hospital. I'm a bit paranoid about germs so I wash my hands constantly and alway have hand sanatizer close by. I go in for blood test and to talk with Dr Chin Yee on Thursday. Not sure what he'll say to me because not much has changed since I last seen him. I hope I'm not due for a spinal tap at this next appointment Ouch! I have a few questions that you the readers passed on to me so thanks. Next Monday December 7th my second cycle of chemo will start. I've been told that just because my first cycle went well doesn't mean my second one will. But I got a feeling that it'll continue to go well. My second cycle shouldn't take the 8 hours that my first one did. I think they told me in and out in about 6 hrs this time. So I'll get my little chemo bag of goodies to help take my mind off the poison they're pumping into me... But this poison is making me better that's what I need to remember. For some reason I can't wait for golf season next year. Every year in June I go on on a golf trip. So that's my goal to be completely ready and to have my golf game in tip top shape by then. Otherwise the christmas tree went up this weekend with a big thanks to my wife. Daddy scrooge hasn't been in much of a christmas spirit this year. Jen crawled up in the attic and did most of the decorating. Watching her and the girls decorate and their excitement really picked up my spirits. So now I'm good and I'm very excited for christmas morning with my girlies. I missed my nephew Finn's baptism this weekend we chose to stay in London because we didn't know what to expect. So Finn happy baptism sorry we missed it. Sleeping hasn't been a problem since I have come off the predinsone. Energy level is down a bit but overall I'd say it is still high. Mental state is good right now and hopefully it'll continue. I forgot sign up for touch therapy or rieki or maybe evn some yoga. It's free I might as well try it!!! Some people swear by these techniques.

The emergency pickle run!

Well a big thanks to Steph and Justin. Justin made a batch of homemade moshises pickles. This was huge because I had lost my costco card and had no access to my pickles. I had to pack up the girls and drive over to their house to get my fix of pickles. Justin generously filled my 2 jars. I polished off a whole jar the first night with the help of my brother playing the video game Metal Gear 2. My brothers direct quote," these are awesome." The second jar was done on Saturday night. Actually ate a half a tub of cool whip right after I ate my pickles it was sooooooooooooo good I recommend this. Jen I'm thinking a pickle drip is a wonderful idea. Erin maybe you could be our personal chef at the maisonville house. Jen doesn't enjoy cooking so I'm sure she'd be fine with this. Jewel and Jen you are not allowed to shop together because nothing good could possibly come out of this!!! Sister in law Jen the lasagna you made was like a fine wine 35 years is along time but I couldn't wait that long for the next one. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm that was a good lasagna.

Saturday was very much the most normal day I've had since I was diagnosed with NHL. We got up and went to the parade and the girls loved it. Came home and sat around like a bunch of lazy bones. Then went to my works christmas party for kids where the girls met Santa and received a gift. Health wise I continue to feel great. In some ways I feel better then ever. I start meeting with my cancer support group on monday at 1:30. I look forward to this because I find talking to people with cancer or have had cancer so interesting. Just the different way we handle things and we are all a bit different. I'm starting to see that it is very easy to slip into depression when going through the chemo and all the extra stress of knowing what's happening to your body... I think being open about my cancer and writing about it, staying active and eating well will help me from becoming depressed. I'm going to ask Dr. Chin-Yee if I can get a gym membership to work out while I'm on Chemo. It's my Mother in laws turn to babysit me this week. So we'll be watching Ellen in the morning. Ellen is actually kinda funny although I think I could dance better then her. I'm so ready to start my next cycle of chemo, one more week to go! Hopefully my bloodwork is ok on thursday and off I go for more chemo. The girls have one more week of daycare then the house will be a zoo from here on in. Which is the way I like it. As I was writing this Mikayla dumped a carton of milk on my new couch!

A special thanks to Stan and Lucille and Leo and Joanne for the Prayer cards. One in particular the prayer of roses. My grandmother who's name is Rose holds a dear spot in my heart. So much so that my Mikaylas middle name was named after her. For all of us that ever new my grandma Rose she was a saint. I know she's watching over me today!

Just a lazy rainy day!

Well first off Steph I'm glad you enjoy reading the blog! For those of you that don't know Steph she is a friend and also a nurse on the cancer floor here in London. She was huge reason I got into the cancer clinic so quick. For that I'm very grateful... Helps to have friends in high places. She also relays me things that the doctors tell her. Erin if you want to meet for lunch I'm available anytime and yes you want me to pay because I eat way too much for you to pay. Keep your doors locked when in chatham... Christine I will tell everyone about your pics. I'm pretty sure I can't get pregnant, although Jen once told me that women can lose there uterus and I completely believed her. What do men know about the uterus seriously. Cathy thanks so much for the prayers having God on my side is huge. Chico well we have actually met just along time ago. My dads goal is to out fish you oneday. The old man is getting pretty darn good. Because of you I've had many perch dinners...Uncle Gary and Mariola I'll keep writing an updating that's what I do when I'm not eating. Mariola keeping giving him shit. Sick or not sick Jen doesn't let me get away with nothing. I will make it to Windsor eventually just looking for the right weekend. B&B very kind words again and yes it's great having you hear to take care of me. I'm afraid our quiet days will end soon when the girls come out of daycare. Ellen with you in the morning won't be the same with Marissa & Mikayla screaming.


Well I slept like 8 hours last night. So I think the steriod is leaving my system. But Monday Dec 7 I start my second cycle of chemo and will be back on the steriod so hopefully i'll sleep well until then. Sucked back five more pickles before bed last night. I had eggs for breakfast and at about 10:30am 4 more pickles with milk of course. Only got about 2 or 3 pickles left in my second jar. Then I'll move on to jar 3 holy crap. I bought 1 jar monday from Costco and my mom bought 2 for me yeterday again. These are the big jars with those monster dills. I've talked to some friends that also did chemo and this is not the norm they assured me. So if you know someone starting chemo don't go out and buy them pickles. Apparently I'm some kinda freak of nature. Also my dad and I met Jen for lunch at Patty's on king I had a corn beef sandwich with fries. I ate Jens pickles that came with her lunch. I have noticed my appetite is not as big now either. This extra sleep is cutting into my eating time so that helps. I'm sure I'll eat a big dinner though. I'm going to ask my sister in-law to make me another antioxidant lasanga the last one she made was great! Tommorrows goal will be to slide back out to costco to get more pickles don't want to run out on the weekend. If anyones looking for away to make a quick buck. By some stock in Moishes Dill pickles I think they're going to have a good quarterly profit!!!


Anyhow the lump on my armpit which got me into this mess. Has reduced significantly and Dr Chin Yee told me after the 6 to 8 cycles it would be gone. I have to correct some things from my earlier blogs because I'm learning more about my cancer. I have stage 3 Grade 3a follicular Non hodgkins Lymphoma. Dr Chin Yee said the stage in this cancer isn't as important with my particular cancer as it is with other. Staging involes the # of lymphnodes that are swollen and where in the diaphram they are swollen. The Grade is more important. Me being grade 3a they consider this on the fence of 3b and 2. 3b is consider agressive and 2 and 1 is Slow growing. The advantage of having the agressive cancer is it responds well to chemo and almost always goes into remission. Once in remission there's a 50% chance it'll never come back. I've heard from Jeff who recently went to a NHL conference that this stat is likely much higher now, since not many studies have been done since the rituxmba was added I think about 8 yrs ago to the treatment. I've been told as high as 90 % never coming back. The agressive one tends to stay away 5,10,15 yrs before it comes back if it comes back. If it does come back tends to be a bit harder to fight off next time it comes back. Now the slow growing one tends to be a bit trickier to put into remission. Once in remission it almost always tend to comeback but when it is does can be put back into remission. So I'm in the middle and won't really know unless my cancer comes back. Dr chin yee did tell me it generally acts more like the agressive. They have a bunch of catergories that they measure for your prognosis can't remember them all I know bone marrow is one of them. Which I have no cancer in my bone marrow. Age being another. Anyhow i'm at the very best in every catergory which gives me a very best prognosis. But it is cancer and can be unpredictable. I feel fantastic about my chances. I'm a huge believer in diet and know this will keep it from coming back. I'm reading alot about diet now and trying to develop something that'll work for me as soon as my chemo is done. So if anyone has suggestions on diet pass it on. Also I see the Dr Chin Yee next thursday so if anyone has any questions for the doctor send them to me and I'll ask him.

new remedy!! 8 pickles and 2 glasses of milk!

this is what will get you 6 hours of sleep!

just to answer the comments from my last blog-Christine I would love to be your manager, like any good manager I can come up with a gimmic to get attention...Kent with a mullet and since you have the cute short spikey hair we will put you in leather like joan jett! and voila we have a team. we will let your fine work do the rest. jewel if you hear of soemthing let me know. craig and bj I can babysit when I am up all night! Linda please tell mike to hold my spot for the golf trip this year!

last night at 9 oclock I polished off about 8 pickles and then chugged 2 glasses of milk and one cup of roobois tea and then slept 6 hours straight! not sure if this is scientific evidence but I was thinking of doubling everthing tonight and making it 12 hours! after this great sleep I woke up feeling normal and in a great mood. I took my wife to work this morning, took the girls to school and then later picked Jen up to go to wellspring they are a cancer support place, looks like I am going to be doing some yoga, touch therapy, reiki and peer groups. then I was off to costco with my mom for more pickles (2 big jars) then I took Jen out for dinner and a trip to home depot...pretty romantic eh?

a big thanks to Jeff who was in London and brought me out for lunch for a little follicular nhl discussion and support. shout out to krystyna, another nhl buddy who keeps sending good vibes!
I have a story, not cancer related but who's mother wouldn't remember this. when I was in highschool my mom announced that our house had been paid for so she took us out to mcdonalds for a treat.on the way to mcdonalds, at the busy intersection of lauzon and little river a bunch of cop cars slammed into the intersection surrounding a small blue chevette the cops jump out, pull their guns and yell at the man in the car to get out! he jumped out and got on the ground with all the guns pulled on him. I was sitting in the front seat of our car which was the first one at the light right beside the guy watchign all this..and I find it so funny that my mother cannot remember this story! just had to put that out there. mark do you remember this? matt? jolaine? anybody?
shout out to my wife who dined out with me at east side marios! followed by some mcdonalds ice cream! adn my eating will continue because I have a couple of man dates this week, lunch with Gary and Breakfast with Derek! and they said I would lose weight doing chemo! I have chemo gut!
thanks again for all the support and the comments! I love em.
over and out
SUCK IT CANCER!

A Good nights sleep anyone!

Well I think I have slept a total of 6-8 whopping hours in the last 3-4 days. Today I hid in my bedroom because I was tired and miserable. It's tough laying in room and not being able to sleep while the rest of the world functions. I thought i'm better in here because I might go postal from being so tired. I really thought when I got home from my brothers last night that sleep and I had a good chance... but not! My body is slowing from the lack of sleep which is what is making me miserable. I brought 2 lbs of chicken wings to my brothers so we could watch the UFC fight. He had one wing and I devoured the rest. My appetite is really picking up. I had, 2 bowls of bran flakes,2bowls of oatmeal, 2eggs and toast before 11am, chicken sandwich for lunch, bag of chips, 2 peanut butter sandwiches, roastbeef for dinner with squash and potatoes, cake for dessert, and the 2 lbs of chicken wings for the nightcap. Plus lots of fruit in between all this. If I don't sleep tonight then I'm calling for sleeping pills tommorrow. My wife took the girls outside to play in order to try and quiet the house down. I don't think quiet is going to matter when my body finally crashes from this. I feel like I can't concentrate to well now either... The new couch is awesome by the way I feel like a king on it. The wife loves it to now. I think if she would trust my taste more often even she'd be suprised at what I could do. My mom and dad will be here all this week as my mother in law gets a rest. They will alternate until my chemo is done. I love having someone here it takes the pressure off the the wife and I when the kids wake up. All my family and friends continue to be great... This means so much to me and my family. I will be posting a family picture soon that a friend of ours had taken of us in springbank park. I just seen some more of her work today. She's amazing and needs to do this on the side we told her. So Christine I'm saying you're available for $100 an hour. She and her pictures are worth it. Great my blog is now plugging people. But only because I believe that much in her and her hubby.

Back up!

Well after being up since 2 am the night before I fell asleep at 10 pm finally last night but back up at 2:30 this morning. I might have to resort to the cancer fighting wines soon. I'm thinking a whole bottle or so. Can't believe through all this how good I feel. Yesterday I was full of energy running around the house doing little odds and ends. Out doing the grocery shopping and making a so so dinner for the family. My mother in law was waiting for me to crash. But around 10 last night after I finished setting up the printer wirelessy I did crash for 4 and a half hours. Not the 10 or 12 hours I was hoping for but it'll do. I've got a new couch that I ordered coming this morning fro the brick. I ordered it when I found out about my cancer. It's now known as the cancer couch there for late nights when I need it. Tonight woould be great to have it. Well don't know if I could watch caddyshack again tonight. Might resort to Team American another classic comedy with no real storyline done by puppets. I wish the Colorado Avs could win a hockey game lately.

I've Got a pumpkin head!

Well I think the predisone I'm on has given me a pumpkin head. It appears to be orange although my mother in law says no! My teeth are also numb tonight. Certain of my favorite foods make me want to gag just by looking at them. Other then that it's 2 am and I'm up. Everyone else is sleeping. This is where it gets lonlely sometimes... Your mind wanders and thinks crappy thoughts. That's why I write because there's so much to be thankful for. I sniffing out more baked goods my wife has made for work tommorrow. They look great but I better leave them. Cancer or no cancer she'll kick my but if they are missing. My energy level has been consistent but we'll see if that changes because I'm off the steriod tommorrow. I got to play with the kids quite a bit tonight as well as my niece Lily, and nephews Noah,and Finn. Actually Finn just sat in his highchair and ate, just like a true Maisonville. Well once again I enjoy reading everyones comments you make my late nights.... Love you all!!!!!

Day 2

First of all I want to thank everyone for commenting on my blogs. The encouragement is so apreciated. All the food everyone has sent over has been great! Well 2 days and so far nothing as far as feeling shitty. Jeff who has went through chemo last year himself gave me good advice. Take your pills don't be a hero. I've been popping my gravols every 4 to 6 hours. The predisone (a steriod) keeps me awake big time. The gravol seems to be no match for it. I did sleep 6 or 7 hrs last night though. I'm starting to freak out a bit as I realize the chemo is killing off the cancer cells as well as my good white cells. I'll be using my hand sanitizer and washing my hands like crazy. Thanks to my mother in law for getting the kids off to daycare for us in the morning. I'm so glad I have decided not to work through this. Even though I haven't felt to bad you still feel off a bit. I'm up at weird hours. Well wish me luck I'm going for a long walk this morning after I eat my eggs...

1:30 am and I'm wide awake!

Well I'm wide awake I think because of the predisone. But no nausea and I feel very good. If it could only go like this throughout. Thanks to the boys at work and Jeff. The xbox and nintendo are going to get a workout tonight. Also watched caddyshack tonight. That movie deserved an oscar. Knocked up was great to. Thanks again Jeff!

First day of chemo!

Well I have made it through the first chemo. All my worst fears have been erased... I originally thought the clinic would be like a funeral. The reality is it's a party with a bunch of sick people. Myra (my nurse) Sat me down and explained everything clearly. Anything I needed or concerns I had were taken care of immediately. They started me on the wonderdrug a small little football shaped pill for antinausea. Followed by predisone and benadryl. That made feel like a 16yr stoned on a saturday night. Then they slowly pump the rituximab in for 4 to 5 hours. They follow this one carefully checking blood pressure every half hour. Once that's in I got 2 of the other chop drugs one by iv and one injected by hand this is the red kool aid looking one. Makes you pee a funky orange color. Followed by the last one that takes 3 or 4 minutes. To lazy to look all the names up of the drugs. Then what was long and exhausting day is done. I ate like a cow at the hospital. A big shout out to my wife and mom who I sent on wild goose chase for food. Food consumed today, footlong roastbeef sub,3 bagels,one large bag of gummy bears, 2 chocolate bars, and bowl of cereal. Also drank a ton of liquid. The nurses loved my tshirt I wore today. The caption on the shirt was " hey cancer suck on this" with an arrow pointing to you know what! Thanks Christine,Kent, and McKenna...
Well I'm bushed... I'm going to take my wonder drugs soon and cross my fingers for no nausea. Want to thank all my nurses today you guys rock!!! To Everyone who called made food sent gifts and just showed up to say hi couldn't do it with out all your love! Cancer has no chance against us! Erin,Stanley,Chistine thanks for preparing my big bag. It'll be used at every treatment...

People are amazing!

Sometimes I get so sick of hearing in the news all the crappy shit that goes on in the world. Since I've found out about my cancer let me tell you how generous,loving,and caring this world can be...

- My Mom and Dad show up immediately to console me.
_ Hundreds of phone calls pour in as news of my cancer spreads from friends and family.
- Sister in-law brings over a care package with all antitoxicants foods and drinks
- Mother-in-law and Father-law show up the next day to help out.
- More meals show up from neighbors and friends.
- 2 Friends show up and rake leaves.
- 1 buddy offers to finish the renovations I haven't bothered to finish since I've found the lump and for free.
- My Sister in laws brother gives me a medallion of a Saint with a dvd of his amazing story.
- my parents pay to have the duct work cleaned.
- mother in law pays for marissa's winter coat.
- Daycare teacher offers to babysit whenever needed.
- Everyone offers to babysit whenever needed.
- Jen's nurse friend helps fast track me into the cancer clinic.
- Jen's friends from work pitch in to have a cleaning service clean are house before I start chemo.
- My neighbor takes me out for breakfast.
- my neighbour helps me rake more leaves.
- my neighbours hug me.
- more phonecalls pour in.
- people offer help with snow removal while i'm on chemo.
- Hr lady fast tracks my insurance claim through.
- Hr lady gives me her cell # says call her anytime to vent and give me her antitoxidant tea she got from england.
- 14 toolmakers from work pitch in and buy me 42 inch plasma tv X box 360 and 4 or 5 games plus a card with $60 in it.
- Jeff whom i've never met but we share the same cancer sends me a care package with sweater,hat,funny movies, inspirational cancer books,medications,and a nintendo ds.
- friend of Jen's takes us to the park to do a photo shoot for us
- 3 friends pitch in and make up a little care package to take to chemo with me.
- my wife buys me a couch I want so I can lay my sick ass down. Even know she hates it.
-old grade school friends email and call offering advice and whatever help is needed.
- brother shows up to cut my lawn.
- millions of prayers said for me.
- A priest gives my wife hope!
- My wife is always there.
- My doctor gives me a second appointment to anwser mo questions.
- Jeff fast tracks me into a second opinion With the big wig specialist of Follicular NHL in BC.
- Secretary at the london hospital fast tracks my info to this gentlemen. in BC.
- My boss accomadates me on everything.
- Guys at work switch me shifts so I can work days.

My Real Prognosis!

Well my family doctor didn't give much of a prognosis. He admitted never having anyone 37yrs old with Non hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). Anyhow Yesterday Oct 29, 2009 I visited the London Cancer clinic for my first appointment. I brought my mom and my wife. It was nice to have them there! My wife has been great because she advocates for me quite well. She was very nervous as was I while we sat in the waiting room but she put on the brave face. My mom she hurts I can see that she's scared for me. I have 2 little daughters. All I can think when I'm in the cancer clinic is that I'm glad I got cancer and not my daughters. So for my mom to watch her son with cancer is hard.
Next I do some bloodwork followed by more waiting. Finally we are called into an examination room. Next I meet the oncologist Dr. Chin Yee he does an examination of me. Then he sits down a proceeds to explain my prognosis. For an hour and half my wife spews out questions. He anwsers everyone carefully and detailed. I realize after he leaves the room that I didn't hear one question or any of his anwsers. I was to busy thinking of my girls without dad... I heard 8 yrs so I thought I had eight yrs to live. I looked over after Dr Chin Yee had let the room. My mom and wife looked happy. I thought 8 yrs must be ok with them. I said, "What do you think?". My mom said she was hopeful. Jen seemed very satisfied to. Man oh Man bring people with for these kinds of appointments. Basically this is what I have learned since. Don't hold me to this because it's all new as of now. I have Follicular Non Hodgkins Lymphoma grade 3a. This is where it get's confusing. There's 4 stages of this lymphoma 1,2,3,and 4.... 1&2 being the slower growing and 3&4 being the more agressive. Grade 3 also has an a&b myself having 3a. You actually want the more agressive cancer. Grade 3 responds well to chemo and once in remission tends to stay in remission for a long time. If it does come back it's very treatable with chemo again. Where as 1&2 doesn't react as well to chemo and tends not to stay in remission as long. When it comes back it's harder to treat each time. Grade 3a means I'm in the middle and they won't know if it will react as a 2 or a 3. Let's hope it will act as a 3.

My Diagnosis Story!

I think I need to explain how I came to my diagnosis. One night in August 2009 I went into the bathroom to shave my face. I lifted my arm up and noticed I had a lump under my armpit... SH%T it was huge like half an orange hanging from my armpit. How in the world did I not notice that... Called my wife up to look at it and she freaked... So within a week I had an appointment with my family Dr. He said that he beleived it was a cyst but was concerned with the size of it. No kidding it's huge! He proceeded to order blood test,chest x rays, and ultrasound... I went on google as well as my wife and pretty much self diagnosed myself with cancer,lupus,heart diease,hiv,mad cow,and anything else that could kill you. I thought I had it all combined (so don't google lumps under your armpit). I went for my blood work and chest xray the next day. About a week later I had been at the doctors with my daughter for her appointment and asked him about my blood work. He said it all had come back good and he had still thought it was just a cyst. About a week or two later I had my ultrasound... That's when I became scared. The radiologist who came in to view my ultrasound started checking my other armpit my chest,neck,and abdomen. Holy shit he was calm but I could feel he was freaking. "Have you ever had a diease before?", he asked. I don't thinks so... Another week or so went by and my wife and I went to the family doctor to find out hopefully it was just a cyst. When we had got there the Doc still didn't have the results. He told me he'd call me as soon as he did. I went for a nap and was woke by his call. It's the lymphnodes he told me they're enlarged in both armpits... Just fliping great! Now what? More test... My family doc tells me the next step is a biopsy. 2 types a needle biopsy or surgery where they would cut my armpit open to take a chunk to send for testing. He said he would order a needle biopsy for me since they are much quicker... My wife God bless her took action into her own hands. Basically with the help of her friend Steph got me a needle biopsy within 2 weeks. The doctor who did the needle biopsy was fantastic. He sure poked me alot. 10 days later the family doctor calls he has my results. I wasn't panicked because he told me good or bad he'd call me in to explain the results. Tuesday Oct 20 2009 10:45am we go to the doctor he comes in the room to inform me that I have Non Hodgkins grade 3 follicular lymphoma. The room went still my body stayed in the chair but my soul rose out of my body and floated to the ceiling. I could see my face and my wifes horror and disbelief as she attacked the doctor with what seemed like violent questions. I won't be able to see my daughters grow up I could cry right now. Prognosis: 5-10 yrs lots of chemo... 37 yrs old and cancer Mother F#$ker why me? Followed by lots of crying. talk to wife cry, talk to mom cry, talk to dad cry, sister cry, 2 brothers cry, mother in law cry, father in law cry, cry,cry,cry. Think of my girls and I cry twice as hard. Do you get the picture?