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.