tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15592297360825096012024-02-06T22:36:53.940-05:00The Edge of Light - by Christine LyndsChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.comBlogger483125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-45579690245249518452010-09-12T17:13:00.004-04:002010-09-12T17:28:56.651-04:00Christine Lynds, 1957-2010: We will miss you, momDear readers of my mom’s blog,
This is Christine’s son Adam writing this. This is extremely difficult for me to write, but I wanted to post one final message to let her readers know that she passed away early Friday morning. She went peacefully in her sleep at 12:25 a.m.
My grandmother took her to the hospital on Wednesday after having difficulty breathing. It turned out to be a blood clot thatChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-68440779173976338072010-09-03T15:17:00.000-04:002010-09-03T15:17:17.090-04:00The cancer clinic - my 2nd homeI have 5 appointments next week; 3 of them on the same day:
1. orthopedic surgeon (re my broken hand)
2. radiation oncologist (re my brain lesions)
3. plurex specialist (re the fluid on my lung)
4. medical oncologist (re changing my chemo)
5. cancer clinic social worker (re trying to make sense of all this).
Yikes!
What I’m grateful for today: Vanilla milkshakes. My Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-90091814342831998382010-09-02T15:58:00.001-04:002010-09-02T15:59:40.431-04:00Run for the Cure - Oct 3I decided that I would focus my fundraising efforts to the BCA run this year. I only like to ask for support for one event a year, but it you missed donating to the BCA run and would like to donate to the Run for the Cure instead, you can do so on my personal fundraising page at http://www.runforthecure.com/site/TR?px=1004992&pg=personal&fr_id=1101.
This will be the 10th year that the Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-20405716593167598842010-09-01T22:04:00.000-04:002010-09-01T22:04:07.984-04:00Crappy updatei ended up in the cancer triage yesterday because of increased shortness of breath and a distended belly. they thought that maybe i had fluid buildup in the belly because of my liver but they didn't find fluid there. they did find fluid in one of my lungs so they are making an appointment for me to possibly have the fluid drained.
the doctor i saw gave me the results of the latest scans and it Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-75757181334183569972010-09-01T21:01:00.000-04:002010-09-01T21:01:18.107-04:00Breast Fest - apply by Oct 1Breast Fest Film Festival - Travel Subsidies Available! Inquire and apply by OCT. 1 2010
Rethink Breast Cancer
215 Spadina Ave. Studio 570 Toronto, ON M5T 2C7
T.416-920-0980 ext.228 or 1-866-738-4465
F.416.920.5798
Website: www.rethinkbreastcancer.comChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-14821853378259342052010-08-30T14:06:00.001-04:002010-08-30T14:07:16.067-04:00my favorite bday cardThanks to all you folks that called, emailed and facebooked me today. I'm having a great birthday; lunch with my mom and aunt and dinner with friends.
This email card from Adam made me laugh!
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-90206453397972263962010-08-30T10:17:00.001-04:002010-08-30T10:17:54.277-04:00Cancer Self Management Program - Sept 1This free six week program will help you: Manage symptoms and treatment side-effects, Learn strategies to manage medications, Work with your healthcare team, Set goals and solve problems, Handle difficult emotions, Feel better and enjoy more activities, Make changes to diet and exercise
Start Date: Wed Sep 1, 2010
Date Notes: Free six week program
Time: 7pm
Cost: Free
Venue: Canadian CancerChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-59536466154025118352010-08-30T09:20:00.001-04:002010-08-30T09:21:01.545-04:00Shred-if For A Cure
Shred-it - Founded in 1988 by Greg Brophy, Shred-it is a Canadian company, committed to helping organizations secure their business information by shredding documents and various media.
Shred-it For A Cure - Each year the Ottawa Shred-it branch donates all funds raised from Shred-it For A Cure events to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. On the second Saturday of each month between 9:00AM Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-76456192222069339232010-08-24T09:05:00.002-04:002010-08-24T09:06:32.461-04:00Tips on how to forget your health worries – My “New Normal” is all about ‘fun’, by Amy LessackI found an entry by Amy Lessack on the LBBC (Living beyond Breast Cancer) website that I thought was worth sharing. Amy was diagnosed with metastatic bc at 43 in 2008.
"Well, what I learned when I was first diagnosed in 2002 when I was 36 is that every day is a gift. Now, I am sure that sounds very trite and I don’t mean it to be. Believe me, there are still many days that don’t always feel Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-25163728643422165652010-08-23T12:23:00.001-04:002010-08-23T12:24:22.244-04:00Short updateI'm typing this with one finger, It was confirmed that the hand is indeed broken and I am wearing a splint (kind of a half-cast). My GP is arranging for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon but I am obviously hoping that surgery won't be necessary.
Adam has been here and gone. His visit flew by far too fast and I am missing him since he left on Sunday.
My mom is still here and will stay Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-57304999710773956002010-08-13T18:22:00.001-04:002010-08-13T18:23:21.283-04:001 finger typingmy blog posts over the next few weeks will probably be brief. it hasn't been confirmed but it appears that i have broken some bones in left hand.
i woke up last night with acid reflux and, in a fog i suspect was caused by the codine cough med i'm taking, i somehow managed to fall down my stairs on the way for a glass of milk. this morning my hand was swollen and my baby finger is pointing off Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-56209159419438499742010-08-12T15:21:00.000-04:002010-08-12T15:21:22.855-04:00METAvivorsWhen I was at the conference in Philly, I picked up a car magnet from METAvivors, a charible organization for women with metastatic cancer. I finally got around to visiting their website at http://metavivor.org/index.html.
Here's an excerpt from an essay by one of their founding members.
We ask that the public understand that the 110+ Americans dying every day from breast cancer [I don'tChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-41591025926093840042010-08-08T08:47:00.004-04:002010-08-08T08:49:52.286-04:00Upcoming eventsSept 11: Ride the Rideau
Sept 15: Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer
Sept 18: Sacred Circles Workshop
Oct 6: Read for the Cure
Nov 19: BCA Autumn Gala and Auction
Oct 3: Run for the Cure Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-20253191667571115372010-08-08T08:26:00.000-04:002010-08-08T08:26:08.168-04:00Sacred Circles workshop - Sept 18
Labrynth Walking, Creating Mandalas and Sacred Circle Dancing
Date: Sept 18
Time: 9:30 - 5:00
Location: St. John's March/Kanata
Cost: $110
For a copy of the flyer email beverly@beverlychen.com.
For registration contact Cynthia Sabiston at 613-692-0302.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-11892829591304650392010-08-08T08:02:00.001-04:002010-08-08T08:35:25.786-04:00No Pink for Profit - Run for the Cure teamI'm passing this on from Laurie K's blog. She's looking for Ottawa women to join her Run for the Cure team.
---------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa women friends and family,
Last week end, my friend Cathy Remus and I were talking about doing the Run for the Cure on October 3rd. I suggested forming a team named something along the lines of "We hate pink crap but we hate Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-82611733646925774832010-08-07T07:56:00.004-04:002010-08-07T08:10:39.987-04:00A short updateI saw my onc yesterday but it was pretty routine. I hadn’t had a scan or test, so there was nothing to report – I’m not even really sure why I had the appointment. I see the radiation oncologist about my aneurysm on Monday.
The big news is… that Adam (aka the prodigal son) arrives today from Holland for 2 weeks! I can’t wait to give him a big hug. My mom will join us towards the end of his visitChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-74325503995628407422010-08-03T15:08:00.001-04:002010-08-03T15:08:19.434-04:00Living well beyond cancer - starts Sept 15The Canadian Cancer Society will offer a program this fall for post-treatment cancer patients and their caregivers who strive to live a healthy life.
Living Well Beyond Cancer is based ont he Chronic Disease Self-Management Program researched and developed at Standord University.
This free program is conducted as a 2-hour workshop held weekly for 6 weeks. The highly interactive meetings focus Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-8193154632776522912010-08-01T09:07:00.000-04:002010-08-01T09:07:44.646-04:00SistersNadine was back this week for part II of her visit. In between her visits she was in Boston on business and in Halifax with her daughter (my niece) Erin.
We spent part of one day at the Nordic Spa, relaxing in the pools and the saunas. We curled up in these lovely hanging chairs that felt like rocking cocoons and read and napped. In the evening we went to see The Kids are Alright (I’m not Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-11033601613349256352010-07-27T10:57:00.003-04:002010-07-27T11:02:06.523-04:00Share your voiceI just took a Faces of Metastatic Breast Cancer survey. It’s interesting, because as you answer each question, it gives you a chart with percentages of all of the answers from all who have taken the survey.
In answer to the question “Which word best describes how you feel during “good” moments?”, respondents said:
35% thankful
27% hopeful
26% optimistic
5% encouraged
7% other
I wasn’t sure if Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-87894490633706891852010-07-27T10:07:00.001-04:002010-07-27T10:08:53.221-04:00Traveling with Metastatic Breast Cancer
In the Insights on Metastatic Breast Cancer newsletter, Claudia Luecke writes:
"As anyone facing a metastatic cancer diagnosis knows, there is nothing like a life-threatening illness to add a sense of urgency to your "I’ve-always-wanted-to-do-that" list. Visiting all seven continents is one of my goals. Since my mets diagnosis in 2007, I’ve made travel a bigger priority."
Travel is also a Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-15171803828563353912010-07-25T12:22:00.009-04:002010-07-25T12:30:46.507-04:00Visit with my sisterI haven’t been writing much lately. I’ve alternated between being very busy and resting/recovering.
I’m beginning to realize why they give you a week off Xeloda after two weeks on. I think the side effects start to kick in after two weeks, because I seem to experience more on the weeks off. I've had my share of nausea and 'the-fast-poopies' this week (too much information!); also some abdominal Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-53060586724502935802010-07-23T09:34:00.001-04:002010-07-23T09:35:04.383-04:00Ride the Rideau - Sept 11This is a challenging ride down the river to raise some serious funds. Ride the Rideau is a 100-kilometre bike tour to support some of the most important cancer research in the world.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-40492543911560976282010-07-22T23:00:00.001-04:002010-07-22T23:04:59.914-04:00Laurie Kingston on TVLaurie Kingston is a blogger, author and mother. She is also living with cancer.
Laurie was recently interviewed for a TV spot on CBC News Network about using blogging as a way to process what it’s like to deal with life with cancer. You can view the video at http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/TV_Shows/Connect_with_Mark_Kelley/ID=1549366307.
In the video, Laurie talks about her young children and Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-6891891353907053462010-07-16T21:47:00.002-04:002010-07-16T21:50:32.690-04:00Debbie Downer visits the oncologistI had an oncology visit today but I cheated and got my CT scan results from medical records 2 days ago. I wanted a copy of the report so I’d know what questions to ask.
The short of it is that the cancer is continuing to progress and there are now mets in my liver. The LC (lymphangitic carcinomatosa) has grown and spread further into the lungs.
The good news is that there are no mets to the Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1559229736082509601.post-51000775203128283842010-07-15T21:27:00.001-04:002010-07-15T21:27:59.750-04:00Cancer Survivors Discover the Power of BloggingBlogging has been a great way for me to let people know what going on with me, process my feelings about my diagnosis and treatment, and to connect and share information with other people living with cancer.
Here is a recent NCI Cancer Bulletin about the benefits of blogging.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910096759904660334noreply@blogger.com0