From Cancer Clinic to Spring days

 It has been quite an interesting few weeks. My sister arrived from Campbell River on January 27th. We settled into my other sister's home (because she is in Arizona and her home was available for us with two bedrooms) for the duration of her radiation treatments. The next day we drove to the Surrey Cancer Clinic to meet with the Oncologist and to have all of the necessary prep done. A warm piece of meshed silicon was draped and shaped over her face to keep her head firmly in place during radiation treatments. This mask was given to her at the end of treatments.

During the days leading up to radiation we managed to shop, eat, walk, eat, nap, eat, shop, eat. Finally, on February 3rd she received the first treatment. On February 10th, after a total of five treatments we boarded the ferry for Vancouver Island and drove to her home in Campbell River. Other than fatigue, she was doing okay.

Searching for sea glass at Campbell River

After spending two nights in Campbell River I drove over to Comox for my "Christmas" visit with Heather, Chris and August. All of my travel plans were cancelled at the end of 2021 due to Covid so we exchanged Christmas gifts and shared much needed time together for three days. August invented a new game that kept us in stitches(Blue balls Frapuchino), Heather prepared amazing meals and Chris introduced me to the addictive pursuit of WORDL!

A sunny day visit to Filberg Park

On Valentine's Day I returned to Campbell River to check on my sister and enjoy a couple more days with her. With her improved balance we toured the neighborhood on daily walks, inspected new building sites and looked for budding crocus along the way. Finally on February 16th I boarded the ferry and headed home to sleep in my own bed for the first time in three weeks!

A sure sign of Spring this morning!

Two months has passed

 

I just realized this morning that it has been two months since my last post...two months of Omicron! Christmas was a non-event. I had shared a pre-Christmas celebration with Adrian and Marika and three days later they tested positive for Covid. My travel plans to Vancouver Island were cancelled due to the possibility of carrying the virus to family on the island. I stayed home with a pasta dinner on Christmas Day. Fortunately I did not contract the virus. Adrian and Marika struggled with lasting symptoms for two weeks.

Then I had to make a decision about my travel plans to Puerto Vallarta. After much agonizing I decided to cancel the flights. My sister and her husband, desperate for warm weather after Christmas, decided to head south in their motorhome to Arizona. So life has been quite solitary for these first weeks of January.

I am extremely grateful to share coffee visits every 3-4 weeks with Susan, my long time friend. These occasions give me the opportunity to talk with another adult, reminisce and share our covid experiences. Regular FaceTime conversations with my special people in Puerto Vallarta lift my spirits. Emails and telephone chats ease the loneliness. Daily walks are a necessary tonic and were sadly missed during the week of snow and ice. This combination of living alone and isolating from others can be very unsettling. 

My sister who had the brain tumor removed has experienced a resurgence of symptoms and has decided to have radiation treatments. She will travel next week from Campbell River to Surrey for treatments and I will live with her at my other sister's house for the duration of her stay. 

Throughout this epidemic I have managed to continue painting in a sporadic way. There is so much time to fill but not much inspiration in the air.

This is one of the paintings that has emerged during the epidemic.

 It will be exhibited in Puerto Vallarta soon.

Brain surgery and an Atmospheric River

 

So much has happened since my last post. 

It will be a challenge to catch up.

At the end of September we learned that my youngest sister had a tumor on her brain. She is a survivor of breast cancer (10 years ago) and lung cancer (2 years ago) so the prognosis was worrying. Surgery to remove the tumor was presented as an option. The surgery would take place at Royal Columbia in New Westminster but it was impossible to confirm a date for the surgery due to Covid complications in hospitals. These complications, which have impacted thousands of people waiting for surgeries, are caused by the unvaccinated in our province.

She flew from Campbell River on Vancouver Island to Vancouver on November 8th for preliminary tests and on November 12th at 2:00pm she finally had surgery which successfully removed the tumor. By 2:00pm the next day she was released from hospital...24 hours later!! Unbelievable! She was walking, talking, eating and eager to get out!

The surgeon requested that she stay on the mainland for 10 days and have a CT scan as well as a Cancer Clinic appointment before returning to Campbell River. In the meantime we are keeping a close eye on her for seizures and possible stroke. When she is given permission to travel we will take her back to her home.

On the same weekend as her surgery our province was visited by an "Atmospheric River". It was an ongoing deluge of rain and wind that decimated farm lands, wiped out sections of highways, forced evacuations of towns and stranded hundreds of people. Lives were taken, the food chain was halted...no truck, train or ship deliveries into or out of the city of Vancouver. It will be days/weeks before transportation routes are restored. Thousands of farm animals have died. Fuel for our vehicles has been rationed to 30 liters.

One week has passed since this disaster and the forecast is for another "Atmospheric River" to hit the northern coast of our province with potential flooding. More rainfall will also arrive later this week on the south coast which has not had time to rebuild and recover. Smaller highways have reopened with one way, slow traffic. The main highway, the Coquihalla, will take months to repair.

Vancouver Island again

Just returned from another trip to Vancouver Island.

Fanny Bay - oyster shell beach

Beautiful sky and calm water

 

Nine months ago

Nine months ago today

he held my hand

for the last time.

New murals in the city

I enjoyed another trip into the big city with my sister this morning 

to discover and photograph new murals for 2021.

The murals at this location (21st & Cambie Street)are on either side 

of small community gathering places with picnic tables, chairs 

and weekly events that include family games.

I couldn't resist this sign...so true!

The murals are a reflection of diverse talent. They brighten the urban landscape and provide surprises around every corner. Some are tucked into alleyways and others are on the sides of homes. I hope that all are appreciated and that "taggers" will respect the artists' work.

MASKS

After happily receiving my second jab of Pfizer vaccine I finally felt comfortable enough to enjoy a morning coffee and freshly baked scone at the local cafe. The owner had placed tables outside and I could sit with my coffee, writing book and watch people pass by for an hour.

When the mask mandate was lifted, the owner and all of the staff immediately stopped wearing masks. She had never installed a plexiglass shield between staff and customers but the distance between us was about 5-6 feet so I was not too concerned. I continued to wear a mask while picking up my order.

Everything was looking good. Covid numbers were dropping. People were rejoicing. But, before too long the Delta variant started to surge. Once again I am anxious about going to the cafe. The staff are all around 20 years of age. They are not wearing masks and they are talking to each other and me while preparing my order. Is my coffee contaminated? How are the scones handled before landing on my plate?

I hate this feeling of fear that has been regenerated! In the meantime I will enjoy a home brewed coffee and toast in the morning. When the urge to people watch is overwhelming I will sit in the local park with my writing book and observe the oddities of dog walkers.

It is my very strong feeling that the mask mandate should be reinstated, not just for public spaces but also for cafe and restaurant staff!!

New painting...The Empty Chair