Highlights/Lowlights (and I'm NOT talkin' hair colour!)

January 24/12.

This new year has been challenging to keep up with. Days often just seem to fly by. Used to write a blog entry per day, but lately, tough to do. Motivation down, "Intensity Entity" low, stress high, weight low (yes, everyone, I'm aware), responsibilities high, downtime low, emotional overload (both high AND low). Every which way but loose.

Awaiting results from ultrasound, with more tests to come. In the meantime, days are filled to capacity with all manner of things. Some ultra-FUN, some killer sad, some too hilarious for words, some too tough to even think about. I'm sure everyone goes through periods like this. What to DO about it? I'm not sure. The old cliche I guess - just live one day at a time.

Here's a look at some of the things which have been going on.

January 18 - American Idol returned for season 11! -  Yay! Always gives me a lift!

Love the show, (especially the audition episodes). Having worked with TV editors for 18 years, can only imagine the craziness involved in packaging the best highlights from the 1,002 Savannah auditions (not to mention, thousands of funny reactions from Steven, Jennifer and Randy), into a two-hour segment. The editing really makes it for me!

In the first show, one of my favourite parts was when the question was asked,  "What goes on in Steven Tyler's head when he makes those faces?"

Then they proceeded to show a squirrel on water-skis, (among other wild Tyler fantasies), and gave us glimpses of the great contestants mixed in with the usual number of knock-your-socks-off-awful contenders. In the end, 42 of the Savannah wannabes won golden tickets and are "GOING TO HOLLYWOOD!"


The next night of A.I. (January 19), moved on to Pittsburgh.

I kinda liked THIS guy! First thing I thought was, he's in a Justin Timberlake vein, when suddenly, JLo said, "Sounds like Jamiroquai & Justin Timberlake had a baby!" He sang his own original song, written on the way to Pittsburgh. A bold audition. 38 golden tickets were handed out on day two.

Before A.I. on Thursday night, met up with my old Global TV colleague and longtime friend, Rob Davidson, for a late lunch at The Friendly Greek on the Danforth. Has been quite a while since I've seen him, so a lot to catch up on. We've known each other about 25 years. NO shortage of conversation. (up until my car almost got towed away from the Danforth parking space at 4 o'clock). Thank goodness Rob spotted the tow truck seconds before it was too late! (never a dull moment, as usual).

Got through the Princess Margaret mammogram and ultrasound tests on the 20th and decided I'd do whatever I like on "Mundane Monday" to make myself feel better!

But not before a great Sunday afternoon visit with the amazing Auntie Ray at her condo, where we talked about everything under the sun,

and then, later on, back  home, decided to actually cook! Yep.

Made manicotti - two different kinds. (cheese and meat)

What a riot. Haven't whipped up manicotti in about three decades.

Forgot how time consuming it is! (especially the "ceremonial stuffing of the shells!"
Ai Carumba! But the final result was good!

"Mundane Monday" turned out to be GREAT! Went to the Eaton Centre.

Breakfast at Starbucks.

Shopped at Forever 21. (didn't buy anything).

next, The Body Shop,

for more of my favourite vanilla lotion, (big sale on, - buy two, get third one free!)
Good deal!


Dropped by the Bay Cat Hospital to pick up a bag of specialty food for our cat, Tru,

and visited with some very playful cats,

all up for adoption.

This one was particularly pretty!

Stopped off at our local mall, Gerrard Square,

for the big sidewalk sale,

Again, didn't buy anything, but there was plenty to look at!

To Shoppers, (where I seem to spend half my life),

and Canadian Tire, (where they didn't have the frying pan I needed). Guess I won't be able to cook.
Drat. (not!)

plus Loblaws,

where they had an abundance of exotic goodies that made me want to travel to a hot tropical island!

and to the Bulk Barn. Valentine's Day candy is everywhere!

(cinnamon hearts in bulk anyone?)

Hung out for a while with my good friend, Pam,

Went to see My Week with Marilyn for the second time. (Michelle Williams ended up getting nominated
for an Oscar, as I knew she would. She's fantastic in this movie!)

Later called cousin Kevio to wish him a happy birthday (though we had celebrated the occasion a few nights before). I hope it's a great year ahead for him!

Quite a "me day". Lots of fun, and a blast-&-a-half x 5!  But was pretty tired when I got home!

Next entry? - day three at Jason Deline's voice-over class!

Idol withdrawal! - (already)

May 30/11

Thinking ahead...HOW CAN I LIVE WITHOUT IDOL THIS WEEK?

To quote Ed Grimley, "I'm doomed as doom can be!!"

Wednesdays won't be Wednesdays without Ryan, Randy, JLo and STEVEN!!!

As my great friend, Bonnie Laufer says, - "I'll have to get a life"!
NOOOOOOOOOO!

Tonight, I'm restricted to House repeats. (granted, ANY House is
better than NO House!) Guess I'll take what I can get.

Summer replacements aren't gonna cut it for me.

What IS cutting it for me (on a hot day like Monday?), - short shorts!

Haven't worn them (or even owned them) in years. But I do now! And they're coming soon, - to a blog site near you!

IDOL RULES!!!!!!!!!

May 25/11

In LOVE with the season finale of IDOL tonight! What a production!
Did someone say cancer? - FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT!
HOTTEST SHOW EVER!

My son, Max snapped this pic in a commercial break from the show, after dancing up a storm (ME, not him!) during that terrific, (and hilarious) Tom Jones medley! (gotta love Tom!)

The producers sure know how to hit you where it counts! - or hurts, - or, feels good, makes you move, shake, shimmy (whatever shimmy means) - or strikes home, or - hell, I don't-even-know!

Beyonce? WOWWWWW! She sizzles.

Plus Tim McGraw! Jack Black! The return of James Durbin (with Judas Priest)! And JLo hitting the dance floor (shakin' her booty in fringe and fabulous fishnets!) with hubby Marc? Can't beat THAT combo! (click pic to enlarge and check out those stockings!)

Just blast me with the electric fan right now!

Oh, and congrats to Scotty! New King of Idol!

Radiation news

May 25/11

Back from my first appointment with Dr. Anne Koch, oncologist in the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret. It was also the first appointment I've attended alone.

Today's pic was snapped by Jerry, a hospital security guard who told me, "This is where the media always takes their shots!"
Dr. Koch is a beautiful young woman who was very giving of her time and helped me to understand everything that lies ahead. She was happy to hear I'd decided to go ahead with the Oncotype DX test (the one that costs $5,000 - government funded - and the tissue has to be sent to a lab in Redwood City, California).

She says that though my pathology report indicates I'm low risk in all areas for a recurrence, it would still be reassuring to know the results of this special test. Dr. Koch is hopeful (as am I), that it will indicate low risk. If that's the case, then I won't have to undergo chemo and can jump to radiation and Tamoxifen. The only drag is, the results from California won't come back for about three weeks, which means everything else gets put on hold until then.

If, by any chance, the Oncotype DX shows HIGH risk, then I'd need chemo, followed up by radiation a month later, plus Tamoxifen.

During my examination, Dr. Koch said she could certainly see I'd been through quite a bit of pain following surgery, judging by the bruising and swelling, but she's optomistic things will improve a lot over the next few weeks.

When it comes time for radiation (which may not begin until the end of June), I'll need 16 treatments, one each day (except on weekends). Dr. Koch says this kind of radiation is generally well tolerated, but also said (based on my surgical experience), I may, (er, let's say, definitely), will have some pain. (Should I haul out the Percocet again?)

Coming up next, I'll need a CT scan, then will get tiny dot "tattoos" to mark the exact area where the radiation beam needs to hit. (never thought I'd be getting tattoos at THIS age! - Rock on!)

I told Dr. Koch about my blog and she said she'll check it out.

Leaving the hospital today, I saw the easel with the daily message. It said, "In the depths of every wound we have survived is the strength we need to live." - Dr. Rachel Remen

Sounds good to me! For now, I'll be getting some "strength" by watching the final episode of Idol! Looks like Scotty is "in it to WIN it!"
(thanks Randy)

To everyone who reads this blog - I'm sending positive thoughts your way, as I feel I have some to spare today!
Love,
Elaine

A bit better

May 5/11

Howdy.
The pain this morning is finally marginally better than it's been (for the first time since the surgery 8 days ago). I don't mean exactly comfortable, but slightly lessened. I took a Percocet about 4 in the morning, to allow me to get a bit more rest without much pain. Hope to go lie down again for a while now. I seem to get a little more energy later in the day.

Actually going for a walk!

Last night, (after 6 p.m.), I went for an evening walk through Withrow Park, where I saw tons of people - jogging, playing games, kids in the play area, dogs running in the leash-free section, (one was particularly speedy and expert at chasing and catching frisbees!), and people just out, digging the day!

My goal was to get back to IGA (now Foodland) to pick out and pay for the rest of our order of groceries and have them delivered. (second time!) Their delivery service is excellent - very quick and efficient.
Then to the pharmacy to get something (for someone ELSE in the family for once - not for me!),

Then, walked home to meet the delivery guy at our front door. On the way home, ran into an old friend of mine, Ilana, who lives in the neighbourhood. It was nice to see a friendly face and have a chat - like normal people do! (but I haven't done much of for the past week). Also took a picture of a pretty front yard a couple of blocks from home. I like what they've done, using a bird bath as a "flower pot," giving a very colourful look at the front of their house.

Watched Idol on Wednesday night. Cheered for James. Seems to me Haley or Jacob might be in trouble tonight. But I really enjoyed ALL their performances.


Go James!

Talk later!

Thinking about the lovely ladies I met in the Princess Margaret teaching class. Some of them will have had their surgeries by now. Hope all will go well for them.