Wild Wednesday!!

August 3/11.

This was the best Wednesday I've had for, - well, at least two weeks! Just kiddin' ya here. This day was pretty frickin' fantastic & hard to top. Right Cayr?

Carrie & me. I love this pic! You can really see how much alike we are. (only my opinion).

After my final treatment, Carrie & I were hoping to get a pic together. A man outside the hospital offered to snap the shot for us, and he did. When he asked why we were doing this photo, I told him my 16 radiation treatments were over. He informed us he had just started a round of 25 treatments for prostate cancer, and had completed #2. I almost cried.

My friend, Cynthia Mulligan (CITYNEWS reporter), a cancer survivor, told me way back in March, that one of these days, I would be the one to inspire others, as she did for me. I didn't believe her. Then, I met this man. Not that I inspired him. Far from it. But I felt such a connection, knowing what he's going thru. Before I could even say a word, he wished me the very best as he handed the camera back to me. I wished him the very same, with tears in my eyes.

Still can't believe my final day of radiation - (treatment #16), happened to coincide with the same day my great friends/family members, Franc & Mary, were set to entertain in the Wednesday Atrium concert series at Princess Margaret Hospital. Too bizarre that this was their scheduled performance day too!

And, a special surprise guest!!

Not only did Franc & Mary perform, but my brother-in-law, Garth of The Nylons, (Franc & Mary's bro), dropped by to appear with them! GENES reunited!! I was SOOOOOOOO surprised!!

Garth, clowning with Mary & Franc - They are the greatest!!

With my bro-in-law, Garth Mosbaugh, whom I have adored since he was a teenager. Through everything that's happened, we remain close and he is oh-so-special to me. It was a blast to see him perform old Genes numbers with Franc & Mary! (And The Nylons have a new CD out called Skintight!) They are in town to promote it and perform some concerts.

The Nylons - Gavin Hope, Tyrone Gabriel, Claude Morrison and Garth

With the Fabulous Franc, Marvellous Mary and Great Garth!! What a fantastic final radiation day with a concert "just for me!!" They even dedicated a song to me - Here Comes the Sun!

"Where's my stylist?" shot - out the door today!! The medical gown is no more!! Bye Bye blue monstrosity!! It's been real.

And the day's "number shot?" - NO numbers. On this, the 16th treatment day, only thumbs up! All is well and now, I'll spend some time recovering at home from all the burning. Carrie took my pic as stand-in "construction worker" today. I got cards, prezzies, you name it!

Lain in front, back row: Kate, Carrie, Tina Nodwell, Franc, Mary, Nancy

Today's table top fantasy? I went skinny dipping! Can you believe it? Not sure where it was, a lake somewhere in Ontario. It was picturesque and isolated. I was alone and just jumped in! Funny. What happens in radiation, stays in radiation. (except, of course, if you have a blog).

(something like THIS, I think).

Quite sure it represents the ultimate freedom I've been feeling, now that radiation is over. Only recall skinny dipping once in my life, while at a cottage on a beautiful secluded lake near North Bay with my boyfriend, when I was 19 (the "ultimate age of freedom," - at least, for me). What a time we had. I still remember what it was like - cold, exhilarating, fun & free. I don't expect to be doing it again, but, never say never I guess!! If the right person were to ask! - who knows! LOL Could happen!

I think I'm a little shyer now than I used to be, (although, there are those who would tell you otherwise!) Gotta work on being a bit bolder - more daring. Makes life more out there and exciting, right?

Table top Muzak today? Nothing! Seriously! They didn't playing ANYTHING!! (maybe they read my complaints the day before about Cry Me a River!! - and shut the whole system down!)

Didn't matter anyway. (Who needs music when you're splashing around in a lake with no clothes on)??

Once again, this imagination notion came from the suggestion of a friend who loves skinny dipping and jokes with me about it all the time! (Does this table top escape mean I really want to do MORE of this? Sure would cut back on bathing suit costs!!) I never think these crazy ideas given to me by friends will affect where my brain takes off, but it's happened a number of times. To quote Shatner, "Weird or WHAT??"

So, treatments are OVER!! Guess it's back to reality! (whatever THAT is!!) Don't think I KNOW what "normal" means anymore! - only, the "NEW normal!" - and the new normal is pretty OUT THERE and over-the-top! (But I'm getting used to it!!)

Thanks for a more-than-memorable day gang!! Can't imagine a day like this could EVER happen again!!

The Nylons!

May 7/11

Very happy that I was able to get my act together enough to go to Hugh's Room and see The Nylons last night! Guess my stolen philosophy (from Billy Crystal's "Fernando," - that "It is better to LOOK good than to FEEL good dahling!" worked! (My Mum always used to LOVE that line and repeated it often in regards to herself. No matter HOW sick she was feeling, she ALWAYS wanted to LOOK good!! Love you Mum, and miss you so).

I told you that my friend, Franc, offered to CARRY me into the show, if I couldn't do it alone. Well, I actually got all four Nylons themselves to carry me in!! Hee hee. My stunningly talented brother-in-law, Garth Mosbaugh, is next to me in the black t-shirt, Claude Morrison is on the far left, Tyrone Gabriel (second from left) and Gavin Hope is grabbing my gam! What a riot! Thanks to all four of them for the FANTASTIC show. Everyone should see them in concert. They're SOOOOO good!

Nylons lift Lain!

Here's a look at our full table of 12. We were very close to the stage, so had a great view! Will introduce you to the gang. My husband, Sam (at the head of the table), me to the right, our daughter, Kate, son, Max (in black cap), his girlfriend, Robyn, our dear friends - Franc Mosbaugh and his sister, Mary Spence-Thomas, Nancy (Garth's significant other), Robert Jessop, (Franc's significant other), Carrie's boyfriend - Paul Nodwell, my sister, Carrie with her arm around her son, Lee Mosbaugh.

Full group shot

This incredible group is clear proof that, no matter WHAT the circumstances, ex-husbands, ex-wives, ex-anything, can still remain the DEAREST of friends. I can't even put into words how much I care for the people at this table. They have all made my life so much better.

Here's a shot of my amazing baseball star nephew, Lee, with his Dad,
Garth Mosbaugh and the other Nylons. He has seen them perform MANY times and LOVES their music.

Nylons and Lee

My great, unbelievable, wonderful, good-hearted, optimistic, fabulous husband Sam who got me to the show.

Lain and Sam

Here is my beautiful, talented daughter, Kate, who had her first "legal" drink at Hugh's Room (Bailey's on ice). She turned 19 on April 23rd. (I had a martini with two olives - shaken, not stirred) - Cheers!

Kate and Lain

Upon arrival at Hugh's Room, I asked my daughter to take my picture as I was SO excited to see the sign announcing The Nylons and knowing I was about to watch an amazing performance and spend a great evening with family and friends.

Lain and Nylons sign

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. First one without my Mum. Several others at our table also lost their Mums in the past year. We did this special event in honour of our Mum (well, ALL of our Mums!), and it was a freakin' blast. Thanks for everything Mum. We could feel your presence in the room. And thank you Carrie, for taking care of all the arrangements to make it happen!!

And to The Nylons - you ROCKED the house!!