Todays blog is an entry by me, Michelle as this week it is my turn. i struggle with how to start to write this and share this very personal aspect of this part of our cancer journey of Richard, and of our family.  To date, we have been fighting so hard to battle this disease and enter into this next phase with strength, dignity, with gratitude for all we have, and yet always still with hope.Things have become increasingly difficult as the disease progresses and Richard's health declines, especially over the last few days.  As you know he loves music, and so I often play music w ..read more

 Today's blog was written by Richard and transcribed by My Michelle. This week was a real eye opener for me and my family.  It was the first time I really had to venture out into public with a wheelchair.  We were headed to the Maroon 5 concert and I didn’t think I’d be able to make it with walking, so we brought my wheelchair as a back-up.  I was lucky we did, because in the end we did need it. Traffic that day was in a gridlock and all parking lots were full no matter where we went. We anticipated we had a long walk ahead of us - so wheelchair it was. But I have to say ..read more

This blog was co written with the support of my Michelle. The last two weeks I've been experiencing some side effects to my comfort treatments including feeling a bit dazed, confused and moody.  I do blame the drugs for this, however regardless of the reason, it has been impacting my ability to communicate.   I mix up passwords for social media, I get mixed up on the days sometimes, and well, yes I am having mood swings. What do I mean by dazed, confused and moody? Dazed? I feel a bit as if I am in a fog and have  trouble concentrating most of the time.  In a daze ..read more

This weeks blog post is a collaboration between Joshua and my Michelle, they have helped me jot down a few of my favourite things. Being at this stage of my disease and in palliative care I've lost the ability to do a few things,  but there are many things I still enjoy. These are a few of my favourite things. I love and appreciate a nice hot bath. Because I have a few ports and bandages and my trust worthy pain pump, while I can wrap up and do a shower and wash my hair now and again, I only get to take a bath once a week, after I get all "disconnected". So something I really look forwa ..read more

This blog is written by My Michelle. I think most of you who follow Richard's blog, know that we have a new member in our family, our 1 year old cocker spaniel, Lily.  She is the light of our lives and brings us much joy and laughter, but she also definitely has a bit of the "dickens" in her and at times, thinks she rules the house.  She has wiggled her way into our hearts, and in turn, she has a special spot for each one of us and treats us each differently.  Our son Josh was the one to carry her home in his arms from the breeder, and she always has a special attachment to him ..read more

This week's blog is transcribed by Joshua (thanks Joshua!) and Richard. It is so nice to have your many visits to look forward to, to lift my spirits and change my attitude for the day. Instead of falling deeper into the doldrums  I am able to pull myself up and see the positivity around me.  Truly, connecting with you, helps me a great deal.  I love to talk to you about so many things, my health yes, but also the many great memories we share together in teaching, administration, and life here in Newmarket. This week has been quite manageable for me health wise.  The ..read more

This week's blog is co-written by Michelle and Richard.  It's been a longer week than normal for me.  I've spent most of the time sleeping in my bed upstairs and struggling to manage my various pains - in my back, in my neck, all over really.  Once it starts to gain hold, it's really hard to get back on top of it.  We have tried different drugs and treatments, and finally we think we have a solution in place to solve the pain issue.  One thing about pain meds is that they also make you sleepy, and also create other side effects and problems as outlined in my previous ..read more

This week's blog is co-written by Michelle and myself, a new way to get the blog done on time and with some sort of coherence!   These pain medications sure do play tricks on the mind and I do find it hard to type and write a sentence. I am fully switched over to palliative care now. Luckily they have a great unit and team of doctors to care for me and us right here in Newmarket. Which is such a blessing, being so close to home, and actually, in our home. So what exactly is palliative care? Up until this point, I didn't really understand it myself.  Basically, palliat ..read more

This weeks blog comes courtesy of My Michelle This week, it’s your turn to write the blog Michelle! We are all so amazed that Richard has posted over 100 blogs and continues to share his personal cancer journey and its impact on our lives, over the past two years without missing a single week.  There may even have been a time or two, when there were two entries in a week!  Unbelievable!  Sometimes when we set ourselves a goal, it is human nature to pursue it with all “pistons firing” for the first attempts or two, but then with time, we tend to wane and ease off ..read more

Home Sweet Home Part 2 After what seemed like an eternity, I was finally released from the hospital on Wednesday after six grueling days with less than two hours of sleep per night. You do not fully realize the impact of all the noises in a hospital until you stay overnight. Beeps and buzzers, staff carting things through the hallways, doors slamming and the constant announcements.  While I am thankful for the wonderful care I had, on the sleep side of things - not so much.  I so desperately wanted to be home with my family, but my high fever and medical ..read more