Monday, October 23, 2017

Break over?


Today is Oct 23rd and I am amazes that 6+ weeks has slipped by since I last addressed this Blog.  I do apologize to those who came back in between Sept 9th and today.  I have been very busy but of course, so have you.  I have no valid explanation as to why I did not address this Blog other than to say that I have been enjoying my Chemo free time and I have worked hard at making every day matter.  So what have I been doing?
Lake Bernard Sunset - Oct 2017

After my Dr. visit in early September, I set about a daily routine that was quite different from the time on Chemo.  Primarily this was doable as I woke up each day feeling stronger, less affected by drugs and filled with more enthusiasm for my life and the limited world I circulate in.  My energy level was quite elevated and my outlook much clearer.  All of these gave me the opportunity to work outside with more enthusiasm and to complete my consulting company tasks more effectively and in a timely fashion.  In addition my appetite, although only marginally affected by Chemo, returned to its normal level.  That had to be managed as I do not wish to put on any more weight as I am at my “best weight” right now.  All in, I have been feeling very good and have straightened out my deteriorating attitude about living with Cancer.  It is my secret hope that my next CT Scan will show no new growth and we will be able to continue a “no Chemo” profile.

You might well ask about what I have been doing.  Well the consulting business provides continued support requirement and meetings with Ben, my partner, to discuss business issues, planning and of course our Partnership Agreement – that has been on the table for a long time.  We are currently planning our Consultant Christmas Dinner event and sourcing our annual gifts to our active consultants.  That is a December tradition and we are just on the curve of making the purchase a rush delivery.  I expect to finalize that order this week.

On the outdoor front, Bruce and I have been winterizing our client’s boats and getting them ready for the harsh dark period in Canada. This year we added a few new clients and lost only one. 
Working on boats
Most of our clients wanted to keep their boats in the water as the fall weather has been better than the summer weather.  Our summer was pretty wet and many of the boats sat idle at the docks.  Fall has brought near record warmth and sunshine in this part of the country and continues as I look outside at a sunny fall morning.  Yesterday Sandra and I completed the penultimate boat for the year.  We have one undecided situation to resolve but other than that all of our client’s boats are put to bed for the winter.  The back field is pretty full as we have set a new standard, as we seem to do each successive year.  The fine weather has certainly been a major benefit in keeping up with the intake and completing most boats on the same day.  Oh yes, my boats are still in the water and I have enjoyed many sunsets on the lake in October.  We normally pull our boats in early November and that will likely be the case again this year.

In addition to those activities, I applied for a job at the airport with WestJet in August.  Much to my surprise, I was invited to a group interview session in late September.   In October I was informed that they had added me to their local WestJet work force and that I would be trained in Toronto on Oct 30th.  The job I applied for was the Guest Service Ambassador position where my sole responsibility is to make sure that WestJet clients have a positive and good experience as they pass through the Ottawa airport on route to wherever they are going.  Tara-Lee thought this would be a good diversion for me as she felt I was ideally suited to do this job.  I have now met a few of the folks in the Airport Team and am thrilled to be part of that team.  Last week I spent 3 hours shadowing a GSA and enjoyed the experience.  Incidentally, Tara-Lee is making the move from a Flight Attendant to a GSA position in Ottawa also.  We will be working together at the airport.  That makes it even more fun for me.

Tara-Lee and Brehn, and of course Kaia, all went to Hawaii in October for a honeymoon vacation.  They had a great time enjoying the fine and consistent weather and spent lots of time on the beach with Kaia.  During that time Freddi and I missed our routine visits with Roichel Family and we took care of Ranger at Lake Bernard.  They are back now and things have started to come together as a new schedule will start for Tara-Lee in November.
Proud Hawaiian

My new challenge will be to manage my medical appointments and my new work schedule as I will be on shift work.  My next CT is in early November (7th) which is now a work day for me.  I need to get my schedule so I can arrange for appointments when I am not expected at work.  The challenge will continue when I re-start any treatments.  No rest for the wicked they say so I will be kept on my toes managing these things. 

In the interim, I will try to continue my evening cruises, weather permitting, maintaining a happy and healthy attitude, manage my life with an eye to keeping my new work schedule in tact while undertaking any recommended treatments after I see the Dr and return from a short Caribbean cruise in late November.   I think that is enough for the short term.

Thank you once again for dropping in and I hope you will address any questions of comments with me directly to my email where I would be happy to respond to you directly.

Until then be well and happy.  Love ya .......
Kaia - Downward Dog on the beach.

No comments:

Post a Comment