Name: Gordon BurgessAddress: P.O. Box 699
City: Alliston
Province: Ontario
Postal Code: L9R 1V9
Country: CANADA
EMail: chiroburgess@gmail.com
BirthDate: 21-Jun-1926
Dx. Date: 25-Sep-1997
2009 - The Plot Thickens
Hard to believe that half the year has gone by without proper updates! Time seems to fly, life keeps busy and I'm getting slower in every way! (sigh)
Winter was longer and snowier and colder than I can remember for a long time, but we managed to get out of our driveway more often than not! We had lunch with Penny in Newmarket at the end of January, then in early February, Gord had a run-in with a cement-gounded disabled parking sign in the Canadian Tire parking lot, damaging the left front fender. Mid February brought a thaw, and we were able to attend the Bearbrook Tea, driving a Nisan Versa, while our car was at the Barrie Collision Centre for repairs. We stayed at the Islandview Inn B&B in Gananoque on our way. March was a shocker as Gord's PSA climbed ever faster after the Oncologist took him off the LHRH drug Lupron. He quickly put himself back on Avodart & that seems to be slowing things down somewhat.
Spring wasn't very Spring-like either; however it passed quickly as I worked with my clients and got a much better jump on tax time this year, getting everything done by April 30th, even the business clients that did not legally have to file until June, were done by April 30th. Gordon was such a big help in the kitchen, throughout - I think I might just keep him (Smile!)
March was also filled with doctor's appointments and power outages, as the work continued down County road 10 to double the high power lines - (one on each side of the road now)
and at the end of the month we helped our dear friends Millicent & Norman Murphy, celebrate their 50th Anniversary!
Although Winter kept throwing her wintery blasts at us long past Spring's due date, we were always cheered by photo-ops - leading to scrapping Ops - by an unusual sighting or two!A visiting Cooper's Hawk, took considerable work to transform from a murky shadowy image taken through the kitchen window to something useful for David's
birthday card; and then there was the day a poor sick Skunk wandered through the snow drifts, getting closer & closer to the house! We tried every way to contact some kind of authority that could come and rescue the poor thing, or put it out of it's misery! Finally as it was in it's death throes we did reach the county Vet's office and was told 1) once it was dead, we were to put it in a bag and that they would come next morning to remove the head for rabies study - and 2) we were responsible for burying the remains and it MUST remain on our property!
It tested negative for Rabies; so I guess we will never know what did kill it! Thanks to Nathan for helping with the burial detail!Another pair, brightened our days, when we were fortunate enough to see them - we have never sighted a Cardinal at our feeder before, but this year we had a pair of them! It was so sweet to see him feed her a special morsel every now and then, as though he were saving the best for her!
They were pretty shy and hid under the lilac bush most of the time! I think they have flown off as we have not seen them lately. 
But the sparrows, and morning doves, junco's andbeautiful Goldfinches keep us entertained.
The family gathered for Brenda's birthday at an Indian buffet restaurant called Tandoori Flame Saturday night, April 4th.Here she is chatting across the pond with Shelley and showing off the lovely hand-made card Shelley sent her.
On April 15th, having learned that our car needed an "engine replacement" we had a look in the Barrie Honda lot, and spied a 2005 CRV, on "Special" and began negotiations.
On April 16th we accepted an invitation to have lunch at Kingmere after a tour of this local senior's residence. What a lifestyle!!! (What a price!!!) We won't be living there! http://www.nauticallandsgroup.com/communities_alliston.html
April 25th we took ownership of our new car! May 2nd we celebrated Sarah's 7th birthday.
Please continue to pray for Sarah, she really needs our prayers!
On the 5th of May - Jan met her new Opthamologist who will do her right eye cataract surgery on July 22nd. Two days later, Gord was walking around with a holter monitor for the day - we never did find out if that was "normal" He had an echocardiogram at the same time.We tested out the new car's staying power May 15th as we headed to Montreal conference, staying at the Gananoque Provincial Inn (Ramada) both going and coming. We spent a profitable weekend contemplating Philippians Chapter 4, then headed back to Gananoque for a good night's rest. Tuesday was a lovely long meandering road trip home - you can see our pictorial 
and 
Each picture is a link to a Webshot Album; the first of Howe Island in the St Lawrence River, just south of Gananoque, and the second of our first visit to Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Well that brings you all up to date, except to tell you that:
Well the year is nearly ended so will comment on those points above that I left you with..... First of all - you will be glad to know that Shelley has survived turning 40 !!
Our Wellesley class reunion was a great success, and our English trip was fantabulous !!!!
I think you must have all read our travelogue by now, but if not you can find it HERE!
Three wonderful weeks - didn't want to leave! Spoiled and loved, we walked somewhere almost daily and the weather was PERFECT!! (Apologies to those left behind in a very wet spring) We arrived home July 7th to a flurry of doctor & lab appointments, Jan had cataract surgery on the 22nd; we stayed close to home from then and throughout August (apart from those pesky doctor appointments) and were ready to travel again in September. September 1st we had a visit from a DVA lady to assess Gord's needs and she informed us Gord was not only covered by Blue cross now, but we were allowed a stipend for both housekeeping and landscaping - what a blessing!
We left September 3rd for the Rockway conference, stopping overnight at Rod & Sally McComb's place. We discovered a problem with the water pump (Not the engine one - the one that brings water to the taps & toilet!!!) and Rod was able to diagnose the problem with one glance. We drove with him after breakfast to visit Sally in the nursing home in Peterborough, and had a nice - though too short visit.
Then back to the house with Rod and make some phone calls and find a repair place to take the Motorhome. Back in Peterborough, the mechanics agreed with the cause of the difficulty, and while we went down the road to have a bite of lunch, they got the pump repaired and working again.
From there we headed straight to Bearbrook and parked in the Guindon Travel Park - Edmond & Rachel made us very welcome as always.
Next morning, after breakfast with Lise in Russel, we headed for the ferry to cross the Ottawa River into P.Q. and arrived in Rockway Valley in time for the afternoon prayer meeting.
As usual, the Lord gave us yet another Mountain Top experience, and we left Monday evening, rejoicing. Overnight again in Bearbrook, then Tuesday morning we headed to Ottawa and met our new cyber friends, Gil & Wendy. Gil is also a PCa survivor, and is struggling at the moment with a spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis in the hip. They are a lovely couple and we look forward to seeing them again. After a delightful lunch, chat and some photo opportunities, we headed West to Algonquin, to spend a few days of rest before going home.
Unfortunately, Gord neglected to fill up the gas tank, thinking to do it in Whitney just before entering the Park and thus giving us plenty to do a little sight-seeing.
However Whitney was closed up and in the dark as we rolled through (if it has sidewalks - they were likely rolled up to) so we limped into our campground on fumes alone! Next day CAA sent gas and we drove back to Whitney and topped it up. Here are a few pictures from those few days in the Park:
Click on the sunset to get to the album!
A week at home, to replenish the larder & add camping gear and we were off again.
September 21 - 26th we were supposed to be enjoying our friend Lise' company in Algonquin - but health problems forced her to cancel, so we were just us two again!
Although we had very little in the way of "sightings" a photographer can always find something to capture in the Park: Click on the "Shroom" to join us!
The last week of September was spent, with the help of my friend Millicent, getting the Corporate year end books up-to-date.
October 4th we celebrated Michelle's birthday and here is the card we gave her:
October 27 - 31st, our good friend (and accountant) Lia arrived and we had an enjoyable visit as well as getting a lot done!
October 29th we saw our mutual dermatologist, and I got an all clear, but poor Gord had his nose burned once again!
Friday, November 13 and the weatherman says a high of 11(Celsius) so we decide to see what THE PARK looks like on a warm November day! It is amazing what a few short weeks has accomplished - denuded trees allow us to see deeper into the bush and produces a whole different "feel" COME SEE!
November was filled with doctor appointments - I am on a 3-weekly schedule with the chiropractor and using a foam wedge at home to try to stop the dowagers hump and pokey neck, Besides Dr Kent, we saw Dr's Dyke, Patel, Rutka, Seward, Hess and Cybulski; then the last few days of November, Lia returned and finished up the corporate taxes. We are so blessed to have her as a friend!!! Oh yes and this is when my birthday celebrations started also, as she brought a lovely bouquet of flowers and left us a Cora's gift card! The spoiling had started!
We combined doctors to limit travel on December 2nd - I saw my Dr Leviton at Womans' College Hospital, and from there we walked over to Princess Margaret and Gord had his labs, and clinic visit - We saw a Spanish intern this time, but Dr Tannock came out to the waiting room to shake our hands and wish us a Happy Christmas (He is very English!)
On my birthday - a phone call from Shelley, since it was a Friday, and everyone was at PPP's (Peter's Parents Place) for fish & chip night - I enjoyed a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday in 4 part harmony!!! Cards came in by mail also; and on-line I received a GIFT certificate to buy stuff at Scrap Girls - my fav place to shop for all things scrapping!!
The spoiling continued On December 6th, with a rousing "Happy Birthday" and cake at tea time - shared with Anna Fox (Dec 6th) and Marge Smrke (Dec 17th) I was spoiled with more cards & gifts - then it was on to Brenda's apartment where it happened again - another cake!! another rendition of Happy birthday, and more presents!!!
Friday Dec 11th we had a great turnout to the Stroke Group Christmas Pot-Luck.
pictures still in the camera - I will post later
On the 13th we picked up a parcel of more birthday presents from Shelley & Peter and a Turkey that had been given to Brenda from her workplace, passed on to Yvonne then on to us - it was NO LONGER frozen!!!
I have refrigerated it, but do not know if it will still be good come Christmas day, so not certain what to do........ cook it early and serve it warmed up, or cook it and freeze it for other meals and go out and buy another turkey??
Yes we all hope to be together here at the Homestead with Brenda & the girls arriving early on the 24th and Yvonne & Nathan following later.
This coming Friday - the 18th we hope to have lunch with Millicent & Norman Murphy to celebrate all our birthdays!
So the year has rolled to an end (well almost) and we have a lot to thank the Lord for. The "PLOT" has continued to thicken. As you will see if you scroll down to the Health portion of the blog - Gord's PSA keeps climbing - making for a pretty "sticky" plot and nothing offered yet to stop this runaway train.
I hope to soon get started on another family calendar - I love the time spent scrapping - but it requires more time than I can find sometimes.
Tell everyone in your circle of friends and family that you love them!
love to all,
Jan & Gord
---------------------------------------------
Scroll way down for health details!
and Each picture is a link to a Webshot Album; the first of Howe Island in the St Lawrence River, just south of Gananoque, and the second of our first visit to Presqu'ile Provincial Park.Well that brings you all up to date, except to tell you that:
- our "baby" managed to celebrate her 40th on June 1st;
- Jan's Class of '59 - Wellesley school of Nursing is holding their 50th anniversary reunion at "The Briars" June 10 - 12;
- We are leaving for across the pond ourselves on June 16th returning July 7th
- We are trying to not think about Pca as Gord's PSA continues to climb, and except for a CT Scan with contrast in August, our oncologist is keeping a "hands off" attitude. We are in the Great Physician's hands and as we had in Phil 4 - "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say, REJOICE!"
Well the year is nearly ended so will comment on those points above that I left you with..... First of all - you will be glad to know that Shelley has survived turning 40 !!
Our Wellesley class reunion was a great success, and our English trip was fantabulous !!!!
I think you must have all read our travelogue by now, but if not you can find it HERE!
Three wonderful weeks - didn't want to leave! Spoiled and loved, we walked somewhere almost daily and the weather was PERFECT!! (Apologies to those left behind in a very wet spring) We arrived home July 7th to a flurry of doctor & lab appointments, Jan had cataract surgery on the 22nd; we stayed close to home from then and throughout August (apart from those pesky doctor appointments) and were ready to travel again in September. September 1st we had a visit from a DVA lady to assess Gord's needs and she informed us Gord was not only covered by Blue cross now, but we were allowed a stipend for both housekeeping and landscaping - what a blessing!
We left September 3rd for the Rockway conference, stopping overnight at Rod & Sally McComb's place. We discovered a problem with the water pump (Not the engine one - the one that brings water to the taps & toilet!!!) and Rod was able to diagnose the problem with one glance. We drove with him after breakfast to visit Sally in the nursing home in Peterborough, and had a nice - though too short visit.
Then back to the house with Rod and make some phone calls and find a repair place to take the Motorhome. Back in Peterborough, the mechanics agreed with the cause of the difficulty, and while we went down the road to have a bite of lunch, they got the pump repaired and working again.
From there we headed straight to Bearbrook and parked in the Guindon Travel Park - Edmond & Rachel made us very welcome as always.
Next morning, after breakfast with Lise in Russel, we headed for the ferry to cross the Ottawa River into P.Q. and arrived in Rockway Valley in time for the afternoon prayer meeting.
As usual, the Lord gave us yet another Mountain Top experience, and we left Monday evening, rejoicing. Overnight again in Bearbrook, then Tuesday morning we headed to Ottawa and met our new cyber friends, Gil & Wendy. Gil is also a PCa survivor, and is struggling at the moment with a spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis in the hip. They are a lovely couple and we look forward to seeing them again. After a delightful lunch, chat and some photo opportunities, we headed West to Algonquin, to spend a few days of rest before going home.
Unfortunately, Gord neglected to fill up the gas tank, thinking to do it in Whitney just before entering the Park and thus giving us plenty to do a little sight-seeing.
However Whitney was closed up and in the dark as we rolled through (if it has sidewalks - they were likely rolled up to) so we limped into our campground on fumes alone! Next day CAA sent gas and we drove back to Whitney and topped it up. Here are a few pictures from those few days in the Park:
Click on the sunset to get to the album!
A week at home, to replenish the larder & add camping gear and we were off again.
September 21 - 26th we were supposed to be enjoying our friend Lise' company in Algonquin - but health problems forced her to cancel, so we were just us two again!
Although we had very little in the way of "sightings" a photographer can always find something to capture in the Park: Click on the "Shroom" to join us!
The last week of September was spent, with the help of my friend Millicent, getting the Corporate year end books up-to-date.
October 4th we celebrated Michelle's birthday and here is the card we gave her:
Then we were off again - can you guess where??? Yes back to Algonquin, and this time we had Yvonne with us - With her able to help her Dad on the trails, and her driving us around, and her sharper than ours eyesight - we had a great time and saw lot's of wildlife. But the colours!!!! Positively the best time of the year!
Click on the trees & join us!
After we got home, I saw our local Chiropractor for some acupuncture on my right wrist/hand - was it carpel-tunnel - I have no idea, but it had been bothering me for some time - and 2 treatments and it was GONE!!! It was good to get adjusted again - been a long time since regular adjustments.Click on the trees & join us!
October 27 - 31st, our good friend (and accountant) Lia arrived and we had an enjoyable visit as well as getting a lot done!
October 29th we saw our mutual dermatologist, and I got an all clear, but poor Gord had his nose burned once again!
Friday, November 13 and the weatherman says a high of 11(Celsius) so we decide to see what THE PARK looks like on a warm November day! It is amazing what a few short weeks has accomplished - denuded trees allow us to see deeper into the bush and produces a whole different "feel" COME SEE!
November was filled with doctor appointments - I am on a 3-weekly schedule with the chiropractor and using a foam wedge at home to try to stop the dowagers hump and pokey neck, Besides Dr Kent, we saw Dr's Dyke, Patel, Rutka, Seward, Hess and Cybulski; then the last few days of November, Lia returned and finished up the corporate taxes. We are so blessed to have her as a friend!!! Oh yes and this is when my birthday celebrations started also, as she brought a lovely bouquet of flowers and left us a Cora's gift card! The spoiling had started!
We combined doctors to limit travel on December 2nd - I saw my Dr Leviton at Womans' College Hospital, and from there we walked over to Princess Margaret and Gord had his labs, and clinic visit - We saw a Spanish intern this time, but Dr Tannock came out to the waiting room to shake our hands and wish us a Happy Christmas (He is very English!)
On my birthday - a phone call from Shelley, since it was a Friday, and everyone was at PPP's (Peter's Parents Place) for fish & chip night - I enjoyed a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday in 4 part harmony!!! Cards came in by mail also; and on-line I received a GIFT certificate to buy stuff at Scrap Girls - my fav place to shop for all things scrapping!!
The spoiling continued On December 6th, with a rousing "Happy Birthday" and cake at tea time - shared with Anna Fox (Dec 6th) and Marge Smrke (Dec 17th) I was spoiled with more cards & gifts - then it was on to Brenda's apartment where it happened again - another cake!! another rendition of Happy birthday, and more presents!!!
Friday Dec 11th we had a great turnout to the Stroke Group Christmas Pot-Luck.
pictures still in the camera - I will post later
On the 13th we picked up a parcel of more birthday presents from Shelley & Peter and a Turkey that had been given to Brenda from her workplace, passed on to Yvonne then on to us - it was NO LONGER frozen!!!
I have refrigerated it, but do not know if it will still be good come Christmas day, so not certain what to do........ cook it early and serve it warmed up, or cook it and freeze it for other meals and go out and buy another turkey??
Yes we all hope to be together here at the Homestead with Brenda & the girls arriving early on the 24th and Yvonne & Nathan following later.
This coming Friday - the 18th we hope to have lunch with Millicent & Norman Murphy to celebrate all our birthdays!
So the year has rolled to an end (well almost) and we have a lot to thank the Lord for. The "PLOT" has continued to thicken. As you will see if you scroll down to the Health portion of the blog - Gord's PSA keeps climbing - making for a pretty "sticky" plot and nothing offered yet to stop this runaway train.
I hope to soon get started on another family calendar - I love the time spent scrapping - but it requires more time than I can find sometimes.
Tell everyone in your circle of friends and family that you love them!
love to all,
Jan & Gord
---------------------------------------------
Scroll way down for health details!
