It has been a long while since an update, and that simply means a busy life has continued and the cancer has settled down to another long phase of non-threatening activity for which we praise the dear Lord, and thank YOU for your prayers! Remember to use your mouse on the pictures below to either enlarge them or lead you to a Webshots album and more pictures! Use your Browser's "Back Arrow" to return here each time.
April 01 We celebrated Brenda's birthday (One day early!) in Mississauga; since Jan was so swamped with tax work; Dad made the birthday card - and it seemed very appreciated!
April 10th Jan & Gord went to Barrie to attend lecture on prostate cancer at the Royal Victoria Hospital. There were 3 Urologists speaking. It was so well attended that they had to bring in extra chairs. The information was well presented, but there was not much that we did not already know.
April 27 Gord had the bad ear suctioned out again by Dr Riddell, he continues on the drops at home. This procedure was repeated May 8th, 25th, June 20th, -------ad infinitum?
April 28 We celebrated Granddaughter Sarah's birthday! ................Sarah and Michelle......
At the end of April we planted peas in our garden, little knowing it was going to be mostly food for one hungry groundhog:Tomatoes, Peas & Garlic - our huge Garden for 2007!
May 03 We finally got the wallpaper border up on the bathroom we had slowly been re-decorating we think it is a big improvement! (NB The picture links to others - just click on it)
May 10 Off to the dentist in this "Merry Month" ! Also, another opportunity for a brief visit with Gord's sister Dorothy & husband Bob. We used to see so much more of them when our kids were younger; it is good to touch base on these rare occasions.
May 13 - Mother's day, and a family celebration at "Lucy's Sea-Food Kitchen" Mississauga. We had a lovely time, but Gord lost his hearing aid!!! We all saw him wearing it when we got there, but when we got home it was nowhere to be found. This was the new one that they had rigged up for his Left ear, now that the right ear could not support one, due to the continuous inflammation and oozing! We called the restaurant and asked them to look in the parking lot as well, but nothing turned up - fortunately it was insured, and required only a small payment for shipping and arrived and was in his ear 3 days later!!!
May 16 Gord picked up his hearing aid in Barrie, and we headed to the Montreal Conference! What a wonderful Trip that was! We left in the afternoon and made Days Inn, Kingston for a good night's rest, then on next day to Morrisburg to visit with Donna Thicke.
May 18 Next morning, Donna had an early AM appointment, so we also decided to travel early and do something else new and exciting - we visited the Montreal Conservatory and took many pictures - ahhh the lilacs!!!
We left in good time to get to the first conference meeting - honest, but Gord was lost again, so we were a little late and a whole lot embarrassed. (Second time this year we got lost in Montreal!) It was a wonderful, spiritually refreshing time as we looked beyond the cross, to Resurrection ground. (John 20)
May 21 We left Montreal, and drove to Russell to stay overnight with Lise Guertin; the next day, (22nd) we were able to have lunch with Dianne Mc Cooeye, a dear Christian friend who used to run Bird Works with her husband Kenny. Di, is in a little apartment now in Richmond, and seems quite comfortable there; after lunch we went on to Ottawa and had a brief get-together with a cousin of Jan's that we had not seen for many, many years! Polline Coulombe, daughter of my Uncle Leo and Aunt Azilda is a delight and the visit way to short.
May 23 After another evening with Lise, we travelled home via Ottawa and a lovely visit with Maria and Ludwick; who took us to still another "Piggy" This one with Wings!
June 05 Our poor little Honda CRV is beginning to cost quite a bit to keep it on the road, this summer was especially rough and started with replacement of front springs and repair of stabilizer bars today. Next day it was Gord's turn as June 6th, he had another CT scan of the right mastoid area - again it was clear.
Because of rising PSA and no change in treatment offered by our oncologist, we made preparations to see Dr Oliver Sartor, a PCa specialist @ Dana-Farber Cancer Centre in Boston, Mass. This required begging copious numbers of reports that we had not received to this point, and putting together the history and uploading the files to a secretary there. It also involved scrounging enough money for both the consult and the trip!
June 21 The longest and best day of the year.
June 26 We left for Boston, spending the night at the Provincial Inn in Gananoquay. After free breakfast at the Inn next morning, we crossed the border, and "Mrs. Garmin" took us right to the front door of the Best Western in Mid-town BOSTON!
June 28 Next day, it was a brief walk around the corner to Dana-Farber and the usual waiting times and paper work - then we saw Dr Sartor. He had read Gord's nearly 10 year history, and he just stared at him and said You, sir, are not supposed to even BE here, and Gord sheepishly replied - "I know."
We discussed all that had been tried, and what could yet be tried, and he gave us a prescription for Avodart. 
We had tried to get our Oncologist to prescribe this, but could not get them excited enough at Princess Margaret to offer anything. We were quite concerned that they were just going to wait for symptoms (apart from PSA) such as PAIN, before making any move. Dr Sartor is a lot more pro-active, which is why we sought him out.Avodart is used in PCa to suppress DHT (dihydrotestosterone) , see Wikipeadia at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrotestosterone for more than you want to know!
We did not expect Gord to have a very high DHT reading, as after 10 years of hormone therapy, there would be little T to make it from; but we had been unable to even get that blood test done! However, just before leaving for Boston, we had found a lab that would do it (Thanks Penny!) and Dr Seward, Gord's GP gave us the requisition. We headed for Newmarket on our way to Boston and forked over $60 to have it done.
Re: the Avodart - we have been seeing reports from some PCa specialists that this drug seems to have a synergy with the Ketoconazole - so we wanted to see if it would help.
After our time with the good Doctor, and his not so good lab tech, who failed to get all the blood Gord volunteered; we had a little rest, then went for a walk and shot a few photographs before our meeting with Beth, a dear on-line friend whose life has also been effected by PCa. Gord just loves meeting "the Ladies" from Prostate-Help.org's Ladies Forum. He has met 3 in Ontario, and now 2 stateside, and many years back one in England! Sadly, many are widows to this disease.
Beth took us to a wonderful sea-food restaurant that Luke Fox had also recommended:
"Legal Sea Foods" and we had a delightful evening, much of it discussing what might be termed "illegal?" in the sea food markets! Every time Beth's name comes up at home, Gord says, "that is one sweet lady" so he is definitely hooked! 
Back at our Hotel, we were able to get some of our packing done, ready for an early get-away.
June 29 We were praying for our friend Edmond Guindon who was supposed to be having heart by-pass surgery this day, as we drove hard all day to cross the Canadian border and head for another conference in Vars/Bearbrook beginning June 30th. Imagine our surprise to find Edmond, (like Gord a few years earlier!), had his surgery cancelled allowing him to take in some of the conference!! After a precious time considering the "path of joy", we said goodbye to the dear ones there and headed home. Edmond was subsequently re-scheduled and has come through with flying colours!
July 6 Our dear friend Lise Guertin came visiting and we enjoyed having her very much; Sunday morning, Jan rode with Lise in her car, and Gord drove our own CRV to the meeting in Etobicoke, and we had Simon and Adrianne with us for the day also.
July 7 A very special day in La Tuque P.Q. as Jan's Aunt Eveline & Uncle Albert celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! When first learning of this, we were certain we could not go as we would normally be in Loon at that time for conference; then the Loon conference was cancelled, and we wondered if it might be possible; then the dates opened up for the Boston trip, and we wondered if we could make it from Boston to LaTuque - then we learned that there would be a conference in Bearbrook - A first! So we never did make the celebration :( What an achievement! 60 years! 
(NB** NOVEMBER: AUNT EVELINE IS IN HOSPITAL FIGHTING HER WAY BACK AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE WALKING; UNCLE ALBERT HAS HAD A MILD STROKE AFFECTING SPEECH AND SWALLOWING; ALL THE GIRLS ARE RALLYING AROUND THEM - PLEASE PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND RECOVERY!)
July 13 Was the annual B.B.-Q. of the Stroke Group at the lovely Fischer Home. 
August 02 Jan continues to have frequent UTI's and was referred to a Dr Rose Kung at Women's college, whom she saw today. Dr Kung is both a Gynaecologist and a Urologist.
August 06 Our accountant and good friend Lia Ellyatt visited for a few days beginning today, and on the 8th the CRV was back in for a valve job - Gord took it to Eurohaus in Alliston, and we were driving a loaner for quite a while - a beat-up, dirty, VW "clunker"and we were feeling pretty unsafe in that until we got our car back.
August 13 Gord began getting the Motor home ready for the Rockway Valley trip. He also attended another "Man to Man" meeting in Barrie on the 16th and because his PSA was on the rise again, finally started the Avodart on August 17th.
August 21 Jan was having symptoms of frozen shoulder again, so was sent for a bone scan today at Woman's College Hospital. In the meantime, Gord was having back pain again, and was back to the Chiropractor every few days with good success once more! (PTL!) We decided to have a few days of rest both on the way to and back from the Rockway conference as this was the first time we had the Motor home on the road this year, and had done no camping at all.
Gord missed getting his PSA done in August because the technician he likes - (ie the one that can get a sample from his collapsing veins without leaving him bruised in several places!) Robin, was on holidays, so Gord would not let the stand-in try to do it. After all he was on holidays too!!
Aug 28 We spent a few days in Charleston Lake provincial park,
but could not find the nesting places of the Great Blue Herons. The heat was oppressive, not much fun camping in that climate; it was a relief to get on the road again!
Aug 30 We stayed at the Guindon's in Bearbrook on the 31st and travelled in company with them via the Cumberland ferry to Masson, Quebec and on to Rockway Valley. The Laurentian hills were a little cooler, and the fellowship was refreshing too! We had visitors from both England - Joe and Margaret Pascoe, and Spain - Andreau Escuaine, bringing much love with them from "across the pond"
September 04 On the way home, we had reservations for 4 days at Bon EchoProvincial Park; Got some good pictures there: 
September 11 Visit to Women's College Hospital to see Jan's doctor. Her shoulders were not improving, her doctor said the bone scan was clear, and she suggested Tylenol and a Sport's Medicine referral - however driving to Toronto seemed a little rugged to go to the clinic at WCH, so Jan asked Dr Dyke, Chiropractor to look at it; Gord was getting such relief from his adjustments, perhaps he could help these shoulders??? After two adjustments, she was in a lot of pain and could not lift the Left arm above the shoulder!
September 26 Dr Tannock - Oncologist - Advised Gord should not be taking a Statin drug (Crestor) while taking Ketoconazole. Dr. Seward, GP - did not want to "rock the boat" with any changes, as all liver enzymes were still fine!
September 27 Both the Chiropractor in Barrie and Gord suggested Jan get some ultrasound or acupuncture from the young Chiropractor who bought Gord's practice; we were expecting Peter and Shelley in just a few days, and we were attempting to load up the motor home for the Algonquin trip, but Jan's loading capabilities were severely impeded by PAIN!!! So that same afternoon, we arrived at Dr Kent Newton's office as an emergency patient and after some talk and some testing, Jan was given needle acupuncture in the left shoulder arm, neck areas. She was a virtual pincushion - but it did not hurt in any way. It had been a long day, so we had supper at the "Red Pine" and headed home. Jan had the first good sleep in weeks and woke without pain!! Hallelujah! Another treatment on Friday, since both Dr Kent and we were heading for holidays, and more strenuous packing. And still continue pain free in left shoulder!
Saturday September 29th: Who can forget it!! Michi's 3rd Birthday combined with the arrival of Shelley and Peter, almost too much for our hearts to take in! A long wait at the airport, with Norm & Babs, Yvonne & Kaare helping us "keep watch" The plane had been down for hours - so where were they?? Finally Yvonne was able to text Shelley on her mobile, and we learned that they were still waiting for luggage to arrive!! So we relaxed and waited and they were a sight for sore eyes when we finally saw them - they didn't look tired or frazzled at all!!!
We drove them and all the luggage to their Motel, and Brenda and the girls, all bathed and in their PJ's arrived also with food leftovers from the Birthday party! There we were - Nine of us in a small motel room - all talking at once!! Mom and Dad - (that's us!) decided it had been a looooong day and excused themselves for the long drive home. We knew morning would come early!
September 30 S&P went to church with Brenda on Sunday, but arrived at Norm & Bab's for afternoon tea and to drive home with us that night.
October 01 Monday, they were a big help to us "oldies" as we tried to get the remaining packing done, they remained behind at our house to wait for Yvonne & Kaare while Gord d
rove the motor home and I drove the CRV to Algonquin for our annual viewing of the fall colours and feeding of the Grey Jays!!! S&P, and Y&K arrived on the Wednesday (Oct. 3rd) and spent the first night in a Yurt at Mew Lake Campground. We were at our usual #114 at Lake of Two Rivers! We joined them that night for a camp fire, great fun and yes I did eat a "s'more"!!
October 02 Next day they had to check out and drive to the Motel we had found at Whitney; they were able to have breakfast there and spend the days with us, walking trails etc. At the Saturday birthday party, both Michi and Sarah had terrible colds and runny noses. Both Kaare & Jan managed to catch the bug in time to spoil their holiday; but they soldiered on and still did most everything they would normally do. 
It is always great to share Algonquin with newcomers, and we do hope Peter (and Thornton the travelling bear) were reasonably impressed! We were certainly impressed with Cornwall when he shared that
October 06 It was hard to leave, but a long trip ahead, so we headed out from the Park and were immediately separated from one another when we came upon the site of a horrendous accident on Highway 60; they were carrying stretchers out of the ditch and into an ambulance. Gord was allowed to pull by and I was stopped, and Yvonnes car was still further back; and it was a LONG wait - I hoped that Gord would not get too far ahead. We usually gas up at the Canadian tire in Huntsville, and, an hour later, I finally caught site of the motor home as I arrived there! Ten minutes or so later, Yvonne arrived also. We had a rough trip home, with a combination of heavy rain and fatigue! We stopped at Applebees in Barrie for a very late supper, then home and to bed, while poor Yvonne still had miles to go! They were offered a bed - but she needed to get home and she did!
October 07 Down to Etobicoke, and we were happy to have Shelley & Peter with us all day for some quality time with all the Aunts, Uncles and neices & nephews! That evening we had supper with Yvonne & Kaare, Shelley's first opportunity to see their new house! Jan got to Bowl a game of ten-pins against Peter on Nathan's "WII"!!! What an amazing gimic that is! A few sore muscles the next day though! Then home again for some much needed sleep.
October 08 Another family get-together. Its a Thanksgiving tradition to go to Chudleigh's Apple Orchards. Hopefully the following LINK will take you to a slide show of this event.
....where we could sample roasted corn on the cob, go through a Hay Maze, watch the children enjoy the slides and petting zoo, as well as pick our favourite apples, and buy other Apple products. However this did NOT feel like Thanksgiving, with 81 degrees in the shade!! We made it through, but had to forego our usual hike in the woods. A great dinner together at Swiss Chalet (Air conditioned!) and then we drove Shelley & Peter back to the Motel so that they could spend some time in the city with Brenda and the girls.
October 10 Gord had his last appointment with the neurologist, Dr Art's; he is now completely discharged with no sign of any neurological deficit from the stroke in August 2000!
October 12 However, the right ear continues to be a problem with Gord, and after having this complaint a year and a month, he saw another specialist at TGH today for a consult and treatment - a dab of Gentian Violet, and a bit of steroid applied topically, and Gord was told to keep up with the ear drops twice a day and come back in a MONTH????? Gord doesn't think there is any change, and we return to this ENT specialist on November 23. Stay tuned!!
October 13 Saturday, and our last day with S&P. Their flight was for 6:25 pm, but their check-out time was 11:00 am, so we headed down to T.O. again before any breakfast, and arrived at the motel to pick them and all their luggage up and drive to a really neat all-day breakfast restaurant in Etobicoke, (Dundas & Huronia). After a good breakfast, what else to do until take-off???? Why shop the Scrapbooking stores of course! And shop we did! Jan found a couple of digi-scrapping books too! (Which she may NEVER get time to read!) It was such fun watching Shelley, just caress and hug the pretty papers! She took a nice supply home with her! We finally headed to the Airport, and after getting luggage checked, had another little repast together, and then our final goodbyes and hugs as they went through to customs
October 22 PSA = 1.96 !!!!!!!!!!!! Another drop!! Is it the Avodart?? Since starting the Avodart, Gord has had two subsequent drops in his PSA; and we are much more relaxed when it is heading that direction!!
October 28 Beth Story was with us for the Lord's day, and later took us to dinner at her favourite Thai restaurant - and ours! What a lovely meal and sharing time we had, and what's more, because food cannot be taken on the plane - we got to take the leftovers home and ate Thai for dinner next day too! Thanks Beth!
October 31 Invited to supper with Babs & Norm, as Steve and Rachel were visiting on their way back from Sylvania, Ohio. Pottage Chinois!!! Been a long time since I had that! A lovely meal and a happy time of fellowship.
November 03 Today Gord planted 27 bulbs of Garlic!!
November 06 Letter from Dr. Tannock to Dr Seward persuaded him to take Gord off Crestor. This is his first day without, so Jan hopes he watches his diet!
Jan has been taking some courses on line in the use of the Photo Shop Elements software; she is learning a lot and enjoys the digital scrapping. The latest course will be over next week; and then she MUST bear down on the bookkeeping and corporate year ends.
Gord has been preparing his "Gospel Blog" and would love to have you visit him there.
So you are all finally up to date on us! Medical details below are up to date also, but it is a long scroll down! Why not try the page down key???
Much love to you all - keep praying for us! We value it!
Jan & Gord (Nov.17/2007)
Addenda: (Dec 31, 2007)
The balance of the 2007 Digest has been updated and 2008 started - Will leave the 2007 current for a while until Tax time is over then move it to the Archives.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM FOR PROSTATE CANCER DIGEST!
