Amazing Cancer Support Services!!!

Life is rolling along here this week, with all kinds of things going on. I feel great with no negative effects of the first round of chemo, whatsoever. I'm not tired at all so I need to intentionally give my body enough time to rest and also to get enough sleep.


I think my biggest thing at the moment is learning to take time out once in a while to relax and, or what I call "decompress". I'm not sure whether it's due to the chemo and steroids, or what, but I seems to be missing some kind of a boundary (like people with brain injuries experience) that makes me get kind of wound up and very talkative. And I need to intentionally make myself go to a quiet place, slow down, relax, take a deep breath and "decompress".


I'm also trying to learn to leave others their space, by not talking all the time and turning every chance meeting in the house into a social visit, because they all live here and need their own space. So this is an interesting challenge and learning curve that is coming along with whatever is going in with my brain these days, either due to the tumors or the treatment.


Yesterday one of our friends very generously drove my parents here for a visit. It was a wonderful visit! We got to hug each other, sit together and visit over coffee. I also got to show them my garden quilt, flowers, cards and how we've re-arranged our house with Henry, Melanie and Ken living with us, and I hope it has reassured them that this is working out just fine.



This morning Gerard and I started our day off with our lane swimming at the local pool. I hadn't been for a while and it felt great to get back to the morning exercise!


And then Alida and I went wig shopping. They figure I'll probably lose my hair one of these weeks, so I wanted to be prepared. And I think this is kind of an exciting opportunity to try something new.


We found two wig places at the Sunnybrook Cancer Centre. One was a very friendly and inviting place run by volunteers where they offer second-hand wigs, hats, and scarves and also new hats, headscarves,etc. made and given out by volunteers. It was such a welcoming and comfortable place and the friendly and kind help was so great! I tried on a few wigs

and then went on to the wig boutique where, again, we received amazing help and we had lots of fun.

How about this?

Or this?

This one could be straight from my 70's year book!
So between the two places we ended up with a wig, a knit hat, and a scarf. Very sucessful and fun!

And then Alida and I went to check out Wellspring, a resource and support centre at Sunnybrook, for individuals and families living with cancer. This place is amazing!!! and beautiful!!! It's brand new, gives the impression of a seaside (the colour scheme) resort, in the middle of all the beautiful mature trees on the Sunnybrook campus. They have a test kitchen, work-out room, library, art room, lounge, meeting rooms offering workshops, support groups, and counselling. You can learn about quilting, spiritual growth, nutrition and cooking, make-up; receive reiki, music therapy, join yoga.... the options seem endless and amazing and all free, on a drop-in or sometimes sign-up basis. I am so excited to try some of these new things and am definitely going to sign up and start participating there soon!

May the love of God watch over you;

may the peace of Christ fill your heart;

may the presence of the Holy Spirit fill your sleep

And speak in your dreams. Amen.

by Marchiene Vroon Rienstra