Author Archives: Ellen

Here it is, August 1 already. Sun is shining (here in Toronto), leaves are green and flowers thriving as we’ve had a lot of rain. I am on the next round of chemo, after a two-week break for R&R (from … continue reading

This is the week between chemo treatments, though the side-effects are persisting a bit. I have, however, had good results from a CT scan — no new lesions in my liver, nor in any other part of my body, and … continue reading

Here we are, just past the longest day, the Summer Solstice, as well as National Indigenous People’s Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day). So several reasons to celebrate. I am happy to be here, enjoying the summer (finally arriving in Toronto) … continue reading

I have started the second round of chemo, with a new drug added (I won’t go into all the medical details here), which has stronger side-effects and hit me harder than last time. However, I am learning to cope with … continue reading

I wake on a sunny morning in late May. I finished the first round of chemo last Sunday (May 19) and have enjoyed a week with more energy — though still with a few waves of fatigue. I feel very … continue reading

My mother’s birthday today — she would have been 101. She died 10 years ago, at 91 — in her 90s like her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandfather. I always thought I would reach my 90s, too — clear-minded … continue reading

I am using the title of Jeannette Winterson’s wonderful novel to start a new series of blog posts, with updates on my medical situation. (how easily I try to avoid using the word cancer, the “c-word” as people said in … continue reading

So this is the 5th day of chemotherapy treatment. This first round is (so far) “chemo-lite”: I had one IV injection at the hospital on Monday, and started a regimen of taking another medication in pill form for 14 days … continue reading

In my last post, about the changes in my life since moving, I forgot to mention the benefits and atmosphere of living in downtown Toronto — in the Regents’ Park neighbourhood, which is undergoing a resurgence — new housing, which … continue reading

I haven’t written here for a while, as the autumn was a flurry of settling in to a new life, plus time for relaxing and breathing deeply. I ended the last post talking about “courage of the heart,” and this … continue reading