Detour

Back on track . . . . 

Going back to basically the first part of May, 

we hit a bump in the road, 

hit a slippery slope 

and our lives took a turn.

Plans were to head across Canada - heading across the ferry to the Lower Mainland where we would drop the trailer off for a week in Cache Creek, head up north to visit my mom and then head across Canada.


Got a phone call that no one ever wants - my mammogram was abnormal - need to get another screening done.

Decided on going to Kamloops in the Interior and had follow up procedures done - waiting anxiously for pathology reports.    They came back positive for a cancerous lump.


Long story short --- back to Comox where we moved into our new townhouse June 22nd.   This moving in day turned out to be my surgery date to have a lumpectomy, leaving Marc to deal with all the moving.

Off to Victoria after several weeks of waiting for results, met the Oncologist and set up for four weeks of radiation treatments.    This meant staying in Victoria five days a week. Marc's mom was extremely helpful and gave up her condominium while I received treatments.

If you're faint of heart at medical stuff ..... you may want to scroll past this next section.  (Some people have shown curiosity and interest so said I would post some pics).

There are only three places in BC to get radiation treatments; Vancouver, Kelowna and Victoria.   




Five days a week you receive treatments and the actual radiation is very brief.   Staff are amazing and in the four weeks, the longest wait time I had was fifteen minutes.    I was in and out within five minutes from the time you get lined up (you get teeny tattoos that guide the machine to the exact location) and the time you get changed and out of there.

Every patient is given a brown bag - to keep your assigned gown in until treatments are completed.   

The radiation treatments begin.    Looks like a big Kitchen Aide Mixer!  Difficult at times to lie perfectly still while the parts of the machine move around you.

Last four treatments - got some ink drawings in the CT room and 'happy' feeling - almost done!

And,  Tuesday, September 20th my treatments were complete!!!!!

Now, back in Comox and getting ready to head south.    I have a telephone consult in November with the Oncologist but have been given the okay to head to Arizona.

TIME IN VICTORIA 

our capital city

We were staying in the James Bay area of Victoria (southern tip) and close to all the tourist action with the renowned Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings.

MILE ZERO

in 1965 Walter Stewart (journalist) wrote "the Trans-Canada Highway (is) the world's only national roadway that has two beginnings and no end.   You start from Mile "0" on Water Street in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland, drive 7,714 kilometers (4,793 miles) and finish up in Beacon Hill in downtown Victoria, where the sign reads - "Miles 0."

Neither city wanted to be at the tail of the procession, so we made a road with two heads and no foot.   Very Canadian, very sensible."

Beacon Hill Park is minutes (walking) from Marc's mothers condo.     This park is a jewel in the heart of downtown Victoria.   200 acres of park land along the shore of Juan de Fuca Strain.

Cruise Ships roll in and out of harbor at Ogden Point - at the southern tip of Beacon Hill Park.

The Historical Empress Hotel - downtown Wharf Street (ten minute walk from the condo).

People line up along the street in front of the Empress to watch live entertainment and vendors along the waterfront during busy summer and fall seasons.

The statue is live.    He loves to freak people out.

Little Foot and Wolf




Great entertainment; love the broken bow strings and the suitcase drum.

Darth Vader strikes out the tunes on the violin.

And, life wouldn't be complete without the food trucks.

M.V. Coho 

The Black Ball Ferry Line operates the MV Coho providing daily vehicle and passenger ferry service with a 90 minute crossing between downtown Victoria and Port Angeles, WA.

Victoria is known for its horse drawn carriage historical tours.   The Tally-Ho Carriage Tours date back to 1903.   The Clydesdales and Percherons are a fabulous hit with tourists and keep busy touring various parts of Victoria well into the night.

The concept of horse drawn carriages and these animals working among city traffic comes with controversy and petitions to try and ban this tradition.

BLUES BASH

A long weekend filled with Blues Music on the waterfront.     Some ticketed seating but free listening for tourists hanging out downtown.

This dude should've been invited on stage ---- he was playing great Blues renditions on his "Air guitar."

Night time in front of the Parliament Buildings

Walking along the boardwalk towards Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria with houseboats and vendors.

Water Taxi's from downtown.

At the end of the wharf. . . . 

Just prior to heading to Victoria for treatments, we had a great but brief visit with Marc's relatives visiting from Mesa, AZ.

Made a pit stop in our old stomping grounds - Cumberland.

In the late 1800's coal was discovered in the Cumberland region.   At one time there were 2,000  residents in the community between 1895 and 1924.  One of the largest coal mining operations in Canada, eight shafts and thousands of workers once lived here.   Many were Chinese.    

Cumberland remained an active coal mining town until 1966, enduring devastating mine explosions, two world wars and intense labour disputes.   It was a major centre for trade and commerce on Vancouver Island, shipping coal to markets worldwide.

Frequent cave-ins and falling rocks had the potential to injure workers, as well as rapid flooding.   The underground tunnels were filled with natural gases caused by centuries of decomposition and pressure, the process that transforms plant matter into coal.

Imagine - working in a space as small as 12 inches, on your stomach.   Not to mention all the hazards of being underground.   Carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation being the main causes of death.

BACK TO THE COMOX VALLEY . . . 

View of the Powell River Ferry

Spending about one month in the new home, finalizing appointments and then heading south around Oct 20th.

Back, enjoying the calmness and quietness of the river.

And of course, the fall colors.

Spent some time trying to figure out how these paw prints were happening under water and moving.    The angle of the light made it difficult to see the water bugs walking on top of the water and their shadows producing these paw prints.

Halloween approaches - creep factor approaches.

Spotted this spider approaching its prey.

Mushrooms are popping out.

The short forest trail in our neighborhood is adorned with children's creations in Fairy Lane:

That time of year . . ... . the creep shows are starting to appear on TV and spider webs and witches decorating the entrance ways - among the Christmas decorations.

We are heading south SOON.   

Will be without internet for a few days around Oct 20th but for the most part, be in touch.