Setback

Well, any of you who know me will understand that I don't like failing tests! Today I went for my pre-chemo bloodwork and my platelet level was lower than my oncologist would have liked. This means that tomorrow's treatment is postponed until next week. I find this annoying more than anything. I don't like changes in my schedule and I also dislike the thought of my treatment taking longer than I imagined. 

The silver lining (because I am good at finding those) is that I get another week of feeling AMAZING. More walks, more fun, increased enjoyment of food...I'll take it! Even though I don't have a choice. :) 

Also, more time to MAKE THINGS. This week I finished my latest embroidery sampler. It helped us learn 6 different 'filler' stitches and though it took a long time I love the different textures and colours. I'm thinking my nurses would dig it!

Our visit with our Peterborough friends earlier this week was great. Like balm for my soul. We walked and played games and cooked and dined and talked and talked and talked. Yesterday I had another great hike with Fiona in the forest. I LOVE my lakeside walks but I think I'm going to need more forest walks, especially as the weather gets warmer. We have been meeting and hiking at the Beattie Pinery Provincial Nature Reserve which is just south of Alliston and about half-way between our homes. Some days we get slightly lost. One day there was cathartic shouting. We usually run into some lovely dogs and their owners. Yesterday we saw this toad:

Today, as I waited to see my doctor and get my blood test results, I continued work on the *never-ending* socks. They are such a SLOW knit for me. I find the pattern tedious, though I love how they look and feel. I guess it's a good thing they are portable and that I get little stretches of time in waiting rooms and offices. 

Our peonies are in bloom this week. I fear that possible thunderstorms will shorten their life, so here's one for your enjoyment. They were transplanted a couple of years ago and this is the first year they have been blooming nicely. I guess they needed some time to adjust to their new situation. Like my platelets, maybe? (The thing to the left of the peony is a metal mushroom statue - didn't want anyone trying to identify a mystery plant that 'wasn't.')

This afternoon I had a lovely, breezy lake walk with Martha. She seems less timid about waves this year, though gets annoyingly frisky climbing back to the trail which causes her to get muddy and necessitated a hose-down when we got home today. I gave her a haircut this weekend which is probably the best one I've ever given her except that I accidentally held the clippers backwards when 'tidying up' her right side so she has two extra-short patches that make it look like the WORST haircut I have ever given her. She doesn't seem to care, though!

I'm looking forward to another week of great health. I'm doing everything I can to be strong and fit and help my platelets recover. I feel fantastic, I've got my eyebrows and lashes, and I can feel the wonderful end-of-school excitement building in our house. 

Send me some platelet-building vibes, OK everybody?