April 14 Update on Brian

On Friday, Brian went to the Cancer Clinic in Kelowna to get fitted for a plastic radiation mask for the radiologists to focus on specific areas to deliver radiation.  (In my opinion, this was far preferable to the tattoos used in the past, so he still remains a tattoo virgin...........)

He will start radiation in a couple of weeks for a six-week period, which will involve driving back and forth to Kelowna daily.  (A one-way trip is about 2 hours.)  That will probably shoot May in the foot.  

After that, he will commence a one-year treatment of immunotherapy, which is to be delivered via transfusion once every two weeks, again in Kelowna.  

This is about the extent of the new news, but I will keep everyone posted.

March 2019

I hope this finds you all well and prepared for a little of the Spring fling mood.

To cut to the most important information first, Brian saw 3 oncologists this last month and is now waiting to start a period of radiation on his neck—which may be set up this week.  Unfortunately, this will be done in Kelowna which is a 2-hour drive one way, but the service there is excellent.  He will also be starting a year’s treatment of immunotherapy, which may follow or be concurrent with the radiation.  The medication will be delivered by transfusion every two weeks, which will also require a trip to Kelowna each time.  Even though Kelowna has a Costco there, the novelty will probably soon wear off!  On the whole, he is feeling well and positive, so no sympathy is required yet.

March did indeed come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.  Temperatures were below zero for the first few days, but gradually abated so that we were enjoying all positive temperatures after March 17.  St. Patrick’s day featured our last days of skiing for this season at Silver Star, and sunshine allowed some great views of the landscape.

We left March 4 for a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, for a wildlife rehabilitation conference for me.  Driving down to the States and taking flights from there cut the cost of the airfare in half.  The conference was well worthwhile, and while I attended sessions Brian spent the life of Riley, reading the newspaper late after breakfast, going for a workout and a swim, and generally lazing in the room reading a book.  The weather was raw outside, with below zero temperatures and chilly breezes, and did the poor Americans ever complain bitterly about how cold it was.

Our hotel was excellent, and featured unique art everywhere.  I am sorry I didn’t take more pictures, but here is an example of the “art” in the dining room.

We were also impressed with airport facilities which had a few more amenities than ours.  Believe it or not, but they have designated Service Dog "Comfort Stations".

During our absence, we got an 8” dump of snow, forcing Brian to blow the driveway immediately upon our return.

Since the beginning of March, the pruners have been busy in the orchards and vineyards, pruning rigorously in preparation for this season.  Things look so bare!  The are all burning piles of the trimmings while it is safe to do so, so we get some rather aromatic whiffs of woodsmoke here and there.

March 15 was the official day of spring, as evidenced by our roof avalanche.  We looked out the door first thing in the morning to see this:

A neighbor dropped in a few minutes later and marveled.  This snow is over 8" thick.

About 5 minutes after that, Brian checked the overhang (still there) and closed the front door quietly.  That was all it took.

We came back from one of Brian’s appointments on March 20, only to find that there had been two avalanches at Silver Star, less the 24 hours after we had finished skiing.  That day, there were 48 weather records in BC broken due to the soaring temperatures, with another 18 records falling the next day (record high in Osoyoos).

You would think this would have brought out all kinds of spring sightings, but not so.  Two robins showed up on March 21 to express interest in the Christmas bouquet outside, but once they determined the baubles were fake, they left.

March 23 we had a fascinating sighting:  there were several sets of cougar tracks in the snow.  The first clue was the pawprints which were about 4”by 3½ “.  As we explored, you could see signs where the cougar was stalking, leaving snow displaced by the full body while the cougar crouched and moved.  Finally, there were some prints about 10 feet apart, which seemed improbable until we learned they can leap 20 feet at one time.  No game camera pictures—rats!

March 30 featured a walk in the valley, and you can see how brown everything is, with little snow to be seen.

Snow has disappeared except for patches in more heavily treed areas, and ice is completely gone from Lake Osoyoos today.  March has been very dry, with only 10.8 mm year-to-date versus 81.6 mm last year.  (That includes a little melting snow.)  Concern is already growing about the upcoming fire season, and our local fire department had to put out two grass fires on March 30.  Unlike last year, no wildflowers are blooming yet even though grass is greening up in the valley.  As yet, we have still not experienced “normal” weather here.

We have booked a 17 day 300 km hiking trip in Wales in September, and have started walking this week to start getting into shape for it.

As a final note, given the predilection for wine here, it is unsurprising that you can find some unique bottle stoppers.  My favorite this month is the Rubber Chicken special, which works very well until the chicken comes up for air.