Creative Healing

Due to the demands of hospital appointments, university essays and business trips to Hong Kong we’ve been somewhat delayed in communicating with you. As this is Sebastian and Liam’s last year at U of T., the pressure is on to finish their last courses and prepare for final exams. Danny has been busy traveling with the Rotman students to Asia and I’ve been regularly receiving chemo treatment as an outpatient at PMH.

Besides the preoccupation with their studies, my two sons, in company of my niece Laura and her friend Sarah have formed a team to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. They are now training so that in June, they can cycle 200 kilometers from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Their objective is to raise funds to support cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital. I am not only proud of them but extremely moved by their interest in helping others. Once you have experienced cancer as a patient or as a family member, your perspective on life inevitably changes. You see the darkness of life but you also discover the wonderful sense of hope. I know that some of you may be interested in
making a donation towards their goal. In the next entry of our blog we will provide you with all the necessary information to make your pledges.



Now, how am I feeling? Allowing the magnitude of this illness I am actually feeling quite good and energetic. Following my remission I’m in the consolidation phase of my treatment. I’ll be starting the final stage of chemo tomorrow. I had thought it was all over until a nurse asked me if this was my first or second consolidation chemo treatment. My immediate response was “What do you mean second treatment?” Apparently it is a common practice. So, for the next month I’ll be repeating a very similar procedure as in the past. Hopefully I will not develop that nasty sore throat although it keeps me out of trouble. As I’m not able to tolerate anything too sweet, spicy or acidy, I don’t eat rich foods, drink wine or eat desserts. It is the ideal diet but hardly any fun. Consequently I have been storing up this past week, eating and drinking anything that I fancy.

I have been informed by my doctor that once the consolidation period is over the objective is to have a stem cell transplant. However, it is crucial that I remain in remission and that we find a donor match. Unfortunately we have not found anybody YET so I am hoping and praying that in the next six weeks we do find some stranger in some part of the world who happens to have an identical match. You would think that with 10 000 000 donors the chances are good. However, like everything else in this healing process, nothing is guaranteed. Having leukemia is like jumping hurdles. As you look ahead you don’t know if you will be able to make that jump. However, with the support of a superb doctor, an outstanding team of nurses in the transfusion clinic, a loving family and wonderful friends I remain optimistic.



Since I was diagnosed over three months ago I have received a wonderful collection of letters, cards and emails, I’ve kept them all and occasionally reread them as it helps me in the healing process. Some of you have visited me bearing beautiful gifts and others have sent your warm wishes via the telephone. Delicious meals, dulce de leche cheesecake and a bottle of whisky have been left at our front door, while flowers have been delivered continuously. I have been spoiled as in any day I might have an exquisite white orchid, a bouquet of tulips dancing in all directions, and vases filled with bright yellow daffodils or white lilies Then there are those exquisite arrangements in “Lupe colours” a combination of reds, oranges and fuchsia. I recently received a collection of beautiful paintings created by colleagues and friends, an inspirational project inspired by my friend Hilary Inwood. My wish would be to have a show and tell so could share my gifts with you. As that is not a realistic proposition I have included some examples of the painting in this blog entry. I hope you enjoy them.



Thank you to all the artists.

Lupe