My 200th BLOG - THE LAST ONE

Dear Blog,

You have been great.

But very time consuming. I have decided (for now) that I will be putting you aside for a new "friend" --- FACEBOOK.

Don't be mad. I may return.

Thanks for all you help.

Gido

I Got My 30 Year Pin!

Well the vision became reality yesterday. Back in September 2008, "A" and I decided to celebrate our 3oth wedding anniverary in France. Thirty (30) years ago we were married in Saskatchewan and yesterday we got our picture taken at the Eiffel Tower in Paris! That's how long it took to save for the trip.

We had fun. We walked to the Eiffel Tower from the apartment and spend most of the day there. My cousin recommended we go to the very top and we did. Quite a view! I am glad we spent the extra Euro's.

From the Eiffel Tower we went to the Arc de Triumph. This is one impressive structure. Much bigger than I thought.

The day ended with me having supper with my 3 girls. It was a very good day.

Zyma and Gido in Paris

This is Gido and his girlfriend in Paris. "A" and I arrived on April 25 in Paris. The plane trip seemed very long and the air on the plane was very dry and uncomfortable. It certainly was good to deboard.

I was very impressed with "A". She took charge and got us to the apartment in Paris were Winter and Zyma are staying. We took and RER (train) om the airport to 165 Montparnasse.

The apartment is very small and is taking some time to get adjust to but I think everyone is managing quite well.

On Saturday we did some walking in the evening and saw the Louvre by night (didn't go in) and we saw the Eiffel Tower at night. Last night we went walking to Toure Montparnasse (high office tower). We went there just before sunset and it was very nice. No wind and the view from the top was quite impressive.

We are on our way to Paris

Dear Blog,

I wanted to spend a few minutes each day to remember this trip of a lifetime. It is almost 6 am on April 24, 2009. First day of the adventure. We are getting ready. The bags have been packed about 6 times and I know I am taking too much stuff. Can you believe this? "A" has two bags and I have four; something is wrong with this picture.

We took Max for his morning walk and I am sure he knows something is up. Whenever he sees packed bags, he thinks he is going for a vacation as well. If he could only fly "properly" on Air Canada.

Well this is what I look like this morning. I better go and get ready for this adventure. If you told me two years ago that I was going to be doing this, I would have bet money against this trip ever happening. I feel lucky!

Talk to you from Paris. Hope this cold goes away!

Gido

A Lot Can Happen in Two Years

This will be an interesting week for me. Two years ago, I was in Nova Scotia getting ready for an event that would certainly change my life; a major surgery to remove a monster. I was scared and uncertain of the future. I remember wondering if I would be around in a year. I dared not to think two years because I was getting myself ready for the worst case scenario. I knew there was a possibility of dieing.

But here I am, two year later and I am going to Paris in 5 more sleeps with my "A". I am looking forward to this adventure. I am planning on documenting as much of the trip as I can.

Five more sleeps; yikes! I better start learning some French.

Don't Come Back!

Dear Blog,

I guess I should keep you up to date. I went to see my Oncologist last week. PSA was once again <0.1>

The good Dr. V. told me that I was being discharged from the Allan Blair Cancer Center. I didn't have to come back unless my PSA started to climb. I was told that I need to monitor my PSA every 6 months and if my levels start to rise and if they reach 0.3 then I go back. But until then, I don't need to come back.

I felt happy but I also felt scared. I felt a sense of loss and I felt lonely when I was told not to come back! I talked to another cancer survivor and this person told me she felt the same thing when she was told not to come back. I find it so interesting how this monster acts on a person's thinking and emotions.

But this is good news. I am very grateful that I am still around. It is more that two years after being told I have the monster. Thank you Big Guy!

I Miss you Dad

It was 6 years ago when I received a phone call from my brother Brad. I was staying at the Westin Hotel in Halifax and it was about 6:00 pm Atlantic time. "Hi Harv ... our father just passed away". I wasn't stunned, I was actually happy for Dad. He was not happy and wanted to leave.

That being said, I do miss Dad. I used to be so terrified to think about being without my Dad. I still feel alone and I miss hugging him. I will do the next best thing ... I will hug my son and my grand kids every chance I get.

So I miss my Dad. Especially today.

Me

Another Beautiful Goose Egg

Dear Blog,

I just got my PSA results. Another <0.1 measurement and that means there are no stray prostate cells in my body. My doctor has changed my blood work testing for the next year. Instead of being tested every 3 months, I get tested every 4 months!

Off to Ottawa tomorrow to be with my special people; Winter, Justin, Boh and Zyma. Then I get to see Fleetwood Mac and Stevie next Monday ... Woo Hoo!

I will have to blog about that!

Me

I miss you Mom ... Happy Birthday

Mom ...

I wish you I could hug you once more. Thanks for visiting in my dreams.

Happy Birthday yesterday. We would have taken you for fish and chips on you 72nd birthday.

I hope you know that you were my first love.

Your son, Harvey

Walking with Dinosaurs

It is Friday evening and it is sleepover time once again. "A" and I are very, very lucky to be spending time with Dustin, Demetrius and Aaliyah. "A" is reading a book on Dinosaurs to "Demetrius the Great" and "Aaliyah the Beautiful". Little do they know that they will be going to see Walking with Dinosaurs" at the Agriplex in Regina. Both of these little people are starting to talk and it is some much fun.

Right now Grandma is telling Demetrius that she will protect him from Dinosaurs. They are having so much fun. I am lucky to be here! It has been two year since I had my prostate biopsy. I am so happy to be alive to see this magical moment. Thank you God.

Bye for now. Gido.

Metro the Great

Sundays, Sundays, Sundays; it seems something always happens with the kids on Sundays. Last night during supper, Metro (a.k.a. Demetrius) did his "magic" once again. He was left alone with my other grandson's computer and managed to remove ab0ut 6 keys from the keypad. No one was happy and there was panic amongst the big folks, most especially me.

This little guy cannot be left alone for a second. If the house is quiet, that is the signal t to start looking for "Metro the Great". Repairs were done after some "heated" discussions. "Metro the Great" disappeared but was found. It looks like the computer will once again be useable and my grandson Dustin's "happiness" will return.

"Metro the Great" ... I guess we will see you next week. I will live to see another "magic show".

In the groove ...

Well Blog, nothing really new except life in general. This past weekend was great. I just about finished my drywall and trim work in the basement utility room. I also made enough time to attend a couple of meetings and the one yesterday was absolutely wonderful. I wasn't planning on going but I am sure glad I did.

There are two other fellows (W and G) who have the same condition as I have. I am amazed how close you can become to folks who have a common problem. One guy hates hugging but he hugs me!

I guess I am in the groove in Regina and will do my best to me my commitment of 1 blog entry per week in 2009. See you next week.

First Week of 2009

This week was a lot shorter than I expected. Since it was the first week back from holidays, I thought the week would be a long one. It was not. I think this means I am getting into a routine in my new job and "finally" getting comfortable with Regina once more. That is a nice feeling.

On Thursday, I had a meeting to attend to in Davidson and had the chance to take my friend Max with me. He so loves to go on car rides!

Yesterday was our regular sleep over day with the kids. I wonder who get more excited for Friday to arrive?

Just got back from my meeting and we are planning to do a little shopping for some "stuff". More later.

Welcome to 2009 ...

Dear Blog,

I was not sure I would see 2009. I hoped I would but no one would give me a guarantee. I wasn't sure if the monster would have other ideas.

I wonder what will happen this year? I have a few things planned for 2009 however I am sure there will be more surprises than I have planned. Here are the things I am committed to:

1. See Paris in the Spring;
2. See the Fleetwood Mac concert in Ottawa;
3. Loose 25 pounds by December 2009.
4. Blog at least once per week or 52 blogs in 2009.

As I write this, I am hesitant about item number 3. It seems I have given up a lot of things in my past few years. Should I give up eating unhealthy? It make sense to me. Let's see if putting these objectives on paper will work?

Happy New Year everyone,

Gido

P.S. Today is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday "M".