2002 was a busy year.  All kinds of things were happening, for instance on May 6th, Daphne's boyfriend Mike, was driving in his truck to work in the morning, and was just about to turn into the driveway of his place of work -- when a young idiot spead out of a driveway and totalled Mike's truck.  Fortunately Mike did not get hurt seriously, just a few bruises.

On May 9th, both Cheryl and Laurence were diagnosed as being on borderline "diabetes".  They did not have diabetes, but the blood samples showed that they were very close to having it.  They had to watch their diets and report back in six or so months.  It looks like they caught this just in time.  They are both looking good.

On Sunday, May 19th, I planted my garden, and it turned out really good this year, especially the tomatoes, and also the corn and beets.  The corn did exceptionally well, and the tomatoes did even better. 

How to Grow Tomatoes

Usually, I would lose my tomatoes to the "blight" disease.  This disease would show up when the evening became cool and damp, and soon after that, the tomatoes and the plants would show "brown" spots or blemishes.  Soon after that, they would go rotten.

This summer, I built a clear plastic sheet tent over the tomatoe plants.  The plastic sheet was kept off the tomatoe plants with a 1/2 inch cheap plastic hollow electrical wire pipe at both ends.  See the photo below with the sheet "off".  It kept the coolness and evening dampness out, and the days warmth was kept in the tent.  The tomatoe plants, never stopped blooming, once they started -- even in the middle of October, they were still blooming, and more tomatoes grew.  None of them became rotten with blight. 

I planted six plants, and they kept us supplied with beautful, tasty tomatoes until late October.  Next year, I will plant at least twelve plants, and then we will have plenty to can for the winter. 

Hints -- notice in the photo with the plastic sheet "on" -- the plastic sheet at the bottom is kept about a foot above the ground to permit air circulation.. The high center pole also helps with the air circulation.  I put several round PIZZA cardboards on top of the center pole, to keep the plastic sheet from tearing.  In the photo with the sheet "off" -- the sheet is removed in the afternoon to dry out the dampness that accumulates under the sheet.  To much inside dampness can cause the plants to go brown and rot -- so take it off once in a while and don't forget even once, to put the sheet back on and in place, before the coolness of the evening sets in.

Finally, a person normally "prunes" or cuts unwanted and unneeded branches at least once or twice a season -- but this season with the plastic sheet covering the tomatoe plants, the plants just kept growing and growing, and I had to prune the unneeded branches six times.  Be careful what you prune -- do not prune the branches where the "fuzzy" blossoms are appearing.

Don't forget to water the tomatoe plants regularily, and don't get any water on the branches or leaves.

If you don't clamp the plastic sheet onto the frame - the wind will surely blow it off.

Failure to follow any of the hints could lead to the plants catching the blight disease.  It is now almost the end of October, and we are still getting tomatoes, and we will probably grow more in November.

Well, the tomatoe plants lasted ALMOST until November.  We had some frost at nights, when the temperature went done to -2 degress C, and nothing happened to the tomatoes.  In the early morning hours of October 30th, the temperature went down to -3, and the plants "wilted", but nothing happened to the tomatoes that were still on the plants.

I decided that it was time to take off the remaining tomatoes.  They filled a paper shopping bag full, and lasted until the end of November.  We had to stew some, as we had more than we could eat.

See the Tomatoe Plant photos below.

On June 21st, Herb bought himself a 1993 GMC   SLE    3/4 ton pickup truck.  It turned out to be a well cared for vehicle by it's former owner.  He sold his Mercury Sable on July 25th, for the same price that he bought it.

Brian's on the mend -- but caution is the key

As mentioned above, Brian got the "bone marrow transfusion" from Kevin on March 26th.  From this day forward, Brian was put on a 100 day special watch, which ended on July 4th.  Immediately before, on and after July 4th -- Brian was given a series of many tests, to compare his condition to the time, just before the bone marrow transplant.  Some medical conditions could have been better or worse, or just the same.  All of Brian's test results were the same as before.  He was in good shape.  They could now start reducing his medication, and reducing the number of times that he had to keep on coming in to the hospital.

Eventually, around the end of August, he was only on Cyclosporin, Septra, and Magnesium.  Cyclosporin was stopped on August 25th, Magnesium on August 31st, and then he was only on Septra, until December 2nd-- which was given to prevent "pneumonia".  Currently, the only problem that he has is a medium case of cough and runny eyes. 

Shortly after he stopped using Cyclosporin on August 25th, he was told that he did not have to report in to the hospital any more.  Instead, he should go to his local doctor once a month, and go to the local Medical Lab every 2 weeks for a blood sample test, which they would forward to the hospital.

He is looking real good.  His hair has come back in for the second time, and it is somewhat "curly".  Apparently, it is common for ex-Leukemia patients to have some curly hair.  It looks good on him.

Twice in the last several years Brian asked me to quit smoking if he did, and each time I said not unless you quit first.  Well, as I suspected -- he never did.

In the beginning of July, Rose and Brian were sitting and talking in the front room, after supper -- and they were discussing his somewhat persistent cough, and whether he should stop smoking.  They didn't seem to come to any conclusion, so I remembered Brian's efforts to get me to quit smoking, so he could quit smoking also. 

I then asked Brian if he would quit smoking, if I quit smoking.  He hummed and he hawed like he sometimes does, but finally he said that he would.  I told him that he didn't have to quit smoking just now, but when it is best or most suitable for him.  Well, I quit smoking on July 17th, and three months later -- Brian was still coughing and smoking.

On August 2, 3, 4, and 5th - Rose held a garage sale with great hopes to make some big bucks, on what I called a pile of junk.  That comment of mine was a big mistake, because it was not junk, according to her.  To prove it she made a couple of hundred bucks.

On July 12th, I had a new Sears - Kenmore Water Heater installed.  Well, there is nothing exceptional about that, except that the old water tank, just kept on going, and going, just like the Duracell Battery commercial.  It was guarranteed for five years, but lasted for fifteen years.  Usually, the product makes strange noises and stops just before the guarranty expires.  But not this Kenmore water heater. 

After Rose and I got married, and eventually bought a house in Richmond, we naturally had to buy furniture, etc, to put in it.  Over 30 years ago, we bought our first and only deep freezer, a Kenmore Deep Freezer from Sears. I think they were called Simpson-Sears then.  Well, you guessed it -- the deep freezer is still chugging along, like a well tuned Chevy.  They sure made good household items in those days.  In those days they had a "good quality" manufacturing theme.  But nowadays the system smells only of greed and profit at any cost.  What a shame.

I went camping and fishing for three days in the Caribou, around 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, and to Kamloops, on August 19 to 21.  I didn't catch any fish, but I sure saw some lovely scenery, and had a great time, except for the fact that the nights sure got cold up in that part of the province.

Rose had another garage sale on August 24th, and made a few bucks, but not as much as last time.

A couple of days later my computer decided to crash, and I bought a new Compaq on August 28.  It's got Wizards for almost everything.

Rose started to renovate the kitchen and bathroom on September 13th.  She got the kitchen "nook" re-upholstered, the wallpaper removed, the walls repainted, and is working on a new kitchen counter top.  She washed and scrubbed every piece of furniture ie, stove, fridge, and everything that was out on the counter.  Everything looks like new.  She got some expert help from Sandy and Brian.  Sandy being a painter expert -- did most of the painting.

On October 1st, we got our first light frost, and for two weeks after that we have been setting record warm temperatures.

For some time Brian has been putting out job resumes, and he was getting no replies, and he was getting disappointed.  Finally, he got a phone call from COSTCOs on Bridgeport in Richmond, to report to their tire shop on October 15th.  He was told that the job was only temporary and casual.  Well, he's been working almost on a regular work schedule -- mainly because he is an expert at this job, and they really want him.

We will have to watch that he does not overdo (work to hard) his new job, as it could cause a quick major setback, as has happened to many Leukemia patients.  He will have to see his doctor, and have him monitor his bodily progress.

Brian still is a post BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) patient, and fatigue is one of the most common and biggest concerns for him.  They should not underestimate how much it may affect them.  It may take months, even years, before they feel they have the same level of energy they used to have.  They must find a balance between activity and rest.  It is important to listen to your body and to rest when needed.  But, even on those tired days, however, try to do a little activity.  Too much rest will make fatigue worse.  Too little activity can cause muscles to weaken and break down.  Pacing yourself is the key.  Needing a nap during the day is common..

Returning to work varies with each patient.  For BMT patients, this is usually not before 6 - 12 months after the transplant.  As well, don't expect to work a full day.  Much depends on the type of job.  The physician can discuss this in more detail with the BMT patient.  Much can depend on what condition your blood is.  Are your plateletts, White and Red Blood Cells, etc., up to par.

During Brian's Leukemia treatments, he lost his hair twice.  Each time was after one of the two Chemotherapy treatments.  We were told that frequently, when their hair came back the second time -- that some of the new hair could come out a bit curly, as it did with Brian.  Below is a photo of Brian, several months after coming out of the hospital for good.  In the photo with his friend Dean, Brian's hair is still short, but it is showing that he will have a full head of hair again.  Actually, he now has nice natural curly hair-- mainly at the back.  I don't have a photo of his curly top yet, but when I do, I will post it, and then that will be the last on Brian's case -- I am sure.  However, he will be required to have regular medical examinations, for a year or two, or longer.

Continuing Preventative Treatment

On August 25th, he was told that he did not have to report in to the hospital any more.  Instead, he should go to his local doctor once a month, and go to the local Medical Lab every 2 weeks for a blood sample test, which they would forward to the hospital.

On December 2nd, Brian had his last (Septra) pill medication.  He was not required to take any more medication.  On this same day he had to report to a doctor at the Vancouver General Hospital for a physical examination.  They checked his heart, breathing, and his eyes, and everything was OK.

Brian now has to report to this VGH doctor, once every three months (quarterly).  Meanwhile, he will have to go to the local lab for a blood test once every month.  This could go on for several years.

Finally, all those immunization shots that he got when he went to school -- well, they got wiped out of his system, also.  As a result Brian should be going in to his regular home doctor soon, and get those immunization shots, all over again.

On Friday, December 6th, Brian got his first haircut, since he lost his hair to Leukemia.  He's looking real good now.  One of these days soon, I will get a photo of him with his new full head of hair and put it in here with the other photo of him and Dean.

It was not planned.  It was just a coincidence, that Brian got his hair cut on December 6th -- which is exactly one year, that he was diagnosed as having Leukemia on December 6, 2001.

Roofing is hazardous

Our daughter, Daphne has chosen a trade that is done almost exclusively by men, and that is installing shingles on rooftops.  It is a nice outside job, if it is not too hot, cold, or wet.  Well, this one dreary, wet, and cool autumn day (November 13th), while Daphne was working on a roof, and while standing on the ladder, about twelve feet above the ground -- she suddenly started to feel the ladder going down.  The base of the ladder had slipped, and Daphne came down quite heavily.  She was lucky as she only got some scrapes and bruises.  A male roofer had fallen off of a roof about a month earlier, and broke a lot of bones, and will not be working for a whole year.