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An Update From The Oldest Teenager In Canada
Originally published February 6, 2026 I chose the funny title because I wanted to let you know it wouldn’t be a depressing story. I have had top-notch medical doctors, surgeons, and nurses, especially Dr. Tryell, the ER doctor who was treating me there and continues to see me on the medical floor. Unfortunately, he will…
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I Now Believe in Tooth Fairies
Originally published October 23, 2018 Several months ago, I had another tooth extracted by an oral surgeon, but I did not put it under my pillow that night. So, it was a bad day for the Tooth Fairy. The thirty-seven days of radiation therapy destroyed much of my salivary glands, which produce saliva. Saliva is…
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Saturday’s Pains, Anxieties, and Hope
Originally published July 15, 2023 My Saturday pains, anxieties, and hopes were the reason I did not get much sleep last night, but this afternoon, I am seeing Dr. Anderson, the surgeon who performed my jawbone replacement surgery on May 5, 2022. Here is the link to that story: Lingering On The Edge of The…
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This Bleeding Heart Story Was Challenging to Write Because…
This bleeding heart story was challenging to write because it wasn’t my heart that was bleeding. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the above photo of me requires an explanation. However, rather than relying on the photo to explain, I wrote, Here’s Why My Living the Dream Is Now Difficult. After…
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Here’s A Home That Celebrates Halloween All Year – Part Two
Please read Part One before reading this part. So, after Annette had breakfast, she got ready to accompany me on the drive to the ER department of Surrey Memorial Hospital. She also took Buddy for his walk because we knew it might be hours before we returned home. Although Buddy had eaten earlier, he had…
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There Seems To Be Trouble In Paradise
Originally published on March 2, 2014 Last night, while attending the Crazy 8’s Film Festival in Vancouver, I lost another tooth (the 8th since my radiation treatments). I was chewing a piece of gum when I suddenly felt a crunch. It ruined my evening—I didn’t even go to the afterparty. However, before leaving, my actor…
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Will You Still Love Me After I’m Gone?
Originally published April 28, 2022 I have decided that this will be my last blog/story before I go for major surgery on May 5th, and if things go south, I was wondering: “Will you still love me after I’m gone?” Yesterday, I spoke with an RN for about an hour about the pre-admission. I learned…
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Why This Option Is Better Than Continuing
Originally published May 5, 2024 In most situations, we have at least two options: to continue or give up. However, a third option would be to exercise both options, and I will explain why this option is better for me than the former. For several weeks, I seriously considered not writing any more stories. My…
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Here’s Why My Living The Dream Is Now Difficult
One of the first answers I gave, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, was, “I’m living the dream!” However, in May 2022, I had major surgery to replace a portion of my jawbone with a bone from my shoulder. Since then, I’ve tried to remain positive and not feel sorry for myself. Self-pity is…
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Why My 3rd Anniversary Isn’t Being Celebrated Today.
Originally published May 5, 2022 Although May 5th was my third anniversary, it isn’t being celebrated today (August 21, 2025) because the memory of that day is still too painful. On May 5, 2022, I had major surgery to replace part of my jawbone with a bone from the back of my left shoulder. I…
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Why My Dreams & Jewelry Have Now Melted Away
Today (January 20th) would have been my 47th wedding anniversary, and it is a part of my dreams and jewelry that have now melted away. Although we became separated several years ago, we remained friends. Annette had moved back to Oshawa, Ontario, and I stayed in White Rock, British Columbia. I wrote about Annette’s move…
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What I Wanted You To Know!
It is 3:18 AM on December 28, 2024, and I woke up feeling uneasy a few minutes ago. It’s like feeling guilty for something you did before you did anything wrong. I am having surgery to have a pacemaker on Monday, December 30th, at 6:30 AM at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre…
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Why I Spent Money Needlessly To Stay Alive
The reason why I’m spending so much money to stay alive is because of the effects of the radiation therapy treatments for stage 3 throat and tongue cancer in 2009, combined with the jawbone replacement surgery in May 2022. However, the amount is not medical-related expenses. It is because I am unable to eat solid…
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When A Dream Ends, Chase A New One!
My life has been a tapestry of dreams, some realized, and some left unfulfilled. Yet, I’ve always believed that when one dream fades, it’s not the end but a new beginning, a chance to embark on a fresh journey. In July 2009, when I was diagnosed with stage 3 throat/tongue cancer and given only a…
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Here’s An Underdog Who Won The Big One!
Although I never bet on sports, I know why an underdog can sometimes beat the odds because I have often been an underdog myself. Growing up on Sutherland Avenue in Oshawa, Ontario, I played many sports with my friends on the street, including Bobby Reid, Brian and Ted Healey, Kerry Mills, Doug Bidgood, Pat Hanley,…