Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thank You

Thank you for watching our story on last night’s episode of the “Last Right” documentary on CBC.

We thank you for your support, we thank you for listening with an open heart, we thank you for the many, many personal notes that have had us smiling, laughing and crying.

We thank you for letting us know that whether you’re friend or stranger, you care about the rest of our journey.

Warmly,

Sandy and Suzanna

 

If you haven’t yet seen the episode, you can find it here:

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/lastright/index.html

(and thank you to the many who have shared this link with others).

Thursday, November 21, 2013

News that Has Been Busting to Get Out!

In past blog posts I’ve mentioned having unbelievable kindnesses bestowed upon myself and Suzanna. I’ve also spoken of new friends whom I’ve come to know only because of my illness.

Here is a story that I’ve been waiting to share for a very long time, and it’s with great joy and gratitude that I do.

Back in April (not long after discussions with the CBC to take part in the “Last Right” documentary were finalized) I received a call from Dee, a member of my palliative team who has become very dear to me and Suzanna.

It was Dee who arranged for me to speak last November with a group taking part in a training course for palliative care volunteers (I wrote about this experience on November 10th of last year).

When walking into the training room I immediately recognized a gentleman off to my left; he and I had met a few times at the luncheons I’d attended at the local hospice. It was reassuring to visit Ken’s familiar face as I tried to make eye contact with everyone in the room during the course of the group discussion.

Going back to that call in April, Dee told me that Ken had asked permission to contact me directly, there was a gift that he wished to offer to me and Suzanna. Intriguing to say the least!

I can finally tell all of you what this gift was, and it’s a tremendously thoughtful and a very generous one.

Many times over the years readers and friends have suggested that this blog be turned into a book, and dear Ken is turning this idea into reality.

There have been a few of us diligently working as a team to create the book, which will include a few extra components that are not part of this on-line blog.

I can’t yet give you a publication date for “Without a Manual”, but be assured that Ken and the publishing team are making provisions to have it available for purchase as soon as possible.

A portion of the profits from the sale of each book will be directed to organizations which have helped us get through the years since my diagnosis. The book will be available as hardcover, softcover and eBook; at numerous venues (including directly from the publisher – this latter option allowing for a greater portion of the purchase price to be directed as donations).

Although I won’t be writing any more of the posts in the format that you’ve come to follow here on the blog, we will still be using this blog to keep all of you updated on personal news (I promised long ago that my readers would be not left without an end to this story), as well letting you know the publication date and other pertinent details.

I’ve hinted that although I’ve been confined to bed for almost a year that it’s still been quite busy around here – now you know all of the secrets I’ve been keeping!

Our overwhelming gratitude goes out to Ken, his family and other friends who’ve enthusiastically jumped on board to allow me to add published author to my life’s resume. What a ride it has been, angels all around me.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

New Date for CBC Documentary

The new broadcast date for our segment of the documentary “Last Right” will be Monday, November 25th. It can be seen as part of the nightly CBC news program “The National”, or afterwards on the CBC website.

I’ll let you know if anything changes. Thanks for being patient!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

CBC Segment Postponed…

Our segment of the documentary “Last Right” that was scheduled to appear this evening will be postponed due coverage of the typhoon in the Philippines and Rob Ford (mayor of Toronto – for those not local, he’s been quite the newsmaker of late).

I don’t know the new air date, but will post as soon as I hear any news.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Cryptic Me…

Although close friends knew what was going on, I was quiet for many months on this blog about the CBC documentary. Two days away from the air date, and Suzanna and I are not quite sure how to describe how we feel. Not anxious or nervous – maybe just grateful that chances are fairly good that I’ll be right here beside her watching it on Wednesday night? We’ll be seeing it for the first time when you are!

Months ago I alluded to two projects on the go, you know about the first now.

I’m not quite ready to share details of the second project (we’re THIS close!), I’m going to tease a bit longer – but did want to open the window up ever so slightly.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m overwhelmed by the number of readers visiting this blog. Some known to me, others are strangers from around the world. Some of you have chosen to share comments, either anonymously or by name.

If you’ve enjoyed the blog as a regular reader and would like to participate in a small (but very meaningful) way to the second project, please send me a private email at  sessa1@live.ca and I can elaborate.

Once you’ve heard the details, I would need permission to use both your first and last name if you decide to participate.

The friends who’ve already participated with this project – I thank you sincerely! What an incredible experience this is, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone else very soon.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Our CBC Segment

I want to clear up some confusion.

Although CBC has aired the previous two segments of “Last Right” on Monday evenings, our segment will be broadcast this Wednesday evening, November 13th.

The documentary will be incorporated into the the nightly news program “The National” in Ontario at 10 pm EST.

CBC has within a few hours of broadcast posted the last two segments on the CBC website for on-line viewing, I expect the same will happen with this next segment – I’ll put the link up here on Thursday.