Radiation Oncology

Educating a Future Cancer Survivor Meet Dr. Raviya Singh and Dr. Helmet Hollenhorst. Today’s session was to educate me about the radiation treatments. The appointment started with a Resident, Dr. Singh. She provided my wife Janet and I with a lot of information. In human-speak, you can find my interpretation of our conversation below. I ….  Read More

In Good Hands

Meet Dr. Alison Wallace, a Thoracic Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. Today (January 13, 2020), Janet, my sister Mona, and I met with Dr. Wallace to learn more about the status of my cancer and my treatment plan. Last night my good friend Richie texted “How was ya Phil.” He ….  Read More

Hello Bill

“Many people feel that the dimes are a sign of communication from someone that has passed on, letting them know they are not alone. Some other interpretations of finding dimes are: – Someone or something is trying to get your attention. – Guidance or validation that you’re on the right path.” I found the passage ….  Read More

PET Scan

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive drug (tracer) to detect disease. In my case, the disease is cancer. The tracer was injected and I spent an hour relaxing which allowed it to circulate via the blood system to tissues throughout my body. The tracer collects in areas ….  Read More

Pulmonary Function Test

Today I had a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). This is a non-invasive procedure to determine how well my lungs are working. There are four diagnostics: lung capacity lung volume rate of flow gas exchange My place was in the chair shown above, take the tube in my mouth (a sterile mouthpiece that is attached to ….  Read More

Overwhelming Support

Since sharing my upcoming cancer battle, I have been overwhelmed with messages of good will and encouragement. The sign Alexis is holding in the picture reads “We support Phil.” When I saw this posted in Instgram and Facebook, I teared up. This is so special. As well, as a show of support, Alexis shaved his ….  Read More

Email Subscription Hiccup

Hello Folks I’m working out some kinks with the email subscription service. If you attempt to subscribe and get an error message, just send me a note at w.philip.ohara@gmail.com and I’ll add you to the list. Cheers, Phil

The Reveal

Janet and I decided to withhold the December 18th diagnosis from everyone until the new year when Jade and Drew’s wedding would be behind us. We did not wish any future memories of that joyous event to include my upcoming battle with cancer. That decision proved to be difficult and sent me into many moments ….  Read More

Regulars Rock

Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2019 I like to call myself a Regular which I define as mainstream middle-income member of society. As a Regular, my personal playground is unrestricted although occasionally limited by how much I have available to spend. I am a 66-year-old male who retired at the end of 2015 from Dalhousie University ….  Read More