Alan's Trip Home OCT/11

I have always been the type of person who detests change, all change, the tiniest change. I just don't like it. That's just who I am. I'll fight tooth and nail against it, for what reason, I have no idea, because it never fails once the change takes place, within a few days I'm liking it, embracing it in fact. Don't know why, I am who I am!

Having my husband leave with a friend and drive back to the Island doesn't sound so bad.  In fact, it was a great idea, they both could take turns driving, split the cost of gas.  Plus Alan really hates it here in Toronto, has since the day we arrived. He'll never be a city boy. This trip will give him a chance to be home for a week. Visit with family & friends , especially with someone close who just found out she has cancer. Let him do somethings that you can't just do by mail. Like get our van inspected ect.So it's all set and they will be leaving soon.

In preparation we did some grocery shopping, food that my son (Ashtin) and myself to cook or better said would be heat up hahaha while  he was gone.  Loads of T.V. dinners and Kraft Dinner. I was really looking forward to spending the week with Ashtin. The week went really fine except for physios, one day 02 levels would be down , next day heart rate would be up or both. In a sense, I learned how anxiety, or stress really can play with one's body. For Ashtin, he did a wonderful job. but I guess I was just use to having my hubby around. P.S. He make the best Kraft Dinner, secret is he fries up bacon and then breaks it into the Kraft Dinner. lol love you baby boy!

Learnig To Take The Good With The Bad. October 2011

The month of October 2011 started off on a really bad note. Physio buddy, Barb Ramsey passed away, the lungs didn't come in on time for her. We usually attended our weekly meetings, physio and many lunches together. She will be greatly missed here at the General, husband Bruce and Family as well as her community with whom she spent many years as a volunteer. A great woman, RIP my dear, you were truly loved.

On the 4th of October Alan and I hosted our first pot luck supper with some of our new neighbors here in our apartment.  We couldn't believe these people never had one before. LOL Torontonins what they have been missing without us. Lots of delicious food, fine wine and lots of stories. They loved it and are now planning one for Christmas.  I really have to thank my wonderful hubby chef Alan Rogers was right in his wonderful glory.  Thank-you  new neighbors for making it a wonderful evening, Glen, Ruby, Bob, Donna, Kim and  Marlo.

Doctor appointment with Dr. Rotstein, still worried about my liver counts, he has my last cat-scan and something is perplexing him. I'm quite confident he will find it soon. Reminds me of a dog with a bone when he can't answer a question, I so love this doctor. Blood tests showing low potassium levels, he's giving me some supplements and I'm to eat 2 bananas everyday. This should stop the twitching and night jolts haha and help Alan sleep better.

On Saturday Oct 8/11 we were invited to my girlfriend Gerri's for Thanksgiving Supper. Her oldest son Chad, wife Sylvia, kids Carter, Logan and Peyton and her second son Evan and his girlfriend, Samantha.  Cooked up the biggest meal I have ever seen in one setting and that takes a lot considering our Rogers' family lol. Man them ladies "up north there Mattawa way", they sure can cook. Yes, that's how you say it up there hahahahaha thank-you and god bless you all.  Pics above Gerri just 3 weeks post transplant with granddaughter, Peyton doing nanny's nails.  Alan and Chad doing dishes after supper!~

 More sad news, I'm afraid.  The first couple we met here in our apartment building, even before we met the superintendents. was Jim and Birgetta Worrel. Wonderful couple, Jim passed away today. He looked about 68, I found after his death he was 97. Amazing, intelligent man. RIP Jim, Alan and I will watch over Birgetta for you.  JUST A TIMBIT, besides being a lawyer and a judge Jim was the flag barrier for the Canadian Olympic team in the 1936 Berlin Games. To this day they are outstanding members of the IOC.  His wife Birgetta, orginially from Denmark is a fine lady in her own right and we\re enjoying her company.

Thanksgiving Day, and I'm down, little depressed and just plain lazy.  Seems so many have passed away here waiting for lungs. It's really scary.  We can't be home with family and sometimes I feel as if it's my fault.  If I feel this way for Thanksgiving, how will I get  through Christmas?

Since we had such a bad day yesterday, today we are going out for a drive.  Location The Beaches
as we arrived, we noticed we could park right in front of Queen's Park ( BONUS FOR ME).  The park was beautiful and some of the leaves were starting to turn color. Beautiful day.

By walking straight through the park you reach the boardwalk along the beaches. It was beautiful. Trees and running trails on one side and water on the other. The site  in front is the skyline of Toronto.  It was nice to be near water again. Almost forgot I wasn't at home.  Though the sand is not pretty like PEI's. It did help us find peace again.

This beautiful day helped me lift my spirits.  xoxoxoxoxo Take care to all my family and friends.

Life in the Transplant Lane

Just for anyone out there, who thinks life is over for us here in Toronto. Buckle in and I'll tell you about just one of our weeks.

The last couple of weeks of September just flew by starting with my best friend Gerri receiving her lungs on the 15th.  While she was in surgery I was upstairs in the physio room, physio seemed so empty this week, as well it should because most of my morning class got done this month. More new faces arriving every day. Once physio was over we caught a cab over to the Western Hospital for my second Hepatitis shot. Then back to the General just in time to catch our Wheel Trans ride back to the apartment.

On the 17th we made a special trip down to the hospital to visit with Gerri.This is the first time we were in the Transplant I.C.U. I'll be honest,  it's a very scary spot. When we first seen Gerri she was already sitting up in her bed, but she had one hell of  a lot of tubes, coming out all over her. Luckily for me the ventilator was already removed, thank God that thing scares the "be jesus" out of me, but she was breathing really well and it was removed early.  She was able to talk but her voice was quite horse. The transplant I.C.U. each patient has around the clock nurse who stays with them. One patient one nurse. Providing there is no complications her stay there will be 3-4 days.

On Monday the 19th. First I did my 1 1/2 hours of physio, then we went down to the 10 th floor ICU to find out Gerri was moved to the first step-down. In this ICU the only difference is that there is two patients to one nurse. When we found her she was looking pretty good, less tubes and talking up a storm haha that's my girl. Next, I had an appointment  at the Western Hospital with my family doctor that I decided to cancel.  I'm exhausted and  my head is pounding. I actually fell asleep in the wheel -trans  going home, and that is a first for me.

Wednesday the 21th, first I did my blood work for my appointment with Dr. Rotstein tomorrow. Then on to physio for 1 1/2 hrs. of exercise. Next on to our weekly support meeting.(place to go to vent or tell beautiful stories of people who have come through this with great results, twice a month they bring in speakers to explain what their job is on the transplant team or people who are post transplant for numerous years ect.)  Then on to lunch with treadmill room friends.  At 1:00  it's on to clinic with Dr. Marco Mura ( respirologist).  I felt like my past infection hasn't completely cleared up. So he gave me a medication which is put into juice or pop (Pepsi) and it will induce coughing to help clear the lungs and bronchial tubes of any crap left there from infection. Catch our Wheel-Trans van for home.

Thursday, the 22th. First was the appointment with Dr. Rotstein, who sees my liver counts are almost back to normal. but he is very worried why it is taking so long. So he wants to order a ct-scan of the liver, for me but I let him know that I have one for my lungs scheduled for next week. So he will add the liver onto that scan and it can be done all at once. He is the most wonderful doctor in the world, he knows something is wrong and he won't stop until he finds it. His mind is like a steel trap he doesn't forget anything, he comes over to talk whenever he sees us in the lobby.  haha After all this I want to take him home with me!  Next onto physio for my regular exercise routine.  Then a quick trip down to see Gerri, she is a trooper, always full of laughs. Down to the Food Court for lunch with the gang. At 1:00pm, I did my 3month electrocardiogram (just routine check on the heart) and then off for home.

How's that for a week. Not much time for boredom. This is also not counting all the beautiful friends we have made in our apartment complex, who stop in for afternoon tea and such. I count my blessings everyday how fortunate I am to be here. I am so well taken care of. Missing our family and friends back home is a problem we have to deal with. However, with my health, I am in the right place.

NOTE 
Dear friend of ours Barb Ramsey has been put in the hospital today. She is on her last unless a set of lungs that match her comes in very, very soon.  Praying for you Barb and Bruce!