I realize I have not yet posted, but...I haven't been feeling quite like a million bucks. I feel like at least $10 today, so I thought I would post!
The surgery went well, it was reported to me that the tumor was lemon sized (no word on whether that was a large or small lemon) and that they got it all out. Lovely little self contained Burl! No word on the pathology yet, and the doctor's office won't tell me over the phone. I have my followup appointment on the 30th, so we will see then. The incision is massive and ugly, looks like railroad tracks. When the staples came out, I got to have stitches! But that's out too, so I am feeling much better. The surgery was on the 30th, and the hospital stay was...pretty awful. I was in a room for the first few days with a demented lady who threatened to kill me because I wouldn't give her water, never mind that I had just had surgery! She had just had hip surgery, though, so it wasn't like she could get up to kill me, it is just pretty stressful to have someone keeping you awake all the time threatening you. I think she was part vampire, because she only slept after the sun came up. I was changed to a new room on Monday, and my next roommate was sweet and nice, didn't threaten to kill me once.
On Tuesday I got my pain pump taken out, and then was abandoned for about 7 hours because my nurse call button was apparently not working. Previous to that, I had a special call button because of the pain pump. I begged the doctor to let me go home, but he wasn't having any of it. On Thursday, I begged my way out of there. You don't want to know what I had to do to get out, (It was GI system related) but as soon as I did it I announced it to the world! Mom came and drove me home, and all the plans I had for what to wear home were promptly chucked - I wore my pyjama pants instead. I had planned on a loose skirt and leggings, but that was NOT happening! On Sunday of that week I wrestled Mom for my truck keys, and had a couple good days - I couldn't do much for long, but I was feeling okay. On Wednesday I started feeling bad, and went to the Emerg, saw cousin Tom and got an antibiotic for what he thought was an abcess/infection near the bowel. Now, after five days on the antibiotics, I am feeling better again and have a bit more energy. Still not as much as I'd like, and I move pretty slowly, but...I can move!
So that's the good news, onward and upward from here, right?
Love you all!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Howdy y'all!
Well, today is the day to go to the hospital. Can't say I am looking forward to it, really! I think the fear of the unknown is probably the biggest issue for me at this point. Not that I am a control freak or anything! Well, maybe a little. I have to call between 9 and 10 to find out when the room is ready. Sort of like a bad hotel.
I have nothing profound to say. Keep up the prayers, they help so much! I am pretty sure I won't be posting for a while, but, know that I'm giving the doctors and nurses a hard time, and I am probably going to be annoyed because my hair is messy. See you in 7 to 10 days!
Love to all,
Ande, Andrene, 'Drene, 'Drenie
PS - I figured out the secret meaning of life - it's just what Jesus said - Love One Another.
I have nothing profound to say. Keep up the prayers, they help so much! I am pretty sure I won't be posting for a while, but, know that I'm giving the doctors and nurses a hard time, and I am probably going to be annoyed because my hair is messy. See you in 7 to 10 days!
Love to all,
Ande, Andrene, 'Drene, 'Drenie
PS - I figured out the secret meaning of life - it's just what Jesus said - Love One Another.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Surgery Date!
My surgery will be October 30th - seems very very soon, even though it is what I have been waiting for! Now I just have to Vitamin C this cold to death and get ready to kick some butt!
a
a
Monday, October 19, 2009
Update!
My appointment, which was supposed to be today, was changed, at the last minute to last Wednesday. And here I am just updating you now! Imagine!
I went to Dr. Mowatt's office for the appointment and met with he and Dr. Morriss. I don't know that I mentioned that Dr. Mowatt's receptionist didn't know about the magic Canadian citizen no-need-to-pay form, and after talking to him about it last time, she told me that appointment was free, but if I didn't get my Medicare straightened out before this one, I would have to pay for it. Well, all mention of that went out the window at this appointment. Dr. Mowatt said keep working on Medicare because it will be easier in the long run, but everything is covered.
The verdict is: I will be having surgery. We still don't know what it is. They were sort of even disagreeing about it in front of me! LOL! Dr. Morriss was leaning towards paraganglioma, but Dr. Mowatt towards sarcoma. Doesn't really matter, cancer is cancer at this point. Interestingly, Dr. Mowatt perfectly described my own opinion of biopsies when he said "It has to come out regardless, why open it up into the retroperitoneal cavity?"
Both doctors kept saying I was young and otherwise healthy, like an annoying number of times. (I kept wanting to insert "attractive" as well, but I held back.) They can see the blood flow to the kidney and it doesn't look attached, so I may not lose that. Dr. Morriss said if it is not malignant, it is pre-malignant, so it needs to go. Dr. Mowatt said "We'll schedule you for surgery as soon as possible." I asked him to define the timeline a little further for me, and he said two to four weeks. Behind him, Dr. Morriss was mouthing "A month!". Seeing me looking at Dr. Morriss and trying not to laugh, Dr. Mowatt repeated himself. Dr. Morriss said "You must be doing surgery overtime, I won't be able to schedule this in for a month." Since we have two surgeons (Mowatt and Morriss) plus the neuro and cardiology who will have to be on standby, I think it is more than reasonable for it to be a month. I will be in the hospital 7 to 10 days unless there are complications. I asked about work and suggested I would be off for 2-4 weeks, but he said 6-8 weeks. Ewwww. I will get massive amounts of scrapbooking done, I guess. I will need more channels on the TV! I swear we got TLC and HGTV this summer but they no longer come in now. I have a stockpile of To Be Read books for the hospital.
I had to do a catecholamines/VMA test, which Dr. Morriss said should indicate if it were a pheochromocytoma (what Mom had, they changed the name, it was physiochromocytoma when she had it.) Said Dr. Morriss, theoretically the pheo would come with blood pressure changes that could be an issue during surgery, and when he said that, I said "That's what Mom had." and he said "He didn't tell me that. Did I know that?" And I said "I think so, maybe that's why you think paraganglioma." He gave me an appraising look. :) Mom didn't have any BP changes, I found out later, so I probably won't need to worry. I do need to do some more research though, since I thought pheo was no longer an option based on location. I am nothing if not curious.
I like Dr. Morriss, and I feel good about this. He has a sense of humor, and gets my stupid jokes, for which I am grateful. I was less comfortable with Dr. Mowatt last visit just because he seemed not to have a sense of humor (but then again, how many oncological surgery patients are looking for a sense of humor?) but in his defense he had a rotten cold and I am a complex case. In many ways!
So, after Laboratory Receiving finally determined which specimen jug I needed, I took my sample collection jugs home. When she gave it to me, it was a 3 l jug, and I asked for 2. She looked at me askance, but...I really did need two! It was no problem, although I couldn't go to the gravesite at Jerry's funeral because I had to run home to pee. I had to work Friday night, so I intended to finish up Friday morning (24 hour collection) and drop it off Friday before work. Due to overwhelming tiredness, I waited and dropped it off Saturday morning. I also went to Zellers, the Thrift store (scored two biggish pots! Yay! Now I have a pot big enough for potatoes for a Mosher family dinner!) and Deluxe Fish and Chips while I was in the City. I got home at noon and decided to cut kindling, since I would be able to sleep that night.... and of course I got called in to work. So I worked Saturday night.
This week, I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday days, and then Friday night. Next week will be all nights. I may be too old for this! LOL! Even after a three hour nap yesterday (and believe me I nap at work) I had very little strength in my legs to walk in to work with today. Not so much of an issue that I am more than slowed down by it, but enough that I notice and am annoyed by it. I just kind of feel that I am walking through knee deep water. Other than that, the back pain is consistent, I have to sit down to tie my work boots and it is difficult to shave my legs in the shower. Mom and Jessie are going to get me one of those little old lady shower chairs, and for the boots, my chair was moved out of the entry way when I was moving stuff, so once I put that back, all will be well. I still fall over a little bit when I stand up too fast, and I am a little bit slow at getting up. Other than that, no issues.
That's the update!
a
I went to Dr. Mowatt's office for the appointment and met with he and Dr. Morriss. I don't know that I mentioned that Dr. Mowatt's receptionist didn't know about the magic Canadian citizen no-need-to-pay form, and after talking to him about it last time, she told me that appointment was free, but if I didn't get my Medicare straightened out before this one, I would have to pay for it. Well, all mention of that went out the window at this appointment. Dr. Mowatt said keep working on Medicare because it will be easier in the long run, but everything is covered.
The verdict is: I will be having surgery. We still don't know what it is. They were sort of even disagreeing about it in front of me! LOL! Dr. Morriss was leaning towards paraganglioma, but Dr. Mowatt towards sarcoma. Doesn't really matter, cancer is cancer at this point. Interestingly, Dr. Mowatt perfectly described my own opinion of biopsies when he said "It has to come out regardless, why open it up into the retroperitoneal cavity?"
Both doctors kept saying I was young and otherwise healthy, like an annoying number of times. (I kept wanting to insert "attractive" as well, but I held back.) They can see the blood flow to the kidney and it doesn't look attached, so I may not lose that. Dr. Morriss said if it is not malignant, it is pre-malignant, so it needs to go. Dr. Mowatt said "We'll schedule you for surgery as soon as possible." I asked him to define the timeline a little further for me, and he said two to four weeks. Behind him, Dr. Morriss was mouthing "A month!". Seeing me looking at Dr. Morriss and trying not to laugh, Dr. Mowatt repeated himself. Dr. Morriss said "You must be doing surgery overtime, I won't be able to schedule this in for a month." Since we have two surgeons (Mowatt and Morriss) plus the neuro and cardiology who will have to be on standby, I think it is more than reasonable for it to be a month. I will be in the hospital 7 to 10 days unless there are complications. I asked about work and suggested I would be off for 2-4 weeks, but he said 6-8 weeks. Ewwww. I will get massive amounts of scrapbooking done, I guess. I will need more channels on the TV! I swear we got TLC and HGTV this summer but they no longer come in now. I have a stockpile of To Be Read books for the hospital.
I had to do a catecholamines/VMA test, which Dr. Morriss said should indicate if it were a pheochromocytoma (what Mom had, they changed the name, it was physiochromocytoma when she had it.) Said Dr. Morriss, theoretically the pheo would come with blood pressure changes that could be an issue during surgery, and when he said that, I said "That's what Mom had." and he said "He didn't tell me that. Did I know that?" And I said "I think so, maybe that's why you think paraganglioma." He gave me an appraising look. :) Mom didn't have any BP changes, I found out later, so I probably won't need to worry. I do need to do some more research though, since I thought pheo was no longer an option based on location. I am nothing if not curious.
I like Dr. Morriss, and I feel good about this. He has a sense of humor, and gets my stupid jokes, for which I am grateful. I was less comfortable with Dr. Mowatt last visit just because he seemed not to have a sense of humor (but then again, how many oncological surgery patients are looking for a sense of humor?) but in his defense he had a rotten cold and I am a complex case. In many ways!
So, after Laboratory Receiving finally determined which specimen jug I needed, I took my sample collection jugs home. When she gave it to me, it was a 3 l jug, and I asked for 2. She looked at me askance, but...I really did need two! It was no problem, although I couldn't go to the gravesite at Jerry's funeral because I had to run home to pee. I had to work Friday night, so I intended to finish up Friday morning (24 hour collection) and drop it off Friday before work. Due to overwhelming tiredness, I waited and dropped it off Saturday morning. I also went to Zellers, the Thrift store (scored two biggish pots! Yay! Now I have a pot big enough for potatoes for a Mosher family dinner!) and Deluxe Fish and Chips while I was in the City. I got home at noon and decided to cut kindling, since I would be able to sleep that night.... and of course I got called in to work. So I worked Saturday night.
This week, I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday days, and then Friday night. Next week will be all nights. I may be too old for this! LOL! Even after a three hour nap yesterday (and believe me I nap at work) I had very little strength in my legs to walk in to work with today. Not so much of an issue that I am more than slowed down by it, but enough that I notice and am annoyed by it. I just kind of feel that I am walking through knee deep water. Other than that, the back pain is consistent, I have to sit down to tie my work boots and it is difficult to shave my legs in the shower. Mom and Jessie are going to get me one of those little old lady shower chairs, and for the boots, my chair was moved out of the entry way when I was moving stuff, so once I put that back, all will be well. I still fall over a little bit when I stand up too fast, and I am a little bit slow at getting up. Other than that, no issues.
That's the update!
a
Monday, September 28, 2009
???
Dr. Mowatt wanted another CT. He said that would take 7-10 days to schedule, then schedule the appointment for 2 weeks later. I went downstairs and sucked up to the nice lady at CT, then went back upstairs and waited for Dr. Mowatt's nurse to come back from lunch, got a copy of the orders, went back downstairs and she fit me in right then instead of coming back tomorrow, which she originally thought she had to do. So I saved 7-10 days. Done, $977 later, but the radiologist here wouldn't use contrast either, so we are no further ahead. He and Dr. Morriss (the urologist) will consult and decide what to do next. My appointment is for the 19th to review the results. Hope someone at work will change shifts with me!
He said if it is lymphoma they will do radiation (not sure how they would differentiate), they may decide to do a biopsy but not likely, I will probably lose a kidney because of the blood flow issue, and that was about it. He did think surgery was still the most likely.
Now I am off to Texas to load up a truck and list the house with a realtor.
a
He said if it is lymphoma they will do radiation (not sure how they would differentiate), they may decide to do a biopsy but not likely, I will probably lose a kidney because of the blood flow issue, and that was about it. He did think surgery was still the most likely.
Now I am off to Texas to load up a truck and list the house with a realtor.
a
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Irritated - and someone may have to be harmed.
The back story: The company I work for, Skymedical, is subcontracted to NBPower to provide emergency medical 24/7 for the refurbishment. Skymedical provides a paramedic 24/7. During normal conditions, there is an occupational health nurse here Monday-Thursday and a ??? (guy we'll call Al - his qualifications are questionable) here Tues-Fri, both of these are during office hours. For some reason, the guy we'll call Al hates Skymedical. My first day, he ran down the company and my immediate supervisor, and even took a few potshots at the Skymedical owner. Being a person who doesn't give a crap, I didn't pay much attention. Someone said he wanted to work for the company, and wasn't hired. Someone else said he had a friend who was supposed to get the contract and didn't. He is a little little man, and all very short men have issues, in my experience. So, I ignored it. Who really cares? However, then Al gave my chest pain patient Pepto-Bismol and told him he didn't have to go to the hospital. And that was when I realized, this guy can be very dangerous.
Last week, an email came out to all Skymedical employees saying that a new schedule password would be issued because non-employees had access to the pswd, and that this password must be guarded with one's life, the schedule could no longer be viewed from the Health Unit computer, so this guy we call Al would not be able to access it. Apparently this annoyed him.
So, when Dr. Mowatt called for me at this number (why? Not sure The only reason they would have this number is because I called Dr. Wheelock's office from here...) He took a message. And then he took a little black book and put a sticker on the front that said "All skymedical employees must read this every day and initial to show that they have received the message." And then proceeded to write in there four pages of random things including "July 25: All employees must leave this book on the desk. Red book is to be put in cabinet." Until finally, at the bottom, the last message says:
"2009/09/25
Hi Ande, Dr. Mowatt's office called. Needed to get a hold of you before Monday. I don't have a list of Skymedical employee #s. I don't even know the password to know when your next shift is. Al."
Perhaps, then, dumbass, you could say - "No, I am sorry, she isn't working today, why don't you call her at home? Or on her cell phone? Or call her referring doctor?" But no, he takes full responsibility for something he has no intention of doing, getting the message to me. There was no call to my cell or my home phone from the doctor. Why? Because I am certain the "kind" gentleman at the HEALTH UNIT said he would take care of it. And we assume that other people will behave as professionals. Instead, this guy would prefer to inconvenience me and possibly impact my health, by making certain I have no way to get his message, just so that he can make the point to someone somewhere that his feelings are hurt for not being included with the new password to the schedule.
So, now, back to the most important part of this - why does Dr. Mowatt's office want me to call them before Monday? The options are not positive, with the worst being that my appointment has been cancelled. But hey, how would I know? Maybe they want me to fast for bloodwork? Maybe I am supposed to bring something else? No idea. :(
Ande
Last week, an email came out to all Skymedical employees saying that a new schedule password would be issued because non-employees had access to the pswd, and that this password must be guarded with one's life, the schedule could no longer be viewed from the Health Unit computer, so this guy we call Al would not be able to access it. Apparently this annoyed him.
So, when Dr. Mowatt called for me at this number (why? Not sure The only reason they would have this number is because I called Dr. Wheelock's office from here...) He took a message. And then he took a little black book and put a sticker on the front that said "All skymedical employees must read this every day and initial to show that they have received the message." And then proceeded to write in there four pages of random things including "July 25: All employees must leave this book on the desk. Red book is to be put in cabinet." Until finally, at the bottom, the last message says:
"2009/09/25
Hi Ande, Dr. Mowatt's office called. Needed to get a hold of you before Monday. I don't have a list of Skymedical employee #s. I don't even know the password to know when your next shift is. Al."
Perhaps, then, dumbass, you could say - "No, I am sorry, she isn't working today, why don't you call her at home? Or on her cell phone? Or call her referring doctor?" But no, he takes full responsibility for something he has no intention of doing, getting the message to me. There was no call to my cell or my home phone from the doctor. Why? Because I am certain the "kind" gentleman at the HEALTH UNIT said he would take care of it. And we assume that other people will behave as professionals. Instead, this guy would prefer to inconvenience me and possibly impact my health, by making certain I have no way to get his message, just so that he can make the point to someone somewhere that his feelings are hurt for not being included with the new password to the schedule.
So, now, back to the most important part of this - why does Dr. Mowatt's office want me to call them before Monday? The options are not positive, with the worst being that my appointment has been cancelled. But hey, how would I know? Maybe they want me to fast for bloodwork? Maybe I am supposed to bring something else? No idea. :(
Ande
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I have a report!
I have an appointment with Dr. Mowatt (James!) next Monday at 11 AM. Then I am theoretically off to Texas to pack up a U-haul (Actually a Penske, because Robert said they are far far better!) and list the house with an agent, finished or not.
Everyone comoing into the health unit is sick! Which, of course, stands to reason, I suppose. Today alone we went through a 40 pill bottle of cold and sinus, a 24 pack of the same, TWO boxes of immodium (you know that's for diarrhea, right?) and one whole thing of Pepto-Bismol. YUCK! I am being very careful about handwashing, not touching my face, and I am eating tons of Vitamin C. I also read a very interesting article that has convinced me I should also be eating more vitamin D!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/05/16/f-health-vitamin-d.html
I am a fan of these vitamin things. :)
Love to all
Drene
And......Kelly - I am so sorry I have not yet returned your sweet message! I will do so soon, I promise, Friday is my day off this week. YAY!
Everyone comoing into the health unit is sick! Which, of course, stands to reason, I suppose. Today alone we went through a 40 pill bottle of cold and sinus, a 24 pack of the same, TWO boxes of immodium (you know that's for diarrhea, right?) and one whole thing of Pepto-Bismol. YUCK! I am being very careful about handwashing, not touching my face, and I am eating tons of Vitamin C. I also read a very interesting article that has convinced me I should also be eating more vitamin D!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/05/16/f-health-vitamin-d.html
I am a fan of these vitamin things. :)
Love to all
Drene
And......Kelly - I am so sorry I have not yet returned your sweet message! I will do so soon, I promise, Friday is my day off this week. YAY!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Nothing to report
Called the doctor (Wheelock) today about the appointment with the next doctor (Mowatt), they have been out of the office since Wednesday, according to their message. I left a message and will follow up again on Monday.
a
a
Friday, September 11, 2009
Waiting
Dr. Wheelock says he isn't the man for me. :(
I have to see Dr. Mowatt, a general surgeon with hepatobiliary system/liver/pancreas as a 'specialty' and oncology 'experience'. He should be joined for surgery by a Dr. Morris, (a urologist I believe) and apparently other characters as well to deal with the vein and artery from the kidney and the inferior vena cava, as well as the duodenum. Par-tay!
So I am waiting for Lori from Dr. Wheelock's office to make me a "fairly urgent" appointment, I am to follow up next Friday if I haven't heard from her by then.
I'm feeling a bit hateful right now, since my lovely new job can't figure out how to pay me, or at least not a consistent dollar value, and my phone died in the middle of talking to Andrene. So, I won't subject y'all to my pissyness, since everything will look better in the morning. God, I hope so anyways!
a
I have to see Dr. Mowatt, a general surgeon with hepatobiliary system/liver/pancreas as a 'specialty' and oncology 'experience'. He should be joined for surgery by a Dr. Morris, (a urologist I believe) and apparently other characters as well to deal with the vein and artery from the kidney and the inferior vena cava, as well as the duodenum. Par-tay!
So I am waiting for Lori from Dr. Wheelock's office to make me a "fairly urgent" appointment, I am to follow up next Friday if I haven't heard from her by then.
I'm feeling a bit hateful right now, since my lovely new job can't figure out how to pay me, or at least not a consistent dollar value, and my phone died in the middle of talking to Andrene. So, I won't subject y'all to my pissyness, since everything will look better in the morning. God, I hope so anyways!
a
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Appointment time!
On Thursday afternoon, I called the doctor's office and got....no answer.
On Friday morning I called and..... got an appointment! The receptionist was very nice, she said that they wanted to fit me in next week, but had no appointments left on Wednesday, the day they normally saw patients. But, she was going to see if the doc would see me on Friday. She would ask him and call me back. I gave her my number at work so she could call back and explained that I worked shifts. She said...you work in Lepreau? Why yes! She knew the prefix because she lives in Musquash! We're like sisters now. :)
She called me back with a 10:30 next Friday, September 11th, appointment time. Woohoo!
Interesting notes:
1. One guy I work with, his wife is my fifth cousin, and they were at the reunion in Caraquet last month as well. In fact, he was sitting two rows ahead of us, and heard me translating to Olive. He also noted the freakishly small chair I fell into. He also thought the speaker (who happened to be his father in law) went on far too long, and said that even if you were a francophone it was still boring.
2. One girl I work with, she is the cousin of the next door neighbor/childhood friend of my oldest nephew, and she hung out with the daughter of my cousin MM, who is not currently working for NRF but is working in Rad Control, and he was here last night. In my very office.
Tiny little world, or what?
On Friday morning I called and..... got an appointment! The receptionist was very nice, she said that they wanted to fit me in next week, but had no appointments left on Wednesday, the day they normally saw patients. But, she was going to see if the doc would see me on Friday. She would ask him and call me back. I gave her my number at work so she could call back and explained that I worked shifts. She said...you work in Lepreau? Why yes! She knew the prefix because she lives in Musquash! We're like sisters now. :)
She called me back with a 10:30 next Friday, September 11th, appointment time. Woohoo!
Interesting notes:
1. One guy I work with, his wife is my fifth cousin, and they were at the reunion in Caraquet last month as well. In fact, he was sitting two rows ahead of us, and heard me translating to Olive. He also noted the freakishly small chair I fell into. He also thought the speaker (who happened to be his father in law) went on far too long, and said that even if you were a francophone it was still boring.
2. One girl I work with, she is the cousin of the next door neighbor/childhood friend of my oldest nephew, and she hung out with the daughter of my cousin MM, who is not currently working for NRF but is working in Rad Control, and he was here last night. In my very office.
Tiny little world, or what?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Last thing before bed...
So....
Now, theoretically, they are going to call me and my appointment will be within a week. More tomorrow, I am sleepy. But.... kind of tiresome still. :)
a
Now, theoretically, they are going to call me and my appointment will be within a week. More tomorrow, I am sleepy. But.... kind of tiresome still. :)
a
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Dooodeedodo....
Whenever I am thinking things, I think, "I should blog that." Then I get to the blog page, and I think....what was that again? Forgetful!
Sometimes, I get to this page, and I think...wow, I can't post that, that's very negative! Interestingly enough, I think that maybe I have been wrong to not post negative things. The past few days have been very stressful for me. I have been trying to make all the people in my life happy, but the conflicting demands make that difficult. In the end, I made myself happy and no one was hurt too too much. I don't think. :)
Last night we got together and had a bonfire, Mom, Loretta, Charlene, Kathy and Kevin and the kids. We had fun, even including Mom thinking a bear might come eat us. :) But this is the crappy part - several times during the night I found myself thinking - will this be the last time I get to do this? And I am not even SICK! Very annoying. It is kind of like there is something hanging over my head, but I can't tell what it is. Might hurt, might not.
It is almost as if, I can't be my usual annoying busy body self with my nieces and nephews because I want them to remember me as different than that. And that is kind of what I have been doing with everyine else too, trying to have a bit of a "nice" persona that really doesn't fit all that well sometimes. My lesson from the last few days is that trying to make everyone happy just makes me unhappy.
I haven't been feeling well ever since my night shift on Thursday. I am not sure if I am too old or just too stressed but...ick. I must confess I am not looking forward to the family picture tomorrow... I intended to go to Clothesline today to look for a new shirt, but that didn't happen. I will be more excited when I know what I will wear, perhaps. I think It is time to go sit in my chair with the light out and pretend I am reading.
:)
Sometimes, I get to this page, and I think...wow, I can't post that, that's very negative! Interestingly enough, I think that maybe I have been wrong to not post negative things. The past few days have been very stressful for me. I have been trying to make all the people in my life happy, but the conflicting demands make that difficult. In the end, I made myself happy and no one was hurt too too much. I don't think. :)
Last night we got together and had a bonfire, Mom, Loretta, Charlene, Kathy and Kevin and the kids. We had fun, even including Mom thinking a bear might come eat us. :) But this is the crappy part - several times during the night I found myself thinking - will this be the last time I get to do this? And I am not even SICK! Very annoying. It is kind of like there is something hanging over my head, but I can't tell what it is. Might hurt, might not.
It is almost as if, I can't be my usual annoying busy body self with my nieces and nephews because I want them to remember me as different than that. And that is kind of what I have been doing with everyine else too, trying to have a bit of a "nice" persona that really doesn't fit all that well sometimes. My lesson from the last few days is that trying to make everyone happy just makes me unhappy.
I haven't been feeling well ever since my night shift on Thursday. I am not sure if I am too old or just too stressed but...ick. I must confess I am not looking forward to the family picture tomorrow... I intended to go to Clothesline today to look for a new shirt, but that didn't happen. I will be more excited when I know what I will wear, perhaps. I think It is time to go sit in my chair with the light out and pretend I am reading.
:)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Which reminds me...
The guy I work with here if I am on weekdays has a nickname. Guess what it is?
BERT.
Good thing we re-named Bert to be Burl.
:)
a
BERT.
Good thing we re-named Bert to be Burl.
:)
a
AN UPDATE! (well, sort of!)
Today was the day I was allowed to call and check in with June (the very nice reception person at Dr. Debertin's office) if the doc hadn't called me yet.... So I did.
She called and the temporary receptionist (the usual one is on vacation) could not find a record of me. She will be back on Tuesday and June will call her again. :(
How embarrassing since I keep telling all my Texas friends how much more awesome Canadian healthcare is!
On a related note, I had another long conversation about Paramedic care in NB with another Paramedic. One interesting comment was "We used to have the highest save rate in the country. (Referring to the SJ area) Now I can't remember the last save." Since the big change, they no longer have cardiac drugs. :( Sadly, the leveling that occurred in the province meant better care for some, but lesser care for others. And Joe Q. Public has no way of knowing! This Joan Q. Public is finding out way too much.
Not all paramedics are allowed to carry Valium. They have "Diazepam Intercepts" to stop patients from seizing. What the f? Who loses brain cells from seizures? Why, children, of course.
From another source, I found out that there are still areas in the province with BLS ambulances. Notably, they are also in areas where native Canadians live. First Nations get lesser care? Wonder why. Very saddened about this, the more I learn about the systems the more I see the broke parts. :(
So, I think I am going to sit quietly for a while and learn more. I may have to try to save the world after all. *Sigh*
A Super Hero's job is never done.
Ande
She called and the temporary receptionist (the usual one is on vacation) could not find a record of me. She will be back on Tuesday and June will call her again. :(
How embarrassing since I keep telling all my Texas friends how much more awesome Canadian healthcare is!
On a related note, I had another long conversation about Paramedic care in NB with another Paramedic. One interesting comment was "We used to have the highest save rate in the country. (Referring to the SJ area) Now I can't remember the last save." Since the big change, they no longer have cardiac drugs. :( Sadly, the leveling that occurred in the province meant better care for some, but lesser care for others. And Joe Q. Public has no way of knowing! This Joan Q. Public is finding out way too much.
Not all paramedics are allowed to carry Valium. They have "Diazepam Intercepts" to stop patients from seizing. What the f? Who loses brain cells from seizures? Why, children, of course.
From another source, I found out that there are still areas in the province with BLS ambulances. Notably, they are also in areas where native Canadians live. First Nations get lesser care? Wonder why. Very saddened about this, the more I learn about the systems the more I see the broke parts. :(
So, I think I am going to sit quietly for a while and learn more. I may have to try to save the world after all. *Sigh*
A Super Hero's job is never done.
Ande
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
And the Update is....
There really isn't one. :)
Nothing to see here. Move along......
Still waiting for the very busy (see, he must be good) Dr. WHEELOCK (We remembered - thanks Olive!) to call with an appointment. Neurosurgery must be Booming!
a
Nothing to see here. Move along......
Still waiting for the very busy (see, he must be good) Dr. WHEELOCK (We remembered - thanks Olive!) to call with an appointment. Neurosurgery must be Booming!
a
Friday, August 14, 2009
Waiting
Mom, Olive and I went to Fredericton today for coffee with Margot, Bronwyn, Angie and the kids. Good coffee, good conversation! Still waiting. :) But my face hasn't leaked all day. Good times.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Update - Bert is now Burl!
Bert has been renamed Burl! Why...because of the song, Goodbye Earl! Sing it with me....Goodbye, Burl! That was Olive's idea yesterday!
My wonderful Dr. Debertin has already sent my information to the neurosurgeon, we should have an appointment time call back next week, he thinks. It was actually nice to see Dr. Debertin again, he looks just like I remember, with just maybe a few new grey hair, and what a fabulous sense of humor he has. I didn't remember how funny he is!
I enjoyed the opprortunity to kind of recap 20 years of my life fairly quick. :)
***This post was temporarily suspended so that I could run to get a printer at Cox. It is now MUCH MUCH later.***
While I was at Cox asking to see Maggie, who had just stepped out to lunch, the guy had to get the phone....it was for me. :) Have to love a small town. It was Olive, Dr. Debertin's office had called and wanted me to call them before 4. I decided to just drive over there, since I had an hour to kill until Maggie got back.
Since I am clearly tired, I can't remember the name of the neurosurgeon...even though I have been saying it all day. Dr. Debertin said their office would call me within the next couple weeks with an appointment, and not to worry about the medicare, they have a special form and blah blah blah. WOW, huh? Thank you Canada oh great land of love and free healthcare! Thank you taxpayers! Dr. D said he had never heard of the form but it meant no 90 day wait for reinstatement of coverage, because I am a CANADIAN! Love it! That means my money worries are much much relieved.
He did present an interesting way of looking at the possibility of a biopsy, which everyone knows I am 100% against (or, at least I was.) He said, if you onlyhave four months to live, do you want to spend two of them recovering from surgery? Good point. Made me rethink a bit. However, as we are all aware, there is nothing I can't kick, and this will be no different. I will live to be the crazy cat lady. Woohoo!
I went to see Ella's play this evening, the Faery's Kiss, and it was wonderful. It is so fun to go somewhere and have half the audience wave when you walk in. Wooh, it was hot in there though! She mentioned that Dr. Tom had been to Dr. W - the neurosurgeon with no name - the day prior and had mentioned me so when Dr. D called, he was a tiny bit familiar. I very much appreciate the love everyone is showing me. Blessings, falling from the sky.
After the play we came home for Mom's homemade ice cream and a lively raspberry filled cake she had made. She also made us an amazing dinner tonight, Chicken Salad Piccata from the Rachel Ray recipes I absconded with from the doctor's office in Texas. Funny moment: I confessed to ripping them out of the magazine and my doctor said "This isn't the time to be worried about that!" to which I replied "Great, hand me the rest of the magazine then!"
In honor of the evening's entertainment:
Cast Of Characters: (since some readers are not in the full Mosher family loopage...)
Olive: Amazing sister whom I love
Maggie: Beautiful nice, daughter of Jessie, amazing sister whom I love. Maggie works at Cox, an electronics store, and has been voted "Family IT person."
Dr. Debertin: Childhood doctor (technically teenhood), with amazing sense of humor. Smart, AND funny!
Ella: Cousin from my mother's father's side... geesh. Cousin somehow, anyways, whom I love. Hooked me back up with Dr. D, who accepted me back as a patient thanks to this wonderful woman, who also is an amazing Actor. I practically lived at Ella's house as a teen. Tuesdays were at Ella's!
Dr. Tom: Ella's husband, kind intelligent surgeon who is rather stuck with a lot of random family bits like me by marriage and yet accepts it all with grace.
Dr. W: The as yet unknown neurosurgeon.
Mom: Somewhat self explanatory!
As a final act to the evening's post, I need mention that my cat can open doors. Even without opposable thumbs. So she is now no longer confined to my bedroom, and is wandering the house. Stacey saw her in the fireplace earlier this evening! She is on a chair near me looking quite happy and self sufficient. Hopefully she'll catch a mouse or something to prove her worth.
:)
Please keep praying, y'all!
a
My wonderful Dr. Debertin has already sent my information to the neurosurgeon, we should have an appointment time call back next week, he thinks. It was actually nice to see Dr. Debertin again, he looks just like I remember, with just maybe a few new grey hair, and what a fabulous sense of humor he has. I didn't remember how funny he is!
I enjoyed the opprortunity to kind of recap 20 years of my life fairly quick. :)
***This post was temporarily suspended so that I could run to get a printer at Cox. It is now MUCH MUCH later.***
While I was at Cox asking to see Maggie, who had just stepped out to lunch, the guy had to get the phone....it was for me. :) Have to love a small town. It was Olive, Dr. Debertin's office had called and wanted me to call them before 4. I decided to just drive over there, since I had an hour to kill until Maggie got back.
Since I am clearly tired, I can't remember the name of the neurosurgeon...even though I have been saying it all day. Dr. Debertin said their office would call me within the next couple weeks with an appointment, and not to worry about the medicare, they have a special form and blah blah blah. WOW, huh? Thank you Canada oh great land of love and free healthcare! Thank you taxpayers! Dr. D said he had never heard of the form but it meant no 90 day wait for reinstatement of coverage, because I am a CANADIAN! Love it! That means my money worries are much much relieved.
He did present an interesting way of looking at the possibility of a biopsy, which everyone knows I am 100% against (or, at least I was.) He said, if you onlyhave four months to live, do you want to spend two of them recovering from surgery? Good point. Made me rethink a bit. However, as we are all aware, there is nothing I can't kick, and this will be no different. I will live to be the crazy cat lady. Woohoo!
I went to see Ella's play this evening, the Faery's Kiss, and it was wonderful. It is so fun to go somewhere and have half the audience wave when you walk in. Wooh, it was hot in there though! She mentioned that Dr. Tom had been to Dr. W - the neurosurgeon with no name - the day prior and had mentioned me so when Dr. D called, he was a tiny bit familiar. I very much appreciate the love everyone is showing me. Blessings, falling from the sky.
After the play we came home for Mom's homemade ice cream and a lively raspberry filled cake she had made. She also made us an amazing dinner tonight, Chicken Salad Piccata from the Rachel Ray recipes I absconded with from the doctor's office in Texas. Funny moment: I confessed to ripping them out of the magazine and my doctor said "This isn't the time to be worried about that!" to which I replied "Great, hand me the rest of the magazine then!"
In honor of the evening's entertainment:
Cast Of Characters: (since some readers are not in the full Mosher family loopage...)
Olive: Amazing sister whom I love
Maggie: Beautiful nice, daughter of Jessie, amazing sister whom I love. Maggie works at Cox, an electronics store, and has been voted "Family IT person."
Dr. Debertin: Childhood doctor (technically teenhood), with amazing sense of humor. Smart, AND funny!
Ella: Cousin from my mother's father's side... geesh. Cousin somehow, anyways, whom I love. Hooked me back up with Dr. D, who accepted me back as a patient thanks to this wonderful woman, who also is an amazing Actor. I practically lived at Ella's house as a teen. Tuesdays were at Ella's!
Dr. Tom: Ella's husband, kind intelligent surgeon who is rather stuck with a lot of random family bits like me by marriage and yet accepts it all with grace.
Dr. W: The as yet unknown neurosurgeon.
Mom: Somewhat self explanatory!
As a final act to the evening's post, I need mention that my cat can open doors. Even without opposable thumbs. So she is now no longer confined to my bedroom, and is wandering the house. Stacey saw her in the fireplace earlier this evening! She is on a chair near me looking quite happy and self sufficient. Hopefully she'll catch a mouse or something to prove her worth.
:)
Please keep praying, y'all!
a
(Insert theme from Sesame Street here)
Sunny days, chasing the clouds away....
It has been sunny every day since I have gotten here! The weather is beautiful and I have been having a blast with Olive and Stacey messing about with jacking up the house, and various other fun projects.
I am off to the doctor this morning. Warning, in advance: Nothing new or interesting will be learned from this visit. All that will occur is a discussion of treatment to date, and where we shall send me. :)
a
It has been sunny every day since I have gotten here! The weather is beautiful and I have been having a blast with Olive and Stacey messing about with jacking up the house, and various other fun projects.
I am off to the doctor this morning. Warning, in advance: Nothing new or interesting will be learned from this visit. All that will occur is a discussion of treatment to date, and where we shall send me. :)
a
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