If you can, join me and many other women for an afternoon and early evening, for only $10. Hope to see you!
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time: 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Emmanuel Mennonite Church
Street: 3471 Clearbrook Road
City/Town: Abbotsford, BC
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Inspirational Day 2010
Introduction:
When I reflect back on my life,I see so many opposing life circumstances; so many contrasts; sometimes quite extreme.I thought you may find them interesting and probably relate to some of them yourself.
Like my name for example; when I hear my name,"Feather" it is normal to me, when you hear my name "Feather" you probably think, "What were her parent's thinking?!?!" Well, I'm not sure but they were Hippies, so that seems to explain a lot.
Then when I was 26 and got married my name got even more interesting, because I got to add "Janz" as my last name. So that is the first example, of one of my life contrasts. "Feather", on one hand and "Janz", on the other. A good "flower child" name and a good German Mennonite name.
While writing of this I thought of my dog,Lilah, she's half Chihuahua and Half Jack Russell Terrier; she's purposefully bred that way... she's what they call a Jack-chi,a designer breed ...but when comparing myself to this example I'm referring more to the "designer" part! NOT the dog part:)
Anyway my life seems to follow a bit of a pattern; 'Anything but Normal" meets "conservative-Traditional" ...Feather (Anything but normal) and Janz (Conservative-Traditional). I'm sure Chris's Grandpa Leo Janz, the German World Evangelist and the founder of Janz Team Ministries, never would have thought he'd have a Grand-daughter-in-law with the name Feather, just as my Great-aunt Catherine, a committed life-long Nun, would have never imagined her Great-Niece, becoming Mennonite either. Catholic...Mennonite...hmmmm...Roman Catholic...German Mennonite.
Part #1:
-(on one hand) Being raised on an organic food farm, drinking our goat's milk everyday...Now diet Coke is my daily guilty pleasure (on the other hand).
-Raised as the wholesome, natural, "Granola-girl" and now I love my fake nails, fake tan, fake blond streaks,fake hair extensions, make-up, fake eye-lashes, oh and now fake breasts.
-Once Wearing a set of family t-shirts that said "How in the Health are ya?", and "I think therefore I recycle!"; Which we traded in for, "Make Borscht,not Bombs!" and "WWJD" across our hearts. (What would Jesus do)
- I had a guru-worshiping, third-eye mediating, new-age hippie mom; who is now a deacon in a Mennonite church.
- When I was 7, I had my Mom help me write an essay for a contest called "What the Bible means to me" (which I won:), then a year later she discovered what the Bible meant to her.
- I graduated high school with honours and then got a "P" (49.5%i) in college my first semester.
- I know how it feels to strive for perfectionism; and then to realize that the only thing perfect in my life is my Savior...(oh and the dentist has I have naturally perfect teeth:)(Dud breasts but perfect teeth!!:)
- I know what it's like to be a fitness model and then only being able to buy my clothes at a plus sized store.
- I know what it's like to have have hundred of people say to me, "I think you dated a guy I know." (There were a "few"!!) and actually being able to have an "official" white wedding.
- I know what it's like to have two Dad's walk me down the isle and I know how it feels to have my Heavenly Father with me, every step of my life.
Part #2:
-From hearing the name of my Lord and Savior, for the first time, as a curse word from the mouths of my parent's friends and them being wed bare-foot on a beach; to me being baptized with Holy water in to the Mennonite Church (MB Conference).
- My parent's divorcing when I was 3 and preparing to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary.
- I know what it's like to be called to the Mission field and to be called back into the home.
- I know what it's like to be a full-time working mom, a part-time working Mom, a stay at home Mom and a bed-ridden Mom.
- I know what it's like to travel across the country, by myself working and then not being able to drive on my own, for months.
- I know what it's like to be interviewed on several national TV programs and to have all the right answers and I know what's like to feel like I know... nothing at all.
-I know what it's like to have money to spare and also how it feels to ask others for financial help.
-I have spent 7 days backpacking the West Coast Trail, in the wilderness and I have spent 7 days debilitated by asthma, stuck in my room with my hepa-filter.
-I know what it's like to keep a house "where everything is in it's place" and what it's like to have a home where nothing is where it belongs (even when God has me right where He wants me;)
-I've gone from being the "healthiest" person people know, to having breast cancer twice by 35 years old.
- I know what it's like to check mark the "I'm in excellent health" box; while between 6 months of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation.( Just A little bit of denial:)
- I've run a half marathon and also wondered how I was going to get from my bed to the toilet, that was only 10 feet away.
-I've lost a breast to cancer at 23, while praying I'd make it to my 10 year dream, of breast-feeding my children, which came to be when I was able to successfully nourish my children with my remaining breast.
- I'm a breast feeding consultant and breast health instructor; even though I no longer have breasts.
- I've already had menopause, due to chemo and then had my fertility come back (though I was medically advised not to use it) and even though menopause was like a form of torture (oh, I have so much sympathy for women going through menopause) but even though it was 8 horrible months, I do look forward to living long enough to go through menopause again.
-I know what it's like to feel "on top of my game" as a mother; and then also thinking "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Part #3:
- I know how it feels to fear losing my child's life, how it feels to think I'm losing my marriage, and how it feels to fear losing my own life; thankfully not all at the same time.
- I know what it's like to be, on what many thought was my death bed and then 7 months later being able to go on rides at Disneyland for 12 hours straight with my kids.
-At one time in my life I was the top player on my soccer team, making the most goals and the had a time when my personal goals were reduced to just trying to stay awake and alert for At least 6 hours a day.
- I've had hair down to my waist for 9 years and I've been bald for 9 months.
- I know what it's like to hold my children so close and never want to let them go and how to surrender them to God, as I felt my life slipping away.
- I know what it's like to forgive but not forget; and still hold resentment.
- I've seen in my husband's eyes, on our wedding day, the look that made me know I was his for the rest of my life, even after only 9 months of knowing each other; then 9 years later, while I was bald and bloated, I still saw the same look in his eyes...even if "'till death do us part" meant only 9 more months together.
- I know how it feels to clean up the drug ridden mess of a loved one and how it feels to be completely high in the Holy Spirit. Amen!
- I know what it's like to be devastated by the death of my best friend at 29; and to have total peace that I will see her again one day (Lord willing, a long-time from now)
- I know what it's like to lie on an operating table 14 times and what it's like to experience healing over and over again.
- I've been a 23 year old cancer patient, a 12 year cancer survivor; a 35 year old breast cancer patient and now a double breast cancer survivor.
- I know how it feels to look in the mirror and see a "stranger", who vaguely resembles me, in my reflection; with no hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes, no waistline and no breasts...but feeling like I knew myself, ME!... "Feather"... better than ever!
Conclusion #1:
I was stripped bare and all that was left, was the woman God intended for me to be; covered in "His garb of Grace."
You are covered by God's grace. He created you...for His greater purpose, and all you have to do, is surrender and say "Here I am."
The following is a poem I wrote, entitled, "I am both", soon after coming through my cancer battle, almost two years ago.
I AM BOTH.
I can celebrate life and still be grieving.
I can smile and still be sad.
I can have a heavy heart and still shine.
I can mourn and still be dancing.
I am still me.
I can weep and still give a warm hug.
I can set boundaries and still receive gifts.
I can work and still feel like I'm playing.
I can be sick and still know that I'm well.
I am still me.
I can be angry and still seek peace.
I can close one door and still open another.
I can scream out in pain and still whisper, "I love you."
I can stride with confidence and still curl-up with insecurity.
I am still me.
I can ignore what I refuse to hear and still listen with wisdom.
I can fall down in shame and still rise-up with dignity.
I can pray for a miracle while still having doubt in my heart.
I can live life to the fullest and still embrace death.
I am still me.
I can have a child like faith and still feel my age.
I can see a storm cloud and still look for the rainbow.
I can feel the coolness of the rain and still sense the warmth of the sun.
I can know faith with no limits and still see the end.
I am still me.
I can teach my children to be independent and still hold them close.
I can see the positive in all things and not be blind to the negative.
I can stand corrected and still give advice.
I can receive a helping hand and still extend mine.
I am still me.
I can still know that I'm rich with no money at all.
I can still have compassion for the addict and hate the addiction.
I can still have a highlight on the lowest of days.
I can feel like I've still gained "the world" when I've lost so much.
I am still me.
In Conclusion:
Probably the most important life lesson the Lord has taught me, is that even when I feel so weak and I don't believe I can move an inch...He can still use me for His Glory. Even when we are still, He wants us to know that He is God. When we serve, with a serving heart, we don't even have to leave our bed, for Him to move mountains. But when He does call us to "Go", to take action, when we are able; it's time to obey. I'm glad that you were all able to be here today and I hope you will also be able to attend the retreat in October at Camp Squeah; Where I'll have the opportunity to get to know you better and you will certainly get to know even more about me.!
Introduce Lisa:
I’m so glad that Lisa could be here to day and that she will be joining us in October at Camp Squeah. Lisa and I have grown especially close over the past four years. I first heard of Lisa when our mutual friend, Debbie Fortnum, said she know a girl who could really sing and really write music. My husband Chris works in all areas of music; mostly producing other artists, in our studio, so they can have their own cd. Debbie knew Lisa was ready to have her own cd produced. Lisa came in as a young lady who had just lost her Mom to breast cancer and who had poured her heart into her lyrics and sound. When she sat down at our piano and began to sing on of her songs; I knew that she had a gift that needed to be heard. I got chills, as she sang and I didn’t want her to stop. We became close friends as Chris worked with Lisa, and we became even closer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year later. Perhaps our biggest bonding moments came when she came with our family to Disneyland, when I was nearing the end of my treatment and things weren’t looking so good for me. 10 days she stayed with us…and she still loves us!! We love you too Lisa!!
PRAYER
"God, I thank-you for everyday and especially days like today; where we can come before you surrendered and re-focused on who you have called each of us to be...your child...your creation...your bride.
Thank-you God for your faithfulness so that we can know, that we are always forgiven and never forgotten.
Thank-you Lord that you designed every woman here for your purpose...Your purpose, which is so much greater than our own.
God, you are Great, you are Mighty, you are never changing and you are good...even when we are broken and beaten down, you are unchanging, you are always good... you are good...all of the time.
Thank-you for this time, of basking in your Goodness and garbing ourselves in your Grace.
Amen.
Sing with Lisa:
You are Good
I cry out
For Your hand of mercy to heal me
I am weak
I need Your love to free me
O Lord, my Rock
My strength in weakness
Come rescue me, O Lord
You are my hope
Your promise never fails me
And my desire
Is to follow You forever
For You are good
For You are good
For You are good to me
When I reflect back on my life,I see so many opposing life circumstances; so many contrasts; sometimes quite extreme.I thought you may find them interesting and probably relate to some of them yourself.
Like my name for example; when I hear my name,"Feather" it is normal to me, when you hear my name "Feather" you probably think, "What were her parent's thinking?!?!" Well, I'm not sure but they were Hippies, so that seems to explain a lot.
Then when I was 26 and got married my name got even more interesting, because I got to add "Janz" as my last name. So that is the first example, of one of my life contrasts. "Feather", on one hand and "Janz", on the other. A good "flower child" name and a good German Mennonite name.
While writing of this I thought of my dog,Lilah, she's half Chihuahua and Half Jack Russell Terrier; she's purposefully bred that way... she's what they call a Jack-chi,a designer breed ...but when comparing myself to this example I'm referring more to the "designer" part! NOT the dog part:)
Anyway my life seems to follow a bit of a pattern; 'Anything but Normal" meets "conservative-Traditional" ...Feather (Anything but normal) and Janz (Conservative-Traditional). I'm sure Chris's Grandpa Leo Janz, the German World Evangelist and the founder of Janz Team Ministries, never would have thought he'd have a Grand-daughter-in-law with the name Feather, just as my Great-aunt Catherine, a committed life-long Nun, would have never imagined her Great-Niece, becoming Mennonite either. Catholic...Mennonite...hmmmm...Roman Catholic...German Mennonite.
Part #1:
-(on one hand) Being raised on an organic food farm, drinking our goat's milk everyday...Now diet Coke is my daily guilty pleasure (on the other hand).
-Raised as the wholesome, natural, "Granola-girl" and now I love my fake nails, fake tan, fake blond streaks,fake hair extensions, make-up, fake eye-lashes, oh and now fake breasts.
-Once Wearing a set of family t-shirts that said "How in the Health are ya?", and "I think therefore I recycle!"; Which we traded in for, "Make Borscht,not Bombs!" and "WWJD" across our hearts. (What would Jesus do)
- I had a guru-worshiping, third-eye mediating, new-age hippie mom; who is now a deacon in a Mennonite church.
- When I was 7, I had my Mom help me write an essay for a contest called "What the Bible means to me" (which I won:), then a year later she discovered what the Bible meant to her.
- I graduated high school with honours and then got a "P" (49.5%i) in college my first semester.
- I know how it feels to strive for perfectionism; and then to realize that the only thing perfect in my life is my Savior...(oh and the dentist has I have naturally perfect teeth:)(Dud breasts but perfect teeth!!:)
- I know what it's like to be a fitness model and then only being able to buy my clothes at a plus sized store.
- I know what it's like to have have hundred of people say to me, "I think you dated a guy I know." (There were a "few"!!) and actually being able to have an "official" white wedding.
- I know what it's like to have two Dad's walk me down the isle and I know how it feels to have my Heavenly Father with me, every step of my life.
Part #2:
-From hearing the name of my Lord and Savior, for the first time, as a curse word from the mouths of my parent's friends and them being wed bare-foot on a beach; to me being baptized with Holy water in to the Mennonite Church (MB Conference).
- My parent's divorcing when I was 3 and preparing to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary.
- I know what it's like to be called to the Mission field and to be called back into the home.
- I know what it's like to be a full-time working mom, a part-time working Mom, a stay at home Mom and a bed-ridden Mom.
- I know what it's like to travel across the country, by myself working and then not being able to drive on my own, for months.
- I know what it's like to be interviewed on several national TV programs and to have all the right answers and I know what's like to feel like I know... nothing at all.
-I know what it's like to have money to spare and also how it feels to ask others for financial help.
-I have spent 7 days backpacking the West Coast Trail, in the wilderness and I have spent 7 days debilitated by asthma, stuck in my room with my hepa-filter.
-I know what it's like to keep a house "where everything is in it's place" and what it's like to have a home where nothing is where it belongs (even when God has me right where He wants me;)
-I've gone from being the "healthiest" person people know, to having breast cancer twice by 35 years old.
- I know what it's like to check mark the "I'm in excellent health" box; while between 6 months of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation.( Just A little bit of denial:)
- I've run a half marathon and also wondered how I was going to get from my bed to the toilet, that was only 10 feet away.
-I've lost a breast to cancer at 23, while praying I'd make it to my 10 year dream, of breast-feeding my children, which came to be when I was able to successfully nourish my children with my remaining breast.
- I'm a breast feeding consultant and breast health instructor; even though I no longer have breasts.
- I've already had menopause, due to chemo and then had my fertility come back (though I was medically advised not to use it) and even though menopause was like a form of torture (oh, I have so much sympathy for women going through menopause) but even though it was 8 horrible months, I do look forward to living long enough to go through menopause again.
-I know what it's like to feel "on top of my game" as a mother; and then also thinking "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Part #3:
- I know how it feels to fear losing my child's life, how it feels to think I'm losing my marriage, and how it feels to fear losing my own life; thankfully not all at the same time.
- I know what it's like to be, on what many thought was my death bed and then 7 months later being able to go on rides at Disneyland for 12 hours straight with my kids.
-At one time in my life I was the top player on my soccer team, making the most goals and the had a time when my personal goals were reduced to just trying to stay awake and alert for At least 6 hours a day.
- I've had hair down to my waist for 9 years and I've been bald for 9 months.
- I know what it's like to hold my children so close and never want to let them go and how to surrender them to God, as I felt my life slipping away.
- I know what it's like to forgive but not forget; and still hold resentment.
- I've seen in my husband's eyes, on our wedding day, the look that made me know I was his for the rest of my life, even after only 9 months of knowing each other; then 9 years later, while I was bald and bloated, I still saw the same look in his eyes...even if "'till death do us part" meant only 9 more months together.
- I know how it feels to clean up the drug ridden mess of a loved one and how it feels to be completely high in the Holy Spirit. Amen!
- I know what it's like to be devastated by the death of my best friend at 29; and to have total peace that I will see her again one day (Lord willing, a long-time from now)
- I know what it's like to lie on an operating table 14 times and what it's like to experience healing over and over again.
- I've been a 23 year old cancer patient, a 12 year cancer survivor; a 35 year old breast cancer patient and now a double breast cancer survivor.
- I know how it feels to look in the mirror and see a "stranger", who vaguely resembles me, in my reflection; with no hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes, no waistline and no breasts...but feeling like I knew myself, ME!... "Feather"... better than ever!
Conclusion #1:
I was stripped bare and all that was left, was the woman God intended for me to be; covered in "His garb of Grace."
You are covered by God's grace. He created you...for His greater purpose, and all you have to do, is surrender and say "Here I am."
The following is a poem I wrote, entitled, "I am both", soon after coming through my cancer battle, almost two years ago.
I AM BOTH.
I can celebrate life and still be grieving.
I can smile and still be sad.
I can have a heavy heart and still shine.
I can mourn and still be dancing.
I am still me.
I can weep and still give a warm hug.
I can set boundaries and still receive gifts.
I can work and still feel like I'm playing.
I can be sick and still know that I'm well.
I am still me.
I can be angry and still seek peace.
I can close one door and still open another.
I can scream out in pain and still whisper, "I love you."
I can stride with confidence and still curl-up with insecurity.
I am still me.
I can ignore what I refuse to hear and still listen with wisdom.
I can fall down in shame and still rise-up with dignity.
I can pray for a miracle while still having doubt in my heart.
I can live life to the fullest and still embrace death.
I am still me.
I can have a child like faith and still feel my age.
I can see a storm cloud and still look for the rainbow.
I can feel the coolness of the rain and still sense the warmth of the sun.
I can know faith with no limits and still see the end.
I am still me.
I can teach my children to be independent and still hold them close.
I can see the positive in all things and not be blind to the negative.
I can stand corrected and still give advice.
I can receive a helping hand and still extend mine.
I am still me.
I can still know that I'm rich with no money at all.
I can still have compassion for the addict and hate the addiction.
I can still have a highlight on the lowest of days.
I can feel like I've still gained "the world" when I've lost so much.
I am still me.
In Conclusion:
Probably the most important life lesson the Lord has taught me, is that even when I feel so weak and I don't believe I can move an inch...He can still use me for His Glory. Even when we are still, He wants us to know that He is God. When we serve, with a serving heart, we don't even have to leave our bed, for Him to move mountains. But when He does call us to "Go", to take action, when we are able; it's time to obey. I'm glad that you were all able to be here today and I hope you will also be able to attend the retreat in October at Camp Squeah; Where I'll have the opportunity to get to know you better and you will certainly get to know even more about me.!
Introduce Lisa:
I’m so glad that Lisa could be here to day and that she will be joining us in October at Camp Squeah. Lisa and I have grown especially close over the past four years. I first heard of Lisa when our mutual friend, Debbie Fortnum, said she know a girl who could really sing and really write music. My husband Chris works in all areas of music; mostly producing other artists, in our studio, so they can have their own cd. Debbie knew Lisa was ready to have her own cd produced. Lisa came in as a young lady who had just lost her Mom to breast cancer and who had poured her heart into her lyrics and sound. When she sat down at our piano and began to sing on of her songs; I knew that she had a gift that needed to be heard. I got chills, as she sang and I didn’t want her to stop. We became close friends as Chris worked with Lisa, and we became even closer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year later. Perhaps our biggest bonding moments came when she came with our family to Disneyland, when I was nearing the end of my treatment and things weren’t looking so good for me. 10 days she stayed with us…and she still loves us!! We love you too Lisa!!
PRAYER
"God, I thank-you for everyday and especially days like today; where we can come before you surrendered and re-focused on who you have called each of us to be...your child...your creation...your bride.
Thank-you God for your faithfulness so that we can know, that we are always forgiven and never forgotten.
Thank-you Lord that you designed every woman here for your purpose...Your purpose, which is so much greater than our own.
God, you are Great, you are Mighty, you are never changing and you are good...even when we are broken and beaten down, you are unchanging, you are always good... you are good...all of the time.
Thank-you for this time, of basking in your Goodness and garbing ourselves in your Grace.
Amen.
Sing with Lisa:
You are Good
I cry out
For Your hand of mercy to heal me
I am weak
I need Your love to free me
O Lord, my Rock
My strength in weakness
Come rescue me, O Lord
You are my hope
Your promise never fails me
And my desire
Is to follow You forever
For You are good
For You are good
For You are good to me
Monday, April 26, 2010
You may not find this funny...I think it's hilarious!!
A study revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. If she is ovulating, she is attracted to a man with rugged and masculine features. If she is menstruating or menopausal, she is more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire. No further studies are expected. That is all.
still and discouraged
Shortly after writing the previous blog entry, in which I express how thrilled I am to have been feeling so well for just over three days, I had what I believe is the worst asthma attack I have ever had:( IT was brought on by Cadence spraying a "bleach" based cleaner in the house and very close to me, she thought she was helping to clean, which is so sweet...but she took the cleaner bottle from outside that we use to clean up when our dog Lilah does a doo-doo on the patio, outside only.She had no idea now bad this was for Mommy and really either did I , because I've never reacted that badly. Before I even saw or smelt the cleaner, I started to have trouble breathing and I looked around to see what could possibly be triggering my asthma, then I saw...as I asked her to stop and fairly frantically told her take it outside and wipe up the spray, my asthma attack progressed to the point that I started to throw up; no wanting to scare the girls any further I ran to the master bath and grabbed the phone to page Chris; who was thankfully working just downstairs. I continued to gag, gasp for breath, while trying to use my inhaler. Chris set up my nebulizer and while I sucked on that he turned on the second air filter for our room, locked the bedroom door, so I could be protected from the strong bleach smell in the rest of the house. As I grew weaker and the tightness and pain in my chest increased another symptom arose that I've only felt once before, but was by far the worst; my throat started to swell more and more. I took a benadryl, added my other puffers as it continued up my throat to the back of my tougne. Now I paged Chris again and I was starting to get a little scared, was this an anyfalactic(sp?) shock symptom?!?!? The only thing I could think of right then was to start sipping my children's liquid benadryl, and as I sipped it the swelling started to go down fairly quickly and within 20 minutes those symptoms were gone. I think I'll be making a trip to the Dr tomorrow to try and figure out what that was and what to do about it if it were to happen again. So that was it, the rest of my day was spent recovering in bed, resting and doing what I could do to re-group, which did involve a big cry, of WHAT NOW!! Which was joined by a flood of my tears.
Setbacks seem to be getting harder and harder to bear. So then I read the blog posting a did right before it happened...and I am quickly reminded. Then there is peace.
Peace out,
feather
Setbacks seem to be getting harder and harder to bear. So then I read the blog posting a did right before it happened...and I am quickly reminded. Then there is peace.
Peace out,
feather
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Life lessons
I suppose the biggest lesson I've grown to understand in the last three years, is that even when you are weak and broken, unable to even move, our faith in Him can still move mountains!Sometimes the most significant act is the one of surrender. Now instead of being forced to stop, I better understand how valuable it is to take the time to just be still...and know.
Like a breathe of fresh air...
I can hear the words of my "un-real" Dad (step-Dad) as I go to write this blog; "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched!" I'm referring to the fact that I, Feather, am feeling so much better in the last two and half days!!:)The concern I suppose is that I may "jinx" it and end up under the weather again very soon. My specialist told me that it would take 6-8 for my lungs to calm down after my terrible run of asthma attacks; it appears she was right, that's why she gets paid the big bucks, it was exactly 6 weeks to the day when I realize now, I started to feel better. I'm sure that it also had something to do with the fact the I had the surgical stints removed from my nose that day, and those suckers were big, yikes!
Now, instead of blogging, I should be searching my house, van and all the unlikely places in my home for where my Symbicort inhaler could be. This medication is what has basically enabled my lungs to return to "normal". This is a medication I will have to use a few times a day for the rest of my life, it works, but unfortunately costs just over $100 a month; With it my chances of having a relatively normal breathing life are quite good (thus the reason it is important for me to stop blogging soon and find it). I couldn't find it yesterday but thankfully I still had one liquid steroid pulmicort I could use in my nebulizer yesterday.
And yesterday, what a day that was. I attended and spoke at the annual Breast Cancer Awareness breakfast and got home just in time to run around putting the finishing touches on the girls big birthday bash. Every year I do one party for the girls, because their birthdays are so close together. This way we can afford a few extras we couldn't afford to do twice. So this year's theme was Mickey Mouse and friends. I'd collected Mickey stuff from dollar stores for almost a year, which made the grand adventure more affordable. Chris's Mom made the two large chocolate cakes earlier in the week when they were here for a visit from England, and Chris made icing from scratch (got the great baking skills from his Mom) and then constructed and Mickey shaped head and a Mickey and friends "castle". The girls helped him decorate with many sprinkles and placed the Mickey and friends figurines I'd collected (washed with bleach, dried and then put on the cake; and yes I am allergic to bleach now so someone else washed them when I wasn't home:)
Needless to say it was a chaotic, organized mess of FUN!! The party started with Mickey themed crafts, gift opening (the girls got many wonderful gifts, everyone was so generous:) then we played "pass the present' which the kids loved took, lots of time and they all got a small gift to take home. Then came the Mickey head Pinata!!
I'm always confused that we design the party around their favorite character and then proceed to bash the stuffing out of his pinata form; and not only that, take great delight in seeing this beloved be demolished?!? Somehow it's the perfect ending to a perfect party. The kids all took home loot bags full of Mickey themed "stuff" and it appears it was a huge success! The best part for me was that this year I could fully participate; in the last few birthday parties I've been to sick on the day to play ( but I plan and prep way ahead and always requested help:)
Carmelle said her favourite part of the whole party was greeting her friends at the door when they arrived, awhhh, love it; those are the phrases that reassure you that you must be doing something right.
Friday, the day before, I also had a speaking engagement. Though I felt rather "rusty" it went well, especially since I had to start speaking at 7:30am in Chilliwack, and I am not a morning person. I spent basically the rest of friday preparing for the girls birthday party, on their pro-dev day, with the help of Shelby, our handy-dandy babysitter:)
Thursday was interesting...Especially the part when the DR. pulled out very long stints from my nose; I had no idea how high the sinuses actually go up in your head.As the second one came out and I took my first breath with my newly reconstructed septum, I felt light headed from the flood of oxygen. WOW, what a feeling! I had no idea how efficient the nose actually was until that very moment. I can now breath through my nose with ease, I honestly think I can smell better and taste more. The surgery was worth it; the pain, discomfort, blood etc was all worth the new knowledge of how to breath. "Just breath" has a whole new meaning to me now.
The Doc, Dr. LEE, a gorgeous young asian woman; who happens to have my middle name as her last name:) told me that she could tell in surgery that my septum had been that way since birth, so I had literally never known how to really breath, I had no idea what I was missing! We discussed my tonsils being removed, which was next on my "surgical repair" list (a little different than the "repair" list if Heide Montag-Spencer:) Dr. Lee initially suggested I reconsider having my tonsils out, since I respond to anesthetic with so much vomiting (she had not seen my tonsils previously as she'd been on maternity leave when I'd been there for the pre-op appointment a few months ago) So then she saw my tonsils for the first time, she almost gasped when she saw how bad they were (huge, deep pockets on both sides; and I won't go into detail for he sake of those with weak stomachs) She couldn't believe I'd not had them out sooner. I'd thought about it in my mid-20's but traveling always got in the way, then my ENT (Ear. nose and throat doc) at the time thought he could fix the issue by cotorizing them every 3-4 months, we did that for 4 years before he realized it wasn't working; that was like torture and took at least a week to heal every time:( By then we'd been thinking of starting a family, so that crossed tonsil surgery off the list for a few years...then I finally had surgery booked 3 years ago; the very day I found out I had breast cancer. So cancer treatment and recovery trumped tonsil removal until now. But by now my sinuses had gotten so bad, from allergies, they had to do my nose first so I can breath through my nose when my throat is so swollen from tonsil removal. So in a few months I'll be bed ridden for 2 weeks with that surgery.
But until then, the plan is to return to work part-time in a week and slowly work back up to full-time eventually By summer the allergy season lessens, the sun is hot and my favourite season has arrived. No more vitamin D pills, I can just step out side for it and with that life will return to "normal"...what ever that is?!?!
Still Searching for my inhaler, but breathing so much better,
Feather
Now, instead of blogging, I should be searching my house, van and all the unlikely places in my home for where my Symbicort inhaler could be. This medication is what has basically enabled my lungs to return to "normal". This is a medication I will have to use a few times a day for the rest of my life, it works, but unfortunately costs just over $100 a month; With it my chances of having a relatively normal breathing life are quite good (thus the reason it is important for me to stop blogging soon and find it). I couldn't find it yesterday but thankfully I still had one liquid steroid pulmicort I could use in my nebulizer yesterday.
And yesterday, what a day that was. I attended and spoke at the annual Breast Cancer Awareness breakfast and got home just in time to run around putting the finishing touches on the girls big birthday bash. Every year I do one party for the girls, because their birthdays are so close together. This way we can afford a few extras we couldn't afford to do twice. So this year's theme was Mickey Mouse and friends. I'd collected Mickey stuff from dollar stores for almost a year, which made the grand adventure more affordable. Chris's Mom made the two large chocolate cakes earlier in the week when they were here for a visit from England, and Chris made icing from scratch (got the great baking skills from his Mom) and then constructed and Mickey shaped head and a Mickey and friends "castle". The girls helped him decorate with many sprinkles and placed the Mickey and friends figurines I'd collected (washed with bleach, dried and then put on the cake; and yes I am allergic to bleach now so someone else washed them when I wasn't home:)
Needless to say it was a chaotic, organized mess of FUN!! The party started with Mickey themed crafts, gift opening (the girls got many wonderful gifts, everyone was so generous:) then we played "pass the present' which the kids loved took, lots of time and they all got a small gift to take home. Then came the Mickey head Pinata!!
I'm always confused that we design the party around their favorite character and then proceed to bash the stuffing out of his pinata form; and not only that, take great delight in seeing this beloved be demolished?!? Somehow it's the perfect ending to a perfect party. The kids all took home loot bags full of Mickey themed "stuff" and it appears it was a huge success! The best part for me was that this year I could fully participate; in the last few birthday parties I've been to sick on the day to play ( but I plan and prep way ahead and always requested help:)
Carmelle said her favourite part of the whole party was greeting her friends at the door when they arrived, awhhh, love it; those are the phrases that reassure you that you must be doing something right.
Friday, the day before, I also had a speaking engagement. Though I felt rather "rusty" it went well, especially since I had to start speaking at 7:30am in Chilliwack, and I am not a morning person. I spent basically the rest of friday preparing for the girls birthday party, on their pro-dev day, with the help of Shelby, our handy-dandy babysitter:)
Thursday was interesting...Especially the part when the DR. pulled out very long stints from my nose; I had no idea how high the sinuses actually go up in your head.As the second one came out and I took my first breath with my newly reconstructed septum, I felt light headed from the flood of oxygen. WOW, what a feeling! I had no idea how efficient the nose actually was until that very moment. I can now breath through my nose with ease, I honestly think I can smell better and taste more. The surgery was worth it; the pain, discomfort, blood etc was all worth the new knowledge of how to breath. "Just breath" has a whole new meaning to me now.
The Doc, Dr. LEE, a gorgeous young asian woman; who happens to have my middle name as her last name:) told me that she could tell in surgery that my septum had been that way since birth, so I had literally never known how to really breath, I had no idea what I was missing! We discussed my tonsils being removed, which was next on my "surgical repair" list (a little different than the "repair" list if Heide Montag-Spencer:) Dr. Lee initially suggested I reconsider having my tonsils out, since I respond to anesthetic with so much vomiting (she had not seen my tonsils previously as she'd been on maternity leave when I'd been there for the pre-op appointment a few months ago) So then she saw my tonsils for the first time, she almost gasped when she saw how bad they were (huge, deep pockets on both sides; and I won't go into detail for he sake of those with weak stomachs) She couldn't believe I'd not had them out sooner. I'd thought about it in my mid-20's but traveling always got in the way, then my ENT (Ear. nose and throat doc) at the time thought he could fix the issue by cotorizing them every 3-4 months, we did that for 4 years before he realized it wasn't working; that was like torture and took at least a week to heal every time:( By then we'd been thinking of starting a family, so that crossed tonsil surgery off the list for a few years...then I finally had surgery booked 3 years ago; the very day I found out I had breast cancer. So cancer treatment and recovery trumped tonsil removal until now. But by now my sinuses had gotten so bad, from allergies, they had to do my nose first so I can breath through my nose when my throat is so swollen from tonsil removal. So in a few months I'll be bed ridden for 2 weeks with that surgery.
But until then, the plan is to return to work part-time in a week and slowly work back up to full-time eventually By summer the allergy season lessens, the sun is hot and my favourite season has arrived. No more vitamin D pills, I can just step out side for it and with that life will return to "normal"...what ever that is?!?!
Still Searching for my inhaler, but breathing so much better,
Feather
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22nd, 2010
Happy 5th b-day to my baby girl, Cadence!!
Happy EARTH day to everyone else:) BE kind to this planet in a new way today. I did my part; I gave the world Cadence 5 years ago:) lol oh and I've switched to all enviro- friendly home cleaning products, one more step...what step will you take? And then another...
Also today I can finally breath properly!! I had the stints removed from my nose this afternoon; from septum reconstruction and sinus surgery last week. I've never known how easy it feels to breath through your nose! WOW, what a difference, it was certainly worth the pain and discomfort. I'm curious if I'll also taste my food like never before?!!? hmmmm...what to try first?!?
My daughter, Carmelle was very happy to tell me that she took good care of her planet earth today, by picking up garbage:)Our planet earth, what a special gift:)
Happy EARTH day to everyone else:) BE kind to this planet in a new way today. I did my part; I gave the world Cadence 5 years ago:) lol oh and I've switched to all enviro- friendly home cleaning products, one more step...what step will you take? And then another...
Also today I can finally breath properly!! I had the stints removed from my nose this afternoon; from septum reconstruction and sinus surgery last week. I've never known how easy it feels to breath through your nose! WOW, what a difference, it was certainly worth the pain and discomfort. I'm curious if I'll also taste my food like never before?!!? hmmmm...what to try first?!?
My daughter, Carmelle was very happy to tell me that she took good care of her planet earth today, by picking up garbage:)Our planet earth, what a special gift:)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I'm having a party and you are invited!!
So here it is...I'm having a Tupperware party. I never thought I would but there are many things in life I never thought I'd do:)
I figure that if the Tupperware that my mom has had since I was a kid, pretty much still looks like new 30 years later, then why not get some; so I can hand it down to my girls one day:)
Plus I need a social life and I haven't been well enough with allergies, asthma, and sinus surgery, to get out much:)
So come to my house Tuesday April 27th at 7pm and have some fun and get some Tupperware, bring a friend and you get a prize. RSVP or just show up, 604-854-2800
I want you all to come and I also want to be able to stay at my own party, so that means no perfumes and no smoking before you come in and no smoking while you are here. Sorry, but it's the only way I'm going to get better.
I figure that if the Tupperware that my mom has had since I was a kid, pretty much still looks like new 30 years later, then why not get some; so I can hand it down to my girls one day:)
Plus I need a social life and I haven't been well enough with allergies, asthma, and sinus surgery, to get out much:)
So come to my house Tuesday April 27th at 7pm and have some fun and get some Tupperware, bring a friend and you get a prize. RSVP or just show up, 604-854-2800
I want you all to come and I also want to be able to stay at my own party, so that means no perfumes and no smoking before you come in and no smoking while you are here. Sorry, but it's the only way I'm going to get better.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 24th is the Breast Cancer Breakfast; Choosing to Smile!!
I am inviting you to the Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast,Saturday, April
24, 2010 – 10am.
April is cancer month and this is a wonderful time spent with women in your life; especially if breast cancer has touched your life. I will be there and I'd love to see all of you out having a great time and supporting an incredible cause.
Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast - Springboard for donation to Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Program
Abbotsford, BC …”The April 24, 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast at South Abbotsford Mennonite Church (32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford) will be the public springboard for a donation of $145,000 to the BC Cancer Agency for Abbotsford Centre's inaugural Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Program,” says Marie Shepherd, Chair of the Fraser Valley Branch of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
“The Abbotsford Centre's' patient pilot navigator project will assist breast cancer patients by expediting access to services and resources, and improving the continuity and coordination of care throughout the cancer continuum. It offers an umbrella of support and links with other professionals in the treatment process, while allowing them to discuss any concerns in a caring environment,“ adds Shepherd.
The Patient Navigator Program is due in large part to the tireless fundraising efforts of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation members in the Fraser Valley, especially that of the late Jean de Pape, who was a breast cancer survivor and instrumental in rallying this group of dedicated volunteers more than 15 years ago.
Dr. Frances Wong, Chief Physician and head of the radiation oncology department for the BC Cancer Agency at both, the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre and the Fraser Valley Centre in Surrey, will explain how the new Patient Navigator works. Education, screening and detection are Dr. Wong’s key areas of interest and as someone whose step-daughter has undergone breast cancer treatment she recently commented: ”Being someone who has a family member with a cancer diagnosis, I continue to challenge all those who are touched by cancer indirectly to step up and join the BC Cancer Agency and its ongoing mission against cancer.”
Keynote speakers at the April 24th Breast Cancer Awareness breakfast are Julie Houlker, Glenda Standeven and Michelle Rickaby, authors of the new book and movement “Choosing to Smile.” This trio of friends will inspire you with their story - their collective journey with breast cancer and how they chose to face life's adversities with a smile.
Julie Houlker, a 14 year cancer survivor who has faced breast cancer three times, is undergoing chemotherapy and picked out a sassy wig to wear for the occasion. Glenda Standeven is a 22 year survivor, who was a young mother of a three year old boy when she lost her entire right leg, hip and pelvis to bone cancer in 1988, and within three years of her surgery, she gave birth to her second son despite only sporting half a pelvis.
Michelle Rickaby, also a 22 year cancer survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma, had two infant daughters when she faced diagnosis of the same disease that had claimed her brother. In addition, she lost her mother and step-mother to breast cancer, following her diagnosis.
Rita Walker will chair the awareness breakfast which will continue its tradition of the highly emotional lighting of the candle of hope, along with the honoring of a founding and dedicated leader of the Fraser Valley Branch.
Tickets to the Saturday, April 24, 2010 – 10 am Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast at South Abbotsford Mennonite Church (32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford) are $20 each and include a hot buffet breakfast. Advance tickets are available at Zammy’s Lingerie & Foundation (2630 West Bourquin Cres.), Ronald Allan Clothiers (33428 South Fraser Way) and Roses & Rutabags (33771 George Ferguson Way). No tickets at the door. For more information, contact June Ross 604-853-3983
24, 2010 – 10am.
April is cancer month and this is a wonderful time spent with women in your life; especially if breast cancer has touched your life. I will be there and I'd love to see all of you out having a great time and supporting an incredible cause.
Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast - Springboard for donation to Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Program
Abbotsford, BC …”The April 24, 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast at South Abbotsford Mennonite Church (32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford) will be the public springboard for a donation of $145,000 to the BC Cancer Agency for Abbotsford Centre's inaugural Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Program,” says Marie Shepherd, Chair of the Fraser Valley Branch of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
“The Abbotsford Centre's' patient pilot navigator project will assist breast cancer patients by expediting access to services and resources, and improving the continuity and coordination of care throughout the cancer continuum. It offers an umbrella of support and links with other professionals in the treatment process, while allowing them to discuss any concerns in a caring environment,“ adds Shepherd.
The Patient Navigator Program is due in large part to the tireless fundraising efforts of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation members in the Fraser Valley, especially that of the late Jean de Pape, who was a breast cancer survivor and instrumental in rallying this group of dedicated volunteers more than 15 years ago.
Dr. Frances Wong, Chief Physician and head of the radiation oncology department for the BC Cancer Agency at both, the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre and the Fraser Valley Centre in Surrey, will explain how the new Patient Navigator works. Education, screening and detection are Dr. Wong’s key areas of interest and as someone whose step-daughter has undergone breast cancer treatment she recently commented: ”Being someone who has a family member with a cancer diagnosis, I continue to challenge all those who are touched by cancer indirectly to step up and join the BC Cancer Agency and its ongoing mission against cancer.”
Keynote speakers at the April 24th Breast Cancer Awareness breakfast are Julie Houlker, Glenda Standeven and Michelle Rickaby, authors of the new book and movement “Choosing to Smile.” This trio of friends will inspire you with their story - their collective journey with breast cancer and how they chose to face life's adversities with a smile.
Julie Houlker, a 14 year cancer survivor who has faced breast cancer three times, is undergoing chemotherapy and picked out a sassy wig to wear for the occasion. Glenda Standeven is a 22 year survivor, who was a young mother of a three year old boy when she lost her entire right leg, hip and pelvis to bone cancer in 1988, and within three years of her surgery, she gave birth to her second son despite only sporting half a pelvis.
Michelle Rickaby, also a 22 year cancer survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma, had two infant daughters when she faced diagnosis of the same disease that had claimed her brother. In addition, she lost her mother and step-mother to breast cancer, following her diagnosis.
Rita Walker will chair the awareness breakfast which will continue its tradition of the highly emotional lighting of the candle of hope, along with the honoring of a founding and dedicated leader of the Fraser Valley Branch.
Tickets to the Saturday, April 24, 2010 – 10 am Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast at South Abbotsford Mennonite Church (32424 Huntingdon Road, Abbotsford) are $20 each and include a hot buffet breakfast. Advance tickets are available at Zammy’s Lingerie & Foundation (2630 West Bourquin Cres.), Ronald Allan Clothiers (33428 South Fraser Way) and Roses & Rutabags (33771 George Ferguson Way). No tickets at the door. For more information, contact June Ross 604-853-3983
Friday, April 16, 2010
My "nose-job"...
No I didn't have any "rhynoplasty" done (however you spell it?!?) But I did have quite the procedure done to my nose and sinuses yesterday but it was called a deviated septum reconstruction and a procedure called thurboplasty, or something like that. Anyway,now that it is fixed, I must wait a week or so before the project is complete. The two stints that have been placed my nose, to hold it together in the right place to heal, will be removed in week.When I look in the mirror I can see a bit of a cosmetic touch that I like. The tip of my nose is lowered just a bit and the middle part of my nostrils is straight, where it was crooked before. Not that I did it for that reason. My main motivation was to have my nasal passages be able drain better so it wouldn't continue to get so many terrible nasal infections. My allergies already cause my nose so many problems like severe post-nasal-drip, sneezing, leakage etc. Because of all the infections and inflammation over the years, I'd developed all kinds of lumps, bumps and polys in there. IT also has a direct connection and reaction at my asthma; mostly because of the chronic and severe post-nasal-drip.
After having this surgery the hope it that I'll finally be able to properly breath out of my nose, that my risk of nasal infections will all but disappear, this will basically alleviate the post-nasal-drip that is aggrivating my asthma and so my nose will look a little cuter (especially without it having to be blown clean every 5 minutes (there;s nothing very attractive about that!)
For now, I'm very sore still, it's been just over 24 hours since the surgeon, Dr,.LEE got to know my sinuses better than I do. The first bump in recovery was a concern that my pulse-ox wasn't higher. That means my body wasn't getting enough oxygen. I was having difficulty breathing properly. I felt very closterphobic from it as I kept trying to cathc my breath but I couldn't. They but me on oxygen hoping it would stay up bu once they took the oxygen away, my levels dropped again. At that moment the nurse calmly told me that I might be staying the night in hospital.
Yikes! I was so out of it, I'd just come out of the anesthetic and was very doozy. I think I should have had a nebulizer treatment to help perk up the lungs. But no one though of that?!? It was a little scary. But at least I wasn't vomitting like usual, not yet anyway.
The pain was managed with some good drugs and before I knew it I was being hurried to go home. Not before the surgeon told me the surgery went great. A friend of a friend picked me up. I'd never even heard of her before that meet in the recovery daycare room. Janet kindly drove me to her home to rest before she could take me to Carol fcor the remainder of my journey home.
While at Janet I started to feel all the effects of the drugs the hospital gave me wearing off. So I took the 2 t'3's they gave me with some gravol and we headed on our way. Not even 5 kms down the road and up cam e the plain toast and gingerale.I don't know how it is possible to throw up so much more than you think you've eaten?!?
Thank-fully we had the ziplock bags and wet wipe prepared. Also grateful for the wad of tissue I grabbed, because with the vomitting came the none stop nose bleed!
I switched to Carol's vehicle and I'd tried to warn her about possible vomit and blood and there it was; all the way home. By the time we got me home, the pressure had caused the left side nasal splint to come lose and shift down a bit. If it wasn't already uncomfortable, now it really was. SO I pressed it just the right way, I hope, and pushed it right back up where it was supposed to be. Ouch.
The vomiting finally stopped because I called ahead and got Chris to get me injectable gravol, so he could give me a shot when I got home. I was throwing up so much I couldn't keep any pain pills down and the pain was getting worse. Finally I was in my own bed, my stomach calmed and I could take some pain medication. No my nose however did not stop bleeding for a while longer. They had said if it bleeds and you can't get it to stop then to go to the ER. Thankfully it finally stopped many hours later.
I had a decent sleep last night, though I hope I have more sleep tonight. I've so tired all day. I know my body has been through a lot lately, but I still have to rest and take it easy.
A big shout out to all the wonderful people who came together to make this whole ordeal a wonderful experience; Julia Savali and her family(Valerie, Camille, and Sophie) who let me sleep over and then all got up at 5am to have me at UBC hospital by 6am. To Janet who picked me up on very short notice, when they released me so early. I had a nice rest at her home, she blessed me with a comfy couch, watching the BLINDSIDE and amazing Arbonne products. Next I was greeted by Carol Z. who drove me all the way to Abbotsford, she;s lived in Vancouver for 19 years and this was only her second time in life out our way?!? How brave of her to venture out with my when she hardly knows me and I ended up puking most of the remaining trip:( Some how with both ladies I was able to have quiet good conversations, between the up-chucks. I did warn them all of may vomiting after surgery, and they all came prepared with bags big and small, ziplocks and an assortment of tissue and wet wipes for clean-up.lol
I made it home with one hand holding a bag full of bloody tissue, and in the other handa bag that looked like I was bringing home the girls a new goldfish...but sadly it was just me and what was left of my stomach contents.
Now with the help of several frozen pea bags, many pillows, nasal wrap gauze, more gravol injecions in the backside so I can keep down some pain meds, my bed and my blankie...I'm at home and on the mend. So looking forward to being able to breath through my nose like a normal person!!
No bruising or real swelling; but that may come later, I'll keep you posted.
PS. If you ever have this done, don't put a bag of frozen peas on your forehead, and then try to sit up a bit, or it will cause the hard bag of peas smash down on your so sore nose:(
After having this surgery the hope it that I'll finally be able to properly breath out of my nose, that my risk of nasal infections will all but disappear, this will basically alleviate the post-nasal-drip that is aggrivating my asthma and so my nose will look a little cuter (especially without it having to be blown clean every 5 minutes (there;s nothing very attractive about that!)
For now, I'm very sore still, it's been just over 24 hours since the surgeon, Dr,.LEE got to know my sinuses better than I do. The first bump in recovery was a concern that my pulse-ox wasn't higher. That means my body wasn't getting enough oxygen. I was having difficulty breathing properly. I felt very closterphobic from it as I kept trying to cathc my breath but I couldn't. They but me on oxygen hoping it would stay up bu once they took the oxygen away, my levels dropped again. At that moment the nurse calmly told me that I might be staying the night in hospital.
Yikes! I was so out of it, I'd just come out of the anesthetic and was very doozy. I think I should have had a nebulizer treatment to help perk up the lungs. But no one though of that?!? It was a little scary. But at least I wasn't vomitting like usual, not yet anyway.
The pain was managed with some good drugs and before I knew it I was being hurried to go home. Not before the surgeon told me the surgery went great. A friend of a friend picked me up. I'd never even heard of her before that meet in the recovery daycare room. Janet kindly drove me to her home to rest before she could take me to Carol fcor the remainder of my journey home.
While at Janet I started to feel all the effects of the drugs the hospital gave me wearing off. So I took the 2 t'3's they gave me with some gravol and we headed on our way. Not even 5 kms down the road and up cam e the plain toast and gingerale.I don't know how it is possible to throw up so much more than you think you've eaten?!?
Thank-fully we had the ziplock bags and wet wipe prepared. Also grateful for the wad of tissue I grabbed, because with the vomitting came the none stop nose bleed!
I switched to Carol's vehicle and I'd tried to warn her about possible vomit and blood and there it was; all the way home. By the time we got me home, the pressure had caused the left side nasal splint to come lose and shift down a bit. If it wasn't already uncomfortable, now it really was. SO I pressed it just the right way, I hope, and pushed it right back up where it was supposed to be. Ouch.
The vomiting finally stopped because I called ahead and got Chris to get me injectable gravol, so he could give me a shot when I got home. I was throwing up so much I couldn't keep any pain pills down and the pain was getting worse. Finally I was in my own bed, my stomach calmed and I could take some pain medication. No my nose however did not stop bleeding for a while longer. They had said if it bleeds and you can't get it to stop then to go to the ER. Thankfully it finally stopped many hours later.
I had a decent sleep last night, though I hope I have more sleep tonight. I've so tired all day. I know my body has been through a lot lately, but I still have to rest and take it easy.
A big shout out to all the wonderful people who came together to make this whole ordeal a wonderful experience; Julia Savali and her family(Valerie, Camille, and Sophie) who let me sleep over and then all got up at 5am to have me at UBC hospital by 6am. To Janet who picked me up on very short notice, when they released me so early. I had a nice rest at her home, she blessed me with a comfy couch, watching the BLINDSIDE and amazing Arbonne products. Next I was greeted by Carol Z. who drove me all the way to Abbotsford, she;s lived in Vancouver for 19 years and this was only her second time in life out our way?!? How brave of her to venture out with my when she hardly knows me and I ended up puking most of the remaining trip:( Some how with both ladies I was able to have quiet good conversations, between the up-chucks. I did warn them all of may vomiting after surgery, and they all came prepared with bags big and small, ziplocks and an assortment of tissue and wet wipes for clean-up.lol
I made it home with one hand holding a bag full of bloody tissue, and in the other handa bag that looked like I was bringing home the girls a new goldfish...but sadly it was just me and what was left of my stomach contents.
Now with the help of several frozen pea bags, many pillows, nasal wrap gauze, more gravol injecions in the backside so I can keep down some pain meds, my bed and my blankie...I'm at home and on the mend. So looking forward to being able to breath through my nose like a normal person!!
No bruising or real swelling; but that may come later, I'll keep you posted.
PS. If you ever have this done, don't put a bag of frozen peas on your forehead, and then try to sit up a bit, or it will cause the hard bag of peas smash down on your so sore nose:(
Friday, April 9, 2010
Today's quote is one from me.
Man should not be judged by when they fall or where they land, but rather by how they arise.
- Feather Janz
- Feather Janz
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Bed-ridden:(
Just when I thought allergy season couldn't get worse, it did:( Monday I could sense it, Tuesday I could feel it and by Wednesday I was getting worried. Then I was up until 5 am because my sinuses hurt so much It felt like my face was lifting off my skull!
Medication kicked by then so I could sleep a bit.I now have a full blown sinus infection, I may end up on anti-biodics again:( I got another nasal decongestant medication today so hopefully I'll be able to sleep better tonight. I need to start improving or else my surgery might get canceled. That would be bad since my surgery is to fix the very problem I'm suffering from now.
With this my asthma has flared up badly again, it's all part of it. Fixing my sinuses will help improve my asthma as well. It's hard to explain how that all works but they assure me it will and that the surgery will be worth it. I'm looking forward to the experience of breathing out my nose, something I've never done. The Dr. figures my septum has been deviated since birth, since I never knew anything different I never knew to complain about it.
hmmmm...since I never knew anything different, I never knew to complain about it.
Medication kicked by then so I could sleep a bit.I now have a full blown sinus infection, I may end up on anti-biodics again:( I got another nasal decongestant medication today so hopefully I'll be able to sleep better tonight. I need to start improving or else my surgery might get canceled. That would be bad since my surgery is to fix the very problem I'm suffering from now.
With this my asthma has flared up badly again, it's all part of it. Fixing my sinuses will help improve my asthma as well. It's hard to explain how that all works but they assure me it will and that the surgery will be worth it. I'm looking forward to the experience of breathing out my nose, something I've never done. The Dr. figures my septum has been deviated since birth, since I never knew anything different I never knew to complain about it.
hmmmm...since I never knew anything different, I never knew to complain about it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Good-bye dear friend.
I've lost a wonderful friend to the this dreaded disease. Jasmine was a young and beautiful Indo-Canadian woman, that I've been close with for just over a year and a half. Jasmine spent her mid-20's fighting and fighting some more to beat this disease.
Now she is gone and she fought the good fight; she stayed standing every round even when she got knocked down again and again she'd get right back up. She had this quote on her fb page and I know she believed it until she took last breath,
"I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated."
I miss you... Jasmine my friend.I am a better woman for knowing you, thank-you for being you.
Now she is gone and she fought the good fight; she stayed standing every round even when she got knocked down again and again she'd get right back up. She had this quote on her fb page and I know she believed it until she took last breath,
"I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated."
I miss you... Jasmine my friend.I am a better woman for knowing you, thank-you for being you.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
HELP, please:)
We are in need of help with childcare the next couple of weeks. Anyone available to help? We'd appreciate any help we can get. I'm in recovery mode,after the rough three weeks of health issues that continued to escalate, making last week the hardest yet.
I'm dealing with some unforeseen complications with my ovarian cyst bursting, that we didn't for see. We are praying now that I don't get worse in the next few days, or that will land me back in the hospital. I need healing mode, I need to be to be read and capable for my surgery. I have surgery on the 15th,having my nose/sinuses repaired, at which time I'll need full-time help for a week.
Chris is wokring even more because I'm unable to work and our income has taken a beating again. We need Help with the girls and the house/yard.
I also need a ride to my surgery on the 15th to UBC; ( I won't know the exact time until the day before:( and I'll also need a ride home several hours later after recovery. HELP pls:) anyone?!?!?
We appreiciate all help and we have learnt when to ask...so we are asking:)
I'm dealing with some unforeseen complications with my ovarian cyst bursting, that we didn't for see. We are praying now that I don't get worse in the next few days, or that will land me back in the hospital. I need healing mode, I need to be to be read and capable for my surgery. I have surgery on the 15th,having my nose/sinuses repaired, at which time I'll need full-time help for a week.
Chris is wokring even more because I'm unable to work and our income has taken a beating again. We need Help with the girls and the house/yard.
I also need a ride to my surgery on the 15th to UBC; ( I won't know the exact time until the day before:( and I'll also need a ride home several hours later after recovery. HELP pls:) anyone?!?!?
We appreiciate all help and we have learnt when to ask...so we are asking:)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Something else?!!?...REALLY?!?!?
I am home after 3 days in the hospital. Tests have shown I had a large ovarian cyst burst and continued to cause localized internal bleeding. This caused 4 hours of the worst pain I've ever had; until the drugs kicked in. Parts of labour were that bad; but at least with labour I knew what the pain was for! The unknown was scary:( Now I know.
Once I was there it was also realized that my potassium levels were very low; so I was kept in for testing, monitoring, potassium etc. They were also getting my asthma under control, so I feel much better now. Though while there I also had one of the worst headaches I've ever had; in the top 3 for sure!(probably because of the potassium issue) ... the worst headache I've had in my life was on July 2nd 2008, that's how bad that headache was, I remember the day!! That time my potassium was extremely low; life threateningly so. This time was no way near that bad; but a concern.
I'm feeling much better now and I hope and pray I stay that way for while:)!!
Resting,
F
Once I was there it was also realized that my potassium levels were very low; so I was kept in for testing, monitoring, potassium etc. They were also getting my asthma under control, so I feel much better now. Though while there I also had one of the worst headaches I've ever had; in the top 3 for sure!(probably because of the potassium issue) ... the worst headache I've had in my life was on July 2nd 2008, that's how bad that headache was, I remember the day!! That time my potassium was extremely low; life threateningly so. This time was no way near that bad; but a concern.
I'm feeling much better now and I hope and pray I stay that way for while:)!!
Resting,
F
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