Here it is Thursday, day two after my surgery. What a relief to know that I only needed a partial removal of my thyroid and I won't require any medications, as the remaining part of my thyroid is normal.
My Thanks to the surgical team at St Joseph's Healthcare. The new day surgery unit at that hospital is a marvel. Not only very efficient and well organized, but all the staff are friendly and caring. Not surprised that it has been named one of the top employers in Canada for 2011.
How wonderful to be able to go home after the surgery with no worries. I was assigned a home care nurse to check up on me, change my bandages, and monitor my drainage tube. I had expected to pay for the supplies for the home visit, which consisted of a large box packed with items; but no. When my son went to pick them up at the medical supply store, they said no charge! And that has nothing to do with my financial situation or anything else. It's all a part of my treatment.
THANK GOD FOR CANADA'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM !!!! I can't say it loud enough or often enough. Anyone who says different is wrong.
As a taxpayer I say we are better off investing those tax dollars in healthcare, than wars, foreign aid, or tax breaks for the corporate elite. Canada has always be pointed at as an inefficient, socialist, unsustainable country. Well Bah! to that I say! Look at the G20, the Eurozone , and the United States. They flouder and yet Canada has been able to hold it's own. OK so we aren't they peace keepers anymore ( which is distressing to me) and our current government looks too often to American Neo Cons, for inspiration, but Canada is still a pretty decent, fair place to live.
Even though I still have the challenge of MS to deal with; I can say that right at this moment, I feel happy to be alive.
Kamis, 03 November 2011
Selasa, 25 Oktober 2011
Pre Op
This morning was my visit to the pre operative assessment clinic for my surgery November 1. Many tests done and a meeting with anesthetist and surgical nurse. Once again we went over the best case and worst case scenarios. Hoping for the best, because the worst case doesn't sound at all like fun. Not happy that there's the possibility that the surgery could exacerbate my MS symptoms (their words, not mine)
Doesn't matter if you go to the shiny new wing of the hospital with the pretty bright green decor, meet the cheerful, smiling staff, dressed in colourful uniforms. It's always the same. Before you enter the hospital don't forget to check your dignity at the door. They treat you like a 5 year old ( speaking slowly and loudly) or like a slab of meat. OK I know we were all girls in the room; but did you really need to leave me lying there with the hospital gown wide open in front while you ladies had a chat ?
Here are a few photos from from late September early October. I went to the Nuit Blanche art festival in Toronto, which I have to say was a little disappointing this year. One good thing though is I decided to check out Sugar Beach, which is at the foot of Jarvis Street near the Redpath sugar factory. Wow! That area sure has changed from when I lived there 15 years ago. The beach is lovely and the sand; whatever kind it is, does look and feel like sugar. If you work in downtown Toronto I recommend you go there and see for yourself.
Doesn't matter if you go to the shiny new wing of the hospital with the pretty bright green decor, meet the cheerful, smiling staff, dressed in colourful uniforms. It's always the same. Before you enter the hospital don't forget to check your dignity at the door. They treat you like a 5 year old ( speaking slowly and loudly) or like a slab of meat. OK I know we were all girls in the room; but did you really need to leave me lying there with the hospital gown wide open in front while you ladies had a chat ?
Here are a few photos from from late September early October. I went to the Nuit Blanche art festival in Toronto, which I have to say was a little disappointing this year. One good thing though is I decided to check out Sugar Beach, which is at the foot of Jarvis Street near the Redpath sugar factory. Wow! That area sure has changed from when I lived there 15 years ago. The beach is lovely and the sand; whatever kind it is, does look and feel like sugar. If you work in downtown Toronto I recommend you go there and see for yourself.
Senin, 03 Oktober 2011
Jumat, 30 September 2011
Birthday Adventure
Did the "CN Tower Edge Walk" for my birthday. Not the fancy stuff like hanging by my heels over the edge or standing on my tip toes, but I did walk all around on the edge. Yeah, having poor balance and wonky legs makes me less of a daredevil. I also didn't want other people to see me wobbling; thinking I was so because I was frightened. No not at all, I was totally calm. The only thing I don't like is how fat I look in those coveralls!
Sabtu, 10 September 2011
Senin, 05 September 2011
High Profile
Before I get into my post; you should check out Google's (Google Doodle) tribute to Freddie Mercury. He would have been 65 today. The band Queen, was, and still is, a huge favourite of my friends and me.
Then there is Neil Cavuto, a news correspondent on Fox Business News, who talked on air about his MS. I don't watch Fox, but a friend of mine does and told me about it. Out of curiosity I decided to read the story online.
Good for Neil Cavuto to admit publicly he has MS and talk about the typical stages: denial, anger, depression, acceptance. Not so good, that once again the world is misinformed about MS. Another person "fighting" MS believing " I've got MS but it hasn't got me".
Here are my MS facts:
MS progresses, no matter what you do. It's different for everyone and progresses at different rates.
All the drugs in the world won't stop progression. Maybe slow it down a bit, but MS will continue to progress.
Not all MS suffers end up in a wheelchair. Most don't.
MS does not cause muscle atrophy. MS affects neurological function, which can impair mobility, which can lead to muscle atrophy.
There are common symptoms such as fatigue and depression, but MS is different for everyone. That is why it is often difficult to diagnose.
MS is not a death sentence. Rarely, does anyone die as a result of MS.
Keeping yourself as fit and healthy as possible is the best way to live with MS, however; no amount of juice, vitamin pills, drugs, meditation, acupuncture, psychotherapy, prayer, exercise, massage, chiropractic, marathons, positive thinking, will halt the progression.
You don't have to be a super hero when you have MS. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. It isn't a battle.
There are days when you will want the entire world to get lost. You won't feel like putting on a brave face.
You will have to endure the blessed ignorance of those who are trying to help you . You will be accused of not trying to help yourself.
You will have to accept that there are things you can't do anymore.
MS is a crap shoot. It sucks !! It's got you and that's that!!
You can live with it though, and you can still have a good life
Then there is Neil Cavuto, a news correspondent on Fox Business News, who talked on air about his MS. I don't watch Fox, but a friend of mine does and told me about it. Out of curiosity I decided to read the story online.
Good for Neil Cavuto to admit publicly he has MS and talk about the typical stages: denial, anger, depression, acceptance. Not so good, that once again the world is misinformed about MS. Another person "fighting" MS believing " I've got MS but it hasn't got me".
Here are my MS facts:
MS progresses, no matter what you do. It's different for everyone and progresses at different rates.
All the drugs in the world won't stop progression. Maybe slow it down a bit, but MS will continue to progress.
Not all MS suffers end up in a wheelchair. Most don't.
MS does not cause muscle atrophy. MS affects neurological function, which can impair mobility, which can lead to muscle atrophy.
There are common symptoms such as fatigue and depression, but MS is different for everyone. That is why it is often difficult to diagnose.
MS is not a death sentence. Rarely, does anyone die as a result of MS.
Keeping yourself as fit and healthy as possible is the best way to live with MS, however; no amount of juice, vitamin pills, drugs, meditation, acupuncture, psychotherapy, prayer, exercise, massage, chiropractic, marathons, positive thinking, will halt the progression.
You don't have to be a super hero when you have MS. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. It isn't a battle.
There are days when you will want the entire world to get lost. You won't feel like putting on a brave face.
You will have to endure the blessed ignorance of those who are trying to help you . You will be accused of not trying to help yourself.
You will have to accept that there are things you can't do anymore.
MS is a crap shoot. It sucks !! It's got you and that's that!!
You can live with it though, and you can still have a good life
Jumat, 02 September 2011
Night Time Worries
A quick post before I go to bed. Trying not to worry about the appointment with the surgeon next week and trying to not worry about another meeting at work. Ahh! I feel like running away, only it's too hot out (32C)
and my thyroid would still be lumpy. I have to keep working too, even though they are really sucking the life out of me. Once again I have new bosses and they of course have their own take on my medical accommodation.
I say if it ain't broke why fix it?
I could understand the meddling if I were a bad worker; but I'm actually a pretty good worker!I do as much as any of the healthy people. Well I'm going to try and not think about it and enjoy the long weekend. The last one of summer. It's supposed to cool down quite a bit by Sunday and I'm looking forward to that.
Next post I have to talk about my favourite dream.
and my thyroid would still be lumpy. I have to keep working too, even though they are really sucking the life out of me. Once again I have new bosses and they of course have their own take on my medical accommodation.
I say if it ain't broke why fix it?
I could understand the meddling if I were a bad worker; but I'm actually a pretty good worker!I do as much as any of the healthy people. Well I'm going to try and not think about it and enjoy the long weekend. The last one of summer. It's supposed to cool down quite a bit by Sunday and I'm looking forward to that.
Next post I have to talk about my favourite dream.
Langganan:
Komentar (Atom)
