Waahoo - a win & a sense of normalcy!

What an awesome time in Ottawa!! Hockey was great especially with the OT win last night! The fans were unbelievable - they remind us of the Roughrider fans: crazy, fun & dedicated :) And what organization!  We were treated like royalty! Thank you thank you! xo

How about the PDA on TSN???? Hahaha!! Those of you who know Bob know the "no PDA" rule...no public displays of affection. I guess playoff hockey OT wins are the exception!! I guess the rule doesn't apply to Bryan ;)

A sense of normalicy (sans cancer) returned for a few moments here and there and a few good ol' belly laughs were had with our Ottawa friends...aaahhh! :) That was great!

The Murphy Review is finally in too.... ;) We were able to connect with the Murphy's for supper and an evening of fun....priceless!

1. King Murphy Bean Salad v. Media Centre Bean Salad v. Winnipeg Airport Bean Salad
   And the winner is....Murph all the way!!
2. Oncology Tips and Tricks from Bonnie - priceless and much appreciated
3. Sock Monkey...something to squeeze when needed

It is great to be home and now its time to refocus on recovery... and playoff hockey :)

Go Sens Go! Shelley & Bob xoxo

Ottawa Bound

Go Sens Go!
2012 Playoffs

 Recovery is coming along slowly but surely these days so we decided to take the recovery show to Ottawa for playoffs thanks to the Sens management!  As Dr. Souf said, "you can recover at home or recover in Ottawa." So Bob and I will be boarding the early flight Monday to Ottawa and will take in Games 3 & 4...waahoo(attending a playoff game is on my bucket list)! GO SENS GO!!  I may have to purchase an armoured suit to sit beside Bob the way he jumps around during the game...(Rob is right beside him :) )

Upon our return we will be back in full medical appointment mode starting on Friday with the oncologist.  Blood work and scans of sorts will be done/booked in preparation for chemo. Perhaps we will get a tentative chemo start date.  The results of the Axillary Node Dissection and blood work re: clotting should be given to us too...please say an extra prayer or two that all of this goes well! 

Thanks again to all our friends and family for your prayers and words of support!

Lots of Love, Shelley & Bob

Needles....uugghh!

Today I was forced to give myself a needle...my nurse mate took the day off :) Bob went to Brandon to watch the Wheat Kings Game! This morning I broke out in a sweat just holding the needle....luckily, I had a doctor's appointment today and the doctor took me to the nurses' station for a lesson.  The nurse calmly guided my hands and talked me through it...she even invited me back for a repeat lesson to "build my confidence" :)  Thank goodness for compassionate and patient nurses!! Full props to Bob for taking on this job without hesitation....there is a reason why I am a teacher and not in the medical profession :)

In the meantime, I have been faithfully exercising my arm in hopes of restoring mobility and sensation as well as using the treadmill....all this to ready myself for chemo and healthy living! By the way, I have accomplished the 6 minute lap...if you recall, after the first surgery it was taking me 20 minutes to walk a lap on the treadmill! If this wind would die down it would be awesome to walk outside.

That is all I know on the medical front today - hope this finds everyone well! Love, Shelley

Drain & Compress

Today's doctor's appointment resulted in the need to have these chest wounds drained/aspirated and compressed. This will happen tomorrow morning at the Pasqua Hospital.  Hopefully this is just a minor procedure to help speed up the healing process....apparently this is a common procedure following a mastectomy to help the body find and adjust to a new way of draining fluids in the lymphatic system.  Of course I am not thrilled with the idea of another needle poke... however, whatever it takes to heal.

Sleep has been good; the arm is slowing coming along although I still can't sit next to Bob while watching hockey as he continues to poke, bump and assist on almost every play; ...knitting is coming along too....still making dish clothes but I may have to make the quantum leap and start a siwash sweater for the girls.

For those of you on Easter vacation - I hope it relaxes and refreshes you!

Happy Monday! Shelley

Happy Easter!

The healing process has begun from the past surgery - compression bandage and drain was removed on Thursday and now we have daily visits to the Treatment Centre for dressing changes - even today - Easter Sunday!  There is a bit of a concern with fluid retention around both wounds at this time.  Tomorrow we meet with the doctor and we will see if this is normal. 

Other than that life is good!  Woke up to some snow yesterday but it should all disappear in the next few days - gotta love Saskatchewan weather!

We hope the Easter Bunny treats you all well this fine Easter Sunday!

Much love, Shelley & Bob

Prepping for next steps

Bob modeling  Headgear

Hey fellow bloggers!

I am please to report that I am starting to feel human again! Today I woke up with ankles - it has been a while since my ankle bones were last seen...as Bob so eloquently puts it " your calves became cows". LOL!

The "Eat, Pray, Walk" mantra continues to rule our lives in preparation for the next round of therapy. Last week, I ordered some "headgear" to have on hand for the side effects of chemo....still haven't decided on what colour (if any) my hair will be.  KJ suggested in her post that we should put up some pictures....perhaps I will have a survey on best colour and style...hmmm, something to think about!  In the interim, here is a picture of Bob modeling a sleeping cap :) Hahaha!  He can now add modeling to his ever growing list of qualifications!

This week we are hoping for the draining tube to be removed and for the new scars to heal without cause.  I think that once these two things are under control I will be able to sleep much better.  My right arm is numb from the surgery - it sort of feels like the sensation one has after coming from dental work only this sensation is down the back of the arm.  I have read that this can be permanent....oh well, there could be worse things!  We also have a few doctors appointments to go to and I think physio for the right arm is to be scheduled.

The weather is awesome here too! I hope this finds you all well and prepping for Easter weekend!

Much love, Shelley

Home from Hospital

Shell was able to come home this morning. She is a bit sore, especially here right shoulder and arm. This is due to node dissection. She has to take it easy for a week,though must do enough with her right arm in order to avoid developing lymphodema in her right arm. I am sure Dr. Souf said no typing,though Shell may not of heard it:)
Shell rested most of the day and is happy to have this surgery behind her. The focus now is to heal both, physically and mentally, in order to prepare for chemotherapy.
What helped to make it an even better day was the Sens clinching a playoff birth with a 5-1 win versus the Islanders.
Cheers
BBB