January Update

This month has been a bit frustrating at times.  Not only are the cold, cloudy days a bit nerving but my progress on the medical front (or lack there of) is slower than I would like it to be. Actually it isn't all doom and gloom as I really am progressing well... just really really slow.

There are more days of feeling well than not.  That is a good thing.  However, after 2 or 3 "good" days, I am exhausted! And that is without doing a whole lot of extra!  When I am tired, I swell.....yup, good ol' lymphedema rears its head ever so slightly and I sleep.  This past weekend, after grocery shopping, I had a crazy allergic reaction (at least I think that is what it was).....Initially I thought I was having a mega hot flash.  Then I started to dry heave....itch, break out in hives, vomit,....not a pretty picture by any means.  After taking a Reactine and within half hour, the itch and swelling subsided and all returned to normal.  Today at physio, I was more swollen than usual which was attributed to the "allergic reaction".  To top that off, I am still struggling with my impinging dominant shoulder....this has been a challenge since my last surgery.  Not sure if I over did it compensating for all the aches and pains or if I was dropped during surgery LOL! Thank goodness the physio therapists, Alysia and Tracey are fantastic at what they do!  My twice a week sessions are keeping everything at bay.

OK enough "whoa is me".....I am still doing really well!  Bob and I had a great visit with our good friends the Hamms, the Wells, the McCrimmons, the Munns, the Shannons......so good to laugh with great friends! Karen and Rich were down to see us too on the weekend.....aaahhhh! Loved it!

On the 21st Bobby turned 50! So we had a bit of celebrating to do.....very low key mind you but fun. He's been busy traveling North America and ventures off to Europe in February.

Happy 50th Bob!

A young Bob...
thanks Reid for the photo!

And today....it actually warmed up to -17! Waaahooo! Zoe and I were back outside on the snowy trail enjoying the great outdoors.    These past three days of -41 kept us inside.

Onward and upward! .... Slow and steady wins the race! ....Eat, pray,walk! ...  Life is good!

Shelley xo

It's a Long and Winding Road!

This road to recovery is still under construction.

This past week I have caught a bit of a throat and chest infection and it is knocking the stuffing out of me!  I am still walking and going about my business but it seems to take me twice as long to get things done. As the doctor put it yesterday....my body is still battling the effects of chemotherapy, lymphodemia, and now a chest cold all while trying to build healthy cells.  So I am on some antibiotics to help my system  out of this construction zone.

Physio is going well although I have swelled up again on down my right side.  I think this is because of this cold....yeah, I self-diagnosis.... there is a special pump consisting of a jacket with air pressure holes in the vest and down the arms that applies a consistent pressure to help move the lymphatic fluid pooling in the arms/torso that I will be trying out later this week.  Hopefully that will help promote some good healing.

With the holiday season over, kids back at school and Bob on the road, these days are getting a bit long!  I am looking forward to returning to work if and when the doctor clears me!

It's time to get those happy endorphins flowing...so I will bundle up and head outside with Zoe for a morning walk! Hopefully the winds are down from yesterday!

Over all, I am doing well although it's crazy to think this whole process started a year ago (last January). It's been a long and winding road to recovery. Thank you for being with me on this journey.

~ Shelley xo

A Year in Review

2012.....What a crazy busy year!

January - Cancer confirmed
February - Bilateral Mastectomy & DIEP Reconstruction
March - Blood clots, flap removal & Axillary Node Dissection
April - Ottawa Playoff Games (waahoo!); Start chemotherapy
May - Lose hair; Alter-egos Jenny and J-Lo make public appearances
June - Finish 4 rounds of AC; Mikayla writes and performs a beautiful song for her music final
July - Fishing at Emma Lake; Great family visits; Rider games; Begin 12 weekly rounds of Taxol
August - Visit with family and friends; Bob returns to work
September - School start up...finding a new normal
October - Finish chemotherapy; start Tamoxifen; Lose eye brows and eye lashes
November- Welcome back eye brows and eye lashes and a tuff of hair
December - Hysterectomy;  Retire alter-egos Jenny & J-Lo; Celebrate Christmas in a Prince Albert; Recover, find a new normal...Life is good!

2013.....we are more than ready for a New Year!  Happy New Year to all!

Love, Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe

Christmas 2012

Christmas Update

Merry Christmas!

Wow!  December 25th is sure coming up faster than what seems normal!  We are looking forward to spending time with our families and friends!

Just a quick update on the medical front....it will be 3 weeks post surgery on the 25th.....unfortunately I am still a bit sore and tender and disappointed that this recovery isn't going faster.  Today at physio, it was determined that I need a bit of a physio break to let me recover.  Under normal circumstances, the total hysterectomy done laproscopically is a speedier recovery.  However, due to an already compromised stomach (DIEP surgery in February) things are taking a bit longer to heal.  Hopefully a 2 week break will jump start the New Year healing process.  I promised to take it easy too.  This however, is easier said than done!

From our house to yours, we wish wish you health, happiness and peace the wondrous Christmas season and many blessings in 2013!

Bob, Shelley, Alycia, Mikayla, Robbie & Zoe

Recovery Update

It's been two weeks since surgery.....and the 2nd week of recovery is much better than the first week.  I am a better patient with patience too ;-)  I am moving better, able to sit better and the "heat" I am experiencing as part of post-menopause, although warm, isn't making me run naked through the streets.....at least not yet. My physio treatments are limited to my chest and back until my stomach has a chance to recover a bit more.  Unfortunately some the swelling in my arm is back but the physio gals assure me this is normal and will bounce back once they are able to pick up the pace.

My goals this week:

• walk on the treadmill.... even with no incline and minimal speed I hope to feel better as it has been two weeks....my poor dog is so confused and desperately misses her daily walks
• get a hair cut :-D .....OK, not a "real" haircut" but a trim
• get a manicure and pedicure.....my nails are growing back and not splitting like they were during and immediately after chemo
• celebrate life....and enjoy the simple pleasures of the holiday season with family and friends

Please keep my survivor blog friends and their families in your prayers as their journeys are beginning and mid-stream.....each document remarkable stories of courage and faith.

• Donna, keep up the great work! You're almost done! xoxox - The Love Loop 
• Glen, your journey has been incredible! Now it's recovery time! Waahoo! - It's a Mental Game
• Chantal, you can do it!  - I'd rather b shopping
• Aunt Louise and Auntie Ann...xoxoxo
• all others who are about to embark on this incredible journey or other challenges...keep the faith!
• And of course, the families and friends of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newton, Connecticut...this tragedy is unbelievable....incomprehensible. May this town find peace and strength again.

Special thanks to the Ministry of Education folks at RCC....it was so great to see you all and have Christmas lunch!

Eat, pray, walk.....Shelley xoxo

Simple Joy

What  a week of recovery it has been!  I think I have gone through the whole gamut of emotions....

• happy.... that this is over;
• darn right angry..... that I feel so sore and tired (been there done that sort of thing),
• grouchy....just because 
• glad....to be home and not in a hospital

Again my nurse-maid and soul-mate, Bob, took wonderful care of me as he was back on needle duty for a few days while I found my bearings.  He also experienced the joy of helping with compressions sleeves and socks......wish I could have video taped that! Hahaha! And he was back on cleaning duties full-time cracking the whip with the kids! I am not sure if you watch Duck Dynasty or Not.....but here are a couple of pictures that Uncle Si would be proud of....I think! :-D  Karilyn and Earl just don't know what to think of this....it's been a long long year!

 

Bob's Maid Service Dec 2012

Bob wearing "Jenny"...
no further comment

As always, I try to look for the positives in this journey.  This week I had to dig really deep into the well of life's simple pleasures to acknowledge the following:

• Eye brows....man oh man, how I missed you! The Cookie Monster has nothing on me this Christmas season as I am finding it difficult to pluck them
• Eye Lashes....I missed you too! And they came back full and long!  I can use an eye lash curler for real!! 
• Chin Hair....I was actually happy to see you too!  And had no problem pulling you out!!
• Home...."there is no place like home" I love my home. I love my family.
• Hair....Bob calls me Silver Fox....more on that in another post

May God bless and keep each of you safe and healthy this holiday season and always! Enjoy the simple joys of the holiday season! Shelley xoxox

Road to Recovery

Yesterday's surgery went as scheduled and planned for the most part.  Dr. Aspe Lacero performed a laproscopic total hysterectomy and Dr. Kyle Korman worked his magic with anesthetics.  Discharge took a little longer than planned due to the spinal and general anesthetic I received so I was quite frozen. However, once thawed, I passed the tests of standing, walking, voiding, etc. So with pain medication in hand we were sent home shortly after 11:00 PM. We were the last ones on the day surgery floor to leave.

Once home the kids all greeted me which was so nice....but then I had to tell them to get to bed being a school night and all! And I was so hungry too.....jello tasted like a piece of heaven after two days of liquids.  Although sleep came easy, I was up at 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM to take some pain meds. Today I mostly slept and I am sore of course.  It's nice to be home to recover.

The road to recovery is double-lane and paved this time around...for that I am thankful.

Lots of Love, Shelley xoxo