WIND STORM

 

 

Not exactly the picture I wanted to come home or wake up to today!  Yesterday we had a terrible wind storm that took out a tree that was on our neighbour's property.  Lucky for us it decided to come down across our driveway and tearing the power lines, cable and telephone off the house ... YIPPEE!

The pictures above is the aftermath, following some clean up ...

Close Encounter of the MOOSEY-kind

Typical September morning ... or so I thought!

Darren had been traveling back and forth to St. John's for work for over a year now ... but this morning would prove to be something totally different!



I hadn't expected the day to be any different until I got a call from Darren on his cell about 35 minutes after he had left the house ... all he said was "I hit a moose".

He wasn't making much sense at this point, which worried me TOTALLY ... I could hear him hustling about in the car and there was some background noise, but I couldn't hear if he was actually OK! He told me that someone had called the ambulance, and until I made him have the person call out to me on the phone, I really didn't know if help had been called!

I waited over an hour ... for a 20-23 minute run to the hospital. I started to get really scared that something horrible had gone wrong. I was constantly asking the nurses at the ER to check to see where the ambulance was ... no luck! FINALLY someone told me they had tracked down the ambulance and that they had been dispatched to a incorrect location! VERY GOOD!

They finally arrived and I was faced with a little bit of a shock ...



Darren had quite a few bumps and bruises; not including the cuts, scrapes and embedded glass! Luckily he wasn't in too much pain and after getting cleaned up ... he wasn't too shabby for what had happened.

I didn't get to have a close look at the car until it was towed back to Carbonear ... another lovely shock!

Our little Cavalier Z24 was demolished! The docs told us that if Darren had been driving with his seat in the full upright position, things would not have turned out like they had ... luckily, Darren always drove with his seat reclined a little ... something that saved his life!

The moose had landed on the driver's side roof area and needless to say, he didn't make it ... the rest of the car was pretty much in perfect condition!



As you can see from the bottom pic ... Darren didn't even have enough room to move his head from side to side while he was in the car! Thankfully someone was watching over him that morning!

NEWEST ADDITION ... PART 4!

September 15 2009 - 4th sitting

It's been a long wait since my last sitting and I was getting a little anxious in wanting to get my tat completed.

I'm so impressed with the way that it's turning out ... today we completed to coloring and added some of the shading. Looks like I have 1 or 2 more sittings to have it completed ... oooohhhhh, can I hold out??!!

NEWEST ADDITION ... PART 3!

July 11 2009 - 3rd sitting

What can I say ... I'm LOVIN' it! I just got back from the shop and had to show off the colors that we added today!! I don't think I can stand the wait to see the finished piece!

... looks like a start to a back piece :)!

NEWEST ADDITION ... PART 2!

June 27 2009 - 2nd sitting

Ok, so I'm continuing with completing my newest addition ... after sitting # 2 we have the flowers completed, some blue added, and some of the shading completed ... it's really starting to shape up!!

... stay tuned ...

NEWEST ADDITION ... TAT!

May 30 2009

Time to do something for ME again ...

For those who don't know me too well ... or may not know this little tid-bit, I am a tattoo junkie! I honestly think that my dream job would be working in a tattoo parlor; covered in tats; and lovin' every minute of it! Crazy you may say ... but I really don't think it's too far fetched ... :)!

It took me over a year to decide on this particular tattoo. All my tats have special meaning for me and were never a spur of the moment decision ... well ...

This tat has special meaning ... the Phoenix representing re-birth and a new life ... pretty self explanatory don't you think!

I had the outline completed today ... CAN'T WAIT to see the finished piece of art!

New Beginnings ...

Yes, my lung transplant was a huge transformation and new lease on life ... but it seems that I'm coming across lost of changes this month ... and all for ME for once!

I made the decision to try for a new job ... not that I hate my current one, but I think it's just time for a change ... well, another change.  I applied for a semi-government position back in February 2009 and have been awaiting the results of the competition ... until today! 

I had a call a couple of weeks ago to do a telephone interview ... and was notified that ... I GOT THE JOB!!!!  I actually started today with orientation and training ... and can't wait to sink my teeth in!

... and, apart from my new job, I've made the decision to start a new tattoo!!  Stay tuned for the design and results!!

Wish me luck ... I'm going to need it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABIES!!

WOOHOO!! 1 year down ... many, many more to go!

We made it!! Yes, it's been 1 year since my double-lug transplant and I'm feeling great! Just 1 year ago ... right now, I was being prepped for surgery and awaiting my "new life"! Little did I know what a wild and wonderful year it would become!

To celebrate ... as I always do, we decided to have a HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LUNGS party! It was down to the crunch, but I wanted a cake ... and a GOOD cake at that! I had an idea in my head, but because of work and the fact that I'm not a baker/cake decorator, I sent Darren on a mission with a tiny picture/drawing of what I wanted my cake to look like.

Living in a rural community, we often don't have the luxuries of a bit town ... but we make due ... and in fact I was TOTALLY impressed with the wonderful job that the ladies at Powell's Supermarket did, and how my cake turned out!!!

Needless to say, not only was I (and my "buddies") the talk of the party ... but my cake too! Can't wait for next year .. how will I out-do this???

1 YEAR ASSESSMENT (Feb 22 2009)

I can't believe that 1 year has passed since I received my 'gift of life'!  It will be exactly 1 year on February 22 that I received my call and was transplanted ... thus starting or shall I say, re-starting my life!

Darren and I are heading back to Toronto on February 21 to start the assessment process.  I'll undergo test upon test to make sure things are still fine and that there is no infection or rejection.  We have a busy week ahead, but it will be great to check-in with the Transplant Team and Clinic, meet some old friends, and see how the "new transplants" are doing.  

Oddly enough I'm looking forward to the trip (and the tests) ... so far things have been great with my 'new additions' and I'm hoping that things will continue to stay stable.

Valentine's with my sweetie ...

Valentine's Day 2009 will be extra special!  I have to laugh as I'm writing that statement, as each and every event since Feb 22 1008 are EXTRA SPECIAL ... but this is one that both Darren and I can enjoy together ... alone ...

We've planned a little 'outing' to Skipper Ben's B & B in Cupids ... just a quite and relaxing evening with some great food and music.  Instead of trying to beat the crowds on Valentine's Day (Saturday), we decided to get ahead of the crowd and celebrate on Friday night instead.

Bye, Bye Baby Bertha ...

Lil' Bertha

October 13 2003-January 13 2009

It's breaking my heart to write this ... but we've lost our Lil' Bertha.  She died of right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension on January 13 2009 @ 2:00 PM.

Bertha came to us as a rescue pug with her companion, Molly in November 2006, following the death of my mother in October.  Both Molly and Bertha became our "pride and joy" immediately after arriving in their new home.

In November 2007, just a year later, I had to be listed for transplant and didn't really know what to do with my babies.  We wanted to take them with us, but didn't want to put them through traveling and living in Toronto ... after all, it's no Newfoundland!  Luckily, their previous owner and personal friend volunteered to care for our "babies" while we were away.  It was the thought that these two precious girls were waiting at home for me that motivated me to recover and get back to Newfoundland as soon as possible ...

We picked up our "babies" when we returned to Newfoundland in May 2008 and spent a wonderful summer and fall with them.  Bertha in particular, just loved dressing up for Halloween and loved opening gifts at Christmas.

Just last week, the two girls decided that while we were away, they would get into a bag of garbage we had ready for the trash.  For the next day or two, Bertha wasn't herself ... but she had done this before and wasn't showing signs of any strange symptoms.  She was eating, playing, sleeping, etc.  the same ol' Bertie we were used to.  

On Saturday, January 10 2009 things turned for the worse.  Bertha wouldn't eat.  I tried feeding her all her favorites (chicken breast, carrots, rice) ... but she wouldn't eat anything.  At this point she wasn't her same ol' active self either.  We made a trip to the vet.  He thought the same that we did ... that this was just an upset belly.  He gave her a pain killer and some antibiotics and told us that she should be feeling better within a few hours.  This was 11:00 AM.  By 2:30 PM things turned bad ... Bertha started breathing differently, collapsed, and upon us reviving her, couldn't stand.  We had to carry her to the car where we immediately took her back to the vet.  Upon arrival, he wanted to keep her overnight for observation and to do some additional testing to see if she had a blockage (from the garbage).  On Monday, January 12 2009 he preformed the ultrasound and by fluke, noticed that her heart was enlarged.  As he was busy with surgery's on Monday, he was going to repeat the ultrasound and forward it to specialists outside of the province.  He warned us that right-sided heart failure is more serious than left-sided, and that there may be a chance that there would be no treatment for her.  He was optimistic though that he would try some drug plan and/or surgery.

We visited Bertie Monday evening.  As the vet brought her in, I knew my little baby was so sick.  She managed to wag her little curly tail as us, but as I took her in my arms, she just collapsed with weakness.  She could barely hold her little head up.  She was struggling to breath, and I knew that I did not want her to suffer.  Even if surgery was an option, I knew she could not survive it ... she was just too sick.  I wanted to know the results of the ultrasound that would be preformed on Tuesday, but Bertie couldn't live like this ... not since she was such an active puggie.  Just looking at her in my arms broke my heart ... but still I hoped that there was something that could be done.

The ultrasound was preformed on Tuesday, January 13 2009 and results forwarded to the specialist.  As we were awaiting a response, the office called to tell my husband that Bertha had collapsed ... Darren immediately called me, and as he was doing that, they called again with the bad news ... that they had attempted to re-start Bertha's heart, but that were not successful ... Bertha had passed away @ 2:00 PM, January 13 2009.  

We visited our baby to say good-bye.  We're told that she didn't suffer and that it was very sudden.  From the look on her face and her posture, this was indeed the case.  From what I can tell, and in my heart, I know she died peacefully.  Thankfully we were able to visit one last time with her the night before and give her some last cuddles and "loves".  Bertha was 5 years old.  We still don't know what caused this heart failure.  She didn't show any symptoms of anything wrong (until last Saturday).  We are awaiting the results of the ultrasound ... just for my piece of mind if anything.

I've owned and loved pugs since 1992 ... and have gone through the loss of my first 2 pugs.  But this was something different ... Bertha just touched a piece of my heart that no other puggie has.  In addition to that ... this was so sudden!  

We miss you baby Bertie, but know that you're not suffering now.  You'll always hold a special place in our hearts ... run and play freely my sweetie.  

Lots of love ... mommy xoxo

Time flies when you're having fun ...

I can't believe that 1 year has pretty much past already!  Darren and I have been in the process of booking flights and hotels for my 1 year assessment coming up on February 22 ... and just got confirmation from "our hotel" that we're back in our same ol' room ... where we spent 3 months of our lives in Toronto!  Kinda bitter sweet if I do say so myself.

I don't have any tests or my schedule as of yet ... but I'm anticipating that there'll be a few more tests than the usual check up ... and that's expected.  I've been feeling great since I've been transplanted ... apart from the tremendous weight gain!  Not that some of it wasn't welcomed ... but I got a little carried away ... now I'm stuck!  I really didn't ever think that I would complain about being over-weight ... it's a nice complaint ... sometimes .... LOL!  Problem is, I've been told to eat pretty much my entire life.  Living with CF, one always has the issue of lack of weight gain ... so we're constantly eating.  Now that I'm transplanted, my lungs do not have any strain, thus my body isn't working overtime to breath!  That being the case, I'm still eating the same amount that I did eat pre-transplant ... but of course, that's a bit too much for my "new body"!  Along with the meds ... I really have my work cut out for me to loose a few pounds ....

Good news is that I feel totally healthy ... but with that I have to be careful!  I may feel 110% ... but I can very easily catch a cold or flu ... and that can turn fatal!  So far Darren and I have been able to avoid and fight of any "bugs" that have come along ... just pray we can continue to do so for the winter season!!  

2009 - New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's 2009 and almost a year has passed since I was transplanted!  I've always made some silly and often unreachable resolutions ... but this year I actually sat and thought long and hard about a few that I could accomplish ... here goes:

• Begin and stick with a exercise program ... not only for weight loss but also for increased lung function
• Live each day to the fullest ... don't sweat the small stuff
• Have fun and enjoy ME!

There ... short and sweet ... lets see how well I fare with these ...

... Oh, I'm also going to attempt to keep my blog updated ... more regularly than I have ... I didn't want to add this one to my list ... as it's something that I can't totally commit to ... he he!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year ... one that myself and my family would enjoy to the fullest.  The past few years haven't been so great, but I still found it in my heart to enjoy this beautiful and magical time of year.  

For some time now I haven't been able to totally "get out" and enjoy myself during the holiday season.  I would attempt to visit friends or attend a scattered party, but it just didn't seem like fun ... mainly because of my health.  An just a little over 2 years ago my mother passed away.  I don't remember much of Christmas 2006 ... I'm sure we went through the motions, but as you can imagine, it wasn't a joyous occasion.  

A lot of things have changed in 2 years!  Just this time last year Darren and I were sitting in my hospital room at St. Mike's awaiting the arrival of the New Year.  Being away from friends and family wasn't at all fun, and ringing in the new year from a hospital bed wasn't one of the things on my to-do list ... but hey, things happen and we are sometimes forced to deal with them head on ...

Looking back just 1 year ago, I can honestly say that it was all worth it!  Although we didn't realize it at the time, our Christmas miracle was just around the corner!  

Being almost 1-year post transplant is something I didn't think would ever be a reality for me!  This holiday season has been extra special for myself and my family and one that I'll cherish for a lifetime!  Being able to spend time with family and friends, visit, travel, party ... all without stopping to worry about breathing!  It's just truly amazing!

We thank God everyday for this special miracle and gift of life!  We are truly blessed to have been so successful in my transplant journey ... although it is far from over!  We continue to pray for our new friends who are still waiting for "the call" and for those who are recovering ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

9-Month Assessment (Nov 2008) - UPDATE!

Following a busy and eventful week in Toronto, Darren and I are back home again ... getting all ready for Christmas! All my tests came back great this time around ... still waiting on a couple more, but nothing too serious. My bronchscopy and biopsy both came back with NO infection or rejection!!

My next trip to Toronto will be for my 1 year assessment ... somewhere around February 22, 2009!

9-Month Assessment (Nov 2008)

Just a little update ... 

Darren and I are heading back to Toronto for my 9-month assessment ... and yes, time has gone by that quickly!

I'll be having the same routine testing that I had done during my 6-month assessment in September ... hopefully they won't have any surprises for me when we get there! There has been a big scare at St. Mike's Hospital and the Transplant Clinic ... with the "bad CF bug" B. Cepacia being found in some new patients. Unfortunately, I've been exposed to this bug ... but we'll have to wait for the testing during the bronch and biopsy to find out "what's what"! I'm not really sure what it means for me now that I've been transplanted ... so I'm sure there may indeed be a few surprises next week!

We're leaving on Saturday, Nov 15 and returning Friday, Nov 21 ... that's if everything goes as planned. We'll keep everyone posted on Facebook, via email and CarePages!

Wish us luck!

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my mother's death. I thought that things would start to get easier by now, but not so ... I miss her so much!

It's been almost 8 months since my double lung transplant and the only thing that I wish is that mom could be here to see me and see this wonderful new life that I've been given. I know that she's watching over me and making sure that I'm OK, but it's just not the same. I can't really celebrate with her - apart from in my heart - which right now isn't cutting it.

Truly believe that my transplant and current health would not be as positive as it has been if it were not for those loved ones that I've lost throughout the years ... Matthew, Nan Whalen, Pop Whalen, Nan Halfyard, and of course Mom. It is with their strength and guidance that I've become the person that I am now.

I'm not the kind of person to have regrets or wish for things to be better - I take life as it is and work with what I'm given ... but today, I do WISH that mom was here ... I LOVE YOU!

6-Month Assessment (Sept 2008)

Well, Darren and I are getting ready to head back to Toronto for the first time since we've been home. It's time for my 6-month assessment!! WOW, time really does fly!

Not sure what to expect ... but I did receive a package in the mail outlining my week of testing. Doesn't sound too horrible .. just some VERY long days! It's kind of exciting to be going back ... expceially to see some old transplant buddies ... and some who have been transplanted since we've come home! I'm hoping that my week isn't going to be so full that we can't do a little catching up.

I'm also finally participating in an Adult CF Committee meeting next weekend! It's been the first one that I've attended since 2005! WOW, what a way to celebrate ... I can't wait to see some old faces and meet the new members of the ACFC!

Well, keep everyone posted on Facebook, CarePages or email ...

Wish us luck!

Christmas in Carbonear

My best friend and her family vowed to me that we would celebrate Christmas when we returned home safe and sound - complete will all the trimmings - trees, turkey dinner, friends, family, etc.! Obviously they didn't disappoint!

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas in Carbonear! Surrounded by friends and family, we ate, chatted, opened gifts and just had a plain ol' great time! Thanks to Judy, Joanne, Darrell, and John - Christmas was just perfect!

HOME!

Well, we've finally made it home - and what a welcoming! We were surprised and delighted to see friends, family and aquaintances at the airport when we arrived! Not to mention the media! I was taken a little off guard having to "air" my story to CBC news just after getting off the plane, but what the hell - it was all worth it!

After leaving the airport we headed to Manuals to pick up our girlies - Molly and Bertha! To be honest, I think I enjoyed that the most - lol! I was wondering if they would have forgotten us - but nope - they knew exactly who we were and where they were going - HOME!

Upon arriving in Carbonear we headed to hospital parking lot to start a motorcade! We ended up at the Carbonear Civic Centre with more media opportunities from The Compass and KIXX FM and a warm welcoming from the Mayor!! All it all, it was a great day! After having a chat with some friends and family at the Centre, we headed to the in-laws for yet another media opportunity - this time NTV news! Thanks to Ed, Bill, and Sherry for great interviews!

Finally we headed home to our house - which I haven't been in since November 13, 2007! We unpacked the van and just relaxed for the evening! Finally we were HOME - after 6 long months!

Now all the fun starts ...