Day 249 - I Drove All Night...

First off - did I mention my dog is experiencing a false pregnancy? Yup. Lactating & all. Nesting, collecting toys, whining, depressed. Guess who is getting spayed as soon as this is over?!? Are you kidding me?!? Who would have thought...


Second, I heard the wolf again tonight! Sweet! Only once. I ran for my camera/video, but I haven't heard a peep since. I've been sleeping with the fan on lately, so maybe he's been here for awhile.


Today was my CT scan. I was 1/2 an hour late. I didn't think Canmore was that far. Yeah, it's been awhile & I usually just keep plugging on to Banff. I had to drive Mom's car because, lo & behold, my battery was dead! Mom's car was a bit freaky to drive, as the steering isn't quite right. It's really stiff & hurky jerky. 


When I approached the Diagnostic Imaging desk, I had to fill out a consent form. Before I filled it out, I asked how much radiation I would be receiving. It was like I'd slapped them across the face. They all sat there for a moment, deer in the headlights look, and I thought, 'Oh boy. Here we go.' To my delight, they were WONDERFUL!!! They called around & found out as much information as they could & sent me home with some googling to do. 


The gal who helped me out was really sweet. She's getting married next March, either in Panama or Cuba. She was asking me about different islands in the Caribbean, so of course, I babbled incessantly about my favourite islands. She was really good at her job too. She was very explanatory & was gentle with the IV. Also, in the past, when they inject the contract dye, it is a big flush & you get that I-just-peed-my-pants feeling. (You don't actually, it just feels that way. Weird, I know.) The gal was re (just hear the wolf again! AWESOME!) She was really gentle with the injection, so it wasn't a mad, overwhelming rush of heat & flush. Much appreciated! 


As I left the Imaging area, I dropped off a note with Kim Ing's details. When the gal mentioned Cuba, I remember Kim having shot a wedding in Cuba & perhaps they could work something out... You just never know! 


The hospital had wonderful artwork decorating the halls - most of it was for sale. The piece in the Imaging waiting area was donated by EVIC's Boss' Boss! Hah! Small world! I will say, if I had to be hospitalized, I would prefer to stay at Canmore. The view is spectacular! You're surrounded by mountains - Wow!


I stopped at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. as mentioned by Dave yesterday. It was so good, I nearly did a yooee (UE, u-ee, U-turn?) on the #1! It's been a long time since I had a bagel that light & fluffy & delish!


I motored to Calgary to return/pick up a few last minute things, then boogied back home. I slept for 1/2 an hour & then motored back into Bragg Creek for dinner with Karen!


Karen is a Teacher in Pincher Creek & today was a field trip to Calaway Park, so we agreed to meet afterwards for a quick visit. Karen was my roommate several summers in Waterton. She also introduced me to hiking & sparked the adventurous explorer in me. We had a great meal at Infusion (again!) & I enjoyed hearing about her plans for the summer & her BIG trip around South America! Including the Galapagos! I wish I was tagging along! I can't wait to hear ALL about it!!! It was so great to see her & catch up before she gets caught up in busy summer plans!


After we said goodbye, I raced back home. I was supposed to meet Mom at Infusion at 1830 & we were going to go to Cochrane together. I pulled into the yard at 1827 & no truck. But the inside door wasn't shut. And there were no dogs. What's going on? I called her cell. No answer. I called again. And again. x5. Finally she calls me back. She was down in the field helping Jim. His Arctic Cat quad was stuck. Quite bad too. Mom said the front wheels were 2 feet off the ground! He'd pounded a crowbar into the ground & was trying to use that to winch himself out of the mess. Jim is 83 or 84 & is quite the character. He doesn't get upset or angry. He always calm & finds something to chuckle about! Needless to say, Mom was a bit late leaving for her meeting. I dropped her off & headed over to Mike & Jenn's. They were using Mom's truck to pick up a mattress & box springs some people had been storing for them, but were unable to do so any longer. 


My heart nearly broke when I pulled up I could see Harrison sliding open the patio door calling, 'Tina? Tina? Tina?' I had left Valentina at home, with Oceana while Mom & I were gone. He was so sad that she wasn't there to play with! Poor fella! He had a hair cut & I am pleased to say that we'll look like twins after Saturday night! Although I think he looks much cuter in a buzz cut than I will!


Jenn & I had a good visit while Mike ran to get the mattresses. I am so happy they are here. They are wonderful friends & such good people. I've enjoyed spending time with their children & seeing some fantastic examples of good parenting! I'll know who to call when the totsicles are finally here! :o)


Mom & I drove home & were in the house by 2200. Both of us exhausted, we had a bite to eat, played with our dogs until we were crying from laughing so hard & then it was bed time. Oceana was really funny tonight. She jumped up & put her front paws on Mom's leg. When that didn't work to get her attention, she starts digging on Mom's leg. She digs so fast - it's a flurry of paws & claws! When that didn't work, she give one big leap into the air. Then another leap! Mom was giving me a play-by-play of how it usually goes down & Oceana acted right on cue. Priceless! Then Mom got up to grab a tissue & both dogs came over & jumped up. Mom jumped, the dogs jumped, again & again... About 4 times in a row! Crazy dogs!


Anyhow, enjoy your day tomorrow... I hope it's a good one!
xxxxx
Maria, Valentina, Kim, & Oceana

The artwork donated generously by...

My old Boss' Boss!

The view from the front entrance of the Canmore Hospital

Sometimes I make words/abbreviations up with license plates. I thought this one was 'Tom Baker Centre' & my immediate afterthought was 'BAH!' That's when I saw the next plate...

I'm not sure if the spelling is right, but this word means 'poo' in Afrikaans. Struck me funny that it was the next plate I saw!

Karen & I

Mom was miffed the cops didn't stop the old cars from holding up traffic, but made her call a tow truck & not drive any further!

Day 242 - Ultrasound. Again. And Again.

Rise & shine & lets have another look at your innards. Yup, another ultrasound today. Dr. Scott was the Physician doing the ultrasounds & to my amazement, some of the follicles were now TOO BIG! Oh no! I was a bit panicked when she said I should have had the retrieval done right away when it wasn't booked until Wednesday. Some of the follicles went from 1.6 to 2.2 in 24 hours! Great guns they're growing fast! Amazingly enough, the right ovary smartened up & grew a few more follicles. Incredible what a little shot of somethin' somethin' can make your body do some incredible things! I had a whopping 16 (SIXTEEN!) follicles today! Holy smokes! I was to have the final shots today & tonight & then a day off. After that, it was retrieval day!


I was given instructions on how to inject the 10,000 iu of HCG & away I went. I was meeting Al & Wilma for a visit. I was so excited to see them & hear all about their amazing journey from Africa to England. They had flown to Capetown & sailed up the western coast of Africa. Bottom to top! They were also stopping in Namibia where Jaco & I married/honeymooned. They are two of the most wonderful people I've met in my travels & how perfect they live in Calgary! We visited at the house for a bit & then Al had to run some errands, so Wilma & I headed over to the Calgary Winter Club for lunch. 


I had never been there before & it was quite impressive! It is a HUGE athletic facility, offering tennis, squash, curling, skating, badminton, swimming, along with a full service gym, personal trainers & physiotherapy! In fact, Christine, one of the girls from the Thursday night prayer group, works here. I couldn't remember where, but I knew she was a Personal Trainer somewhere in the city. Sure enough, when I walked into the gym & looked at their bios on the wall, there she was! Unfortunately she wasn't in at the moment, but neat nonetheless!


The restaurant had a delicious menu with many healthy options (yay!) & Wilma & I talked & talked about the trip & the people they met, the sights they saw & all the unique & far flung destinations the ship stopped at. 


I had to return to the Fertility Clinic before 1600, so we left the Winter Club & headed back to their house. I grabbed my med out of the fridge & said goodbye to Wilma. I'm looking forward to the next visit... I can't wait to see the photos from the trip! 


I picked up my last dose of Cetrotide & made my way home. I was happy to turn the car off & not have to drive it tomorrow. Finally! A day off! I've been in the city WAY TOO MUCH these past two weeks & it's starting wear on me! I putted around the house this evening, trying to tidy a few things up - and of course, looked forward to another sleep in tomorrow! My body seems to need some extra zzz's these days...


Sweet dream & see you tomorrow, but none too early!!! :o)
Maria & Valentina
xxxxx

The growing girls!

Day 231 - Ultrasound! Finally!

Up & at it early again this morning, I had my first ultrasound & blood test at the fertility clinic. It was finally time to start the meds! We're making progress! I left Jenn at home with her little ones & made my way to the clinic. I arrived shortly after 0800 & took a seat. I had been told previously that ultrasounds would be done on a 'first come, first serve' basis, so I expected a wait, considering I was 5 minutes late & the waiting room was chokka block!


I occupied myself by playing on my iPod, looking through a magazine, napping while sitting, checking my emails on the free computer... Pretty soon it was 1030 & I still hadn't been called in! I looked around the waiting room & didn't recognize anyone! I asked the girl beside me if she was having an ultrasound & she said she was waiting for blood work & her ultrasound had already been done. She asked me what I was there for & I said the same, but I hadn't been called in yet. She looked shocked! She said I should ask, as it doesn't generally take longer than a 1/2 hour to get in. 


Sure enough, there was a malfunction on the computer & they thought I hadn't shown up. They had been frantically calling my house looking for me, meanwhile I was napping in the waiting room! They were very apologetic, but I told them not to worry, it was fine. A parking donation would have been great, but anyways...


It was quite interesting to see the ultrasound. Modern technology is quite fascinating! Normally a woman produces only one follicle per cycle. With the puny little shots I would be doing, say 2 ml/day of drugs, it would stimulate my body to produce 8-20 follicles! Crazy what a little amount of chemical can do to a person! 


All done & dusted with the first ultrasound, I sped home to wait for the phone call from the nurse regarding my blood tests & my drug schedule. Bad news, I have too much estrogen. I'm not 100% sure what that means, but they like quiet ovaries & apparently mine aren't too quiet... Ironic... even my ovaries tend to babble on... 


They decided to start me on treatment anyways, as I don't really have the luxury of humming & hawing around anymore. So, 1 shot of Luveris & 1 shot of Gonal F starting tomorrow at 1300. Tuesday, the 15th, would see me in for my next ultrasound, which they assured me I would be 1st in line for!! :o)


I rounded up the wedding decorations & headed to Cochrane to pick up Valentina. I had left her with Jenn & the kidlets for the morning. Harrison liked to play with 'Tina', as he calls her. I was completely beat, but I didn't have time for a nap. I ate a quite bite & hit the road again. This time I had to drive to Shawnessy & meet my potential Kijiji buyer. 


Thank goodness she bought it all! I was so happy to get rid of the decorations. I loved the lanterns & would love to put them up somewhere permanently, but seeing as I don't have a place to do so right now, they were just taking up space. I could have sold them many times over! No one wanted the other stuff... They only wanted the lanterns. Luckily the gal I met today was willing to take the wanted with the unwanted. I felt like I lost 10 pounds on the spot! Ahhhh! Sigh of relief! One less thing to worry about!


I felt bad for Jenn having to miss a day of work & so I stopped at Shopper's Drug Mart & picked up a couple of tins of baby formula for Heidi. It doesn't make up for a full day's wage, but hopefully it would help! After that, it was home time! I found the kids in bed & Jenn watching the tail end of Precious. Oh my. What a sad & disturbing show. I suppose people need to be aware of things like this that really do exist, but for most of us, it's certainly NOT our reality. I pray for the people who suffer through things like that. If you haven't watched it, well, be brave, but prepare yourself. 


Jenn & I had a wonderful heart-to-heart talk about life & all its crazy twists & turns. I'm so happy that she's close by. Having her in Texas was just not the same. I have no idea where Jaco & I will end up, but it's great to have her near for this year! 


Alas, we were both tired, so we went to bed relatively early - 2300-ish. I think I beat Valentina to the snoring phase! Here's to a good sleep & surviving Day 2 of Supernanny! (I think I've got it under control now!)


Lekker slaap,
Maria & Valentina & Harrison & Heidi & Jenn
xxxxx

Looking at the Foothills Hospital & the Tom Baker Cancer Centre from the Fertility Clinic

Almost ready for the ultrasound

A nice black & white picture.

Like Mama, like Son - they were both playing on iPod/iPhones!

Day 217 - Running Around In The Snow

Okay, so last night I fell asleep to the sound of rain. I love to hear the rain & have a nice cool room while I'm snuggled deep under the covers. I have a window right next to the bed, so I opened it up a little bit & listened to the drops come splashing down. 


I woke up to the sound of rain & admired at how green everything looked. I love the miracle of Spring & how quickly things transform. Sadly, my admiration turned to disbelief as I looked out the window a few hours later & saw the rain transforming to SNOW! Ugh! Seriously? Yup.


It snowed all afternoon & through the night. Blah. So not excited about that! Mom & I went to town for the late afternoon & luckily it was only raining in the city. I managed to tick all the things off my list (on my handy iPod!). I picked up my engagement ring, as the stone was loose & luckily it was just a prong & not a chipped stone! Gasp! They polished it up & it looks brand spankin' new! Feels like I'm newly engaged again!! :o) 


I stopped at the bank & the teller was so sweet! We visited about wigs & weaves & she's going to include me in her prayers. How thoughtful! I told her I'm going to come back & show off some of my wigs... :o) I haven't been banking at the TD very long, but they are so friendly! I have yet to have a negative experience there! And they're open late & on Saturdays!!! Is there any question I've found a good bank? Especially after the CIBC omitted a digit on my cheque! Ha ha... That will keep my chuckling for a long time!


Next stop - Chinook. (For those of you reading from overseas, it's actually pronounced 'Shin-ook' (ook as in hook)) (It's a warm dry wind that blows down the east side of the Rocky Mountains during winter months.) If you're lucky, it melts MOST of the snow & then refreezes as slippery ice & then it snows again, leaving parking lots & streets a disaster to navigate! One of Calgary's bigger malls is called Chinook Centre. I popped into SportChek to see what kind of stuff they had for the World Cup. It's in South Africa this year & I thought I could find Jaco something with the South African flag on it. All they had was a t-shirt in a hideous shade of yellow. Never mind. Their flag is really pretty...

I was returning a luggage weigh scale that I used once in Mexico & then it broke. The lady wouldn't give me a refund & offered me a credit. I told her I had great luggage & enough handbags & wallets to last a lifetime. (Don't tell Jaco the handbag thing - a gal can NEVER have too many!) :o)  Mom had went to a restaurant to order some supper to go. I left the shop without my refund or credit & also forgot my keys there! I found Mom sitting at Starbucks. The restaurant was closed for renovations! Doh! I realized the keys were missing about now. We walked all the way to the other end of the mall & sure enough, there they were. As we left the shop, Mom pointed out the kiosk outside. They sold wigs. I told Mom, 'Nah, they're not my style & they are fake & they are expensive.' She said, 'No, come here. Look.' She pointed to the name of the kiosk - Oceana. Hah! Imagine that! We made our way back to the car & left the city.


We headed towards Longview. Tonight was Fawna's evening with some spiritual speakers from Australia. Of course we arrived late. I wasn't sure where exactly it was & I phoned Fawna's house to see if her husband was home & could tell us where to go. Her daughter answered the phone & I nearly bust a gut from laughing. Here's a recap of the conversation:
'Hello?'
'Hi, Fawna?'
'No, she's not here.'
'Oh, is your Dad there?'
'No, he's with my Mom.'
'Oh. We're supposed to be going to the event your Mom has arranged this evening, but I'm not sure of the location. Do you know where it is?'
Okay, this is the one that got me. In a totally posh British accent, she says:
'I'm not sure of the specific location of the exact event you are referring to.'
Are you kidding me?? I'm sure she's only about 8 or 10 years old!!! Too funny!


Anyhow, we found the place & of course, we were only 40 minutes late. The couple that were speaking were most talking about the Course In Miracles & how it had changed their life. The wife had just wrote a book & the husband did most of the talking. He was quite entertaining! We finished up about 2230 (!) & then headed home.


Before we left, we let the dogs out for a wee. While they were sniffing around, I hear this REALLY LOUD 'CRACK'! behind me. I turn around to see that someone has just SMASHED into my car!!! Oh no!!!! Poor Contemplate!!! I go over to inspect the damage & sure enough there is a big dent in the back bumper & there were bits of shattered plastic lying on top of the bumper from the license plate area. The trunk was also open. I tried to close it. Nope. Again. Nope. Again. Repeat 60 times. Nope. Oh dear. I know it gives me hassle from time to time, but NEVER this much!!! Finally it closes. The lady gives me her address & phone number & I am to call her with the cost of repairing the damages.


We drive home. It's a freaking blizzard. The slush is lying on the road & splashes up over the car, pulling it all over the road & making visibility zero. Add in the falling snow & the visibility is less than zero. (Negative visibility?) We drove about 60km/h the whole way home. I chatted with Jaco for a large chunk of it.


I just don't think he gets it. I tell him it's snowing (on the 27th of May) & he says, 'Oh, cool. That must be beautiful. You must enjoy it!' Are you kidding me? Does he have any idea how stressful driving in this 'stuff' is?!? Pretty? It's dark out & you can't see a bloody thing!!! And this is why I don't want to live in Canada!!!! I'll take an Australian dust storm any day!!!! And the debate goes on...


We arrived home about midnight, with a fair bit of organizing to do before the 0530 wake up call for tomorrow... Wish me luck, it's going to be a short sleep! xxxxx


Maria & Valentina

Oh so pretty.

Blah.

Not cool for the end of May!