Day 123 - Day One of the Road Trip

Well, as usual, I packed way too much stuff & left way too late! I had planned on leaving home at about noon, but it was nearly 3 by the time I pulled out of the yard. I had checked the Weather Network & the forecast was calling for mild weather for most of my journey. Off we go!

I am never too excited about driving to Saskatchewan. It’s always such a long drive & not too much happens along the way! I take 22x on the south end of the city & cut across past Gleichen to Hwy 1.

From there onwards, it’s a matter of ticking past the towns & cities… Bassano, Brooks, Medicine Hat, Maple Creek, & finally Swift Current! I pulled into Grandma B’s about 2100. I was completely wiped, but Grandma B was wide awake.

She informed that her friends had just left – they watched The Bachelor together & ‘There are only 2 girls left for him to pick!’ Now she was heavy into the Ice Dancing on the Olympics. She told me this is the only time she’s ever channel surfed! ‘There’s just so much to see & I hate to miss anything!’ I love my Grandma! :o)

We witnessed a Gold medal for Canada & I do love music & movement, so I enjoyed the skating as well! We visited until 0100 & then we both crashed! Even Valentina was played out!

For 83 years old, in fact, 84 in a few weeks, she does pretty amazing to live on her own & keep as active as she does. She told me of my Aunt Laureen taking figure skating lessons when she was young & Grandma had to drive & pick her up in the neighbouring town & when she got home, it was 7 p.m. & nobody was fed and she still had a night of work to do. Grandma B has 8 children. Oh My Goodness. When I stop to fathom exactly what that means, I am flabbergasted! I can barely look after myself & a dog, let alone a baby, yet never mind 8 of them! My hats off to Grandma B – what a feat!

Anyhow, that was day one of my road trip. Here’s to a fun drive tomorrow. Ha!

Sleep well & see you soon!

xxxx

Maria & Valentina

And that's about as exciting as it got.

Even Valentina couldn't stay awake.

Day 122 - Yuen Method Day 2

Up & at it again, I was out the door a little later than planned. I am one of those people who likes to hit the snooze button. Again & again. I’ve been known to press snooze for 1 hour. I know, just reset the alarm, right? Well, I must say, I LOVE the feeling of being able to hit snooze & fall back asleep. I think it comes from reading Farley Mowat’s ‘Never Cry Wolf’ in school… I had an obsession with wolves for a time & I remember reading how wolves only sleep for 15 minute intervals, they get up & turn around, then go back to sleep. I press snooze, wake up every 5 minutes & roll over. That counts, right? :o)

Anyhow, I managed to make it to class on time, saw Joe in his groovy Parks van on the way to work – oh the perks of a Government job!

I shared with the class that I felt a little like the dumb kid in math class. I had no clue what I was doing, but I was there. Jessica reassured me that this was completely normal. I was excited to learn that she is offering a small level 3 class in 2 weeks time. I jumped at the chance to take it! It focuses more specifically on cancers, fetuses & sex. I suppose now that it’s not cancer, I can focus on the sex? :o)

We worked in partners & things became a little clearer, although, I must say, I am still a little foggy in some areas. I promise I will keep plugging away. I’ve got a lovely drive across rural Canada these next 10 days, so I’ll have plenty of time to practice.

If you have any issues, health or otherwise, I would highly recommend calling Jessica. She’s done some amazing things! http://www.intuitiveedge.ca

Oh, I did visit the pool & hot tub over lunch. It was spectacular! I haven’t been in the hot tub since Mexico, so I felt like I was there, if only for a moment. I’ve also realized that not only will I be missing my friends from Dr. Castillo’s clinic, but I no longer have my hairdresser! I was so excited to have another silent haircut! That was the best $13 I ever spent! But I suppose I can forgo the haircut in exchange for a no cancer bill of health! Oh yeah!

On another note… Needles. I called Dr. Castillo on Friday to ask him about my protocol & whether or not I should keep taking the needles & all the pills. He said to keep going. Come on! Really? I can’t take a break? Needles once every three days? At least? Nope. So, like a true junkie, there I sat in the bathroom at the Delta. After my swim, I pricked myself in the leg. I must say, it was very distracting, trying to focus on jabbing myself, with other ladies giggling, talking & making all sorts of bodily functioning noises next to me. How happy will I be when I no longer have to do these needles!

Alright… Tomorrow is the big day. Day 1 of the big road trip! Luckily I’m still packed for Mexico, so I will just exchange a few shorts for sweats, a few tanks for sweaters & I should be good to go!

Sleep well & I’ll be seeing you in Speedy Creek! (Swift Current, SK)

Maria & Valentina

xxxxxx

Pool tiles

Gotta love a good hot tub over lunch!

Our class!

Jessica

Day 121 - Yuen Method Day 1

My first early morning in a long time. My oh my. I had to be up at 0700 & out the door by 0800 for a full day of learning. I had no idea how I would do it, it’s been so long since I had to fill my day with anything! Mom was also leaving for SK this morning, so poor Valentina would be at home all day. I had no clue what I would come home to, so my fingers were crossed that she would behave herself!

I managed to get to the course on time & snagged a seat in the back row. There were only about 15 of us, so the room wasn’t too big. I had only had 2 sessions with Jessica previously & I was amazed at how entertaining she was! She was bust a gut funny! I found myself laughing out loud, which doesn’t happen easily! Adding to that, the course was very interesting! If you’ve ever ventured into energetic medicine or energy work at all, it’s quite appealing!

My head was swimming by the end of the day & I was anxious to get home to my little girl. Speaking of swimming, there is a beautiful pool & hot tub, so tomorrow I’m taking my swimsuit & going for a dip on my lunch break! :o)

Before I could head home, I knew I had to have the oil changed in the car. $83 later, I had the engine flushed & I was ready to roll. The wanted to change the air filter for $38, but I decided I couldn’t afford it. Luckily I didn’t, as my Mother took me to Parts Source & we bought an air filter for $12! Lesson learned!!! Now if only the new air filter would give me hot air in the cab! :o)

Anyhow, oil changed, tank filled & a few groceries later, I motored home to find a very excited Valentina. Her little leggies finally uncrossed as I closed the gate. I’ve never seen a dog wee for so long! Poor thing! I went inside to find no messes! Wow! What a good girl! Well, there was one mess, but I’m not sure who is to blame. Mom has a plant on a little table & the moss in the planter was pulled out & spread all over the couch, table & floor… Hmm…

I was absolutely shattered from a day of stretching my brain. Apparently I need to turn off the methodical side of my brain & turn on the intuitive side. Wish me luck on that one!

I phoned a few girlfriends & hit the hay. I did speak with a girlfriend I haven’t spoken with in a very long time. She was 23 or 24 when she got cervical cancer. The Doctors wanted to do a hysterectomy & she said no. Treating herself with only diet change & emotional therapy, 6 months later, she had no cancer left! The Doctors still wanted to do a hysterectomy! She still said no & I just found out the other day that she is expecting! What a miracle baby! I had to call & congratulate her! What a beautiful story! They also didn’t think she’d make it past so many months, but she’s already 6 months along! Awesome stuff!

Tomorrow is the final day of the seminar… Wish me luck!

Sweet dreams,

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

End of class... My mind is brimming with... ???

The Chick who changed my oil

Mr. Lube's parts... (yes, I shot it through my dirty window)

Day 120 - Ho Hum.

Hello Everyone!


Just a quick note... I'll be a little sporadic on the updates, as I'm off to visit friends & relatives for the next 10 days. Bear with me - I'll keep you posted!


Love & Hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxx


***************************************************************************************


Sorry for the delay... We're back in action...

Today was the day of feeling complete confusion. I was supposed to be on a plane to Mexico & instead, I was at home trying to come to grips with what was going on. I had requested a day to contemplate things, but thankfully my friends knew me better than that.

I talked my way through most of the day thanks to my wonderful friends! I was in quite a state & didn’t know what to make of things. By the end of the day I had another Core Needle Biopsy booked for the 5th of March at 0730 (because I love to wake up early!). :o) Please say a prayer for me that this biopsy (needles 13, 14 & 15) will again, show no cancer & we can begin moving on with life. I did a quick google & according to http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com there are 423 illnesses that can cause your lymph nodes to swell or enlarge!

My bags still sat packed in the living room & after discussing it with Mom, I decided to take the Yuen course this weekend & then head out Monday for Saskatchewan to visit family & relatives.

Oh how the world turns! It will be a busy next few weeks, so bear with me!

Love & hugs,

Maria & Valentina

x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

Day 119 - Things Are Never What They Seem

I'll rise, but I won't shine. I was up early & out the door by 0850. My appointment with Dr. Dowdall was at 0945. I was about to find out the results from my CT scan & my biopsy. 


I did a little homework on the biopsy. I was frustrated my results hadn't come back. I also hadn't heard anything from Dr. Daly's office. I left a message on Monday to see if I would have an appointment on Thursday to find out the biopsy results. I hadn't received a call back by Wednesday, so I phoned again & spoke to the appointments desk. The gal on the other end says, 'I don't have an appointment for you this week. All I can see is a Fine Needle Aspiration scheduled for the end of March.' Oh. WHAT?!?!?! This is not a good sign! And if he has rescheduled me, why hasn't he called me to tell me what happened with the first one! He did elude that it may not have worked, which made me quite cranky! I mean, I've already had 12 needles stuck into my neck & they still can't figure things out?!? Come on! 


Anyhow, after I found out about the upcoming appointment, I phoned Dr. Dowdall's office & asked if they had access to the biopsy results. Sure enough, they did. Good. Two birds, one stone.


So, there I sat, in the little examination room. My stomach doing flip flops, awaiting to hear the results. One of the interns came in to talk to me about the results. She printed off the CT scan & told me the biopsy results weren't there yet. It said I'd had a biopsy, but that was it. Argh! (Hands being thrown up in the air & eyes rolling!) She said it usually takes two weeks to get the results & when I told her it had already been two weeks, she said she would check again.


The next thing, Dr. Dowdall & the intern come through the door. Dr. Dowdall sits down & we have a little chat. The results were back. The needle biopsy showed NO MALIGNANT CELLS. ------------------------------LONG PAUSE--------------------------------


What? Yes, that's right. No cancerous cells. Two big needles & one little one shoved into this lump that's been hanging out on my neck for two years & no cancerous cells. I saw the boogery little sample he pulled out of my neck. What gives? Okay, yes, I should be ecstatic they didn't find cancer. I am excited that there are healthy cells in my neck - they're fighting the good fight for me! But then, why do I have this mass on the side of my neck? I got excited, thinking it was Coccidiomycosis! Yes, quick round of antibiotics & I'm back in the swing of things! But sigh, no. Now, I am faced with the option of a surgical biopsy only. Cutting out a node & that's that. This goes against every ounce of medical beliefs that I have. 


Your lymph system is your body's sewer system. It cleans up all the garbage. If cancer is a nasty thing, why would I remove part of my waste disposal, only to leave the rest of it to work that much harder!? Then there's the risk of Lymphemdema, where your the limb closest to the lymph glands affected swells up like a water balloon. And then of course, there's the whole biopsy seeding, which we all know 'doesn't exist', oh, & don't forget that when you get a cut, cells proliferate to 'heal' the wound. Do you think they differentiate between cancer cells & healthy cells? No, didn't think so. 


So that's the Reader's Digest version of why I don't want an excision biopsy. If they aren't swift enough to pull cancerous cells out of my neck after 12 attempts, what makes me confident they won't muck things up while I'm under surgery?


Shocked & stunned, I drive home with my eyes on the road, but my mind a million miles away. When I told Mom the news, she was really excited. I suppose I should be too. But then, what is it & why is it still there? My next obstacle was Mexico. I can't very well go for treatment if I don't have a diagnosis. I know that neither Doctor will administer chemo without knowing what they are treating. I phoned Dr. Castillo & he said I could do a biopsy there, but it would cost about $300-500. Gulp. My budget had already been cut in half & doing the biopsy in Mexico would leave me that much less for the actual treatments! 


I was being pressured to see only one doctor & having only half the funding I'd expected, adding now, another failed biopsy, it suddenly seemed like the Powers That Be were screaming at me to not go to Mexico. My heart shouted back some sort of expletive, but in any case, after Mom's suggesting we stay home, I decided not to go. 


I had an appointment with Jessica that afternoon, so I had a nap, woke up, ticked off at the world & proceeded to get the car stuck in the yard. Again. In the exact same spot as last time. Leaving to see the exact same person as last time. Argh! My brother was there for lunch, so him & Mom pushed the car out while I grumbled about why I couldn't just take the truck. 


On my way in my trusty ol' Contemplate, I made my way to Jessica's. I was early! Well, I should have been really early, but my photographic memory is failing me. I took every right turn, but the right one! I finally stopped at a gas station to look it up in the road atlas & finally made my way there! 


I shared with Jessica my crappy day thus far & she put me in a much better place! Knowing my mind is a powerful tool, we worked a lot on how to deal with this current issue & when I left one hour later, I felt much, much, MUCH better. 


I am quite happy to give it a month before the biopsy & work on getting rid of these lumps! I left for my acupuncture appointment, had a lovely spine crack - ooooooh yeah! It was splendid! I could finally shoulder check again! Although, a headache had been brewing since I left Jessica's, so I decided to abandon prayers & come home. I really didn't want to talk or see anyone & I knew Mom was going, so I would have the house to myself. 


When I got home, I saw that Mom had cancelled the flights, hotel & both Doctor's appointments. I also saw that Dr. Daly's office had called with a biopsy appointment. For February 24th! What? In less than a week? I have just got off the phone with them & they booked a Fine Needle Aspiration. I have asked them to change it to a Core Needle Biopsy & throw the Fine Needle at the dart board. I'm started to feel like a human pin cushion here! Yeesh!


Anyhow, I phoned my dear friend, Laura, whom I was so excited to see in Mexico. Where we first met & shared a passion for health (& shopping). I was so excited to meet her family - her wonderfully supportive husband & her three beautiful girls. But, now, it will be on different terms, I guess! :o(


I hit the hay at 0930, exhausted from a very emotional day. 


So there you have it. I'm still sitting in good ol' Bragg Creek, wondering what on Earth is going on & where I will go from here. No tacos for this chick. Just some more snow. I plan on taking a workshop from Jessica this weekend & hopefully I'll have so more exciting news to report by Sunday night.


Thanks for tuning in & here's to a better tomorrow!


xxxx
Maria & Valentina

Three words to change the course of life.