A longer leash

So back to a regular none event blogging day. In fact my sister Anne suggested I might want to change the name of my blog and I think she's got something there. Time to move on from those three surgeries. Not sure what I'll call it. My Boring But Happy Day?

Anyway here are my pictures of the hail storm yesterday.

Some of the best pictures happened after the sun came out again.

Today I tried out a green cord for Harrison for when he's just hanging around the porch. Turns out it was too short. I didn't realize that he knew exactly how far he could go with the red leash.

Then I had a genius idea and hooked the two together.

Wow that blew his little furry mind! He could go so much further! Very very exciting for a porch cat because...

he can reach the bird feeder in the flower bed now!

Watch out buddy!

3 2 1 Go!

Today I was thinking that it's been a little over a year since my life got turned upside down on the February day I went to see my dermatologist and found out in the same appointment that I probably had an infected knee replacement joint and cancer.

Initially we were thinking that all three surgeries - two knee replacements on the same knee and surgery to remove the skin cancer and lymph nodes would be over with by the end of summer 2012. The first step was removing the infected knee joint. That happened April 23rd 2012 in London. Four weeks later still on crutches and a pic line to clear up the infection, right on schedule I had the cancer removed in a surgery called a vulvectomy in Hamilton.

Maybe on May 23, the anniversary of the vulvectomy I will post all the wonderful cards that you awesome people made for me. Definitely worth a review!

Healing from a vulvectomy is like healing from a weed whacker/Lawnmower accident to a very delicate area of your body. And that's all I'll say about that.

It took over six weeks but when Karen and I went back to the Hamilton cancer centre we were told that one of the lymph nodes that was removed was cancerous and the bottom kind of dropped out of my world. This meant that any number of lymph nodes could already be affected as well as other major organs.

That's when the schedule for the next knee surgery to put in a new joint was put on hold. I needed to have radiation and that took quite a while to get in place.

I was nervous because I was given an abundance of information about how awful the radiation was going to be. But I found my pirate shirt with it's orange stripes and silly tassels that for some reason made me laugh and gave me courage all at the same time.

I gathered my pirate paraphernalia and got ready to face it.

Radiation. What a word. For many cancer patients it is the milder treatment to chemo. However in my case the goal was to totally eradicate the skin in the affected area. Burn it off. The technician's words to me were, "We are going to hurt you very badly." He was a man of his word.

Those five weeks of my life are mercifully kind of a blur to me now. The vulvectomy while painful was just not on the same level. And as I've said a knee replacement is a walk in the park on a sunny day with unicorns compared to radiation of this kind. Stick your hand (only not your hand) on a hot burner and then go back the next day for more and you'll come closer to the idea. Don't forget to say thank you because these people are helping to save your life.

But really what is the point of dwelling on the pain. Life is still there to be enjoyed. That is the whole point of all of this.

And finally the day came when it was time to celebrate the end of radiation.

I walked in to the restaurant and was surprised when the floor shook with the roar of people that I loved, there to celebrate one of the most important things that I have ever done.

On March 28th 2013 it was time for my final knee replacement. It feels fantastic and I can put my full weight on it already. It's a keeper.

I was able to go swimming after only four weeks and in the pool last night I said to my niece, "Pretty sure that's it, no more timeouts from swimming from now on."

"No more surgeries she asked?"

And now after today with the good news from the doctors and all clear from the CT scan I can say with confidence - no more surgeries. Full steam ahead!

My sister and me after the good news.

If I start thanking people I will be here all night. I am grateful to God for sustaining me and I do want to thank all of my brothers and sisters for their amazing support and that most definitely and assuredly includes in laws.

I think I would be remiss though if I did not thank these three people in particular for sharing a heart and giving me a reason every day to stand up and keep going.

Big day

Awesome day. It was rib night so our friend Matt joined us for that and swimming.

Wait a minute first of all I had Physio again today and found out that my physiotherapists name is Waldemar, pronounced Voldemor. Vasaly must be someone else. For the most part I will be working three days a week with Bobby and my contact with Waldemar will be through her. Which is just fine. We had a good chat about cats today. Bobby said that she is not afraid of them or allergic, just not used to them. That's more than fair and Harrison can work with that.

Wait a minute before that I got my first ever check for writing! Lets take a moment to enjoy that. And yes I took a picture of it! I got a 50% raise on my first check over what had been agreed upon so that made me feel good! But the important thing is that I got paid for writing which has been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old. Very very cool.

So swimming. Wow I really went to town. It started out so cool. I walked down into the pool doing the steps correctly - one after the other, not start stop start stop. And just like the first time I walked correctly a few weeks ago, weight from one leg to the other in Karen's hallway, it felt like I was doing a wonderland ride. My support group was was right there like always clapping for me the whole way! Yes they were. They were standing there in the pool clapping their little hearts out.

I never dreamed that steps might be in my future. But I really should ask my physiotherapy people before I do more. Exciting stuff though!

I was able to exercise so much that I had to leave the pool early because my blood sugar was low. Something I will have to pay more attention to as I get more active.

Don't look so superior Harrison, you led us on a merry chase tonight. Someone left the hall door open so Karen and I thought that Harrison had escaped. The kids ran through the whole building looking for him.

Turns out he was hiding under the big chair the whole time. Silly nut.

I won't be doing a leg stretch tonight because I think I have extended my physical limitations for the day :)

Wish me luck tomorrow as I go to Hamilton for a three month cancer checkup. Expecting to hear good news about the CAT scan I had in March.

Let me leave you with a little bit of lemon beagle cuteness. Maymo and Penny of course.

This is just one of the Maymo the lemon beagle videos you should watch. Maymo and Penny will make your life better.

Physio & Cooper

Today I met with a jolly nice lady named Bobby from the physiotherapy department at the wellness center. She's a little afraid of Harrison who was of course ultra friendly as he always is when people do not make eye contact with him. Not making eye contact is super polite in the cat world which is unfortunate for people that don't like cats. I wish I could tell all cat haters/fearers just say hello and look directly at him and he'll leave you alone - try to ignore him and the next thing you know he'll be sitting on your lap.

Anyway she's very nice and will be coming Monday Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the afternoon. I showed her what I have been doing with my cow pillow and Aberdeen scarf...

and she thought it was good. I did not get my orange therapy band as promised. The reason being I'm not really getting all that much more extension from my scarf as I am doing it with my own muscles and that's a good thing.

They are adding a few things which are mostly controlled standing to help with balance. I think that is super because I have been leaning forward and limping for so many years. It's important to learn how to stand up straight and have a strong core.

At first she had me stand with my weight only on my left leg which was absolutely no challenge as I've been standing exclusively on that leg for years and years and years. And years. Then she asked me to try to stand on my right (surgery) leg just as much as I was able. It was a real miracle moment as I could do it with only minimal pain and minimal leaning on my rollator. Very cool feeling!

I need to practice mindful walking as well. Heel toel heel toe heel toe. Not hobble - as - fast - as - you - can - so - you - can - sit - the - heck - down - again.

Tomorrow I hope to finally nail down the mystery of the Russian name of my physiotherapist. Dora had thought it was Vasely but today Bobby said something that sounded a lot more like Valdimor. It occurs to me that I could simply ask.

Hey guess who came for a visit this afternoon?

Dana and Cooper!!!!

Harrison was happy to turtle for his little buddy that he met when he was at uncle Henry and aunt Marcia's house.

Harrison got right silly. Showing off for Dana and actually biting her a little bit. Not sure what that was all about. So many visitors!

I said I missed you little guy and Cooper turned around to look at me.

Dana's necklace is actually a teething ring. How cool is that?

Dana's chin could also be a teething ring, But I think this is actually Mama love.

And while I'm showing pictures of pure love here is my nephew print with the lovely Sara. That would be Brent not print Siri. Aaaw.

Today's leg stretch. Up from 8:08.