Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Busy But Beautiful Day

Hello my friends, well did I have a full day today or what. I started early, was up at 7:30, went to Curves then came home showered, and of course the usual hair and make up. I had a healthy breakfast of oatmeal with blueberries and was on the computer for half an hour before I headed out.

My first appointment was with Dr. John, I was a bit anxious as he had called me when I was away and asked me to come in as soon as I could when I got home. I had lots of test just before vacation so was a bit concerned something may have turned up. I have been cancer free for 7 years but it always goes through my mind when something like this happens. It was all for naught as my test were the best ever...he said the "fix" is in and as he showed me my numbers on a graft it was so obvious how much I have improved everything especially during the past 6 months. He teased me about finding a way to manipulate the machines and their readings. When I told him I had ate and drank every day I was home, he said "good for you, you lived" he knows I will take control of my health now that I'm home, and I already have. Back to healthy eating and exercising. What he wanted to see me about was a new committee he asked me to sit on for the Northern Alberta Region on hospice care. They are stopping the course I have been involved in for the past couple of years and are starting a new system similar to it but I will be involved with more communities than just here and more on the administrative side but still dealing with leaders and patients. The committee will consist of 3 doctors, 2 RN's, 2 home care health workers and me, the only lay person. He said I was chosen not only because I'm a breast cancer survivor but I also am living with diabetes, RA and peripheral neuropathy. Also my previous experience and he likes my attitude and my way with patients and their families. (I think he felt he had to say this). Of course I said yes and was humbled and pleased that they thought I could help in my small way. We will meet monthly as a group and also weekly with whoever needs each other's services, advice etc. (doctors not included weekly but will be available for calls) Its a pilot project for now and we will make more definitive plans when we meet in September. He also wanted me to meet on Friday with a newly diagnosed Breast Cancer patient. This is volunteer work which I so love as it helps me to feel like I am giving something back to the community which has given me so much help and care over these past few years.

When I left Dr. John's office I headed to the Summitt Centre for several x-rays on my spine, neck, hands and feet. My RA doctor ordered them and had to be done before I see her on August 19th. Then I had lunch with my friend Kathy in St. Albert. On my way home I stopped at the bank, mailed a parcel to my niece in New York and stopped and had my forms faxed to BC then stopped at Wall Mart to pick up my Intuition Razor and blades I had left at home. Not real fussy about that store, the isles are filled with products and people, one can hardly move when pushing a cart. (Not to mention the way they treated my friend Terri) A couple of years ago I refused to shop there, my own personal boycott as I didn't approve of the way they were treating their staff, but I have to admit their prices on certain items suit my budget.

Then came the dreaded dentist appointment, which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I am in the process of a root canal and it will take 4 more visits before its complete. He put me on another antibiotic so that makes 7 antibiotics a day for the next week. He couldn't do much today except x-ray as my jaw still has a lot of infection and he wasn't able to freeze it. (I had enough radiation today from x-rays to light up Morinville I'm sure.) I left there and went to the drugstore to fill my prescription, then went for my groceries. I needed almost everything as I had only picked up what I really needed the other day due to "the tooth". Today was seniors day with 10% off so I had a full cart. Came home put the groceries away, and did a load of laundry as I had changed my bed this morning. So by the time I finished everything it was almost 6 o'clock before I sat down to relax. Needless to say I wasn't very hungry and my mouth was tender so only ate some grapes and cheese at 8 pm. This is just the first day of my busy week although the rest are not nearly as full as today was and I don't need to keep driving into the city. All in all a real productive day and I do feel good knowing all that I have accomplished and just knowing I am healthy and doing the right things to stay that way is a great feeling.

This is a picture of my rental car, its such a joy to drive. It also has Sirius and XM radio and I enjoyed listening to my favorite talk shows as I was driving. Its a 2010 Ford Fusion and the trunk is so much larger than the one in my car. Believe me I had it totally filled up today.



Just another view of it....have to admit I am tempted to trade my car for one similar but it would not be a smart decision as mine is all paid for and only has 50,000 miles on it. It will due me until I move back home as I plan on getting a new car then.




It was much cooler today than it has been but the rain held off and the sun was out most of the day. They are calling for heavy rain tomorrow. I can handle that!

Marcy the name of my meditation CD is "Sounds of Nature...Meditation for healing of body, mind and spirit. I highly recommend it if you can find it, this one is a few years old as I bought it when going through chemo. Also I recommend Elizabeth Edwards book Resilience as I finished it today while waiting for x-rays and doctors. It shows no matter what kind of life we live or how much money we have we still have some curve balls thrown at us. Fantasy or perception cannot change anything, it is what it is and we are all responsible for our own actions. Forgiveness can be very healing and acceptance an even better healer. She now lives in reality, which is something we all should do. One doesn't have to be political to enjoy this book, but I do think one has to be a woman to understand it. I loved it and now her and her family are on my prayer list.

Wishing you all a wonderful day tomorrow and am off to do my meditation and have a really warm and wonderful bubble bath. Good night my friends and God Bless....xoxo

22 comments:

Silver said...

Great looking car.. even i am tempted..

Meditation..hmmm. Maybe i can use some.

hugs,
Silver

A Bit of the Blarney said...

What fun you had!!!! Please stop by my "house." There is something there for you! Cathy

Diana said...

Oh Bernie I am just so happy for you! All of your hard work has paid off and that is a wonderful blessing! I am sorry about your tooth though and I've never heard of anyone taking so many antibiotics. But infections can be very stubburn.
I'm do a trip back to the library next week and I am going to see if they have that book in. I have not read anything lately, just haven't been in the mood I guess. But that one sounds good.
I have a ford Focus wagon , Bernie and I love it! I wanted one for years and when it came time to trade in our pick-up it was my turn to choose. Yes we take turns! We only need one car as Jake is always gone. I don't know what we'll do when Katie starts driving! She had better be very good and get good grades if she wants to borrow my beloved little wagon! It's only a year and a half before she gets her license! Oh dear!

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Bernie
After such a productive and busy day you deserved a really good night's sleep...hope you had one. Nice to come back from your "Home" visit and receive a glowing health report...and the news of being chosen for the new committee.
Your life is a perfect example of taking adversities, such as health issues, dealing with them in a positive way to benefit others...giving you in return such a fullfilling purpose...example of blessings in disguise if ever, and you are an Angel in disquise!

We had another total day of gentle rain after early morning storms, which means twigs and small branches to pick up...for me it's a form of exercise...at least that's what I tell myself with every bend over and pick up! :)

Take care "Angel Friend"
Wanda

Eileen said...

I loved hearing about your busy day! You are so good to keep up with doctor appointments and so many tests.

I love how your doctor appreciated the fact that you were 'out living life' while on vacation!
And wonderful news about being invited into the new program! I think that's fantastic!

I hope your mouth heals quickly so this tooth can be taken care of once and for all. It will be nice to have this all behind you.

I like your rental car very much, and I love the color. I always liked silver cars because I think they stay clean looking, especially here in New York in the winter with the salt on the icy streets, the dark cars look horrible, while the silver ones can be just as filthy, they don't look it!

Thanks for another nice post!
'See' you tomorrow!
Love,
Eileen
PS ~ I'd appreciate so much, Bernie, if you'd say a little prayer for my daughter and my grandson Jayden. Thanks.

Anvilcloud said...

Well, that a very full day.

Thanks for the visit.

Blessings each day said...

Thank you so much for giving me the name of your CD...I will now be looking for it.

It did my heart good to hear the good news from your doctor. Now, time to pray about the xrays and the tooth.

Also loved hearing that you will be so involved helping those who need kind and good people like yourself.

Please not that you have Meme and award at my post today.

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Gail said...

Hi Bernie-

My,my you are a busy lady. Phew. :-) I love that you are going to serve on a board that will impact Hospice Care. If anyone can assure dignity and respect, love and compassion, it is YOU.
I am SO happy that your tests and numbers are SO good. YAY!!!!
ANd you know how I feel about dentists. I ws relieved that your visit was minimally invasive. ouch!! :-)

Enjoy your day.

Love to you always
Gail
peace.....

Bernie said...

Hi Silver, love taking time for meditating...I seem to do it faithfully for a while then stop, really should do it more often.
Oh yeah, its a lovely driving car but not in my budget right now. Have a great day....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Thank you Cathy, will pop over soon. Have a nice day my friend.
As always.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Diana, oh you are so lucky to have a Focus Wagon, I do love this car but not in my budget right now. I am like you, I have never heard of anyone on this many antibiotics.....4 a day of one kind and 3 a day of another and I have to take them for 7 days....My fasting sugars were 4.3 and my non fasting sugars were 5.1....these are in the low normal range so can't be my diabetis that is causing the slow heal, it is a huge decay though and he was shocked that I didn't feel it before I did and also when he compared it to last x-rays (Jan 08) it wasn't there, just goes to show one should probably go every 6 months for a check up but its the one thing I really dislike....Luv you

Bernie said...

Hello Wanda, thank you for your kind words....I so look forward to hearing from you each day.
Picking up twigs and small branches on such beautiful grounds as yours .... priceless, so much better than exercising with machines, this is what happens when one chooses to live surrounded by cement and glass, I do enjoy biking to Curves as it gives me time outside in the fresh air. I have worked tirelessly on my plants since I've come home but they are stuggling to live and it breaks my heart...I so learned a lesson on that issue for sure.
Have a great day, until tomorrow my friend.....many hugs

Bernie said...

Eileen, I have already prayed for your family before I commented. Hope all is well my friend.
I have the best doctor in the world, and I am looking forward to our new program....something to get my heart into for the winter. It is very rewarding although I only play a small part in all of it.
Will enjoy my rental for 4 more days before sadly handing over the keys but am thankful to have had it as I have so much running around to do. What did people do before cars...perhaps walked and rode buses, I like the sound of that Eileen.
My tooth feels so much better but it looks horrible on the x-ray, I still have to be careful as its tender but can't understand why it is going to take so long to remove the nerve and crown it....oh I forgot about the freezing part...I wouldn't let him touch it without the freezing so shoudn't complain.
See you tomorrow my friend...Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Anvilcloud, thank you for popping over....I really enjoyed your last post so just had to leave a comment....do come back
....:-) Bernie

Bernie said...

Hi Marcy, I will pop over soon and thank you. You know Marcy your comment made me realize I hadn't prayed about my tooth and I have a prayer list I pray for every day. I did pray I would make it home before it got any worse (I felt it the weekend before coming home) and remember thanking God for allowing me to see my dentist right away....time to hit my knees my friend....do you think God gets tired of my asking so much of him, I basically only ask for others...ummmmm...just wondering. Have a great day.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Gail, I am pleased with my numbers especially my sugars, b/p and cholestral, it is wonderful they are all normal and I don't need medication other than my insulin which he started reducing today....just to be done with one needle will be a break. Gotta keep working on this tooth though.
I won't have a big role in the hospice care but I love this kind of work....It is very rewarding to help someone and see them improve if only their attitude. Now if all our patients had your attitude there would be no need for any committes....have a wonderful day Gail.....many hugs:-)

Barb said...

Hi Bernie,
A great newsy post today - I enjoyed reading about your busy schedule as I prepare to go to Denver for a few days.(Must babysit there on Sun.) Be careful about taken so much antibiotic - you may have to eat small meals more frequently or get upset stomach. Such good news about your test #'s! Good for you - esp since you've taken control again since returning from your wonderful vacation. Did I read on one of your comments that you bike to Curves? I didn't know that you were a biker, Bernie! What excellent exercise and the fresh air is good for you as well as a little sunshine for Vit D.
Congratulations on our new appointment - it's an honor to be chosen and you'll be a valuable asset to the committee.

Bernie said...

Hi Barb, you give me far too much credit my friend but thank you. Yes I do bike to Curves most days as I love the fresh air and the exercies. We biked every day when I was home as well.
I hear you about the antibotics, I am taking 4 a day of one and 3 a day of another. He says its a chronic inflamation and we have to be agressive, I am already feeling the side effects but feel I can get through anything for 7 days all the while hoping for a positive result.
I know you will enjoy Denver and babysitting your grandchild...how wonderful for all of you. Have a great day Barb.....:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Bernie...I can't say enough good things about Hospice...a wonderful and caring organization.
You've had a busy day...but it sounds like that it was also a good one. Love to you...
Jackie

Bernie said...

Hi Jackie, I so enjoy working with everyone from this program, it fills me up with something which is hard to explain, either I feel needed or my way of helping others, I only know I enjoy my volunteer work very much. Have a great eveing.....:-) hugs

The Retired One said...

Congratulations for your appointment on the committee..you will make SUCH a difference on it! I have been on many, many Boards and Committees, and all of them need someone who has "been there", who is ethical and who will speak the truth when everyone gets caught up in the politics. You will be the one that always asks "but what is the right thing to do? For the best of the patients?"...because it gets lost sometimes. They could not have chosen a better person for the post.

Bernie said...

OMG Joan you sound just like Dr. John as he said almost the same thing, he doesn't like the politics of these things either and although I try and be kind I can speak my mind clearly when I have too. Thanks sweetie....Hugs