Busy Blogger

My life seems to get busy in spurts which for the most part is okay with me.  It means physical and mental recovery time is longer, but sure makes for some good stories!

In the past couple of weeks a lot has happened! I went to an awesome dip party, I found out I am going to be auntie to another nephew, I took a short trip back to Wemindji, I had a last minute kidney surgery, I was finally hooked up with a neurosurgeon, I got ANOTHER flat tire on my trip back south, I became obsessed with making bitmoji avatars and next week I will be speaking to an elementary school about teaching and living in the north!

Dip Party: awesome amazing delicious idea for a theme party! Everyone brought a different delicious dip and something to dip with and it was pretty cool.  I had an upset tummy so I didn't take full advantage of the fine cuisine but I got some really good recipe ideas!! It was hosted by friends Kelly and Ryan and Clair and Ryan (a different one lol) brought new baby Sophie to make her debut to the group!!

Nephew #2: My sister Hilary and her man meat Mike are going to be having another baby boy in about 19 weeks! I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet baby Little Jack.  In the meantime Robin has been growing like a weed and really developing quite the sense of humor.  He is truly adorable.

Trip to Wemindji: I took a short trip back to Wemindji last week with my sister Eryl.  The trip was pretty nice, we did some excellent sister bonding and she helped me SO MUCH as I am still pretty crippled and weak and she was the muscle.  I am forever in her debt!! It was SO NICE to see all my friends and colleagues and students in Wemindji.  I miss the people and town and teaching so much, its hard to describe.  It was great to coincidentally be in town to attend the official grand opening of the new elementary school, and although the higher ups from the Cree School Board were unable to attend due to bad weather, the show went on and it was amazing.  It was clear that the CEA staff and committee worked incredibly hard to put on an incredible celebration and great attention was paid to each detail of the day.  I was very happy to also retrieve all my spring and summer clothes, personal items and my summer tires, all of which I desperately needed!

Kidney Surgery: while I was in Wemindji, I got a phone call during the week asking if I was available for surgery on Sunday morning.  Luckily for me I was planning on arriving back in Oakville on Saturday evening so this worked out perfectly.  I had my first appointment with my kidney doctor the week prior and wasn't expecting any surgery until July, so when they managed to squeeze me in last minute, I jumped at the chance! I have now completed one of two kidney surgeries.  This one included the removal of the stent from my left ureter and blasting away two stones, one smaller stone located in the left kidney and one that had been pushed by the tube from blocking the ureter through into my bladder.  I am left with a temporary catheter type thing that I will remove myself on Thursday.  "It'll be just like removing a tampon" said the MALE doctor.  Ok sir I'm sure it'll be JUST like that :|

Flat Tire: well, a trip to Wemimdji and back wouldn't be complete without SOME sort of car trouble or adventure, and this time was no different!  Just when I thought I had made it through the worst part of the James Bay Highway on a dark and rainy night, I was wrong.  At the mouth of the "good part" of the highway, I ran over a pretty substantial pothole that I didn't see and completely busted my tire and rim on the right rear side of the van.  I also busted both hubcaps on the right side in the process.  I got my passengers Eryl and Monika out of the car and we proceeded to unload the full-size spare winter tire on a rim (I never leave home without 2 full-sized spares on rims...) and pretended to look like we were about to change the tire.  I told my compaions, "fear not, we will not be changing a tire on our own tonight ladies, just wait." and we did.  Not less than 5 minutes later we had two separate cars full of people with all the tool and manpower necessary to lift my vanbourghini off the ground and replace my busted tire.  While these fine gentlmen fixed up my ride, pretty much every teacher in Wemindji stopped to witness my shame of my 6th flat tire in my short driving career.  Another teacher couple hit the same pothole probably 5 minutes after I did and sadly busted two tires on their car (justifying why I travel with 2 tires!!!) necessitating a tow and a night in Matagami (been there!!).  After this shot delay, we were off and rolled in to Amos shortly after 1am.

Brain doctor: I attended my second appointment with my endocrinologist Dr. Abitbol, a really kind, genuine, knowledgeable doctor with links to my doctor in Montreal.  He is young and full of life and ready to tackle this disease!! He advised me of a reputable and experienced neurosurgeon with a specialty in pituitary tumors and I am eagerly awaiting my consult with Dr. Kis in Mississauga.  I learned a few more details about the size of my tumor and what it meant for success of the surgery (unfortunately, my chances of a "cure" from surgery have been knocked down to about 50% as the tumor on the gland is bigger than what is considered ideal for complete removal) and possible treatment options post-surgery.  I am pleased I have a surgeon but also a little disappointed that things might not be as easy a fix as earlier anticipated.  However, I hope to learn more from the surgeon himself and hope that perhaps he will have an alternative prognosis and give me a little more hope!

Anyways, with various other appointments and preparing for my presentation to an elementary school nearby about life in the north next week, I have once again reached "busy" status in my life. What a whirlwind :P

Check out the story about the new elementary school Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/wemindji-school-gets-new-name-1.4094574