WOW okay I am very sorry that I have neglected my blog for over 3 months!! I honestly started to feel like there wasn't much worth posting about as my life had become just one giant episode of ER. I'll summarize the past few months in a brief overview and then move on to more exciting things!
The last time I checked in I was waiting for the last of my scans to be scheduled, an MRI, which would give the surgeon a better idea of where the tumor was and how to approach it. I needed a second one because my original had not been sent by Montreal (a common theme in this journey - note to self: if you need to transfer care out of province, just dont). I did end up finally getting the golden MRI on July 1st.
Shortly after my last post I went to Red Lobster for the first time ever with my Aunt Melanie and sister Hilary! What was supposed to be a lovely treat became a nightmare as I got food poisoning which led to a 2 week bought of colitis which eventually also coincided with another blocked ureter with a large kidney stone which required 2 very minor surgeries shortly thereafter. Lets just say it was a rough few weeks and I used a lot of toilet paper much to my mother's discontent.
My friends went on a trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys perform and sadly I was too ill to go but the next best thing happened!! Sarah the Angel met Kevin in a restaurant and had him send me a video message of good luck!!! It was a pretty fair trade for not being able to go myself. I shall treasure the memory forever!!
The rest of the summer was spent keeping a low profile, making amazing memories with friends and family and of course, keeping my health in check with various specialists and appointments. I am very excited to be starting a new medication to treat my osteoporosis after I have my brain surgery. This aggressive therapy will help to regrow bone loss and strengthen my weak and petrified bones. I am really looking forward to not breaking any more bones and living a life a little less like that of the Boy in the Bubble.
I traveled back and forth to Wemindji a couple of times to gather things and to help organize and pack up my classroom for the upcoming year. It was lovely to see old friends who were not returning for the new school year and to get an idea of what the 2017/2018 school year would look like for me! Most recently I have returned to Wemindji to start the school year in a new position, Resource!! I am BEYOND excited to work in this new role as it is one I have never worked in before and I am looking forward to the challenge! I arrived August 11th to quickly begin unpacking my classroom and setting up the new resource room. I met a ton of brand new staff which was awesome, they are very cool and totally dedicated. It is a very different vibe this year starting out and I am very much looking forward to working with the staff and students this year in a new capacity!!
So, I was left on the hook waiting for a surgery date once I had all my tests and scans completed (some more than twice) for what felt like ages!!! My medical leave for the broken pelvis, kidney issues and other things had ended in June and I was more than happy to go be able to go back to work, no matter for how short of a time. Of course I felt AWFUL that I would likely be starting and then leaving Wemindji again shortly thereafter but I felt I was just stagnating and I really missed being useful and productive. My body disagreed but my mind was screaming to work. So I headed back up with a surgery date and a TBD schedule of pre-op appointments and just worked as much as I could before having to take off again. I was signed up for an incredible literacy training program that I will implement in the new year at JORMS and while it gave me only a couple of solid days at school to get unpacked and situated before driving to Val d'Or and back, I was very grateful for the opportunity and am very excited to put my new training to use!
So that brings me to this weekend. I spent the last week (Monday to Thursday) training in Val d'Or (and hanging out with MARSHAAAAAA!) and back to work yesterday. I am giving myself today off (while I pack and attend high school graduation) and EARLY tomorrow morning I will drive straight through to Oakville. I'll arrive very early Monday morning and have my final (hopefully) appointment on Tuesday with the nerosurgeon Dr. Cusimano and the endocrinologist Dr. Goguen before my surgery date which is FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH!! I managed to fit a few more appointments in between which makes my time off a little more productive but what is most exciting is that I will be home for the birth of my newest nephew!!!!! I am beyond excited and really hope the timing works out well so that I can be a part of the plan (aka babysitting Robin while Jack makes his debut).
So today I am cautiously throwing clothing into suitcases (how does one pack for 3 seasons!?! I'm not used to summer-fall-winter after so long in the North), and making my way back home to start a new journey of health and recovery. I am nervous and excited and hoping for the best. I can't wait to start feeling GOOD. My normal has been sick for so long, I forget what it feels like to be healthy, so this is going to be awesome. I promise I'll keep a little more up-to-date on these things. Thanks for stopping by!!
