Recognition Event

May 15, 2016

I've helped host over 20 blood donor clinics for employees at my company. The blood services rep that I work with nominated me for an annual recognition event. Last week I was called by Gillian Magnus, the Chair of the event in Ottawa, and invited to attend as I was one of 5 selected in the blood donor category. She explained the Life Blood Committee read my story and found it very inspiring.

This is the 17th annual recognition event, and includes 8 other categories such as stem cells, volunteers, peer recruiters, organ donors, and partners for a total of 25 individuals attending. It's all expenses paid! 

September 11, 2016 I'll be attending a Meet and Greet at Hotel Indigo where I'll be staying. September 12, 2016 a Welcome Breakfast, Guided Tour, tour of head office lab, formal reception / gala dinner with awards presentation where I'll be called on stage and presented with a token of recognition. Return home September 13th. I can invite a guest to stay with me, and attend the evening event. Gillian's assistant Beverly will email me the arrangements, and send a brochure. 

48 weeks post-op!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 Special Commemorative Post

This weekend, May 21st marks 10 years since my brother Rollie gave new life to 2 women and 3 men with the use of his organs. The women, 10 years ago, were 18 and 23 and received both his kidneys. I wonder how they are today. Do the men still see well and what about the man with the heart? He would be 59 this year.

At this special milestone, I feel like I should do something in memory of Rollie. Yes. I donated my kidney... Other than donate a lobe of my liver (maybe when I'm 50) what more can I do? There never seems to be enough ways to show our loss to the world. To show how much we cared for Rollie and how much we miss him. There is no way we can ever know or see what could have been with our brother in our lives. He attended Bonnie's wedding but not mine nor Jackie's. He only knew his niece Riah, but not his nephew Hunter nor his youngest niece Kyra. He never knew a wife nor children. And he never knew that I parented my husband's children during an important stage of my life. He had a cat but never had a dog. He has many cousins, aunts and uncles, and *lots* of friends who remain on Earth not knowing how or where he really is right now... Is he looking down on us, realizing our every move, knowing our thoughts and understanding that we all cared so deeply for him?

Is Rollie just laughing, teasing, jesting about our time here while he is taking it easy, enjoying what is to come? No wet springs and cold winters for him! The first winter without him I knew he wouldn't miss shoveling snow! We would have shoveled the drive-way for him... But that's what he did. He was the handyman for my parents. They were 67 and 62 when their only son passed. Ten years later they are elderly and can't get around like they used to. Dad rarely speaks of him - it's far too painful. And I can always hear the sadness in Mom's voice - it comes straight from her heart.

I don't think I would have appreciated my brother as much if it were not for his accident. I probably wouldn't have appreciated my sisters, my parents, my friends as much either. I think I am a more sensitive, emotional person because of Rollie. I think I am a *better* person too. *

I found some great quotes by the awesome Helen Keller:

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ... but are felt in the heart.

I seldom think of my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers.

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.

Everyone, please have a safe long weekend.

Peace!

43 weeks post-op!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I'm as strong as ever before!

I'm grateful for my life and all the opportunities afforded to me. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my health.

I did a trial class of yoga and core conditioning with Katya from work a couple weeks ago.

"Killer Katya" teaches it and arranged to host a 6-week session at our workplace -- Yoga for 60 minutes on Tuesdays and 45 minutes of Core Conditioning on Thursdays. I'm on Week Two!

I could really feel my muscles - I was sore all over! I have great expectations for change. I've felt so weak up until the new year when I finally found the energy to be more active so regained some stamina. Now I feel I can push myself a bit more.

I still have some numb areas and I feel tingly sessions or something like phantom pain though it's not actually pain per se... It's nothing to prevent me from moving or doing.

I donated blood for the 75th time last month. My daughter donated for the third time and now her cousin wants to start giving blood so the three of us will all to together next month.

I've spent 6 weekends full of karate in 2011 so far for officiating as I'm really enjoying it. I'll be able to put into practice my full provincial license next weekend at Karate Ontario Grand Prix #1 and work towards earning my full Karate Canada national license. A plan in the works.

Happy Spring, All!

40 weeks post-op!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I feel great! After recovering from the flu and fatigue in the New Year 2011, I have never felt better. I enjoy family, karate, work, my dogs and life!

My (step) daughter is doing very well in second semester of grade 12, her final year of high school and anticipating hearing back from her university choices in a month or so after mid-terms. We bought a prom dress for her together and we toured University of Guelph one day on March break to get a feel of where she'll probably be for the next 6 years! :)

I left my family and the dogs to survive without me for 6 days just last week for the karate national championships in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. I earned the other half of my entry-level national referee license, specifically I have Judge B in both kata and kumite. It will be 3 years minimum to earn a full national officiating license. That is a new goal of mine so I have specific shorter-term goals to focus on in the next few months in regards to karate.

I spoke with a fellow official from BC (Phil) who told me about a 'meal replacement' type product. I don't think I'll focus on it as a business but rather something to help propel me forward faster in regards to reducing body fat percentage. I need to check out the website.

Back to work! Lots to keep me busy. Feeling good! Hope you are too. :)

34 weeks post-op

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Life is good. I'm healthy and wise. :) Only rarely am I reminded by my body that I've had surgery. Only when I put forth bodily effort I can feel something inside. Unidentifiable but something. The only reminder and only sometimes... but a reminder of what? Should I always remember? Is it because I should be careful? Watch I don't push too hard... or really, doesn't it mean I should push harder if it is no longer a challenge?

After recovering from the flu and fatigue last month, I feel like I'm finally, truly on the mend. November/December displayed great progress as far as energy and no longer really having physical 'strains' or limitations but then the holidays hit and even more stresses than typically come with it.

I partied too much one night that I didn't seem to fully recover from until a month later; my plans changed abruptly from driving 1500 km in each direction for the holidays to dealing with our tenants moving out of the condo; having it painted throughout immediately after Christmas and deciding to move back to the condo then have to move/downsize while 3 of us got taken down by the flu. A lot to deal with the last 2 weeks of 2010.

In regards to the 'partying', I think my tolerance level has changed drastically. I bought a bottle of red wine last week and it took me 4 evenings to finish it. Not typical of me! But I was explaining to my husband that after 1 drink it almost feels like it's after the effects of 3 or 4 drinks have started to wear off where one may not feel so good. Almost hung-over, almost 'sick' feeling or run-down. Very strange. I guess I should think of that as a positive thing. I'm not drinking as much as I used to and when I do it affects me more quickly so I'm a cheap drunk. :)

I am being challenged in karate more (again) too which I love.

30 weeks post-op

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Thirty Weeks since surgery!

Influenza aka "the flu"

My husband came home early one day last week and crawled into bed. He was chilled and feverish. Wonderful timing, we're moving!

The next day of course I picked up what he had and spent December 30th and 31st under the covers, chilled but sweating profusely. I've had the flu before but this time I feel like death warmed over.

Amazingly, my family managed to move appliances and some other big things by end of New Year's Eve. There is still a lot to do... we are still spread out over 3 residences. The dogs are wondering what is going on but hopefully that will get sorted this weekend.

In the meantime, I broke down and got some Buckley's Mucous and Phlegm because I cannot keep food down from coughing so much. At this rate, I'm sure to loose a lung.

I'm sleep-deprived, restless and stressed! What a way to start the New Year.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 28 weeks post-op

Almost the end of the year - 28 on the 28th - weeks since I had surgery.

I am feeling fine. I started being more active in the past 4-5 weeks. Every time I do something strenuous I am really sore afterward. I haven't been doing much of anything for so long, no wonder. I am no longer exhausted though after I exert myself.

I have noticed in the past 2-3 weeks that my chest or pec muscles are really tight and sore. I saw an RMT and CD regularly over that time which really helps. My neck and shoulders are as well. I think it's due to my desk position but I feel like I stretch often.

In any case, I feel pretty good and am looking forward to a New Year!

tibialis posterior tendinitis

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 20+ weeks post-op


I sprained my foot. It was a really stupid incident but I know a brilliant master of physio therapy. Or physical therapy. Either one he performed 5 different physio treatments on me 3 days in a row.

It happened Saturday night just before bed. I couldn't walk all day Sunday so worked from home Monday then finally called around 2:30 p.m. I got in by 3 and had the following:

Day 1

1. ultrasound - tough on the tissues, feels like electricity running through you or else your foot is on fire

2. magnet therapy where it seems nothing is happening for 20 minutes
3. soak in very hot bubbling water for 20 minutes
4. hop on a bicycle for 15 minutes
5. get on a balance ball, low to the ground, and I have to step on the outside of the wooden circle, and point my toes together FORWARD then point my heels BACK - and forth. And back and forth. It was tough!

Day 2

Same deal - both sessions last 90 minutes. At the beginning I said I was about 40% better. After therapy he said to walk on it, so I did but by the end of the day I cannot walk on the sprained foot.

Day 3

I can get out of bed and go to the toilet without hobbling! It is still sore but I can almost put my heel down to walk. An hour-long session of therapies and I feel no pain on the balance ball in the end. I can walk nearly 'normal'. I am happy and declare no more sessions required.

It is still sore to walk on so I'll take it slow but I will definitely be going downtown tomorrow. I'm going a little stir crazy at home.

18 weeks post-op

Tuesday, October 19, 2010


I feel pretty good. I am a little stressed (hmmm, note to self - pick up more B-complex vitamins).

Even work, which is completely crazy-busy right now, is fun and exciting. I'm head deep into it all and loving the chaos. Enjoyable and sufficiently challenging allowing me to rise in the face of adversity as I learn new tools, relearn skills and manage things like I've never done before. Fun times!

My abs, arms and shoulders are still sore from Saturday's cool-down, i.e. 100 push-ups and 300 crunches. I had to lead them... and I just plowed right along. I barely managed 20 push-ups on my toes... after the first set of 20 push-ups, 60 crunches, at the second set of 20 push-ups I reverted to my knees. In any case, I feel my ab muscles all the way from under my chest to the pubic line. I had to use my core muscles in both these basic exercises and I can feel it!

I need to incorporate into my life regular lower body exercises like lunges and squats.

I'm going to invest in a resistance band (Chapters, under $20).

I brisk walk 15-minutes twice daily (to and from Union station for work) 5 times a week.

I brisk walk 12-minutes twice daily (to and from Pickering station for home) 2-3 times a week.

I really, really should invest in more cardio but... it's so tough! I need a serious attitude adjustment.

16 weeks post-op

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Wow, I have to say I don't feel like I had major surgery 4 months ago. However, I have been sick twice and this last time is going on 4 weeks! That's utterly ridiculous!!

It occurred this week to me that my energy still comes and goes. Sometimes I feel so drained and tired. I have been pushing myself to climb the stairs at work every time but this week I can barely breathe, my chest feels tight and I still have a phlegm cough so I've resorted to using the elevator...

Today is my parents 53rd wedding anniversary!
It was so great to be able to spend some quality time with them this summer (a whole 12 days!). I can't remember when that last happened. I love them and miss them! Sometimes I wish I lived closer.

15 weeks post-op

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I feel better but still have a lot of phlegm in my cough. I am drinking more water and taking more vitamins. I picked up some Vitamin D today with 1000 IUs. Took a couple at lunch and a couple in the evening. Same with Vitamin C. I also have a B-complex vitamin that I need to remember to take daily.

I have 2 weeks until I meet the kidney expert to review test results. I hope my ill health does not show in my blood work. I have 10 weeks until I do my final set of tests. I will be healthy again!

Then, I'll have to figure out what to do in 2011....

Still... sick as a dog

Sunday, September 26, 2010

I have been sick twice since I started back to work almost 7 weeks ago. I am coughing and feel warm and my head is full of mucus. This bout has lasted 10 days!

I need to get healthy!

Blood work 3 months post-op

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A single vile of blood tests whether I'm as healthy with one kidney as I was with two. :)

My appointment with Dr. R. Richardson to discuss his review of my blood test results is Wed October, 13, 2010 @ 9:00 am at the Toronto General Hospital Renal Clinic.

At 6 months I need to complete blood tests again and a 24-hour urine test.

14 weeks post-op

It's Tuesday, September 21, 2010 and I'm sick again!

It started with a headache/migraine all weekend then finally early Monday morning I resorted to taking a Tylenol 3 from my surgery. It dulled the headache and made the day tolerable.

I was feeling cold and tired last night but don't feel the need to sleep other than at night. I was never a day-time napper.

I think I am more prone to getting run-down when I get inadequate sleep. However, in the past 4 weeks I have been considerably busy. My dog got in a fight and needed surgery so that was very stressful. Work is busy busy busy. Social events, karate and referee clinics and tournaments; plus this week we have a house guest. Life is good, life is moving along. I just need to catch up!

I've said it before but it's really something I have to work on. As much as I enjoy sleep, I don't know why I don't get enough. :)

10 weeks post-op

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Starting to feel better, healthy. Work is seeming more like normal. Picking up where I left off.

Karate is good, sleep is getting better.

Karate.... hiiiii-yaaaaaa!

Saturday, August 21, 2010
It was so good to be back at karate. I helped teach the first 2 classes and participated in and instructed in the last two. I did some ab work as well and decent stretching so I'm off to a good start. It was light training and I did feel tired but I have been nothing but sedentary for so long so I'm trying to take it slow. Brittany helped at the store and did some training too.

After, we shared homemade lasagna, pizza, wine and fruit salad at our Sensei's place wit him and his girlfriend, Morana. Brittany didn't have any wine. She's 17 and says it tastes like cough syrup. ;)

I was so sleepy when we got home, I ended up watching Spiderman 2 on TV (recorded) then decided I'm not going to bed at 6 p.m. Saturday night so make some coffee. Everybody else is out of the house.

Solitude.

Still sick

Friday, August 20, 2010
Feeling far better but still coughing up phlegm and sniffling. Weird! I am never sick. However, I'm not getting a lot more sleep like I should be either. Close to 7 hours each week night. I take my vitamins twice daily most of the time. I must drink *more* water. Coffee is a good friend right now. :)

I'll be starting back at karate tomorrow - after 10 weeks of inactivity! I find the walk to and from work (at either end of my train commute) noticeable in increased movement.

I can feel 'stitching' going on in my lower abdomen. Funny/new sensation - probably brought on by me moving around much more now.

On a special note, my brother Rollie, the baby of the family, would have been 37 years old today.

9 weeks post-op

Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Feeling pretty good this week. The transition back has been fairly seamless. Lots of work to do and mostly I'm just picking up where I left off. I enjoy my job and it's exciting to be back at work!

I have been arriving early (630-830am arrivals) and *trying* to leave by 530pm. I need to schedule bedtime earlier though. I need more sleep.

Sleep is my friend. My husband, even before the surgery, referred to 'sleep' as my mistress. Now, it has become my second husband. :)

Sleep is so rejuvenating. Sleep heals. Health and recovery has been found in sleep. Lots and lots of sleep. I managed to maintain my sanity in the hospital due to the amount of sleep I got there. It was largely interrupted sleep, however, because I was simply lying in bed all the time, I was able to easily doze randomly. Not as easily accomplished outside that setting.

Sleep is much of what I need for improved health anyway even without having had surgery. I need to make it a point to get more sleep.

Zzzz.....

Run-down

Monday, August 16, 2010

I am working from home today. I was feeling a bit run-down after last week. Even Friday, at the hotel where my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary I was physically ill!

Saturday I just felt extremely fatigued and Sunday was a little more of the same with some nausea. So today, I opted to work from home.

My throat is a dry and I occasionally cough but the main thing is my low energy.

I read from different sources that fatigue could last a year. I find that ridiculous! I think I have just been doing too much too soon... I immediately went back to my regular routine - jam-packed weekends included. That's too much.

Plus I need to focus on getting adequate sleep. I almost got 8 hours last night. I need that. Six to seven is insufficient. I'm sure I will suffer if I don't work at it.