TGIF

Finally it's Friday.  Wednesday I thought it was Friday.  Thursday I thought it was Friday, so needless to say, it's been a long week.

- today is a PD day and the kids are at home with Ricky, Kenzie included.

- today is also his last day of sick leave - back to work he goes tomorrow.

- we received our money from income tax and I paid off my Quebec debt, yay!

- we received devastating news in our family yesterday.  My uncle Cal (my dad's twin) was recently diagnosed with cancer, unfortunately he has been given bad news.  He is currently in the hospital and has been told it could be a day, a week, a month.  The cancer is pretty well through his whole body except the brain.  So sad.

- my nanny seems to be doing as expected in the hospital these days.  Yesterday the "dead" toe was supposed to come off and well she went to the OR and then came back, with that damned toe still on.  Of course, no one tells anyone anything so we have no idea what happened.  Apparently, according to my nanny, the surgeon got in the OR and said "I quit". 

- I pushed myself to go to the gym this week even though I really wanted to just stay home and relax.  Once I get there, I am glad that I went.  Today, my arms are sore though.

- tomorrow we are supposed to get a mixed bag of stupid weather.  It's March 30th tomorrow - we could get snow, rain, freezing rain - ugh, besides going to the Church Spring Sale, no plans so that's good

- I may be keeping Thomas for a bit on Saturday evening so the girls and Mom can take their dad out for supper for his birthday that just passed.

- Maddy has been sick all week.  She really just has a cough and has been at school all week, but it's waring her down and I am contemplating a trip to the ER this week to see if it's bronchitis.

- my sister's friend lost her baby this week, so tragic.  I hate when I hear things like this.  Last week they announced the pregnancy on Facebook with their two sons announcing another boy is coming.  My thoughts are with them at this sad time.

- I want good news, happy times, healthy family and summer weather, NOW!

Have a good weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- my days at work are just flying by these days

- Girl Guide cookies are in (the vanilla and chocolate) and I can't even eat my fave chocolate ones, ugh!

- Nanny is making small progress at the hospital.  She still has a long way to go but she is at least attempting to walk at physio now.

- Ricky's transformation...crazy how much weight he has lost, just wish he was feeling better and could eat without being in pain.

- hearing that Ricky's truck will be paid for in May...such an exciting time to not have that payment.

- Tanner got hit with a branch at school yesterday, thankful it didn't scratch his eye because it was really close. 

- our income tax is done and we get back about $500 between the two of us, yay (by the time I pay my Quebec debt)

- got a massage yesterday...after sleeping on the concrete floor at the hospital, I needed it.

- had a little snack the other night at the local chip truck that opened for the season

- everyone's anticipation for Spring...I had so many messages and emails this week about soccer and baseball - there is still way too much snow and then we have to deal with flooding...we're always a late start!

Happy Wednesday All!

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday after work, Maddy and I headed to Aroma Yoga again and this week she had a break from confirmation classes. 

Saturday there were no plans really so we all got to sleep in.  Eventually Maddy was bugging for her friend to come overnight so her dad dropped her off around 11, I got the kids some lunch and then Ricky and I headed to the city.  We met Tracy and Butter at Walmart, picked up a few things then we all went to the Casino for a bit.  Although we didn't win big, the $80 I spent, I got back at the end our visit, so all in all, that was good.

When we got home, we just hung out and watched TV and then around 7 pm, Maddy wasn't feeling well.  We ended up bringing Liv home because it would be no fun for a sleepover if Maddy wasn't feeling well.  We called it an early night.

Sunday morning the kids didn't want to come to Church so I went solo and got some Lainey snuggles.

After Church Maddy and I did some baking - we made bagels, tea biscuits and a lemon pie and then I made Doritos Chicken for supper.  My dad stopped in for a visit while we were eating (he had been at the hospital all morning with kidney stones...seriously, can my family get a break?) and my mom was working as this was the first weekend the chip truck opened in town.

It was another early night and then Maddy started feeling sick again - but sick to her stomach this time.  I am hoping it passed quickly, as it usually does and that none of us get it.

TGIF

I'm here, even after a "late" night at Disney on Ice, I made it to work.

Last night I had free tickets to Disney on Ice that I won from our local newspaper and even though I really didn't want to go, I am glad I did, for Tanner's sake.

We have taken Maddy to Disney on Ice when she was younger and Tanner came once a couple of years ago.  He clearly didn't remember.  I really didn't think he would enjoy it because I have seen it enough and I find it's more about the Princesses...was I wrong!

He was mesmerized the whole time.  He clapped, he waved, he sang and danced.  He just looked at the skaters in awe.  It was truly the cutest thing ever.  He kept looking over at me and saying "Mom, this is the BEST DAY EVER".

Because I didn't want to go all the way home, pick him up and head back to Kanata (ferry isn't open yet), I asked Leslie who carpools with us if her and Kenzie wanted to come.  That way, we didn't have to go home, Ricky met us in the city to bring us the kids and then we were off.  We had supper at Wendy's and headed to the CTC.  We had awesome seats.  We were at the farthest side, section 115 with no one in front of us and basically right in front of the ice. 

What's on for the weekend?

- tonight Maddy and I have AromaYoga and she doesn't have confirmation classes

- tomorrow Ricky and I are going to go to the Casino with Butter and Tracy and Maddy is going to have her friend Olivia overnight

- Sunday - church and cleaning the house

Have a good one! 

Montreal Trip

Oh how I wish it was a relaxing, luxurious trip to Montreal this week but it was far from that.

Ricky hasn't been able to eat or keep anything down really for the last two weeks.  After some pushing from others (cuz God forbid he listens to his wife), he called and made an appointment to see the surgeon on Tuesday.  So we dropped the kids off at school and proceeded to Montreal.

Lucky for us when we got there, we actually got to see his actual surgeon (who was actually on leave this week) and he got the ball rolling right away so that we didn't have a wasted trip.  We were registered down in the ER and then eventually they came to take him for a gastroscopy which is a scope down his throat.  At this point, they were worried he had some internal bleeding and/or an ulcer.  After the quick ten minute procedure, it was determined that there was no blood but his passage way was way too small which is why he hasn't been able to eat.

Unfortunately for us, because it was at the end of their day, they admitted us for the night (so we wouldn't have to drive back home the three hours to come back the next day).  We sat in a hallway in the ER until about 8 pm that night and finally they brought us up to a room on the surgical floor. 

Ricky had a bed.  I had a chair.  I am always thinking ahead right, so luckily, I packed the night.  I brought my bag, my blankets and iPad knowing that it was going to be a long night...in a chair.  Eventually I actually made a bed on the cold, concrete (probably germ filled) floor in the room and believe it or not, I was able to snooze a little here and there. 

Wednesday we were hoping to go home.  They were going to do the dilation at some point in which they go in with the scope again and using a balloon they stretched his passage way back to 10 mm (1 cm, doesn't seem big eh?).  The nurse had come early in the morning to do another round of blood work (they were still worried about his blood count) and because that was done so early, we were sure, we would get the dilation and be home early afternoon.  Nope.  They came at like 9:30 to get him for the dilation and he came back to the room at like noon.  I took that time to hog his bed, watch a movie and relax.  When he came back, they took more blood work because overnight his count was down so they were concerned that despite looking for blood, he was losing blood somehow.  We literally watched the clock for like two hours waiting for the results to get the hell out of there. FINALLY at like 4:30, the nurse comes in, gives us the go and we headed out.

We get to the car and what the hell, it doesn't start.  It wouldn't roll over. I wanted to cry.  We let it sit a bit, tried some more and eventually it went.  No stopping us now, let's just go!

5:00 pm and downtown Montreal traffic we then got to deal with.  It should take 10 mins to get from there to the highway we needed to be on...of course, in traffic, that took over an hour.  Even when we got going, it was stop and go.  We finally got home around 8:30 pm. 

Good news: he's fixed for now and will try to eat and see how it feels AND because we sorted all this out, our appointment for this Monday has been cancelled!

Bad news: it looks like he will have to get the dilation two more times to keep opening it up which means in a month's time, back down there. 

Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone.  Thanks to my mom and dad who are always around to help with the kids.  Thanks to work for understanding. Thanks for the car pool ladies for understanding last minute changes.

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday night I came home with a terrible headache.  I prepared boiled eggs to make sandwiches and went ahead and made my PB and Jam ones before heading to the gym for AromaYoga with Maddy before her confirmation classes.  Luckily, the AromaYoga was just what I needed, it eased the headache and calmed me before bed.  Once I got home, I made all the sandwiches, iced the brownies and dropped them off at the Church when I picked Maddy up.

Saturday morning I was up early, dressed and headed up to the hospital to help my Nanny with breakfast before I headed to the tea.  During the week she had been really mixed up and confused and had a hard time sleeping at night but she had a good night Friday and Saturday she didn't seem as confused.  I left there to go home, get Maddy and headed to Church for our Annual Irish Tea.  This year was super busy and non stop the whole 3 hours.  After the cleanup, I was literally pooped out that I crashed and slept until 4:30 pm.  I had intentions of heading to Hollie's to visit but I opted for a bath and watched Harry and the Hendersons with Tanner and Ricky while Maddy went to visit them alone.

Sunday morning we skipped Church because we were heading up to visit Ricky's dad.  We had lunch up there and then headed home and just hung out on the couch the rest of the day and finished homework.  My sister and Rylie popped in to say goodbye and that was about it. 



How was your weekend?

Updates!

- I gave chocolate and candy up for Lent...and so far so good but I don't think I should be replacing it with chips.  Not good for "healthy me".  I have been doing some research on sugar detox and since I'm doing the no-chocolate and candy, I am thinking of giving it a go and limiting my sugar intake!

- Maddy gave up chocolate and well she has failed already.  The first time was during March Break when we went to Flying Squirrel and then we went Wendy's and without even thinking, she ordered a chocolate Frosty.  It was only later that night that it dawned on me.  Then Tuesday night we went to my parents to pick Tanner up and she was so eager to try a new cookie and put it in her mouth then we were all like "uum, didn't you give chocolate up"...haha, busted again.  She thinks because she cheated twice, she will just add two days on at the end...haha, I told her good luck cuz it will be Easter!

- Ricky is down 50 lbs and although it appears he looks good, he's not feeling the greatest all the time but it's something he is going to have to get used to.  He has to learn that his stomach will only handle 2 oz at a time and has to learn to chew and swallow slowly!

- Nanny is literally going crazy in the hospital - while we sometimes think it's dementia starting, apparently this is common with people after so much time spent in the hospital.  She is just mixing things up.  Hey, the other day she said she was at Gavans and that there were a lot of snowmobilers, who knew she got out and went for a pint...haha!

- Uncle Cal is sleeping a lot and just waiting for news...

- Next week, we are going to get into a gym routine.  Ricky is likely going to want to start next week too so we are going to have to switch nights because of Tanner.

- Ricky received news from his niece last night that she received a scholarship to Carleton University, she was pretty happy! Go Kaitie Go!

Happy Weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- all the kind comments from friends and family in regards to our family and the sickness we are enduring.


- we have water...the water in our end of the town was shut off yesterday around noon...95% of those got their water back by suppertime but because the break was right beside our place, we didn't get it on until between 3 - 5 am Tuesday morning.  Thankfully, it was on before work cuz I was sweaty from Zumba Monday night.


- Maddy and I finished our 8 weeks of Zumba...they are starting up again but I don't think I am going to sign up because I have so many activities, I would rather just go to the gym Monday nights. 


- looking forward to our Irish Tea this coming weekend...always a good time.


- after the tea, I am thinking maybe getting Ricky out of the house and heading to the Casino for a bit...my sister will be in town so she can come over to our place to chill with the kids.


- I downloaded some songs by Lauren Daigle, and I really like them...she sounds very much like Adele.


- I had a massage appointment on Monday and well...combine that with Zumba, my back is pretty sore this week.


- Spring is in the air...I hope


- Tanner being so excited once we heard from many people that his weather picture was featured on the Monday news.

Not even sure if this is his but it was the last one...and looks like his type of people!


Happy Wednesday

When It Rains, It Pours

Our family is relatively healthy and I mean in the terms of, up until my Papa Earl passed away, we never had anyone sick in our family.  I remember when I was in high school, my Nanny Brouse had stomach cancer and they took her whole stomach out and that was it...she's been healthy ever since.

Starting in February our family has been in and out of hospitals way too much and dealing with a lot of medical heartbreak.

*Disclaimer: if you do happen to know my Nanny and Papa Brouse, do not whisper a word to them please

First - my almost 98 year old Nanny took a fall early February and that resulted in breaking her hip.  Luckily, it wasn't a bad break however from not being an urgent matter, she developed pneumonia while waiting in the ER waiting for surgery.  That postponed things.  When she did finally get the surgery, everything has gone downhill since.  It's so sad to think of everything this woman has gone through and one little fall is potentially going "to take her out".  She is a stubborn woman but after dealing with this for over a month, she is losing hope.  It's sad to see.  I would think she would want to push through physio to get home, but it doesn't look that way.
They think she may have had some sort of mini stroke while recovering and that is making it harder for her to walk, saying that her right leg is always dragging.  She has a very bad bedsore that is not healing and to make matters worse, last week she developed gangrene in one of her toes which is likely going to have to  be amputated.  To top things off, the Shawville hospital where she is staying is on high alert for a bacteria outbreak, which is not helping these bacteria issues for her.  She is back hooked up to IV because she now has blood clots in her legs and last Friday was sent back to Hull for an angioplasty where they widen her veins to help with the circulation issues.  We are fearful that she may never come home and she believes she will never walk again.

We had been keeping our distance prior to the hip surgery because we didn't want to get Ricky sick before his surgery and then once his surgery was done and she was transferred closer to home, the kids and I went to visit but the bacteria outbreak and having to gown all up turns me off of going to visit her.  I know she loves the visits and it would boost her morale, but they only want one visitor at a time at the moment.

So there is that....

All during this time, my Uncle Cal, (my dad's twin) who stays at my grandparents on weekends and since Nanny's hospital stays has been staying in Quyon during the week to stay and keep an eye on my Papa, has been dealt a really shitty hand as well.
Three weeks ago when my Nanny was transferred to Shawville, I saw my uncle on the Sunday and he looked and appeared fine...the next day while visiting my Nanny, he was having a hard time to breathe and decided to go downstairs to the ER.  They ended up admitting him for the night and said it could be a blood clot.  The news he received over the next week is not what we had in mind.  He has been texting us updates, my parents have been helping out but it's not good.  He has 4 cancers: lung, lymph nodes, liver and bone.  I can't grasp my mind around this.  How could you be perfectly fine one day and literally two days later being diagnosed with 4 types of cancer and to the point that he could barely walk already.  He is on so much pain medication to keep him comfortable that he can't even drive now.  He is staying at his place in Gatineau right now because he has some more scans and whatnot at that hospital soon. 

Of course, this is devastating and we don't want to worry Nanny and Papa anymore than we have to, so it's on the down low.  He goes to visit Nanny when he can and I'm sure when Nanny and Papa both see him, they know something is up.  He is thin, frail and really just in bad shape. 

So while I thought our family would never have to deal with cancer and death, I feel like it's just knocking on our door now. It's hard to explain to the kids but they both know what's going on.  It's hard when you get texts from your uncle telling you the bad news, but offering a hand to help with whatever he needs and know that we are praying for him.

 

Ricky of course is still recovering from his bariatric surgery and is getting frustrated that he can't eat yet.  This Friday will be a month post surgery and technically can start to be able to eat food but he can barely keep liquids down.  He is down 50 lbs but I think it's too much too soon but it's because he is living on popsicles.  We see the surgeon on the 25th and I hope he can give him some insight.  Also hoping to find something to do this weekend to take his mind off of it all.  When you go to the information session for this surgery and they talk about the depression and appoint a psychologist to you, I see why now.  Because he was on the shakes 3 weeks before surgery, it basically has been almost two months since he's had a real meal, so, I get it.  I am constantly offering him soups and broths, yogurts and jello - trying to get the protein into him, but usually after 2 spoonfuls, it just doesn't want to go down anymore.  These are the things he should be able to eat...but maybe this is just getting used to the smaller portions.  Maybe two tablespoons of yogurt is all he can have.  Here's to hoping that the hard part is almost over!

 

Please pray for them all. 

{Extended Weekend Rewind}

I took last Thursday and Friday off to do something with them for March Break.

Thursday we headed to Flying Squirrel in Ottawa which is a trampoline park and our favourite one.  We invited Sam to come along and his dad was off that day so he tagged along too.  The kids jumped, bounced and played for two hours while the adults just hung out and chatted.  We made a quick pit stop at Wendy's for lunch and then headed to Brault to find a new couch (which ended there because the one we all liked and loved is way too big for our house).

Friday we weren't sure what to do.  The original plan was to go swimming but the hours did not work for us (or Quebec March Break) and because Tanner had hockey, we couldn't do the 2-4 pm window.  A friend had the local library pass to the Science and Tech museum, so we borrowed that and spent three hours there.  Once we got home, I tried to nap but that didn't work so Tanner and I left for hockey early and he treated me to supper at Kojacks for a date he said. 

Saturday we all headed to the last practice of hockey for the season.  After the practice we all gathered in the change room and had a little award ceremony.  He will be moving up to Novice next year which is exciting.  When we got home from hockey, my sister and Rylie came over and then I had a little nap.  Tanner had a birthday party at 2 so the kids and I headed there while Ricky napped.  It was such a nice day out, I decided to stay there because other parents were.  There was ball hockey, sliding, roasting marshmallows and opening presents.  It was a great day outside.

Sunday I was planning on teaching Sunday school but when I woke up I had a message that Church was cancelled because after the nice day on Saturday, Mother Nature thought we needed more snow.  Ugh.  Sunday was spent inside and just doing laundry, napping, getting back to school stuff ready and just relaxing really.  The time change hit me.  Of course last night I couldn't sleep so today is going to be a really long day.

How was your weekend?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- Ricky calling me last night saying that he needs to buy a new belt because he is down two waist sizes in pants/belt.

- having my last stash of chocolate last night because from today until Easter, I am giving up candy and chocolate.  I am really working towards a healthier, new me before summer.

- Tanner started karate last night and although it's not real karate, it was $20 for 8 weeks and it gets him moving.  Who knows, maybe he will want to do real karate in the near future.

- today is my last day of the week and then I am off...tomorrow we are going to Flying Squirrel and that's all we have planned.

- last weekend of hockey this weekend.  It's sad but looking forward to not having that activity on weekends.  We are contemplating signing Tanner up for developmental camp in Aylmer on Mondays from May - July...but still trying to work out the details.

- we are supposed to be getting a break with this bitter cold we are getting....I just want sun and Spring to come!

- we change our clocks this weekend...Spring Ahead...I think I like this one because it feels like I sleep in, even if I am losing an hour.

- that our March Break Girl Guide meeting is over....ouff, we have a special meeting that is 5 hours and those girls last night were really hyper and loud!  I survived!

- my income taxes have been sent to the accountant.  I used to cringe at this and wait until the very last minute, but a couple years back we did something that allows me to get enough back from Ontario to pay for what I owe in Quebec and usually have a little extra for me!

Happy Hump Day!

Lent

I am having trouble choosing what I want to give up for Lent this year.  In the past, my lent journey was very productive. 

The year I said NO to Pepsi...I could hardly drink the stuff after the 40 days.

The next year I said NO to all soft drinks...again, it was hard but I did it.

I still have the occasional soft drink but my new thing is iced tea.  Like full on powder NESTEA that I mix with water.  To me, this is my way of getting my water intake but apparently all the sugar is bad.  I thought of giving up iced tea this year (anyone that knows me knows that I have my jug with me all the time) but I think I am changing.

The reason - I have already cut back on the iced tea and only allowing myself one a day. 

So this Lent, I think I am going to give up sweets in the form of chocolate and  candy.  I have a really bad habit of going out at lunch and stockpiling chocolate and candy into my desk at work.  I get bored and I eat the bad stuff.  This will all come into our healthy eating habits and hopefully will show when I shed a few extra unwanted pounds.

So goodbye sour suckers, Wonderbars and Swedish berries!

{Weekend Rewind}

March Break starts for us today so the kids are at home with Ricky with some planned activities this week.  I am at work Monday - Wednesday then I am off to do some fun things with them too.

Friday I took the day off to be a helper at the school board's Destination Imagination Regional Tournament.  This was our first time participating and what a fun time everyone had.  We didn't leave with a win but that didn't matter, the kids all enjoyed their day and looking forward to next year.
Friday night the gang came over to play cards because we had no hockey this weekend, and I, went to bed.

Saturday morning, again no hockey.  Tanner woke up not feeling well and was sick a few times, so the kids and I napped and relaxed for a bit while Ricky went back to the camp.  We got up and got ready and headed back to the camp around 2 pm.  It was such a nice day outside and there were so many people.  At one point there were 18 adults and 12 kids.  The kids played outside, the big kids ripped around on the snowmobiles and we had a nice chicken dinner. 
Tanner and I headed home after supper and Ricky and Maddy stayed to play poker.

Sunday morning Maddy and I headed to Church.  I tried to do laundry but something is going on with my dryer this weekend so a family friend is coming tonight to have a look at it.  The rest of Sunday was spent napping, making supper and watching shows.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

I am away from the office today and spending the whole day with Maddy at a special event called Destination Imagination.  Her class has been working on this all year so I am excited to see the end result and all the other teams.

We went to Montreal on Wednesday, waste of time as far as I'm concerned, just to see the nurse and check his incisions...so we took advantage regardless and asked some questions we had and she sent him down for blood work since the bleeding incident and he looked pale still.

On the weight loss journey, to date he has lost 40 lbs and basically since surgery is calculating about 2 lbs a day.  He still isn't eating as much as he should be (3 meals and 3 snacks) and he needs to start adding the protein powder to everything to feel fuller.

He has had to dig into his bins for smaller jeans already, adjust his strap on his watch and hat and just overall feels good.

He wanted to start at the gym this week but she recommends that he waits a month post surgery before that.  To just take it easy and do 15 mins of walking a day.

This weekend we have no hockey which means what are we going to do?  We have zero plans at this moment.

The kids also start March Break next week which is nice that Ricky is home and I don't have to sort out sitters for them.  I took Thursday and Friday off to go to Flying Squirrel one day and take them to Toys R Us to spend birthday/Christmas money.

The kids both had a bout of flu on Monday-Tuesday but it passed really quickly thank goodness.



 

Hope you all have a great weekend!