Selection: Health General

YES!

Today was my last day of physio. Need to keep exercising my hips, but I'm doing a lot better than 2 months ago!!!

Today my back is fine. The low pressure weather system has been replaced with an arctic high.

Temperature was -31C as I drove to work, with a wind chill of -48C. Sure not pleasant. 

Here I was blaming my sore back yesterday on the results of physio therapy.

NOT!!! It's a regular blizzard today. It's the old arthritis acting up... Oh well... Must move to a no-blizzard country. 

Went for my physio assessment today, and the therapist figures I have two problems, none related to the joints.

First problem is my lower back, which was identified as a problem area at the same time I was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer treatment had priority, of course, so nothing was done about the back.

Second problem is that the bursitis is still there. So the treatment today after the assessment, was to have heat on my back and ice on the bursitis spot for 15-20 minutes. Then lower back massage and after that some leg exercise on a large ball, rolling my legs back and forth.

Going back on Monday for the second session...

I feel good about this approach. It is in line what I thought was happening, at least the back part. I think we can make real progress. 

Well, according to the radiology report, there is nothing wrong with my hips. That's good news...

Now back to the doctor to find out what IS wrong... 

Had quite the workout today. First Cecile and I went to the lily bulb sale where I picked up 3 bulbs, a white martagon seedling and 2 asiatics, 'Tropical Breeze' and 'Wizard'. Had some coffee and baked goodies. The sale and the goodies were in greenhouses and we were quite hot. Gorgeous day for the middle of September but a bit too hot to be in a greenhouse for any length of time.

Next we went to Ikea. I picked up a coffee table to have a spot for my AeroGarden. Another winter gardening project... That Ikea warehouse is huge and a few times we got lost.

When we got home, I went into the backyard to start the fall cleaning. Got to get ready for fence painting... Stayed at it for about 2 hours, then came inside to rest, have supper, chat with Alicia who was over for supper.

After supper I thought I'd go have a nap, but my mind was on that coffee table. So I put it together in a bit over an hour. The process was straight forward, but I had to take a number of breaks to rest up.

Now I'm pooped and have a headache. Yet I'm happy with all I was able to do. I just hope I won't pay for it later... 

About a week ago, I mentioned the Bathfitter renovation that is coming up. What I did not say was that the new tub will have an anti-slip bottom. I could have used that yesterday... The soap was getting away on me during the shower and I made an attempt to hang on to it. In that attempt I made a sudden move and lost my balance. Slipped and fell on my side and popped my head on the edge of the tub. Made a heck of a noise and Cecile came running in to see what was happening.

Fortunately, just bruises and sore spots. Weird that my fall happens a month after Cecile took a dive down some stairs. We must be getting old...

Some facts about accidents:

• More people are injured in their homes than anywhere else.
• The kitchen, stairs and bathrooms are all potentially very dangerous places.
• Many accidents occur in the home from everyday activities such as children playing, preparing food, simply moving about the house and during household repairs.

This week I've been under the weather. Started Sunday night with cramps and let's call it "liquid bowels." Tuesday and Wednesday I felt better, but the coughing got worse. Wednesday night my coughing spells got so bad that my abdomen and my chest started hurting bad. So I spent Thursday and Friday mostly in bed running a slight fever.

So was it a cold or a flu? At this point I don't really care. I just want to be in good shape for next Tuesday's CAT (CT) scan...

I'm concerned about forgetting things. My "chemo brain" phase is almost over, yet I am still plagued with forgetfulness at times. Is there a lasting effect to chemo damage, or am I just getting older?

From Wrong Diagnosis:
Loss of memory is a common symptom, particular in the elderly. Memory loss may also be associated with concentration symptoms. Many people fear a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease but many other possibilities exist, including simply the normal deterioration of memory function with aging. Other possibilities include the side effects of various medications and other medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, certain brain conditions (e.g. stroke or brain tumours) and various types of dementia. Any memory-related symptoms need prompt professional medical advice to determine the correct diagnosis.

They list "Causes of Forgetfulness" and the most likely culprit in my case would be tiredness.

I'm not going to worry just yet. Just keeping an eye on possible symptoms, if I don't forget...

Had the most adventurous bag changing session today. Got out out the bath tub half an hour after gut activity, and as I was drying off, it had the gall to spout all over the bathroom.

Just when I cleaned everything, including myself, it started again before I could get a new bag on.

Sheisse...

I know it's better than the alternative (6 feet under) but it's not much fun.

OK, done venting!

I promised a follow-up but not much to report yet. Apparently there is a polyp in the uturus that is causing the bleeding.

She is waiting for a call from the hospital for a D&C. 

On a positive note, Bill seems to do well after his operation.

A friend is undergoing tests for vaginal bleeding. She has a positive attitude, but I know she is concerned. Hopefully she will know more next week.

Dang those uncertaincies.  

While at the doctor for my cancer checkup, we also discussed the results of the stress test last month. The cardiologist at the time suggested that my blood pressure was high and that my medication might have to be increased.

My family doctor isn't quite ready to change the meds. He wants me to take some bp/heart rate readings over the next 4 weeks and then we will review those readings. 

This morning I went to bed around 12:30, played a few games of Solitaire on my PDA, and went to sleep.

A little after 1PM I woke up with a very dry nose and the thought of a nosebleed. What made it worse was that with Cecile in Toronto, what would I do all by myself?

After lubing the nose and turning the humidifier on, I could not shake the thought of having to knock on neighbours' doors in the middle of the night to find help.

Waking frequently and getting up at 7AM, I hope to sleep better tonight. Got the humidifier filled up and the lube ready.

Goodnight, all. 

It's been a while since I've seen the dentist. Some other things took priority the past few years, but now it's time to fix the choppers. Got quite a few cavities, but nothing else wrong. So in a month, I should be as good as new. Have to take antibiotics before each appointment though, to make sure no bacteria enter the bloodstream.

Around 10AM, Dr. Morrissey took the packing out. I could not believe it, SIX feet in each nostril. I'm glad he wasn't the one who put it in. He tends to tie two together and put twelve feet in. It was almost as painful taking it out as putting it in.

I'm to "read books and watch movies" until July 4th. Just so the nose can heal up. During this period, I use the prescribed antibiotics, nasal spray and vaseline. He did not seem concerned about a humidifier, one way or another.

Saw Dr. Morrissey this morning, but considering that I was still spitting up blood, he felt it was better to leave the packing another day. He gave me antibiotics to help heal the nose once the packing is removed. I have to come back tomorrow.

Cecile took me to the emergency again at 12:45 this morning. Had a lovely time with Dr. Stag who shoved HUGE tampons (approx 3/4" wide and 3.4" long) up my nose to stop the bleeding. Those packings were pushed that far because the suspicion is now that the bleeder is very high up, and I tend to think so too as I was still spitting blood and blood clots after the packing went in. So at 3:45 I was back in bed. Dr. Stag called at 7:30 that he had made arrangements for me to see the "ENT" Ear-Nose-Throat specialist first thing Monday morning.

Not sure what will happen on Monday at the University Hospital. What I am sure of, is that it won't be pleasant. Possibly surgery.

I had planned to take the kids and grandkids to the Northlands Family Picnic tomorrow. That won't be happening, so we'll try to get them over here so they can all see my new bandaged face. Happy fathers day to me...

Saw the family doctor this afternoon, and the CEA test for cancer was good, 0.7. The other blood tests were good also. He wants to see me again in 3 months.

As far as the nose bleeds, vaseline and a humidifier is his recommendation too. Don't need the humidifier today, though; it's been pouring rain.

Noticed 2 more lilies up. Atoll looks like it came up today or yesterday. Davidii must be up a couple of days already, I just missed it between the weeds. 

Although I'm still spitting blood clots from the back of my throat from time to time, there are no major leaks. In about half an hour I'm walking over to the doctor's office for a bloodwork and cancer checkup. I'm sure the primary topic will be what these nosebleeds mean and what we can do to prevent them. The humidifier I was running last night worked to get the humidity up to 68%. Too bad it warmed the room up also. It's been raining pretty much all day, so outside humidity is fairly high too, compared to other days.

Well, the packing came out without bloodshed. Those things are huge. Never would have thought they could fit into my nose. No wonder it felt like he was going for the brain on Monday.

Off work for the rest of the week, trying not to bleed again. The doctor recommended a humidifier on at night for the next couple of weeks, and if we get dry weather, to continue that. You were right, Phil. With my humidity meter, I should be able to tell when I need to run the humidifier. 

Had another nosebleed at 7AM which I managed to stop, then another one just after 8AM. So we went to the emergency at NE Community Health Centre. The doctor did not want to cauterize the same spot that was done a week ago, so he packed the nose. Packing is worse than cauterizing, because a compressed piece of material gets shoved in each nostril (almost up to the brain, it felt like) and then expanded with a saline solution.

At about 11AM we went home, had a bite to eat, and then the bleeding started again.

This morning we were told that if bleeding started again, to go to the University Hospital emergency. So off we went. Spent 4.5 hours sitting around while the doctor kept an eye on me. They did some blood tests and they all came back ok, so no problems with platelets or hemogloben.

So now I'm sitting at home, oozing a bit of blood, once in a while spitting blood clots, watching the Oilers play against the Hurrincanes.

A nosebleed is a rather unsettling experience. Trying not to choke on your blood, squeezing your noze, and finding blood coming out of your eye.

Have to get the packing out on Wednesday, and I hope I won't bleed again...

Another nosebleed, this one at the office. I wasn't going to take any more chances with the blood thinners, so I asked a coworker to call an ambulance. The attending doctor cauterized two bleeders, but said I might be back because he did not close a "gusher." I hope I won't be back...

Supposed to take it very easy for 24 hours, so I'm off work tomorrow. 

I wonder what is going on. This morning I roll over in bed and my nose starts bleeding. So I take it easy all day. Then at 4:30 I spring another leak. Call the doctor in the morning and stop aspirin for now...

I have decided on taking Fridays off for the next 2 months. I have the vacation days and 3-day weekends are much more beneficial to resting up than 2-day weekends. After working full-time since the end of March I still find it more taxing than I thought it would be, so it's time to throttle back a bit.

I've been back at work fulltime since Monday. Yesterday was rough. Today was much better. Still, I went home at 3pm. I was just pooped. Accomplished quite a bit of work, but I find I have no energy left when I get home, to do much of anything. So I just veg...

Nice weekend coming up, so perhaps I can do something outside.

Made a "from scratch" soup today. There is no way I can post a recipe. Started with a base from Holland and some Knorr packages (cream of potato and vegetable). Added a tomato, medium onion, celery, carrots, potato slices, garlic of course, meatballs (lean beef), and some fresh green beans.

A major ingredient was a can of navy beans. Those beans added body and taste.  The Knorr packages had loads of sodium, so no salt was added anywhere. Too bad they also had MSG. I would really like to find something that's not loaded with salt and does not have msg...

Finally starting to get over the cold I caught last Monday. It's true what they say about Buckley's, it tastes like crap but it does the job.

Had a doctor's appointment today. CEA (cancer) test was fine. A .6 reading. Cholesterol was good. Then he checked the heart and found a rate of 110-120 too high. So off I went to the lab for an ECG. Back to the doctor, and he goes "hmmm..." I did not like the sound of that. So he sent me back to the lab for a blood test "TROP"? and also for a chest x-ray. He had called the cardiologist and both were puzzled... So tonight and tomorrow morning I am to double up on Coreg, the beta blockers and see him again tomorrow afternoon.

I have been sleeping a lot the last week. I am puzzled in a way. I thought I'd recover fairly quickly from the angiogram procedure. I guess sitting on one's backside for two months does not help.
The bandage on my wrist to cover the angiogram hole has caused an allergic reaction. Extremely itchy. After scratching the bejeebers out of it, my skin was just raw. The pharmacy recommended benedryl and a cortizone cream and that seems to be helping.

To help create a less stressful environment when I go back to work, Northlands has agreed to change my job to "Project Specialist." As of today I am no longer the manager of the Technology Services department. Ed Barth is the new manager and I will be reporting to him. After 10 years of working for me, I now work for him. I think it's a win-win for everybody.
I am grateful to Northlands for accomodating me in this way.

My GP called me this morning (can you imagine, on a Saturday?) and said my cholesterol is down, but something else is up. He did not elaborate and did not seem too concerned. I'm seeing him on Tuesday anyway, so I'll find out more.
Went for a walk today and did OK. Took my nitro spray but did not need it.

This morning, Cecile's youngest sister Ria passed away due to diabetes complications. She was only 51 and leaves behind 4 children. The sad part is that if she had paid attention to her diet, she might still be alive.

2004 has been one of the most intense years in my life. I have felt up and I have felt down. "Rollercoaster" somewhat describes what I have been through. Started the year with cancer, and now end it cancer-free. Yet with chemo/radiation, then surgery, and more chemo being the identifiable physical events, the year has brought many subtle emotional changes.

Just learned that there are "laughter clubs" as alternative medicine. Laughter can boost one's immune system and help relieve stress. If you're interested, THIS should help you get started...

• Did you know there are therapeutic clowns in children's hospitals? Discovery Health Channel had a good program today.
• Did you know that children laugh 300 to 400 times a day and adults laugh only 15 times a day?
• So there you go. Reader's Digest was right. Laughter is the best medicine.

Yesterday reinforced the need for me to be patient. After delivering my breakfast to the toilet prematurely, I did some mucking in the backyard and took some bird photos.

Then just before bed time, diarrhea reared it's ugly head again. Just when I think I'm improving, a day like this happens...

Learned this week of a suicide by a 13-year old girl who went to school with the daughter of a friend. Makes one wonder why young people find this world so without hope.

As part of our family's commitment to a healthier lifestyle, Cecile had her first colonoscopy check-up today. Preliminary results are that everything is "normal."

It's been snowing off and on since last Saturday and no sun. There are the optimists that think the snow will melt yet, but my garden faces north. I have a feeling it will be March or April next year before all my snow is gone.

Had a bit of a setback this morning, having my breakfast hit the toilet prematurely. Goes to show I'm not my old self yet, I guess.

Well, we have a new mayor, but most of city council are back.

Had lunch with Paul today. I figured I'd try a salad today as I need to start thinking about losing weight again. When I was getting cancer treatments, I was told to go for protein and carbs to help restore my body. As a result, I've put on 20 pounds since my surgery.

Starting to get rid of the cold I've had for a few days.

Looks like winter is just about here. Temps will be around the freezing mark the next week or so.

A new day, and a new month. Hopefully this is my last full month at home, and I can go back to work next month.

Sure was a chilly morning. Definitely had some frost. The afternoon was nice enough for a walk to Vincent's place, first time in many months, but I have to start getting my strength back.

Nice weather this afternoon. Did some lily planting in the front, and found one of my neighbours fixing the fence, so I helped a bit putting boards back on and staining new boards. Made me feel useful...

Watching a program called "med students", very interesting. I've met a lot of students during my surgery time in May, but also at the cancer institute. I much more appreciate these students as they are future doctors and nurses, potentially looking after myself or my family.

A bit more sun outside today, but I still don't have much energy. I was going for some birthday cake at work but just wasn't up for it. Second day in my housecoat.

Slept a full six and a half hours, without even a bathroom break. While that was wonderful, I could sure feel my back. Last weekend was too rainy to be outside, so I did some research on back pain, based on last December's x-ray results.

Speaking of a rainy weekend, my garden looks nice and green, mainly thanks to the quack grass.

This week I hope to place an order for a laptop so I can work in the living room and don't have to go into the basement where there is no daylight. Daylight and sunshine have become very important mood lifters the past few months.
Beautiful day today, 18?C and warmer tomorrow! :)

Fairly uneventful weekend, just fighting a bit of flu or cold and a stiff back. We're in the middle of a cold snap (-35? Celsius tonight, and expecting -36? tomorrow night), so no wonder my back is acting up...