Ice causing more problems

This Toronto Star news article about the ice storm refers to my area. 

My apartment is on the corner of Gerard & Bay streets.

http://read.thestar.com/?
origref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2F#!/article/52bef036ec0691aa380403ee-downtown-streets-closed-due-to-falling-ice

Brad & Amory took me to my hair appointment this afternoon but we turned out of the parkade in the opposite direction & didn't even notice the street closure.

I'm feeling a little lighter after my haircut, it was just getting too long. I was nervous about finding a stylist here (I'm not good with change...& I've had a lot lately), but it was a good experience at Civello on Queen St. 

Home Away from Home Christmas

I love white lights!

May keep them around because they just make me happy. 

On the left of my desk I have a giant paper star. I like to think it looks dazzling in my window from the outside too, when my blinds are open at night.  

This was Christmas turkey dinner that Brad made....

...and he learned how to do lobster tails for Boxing Day dinner. 

I have also eaten about 5 pounds of delicious baking, sent by my baker sister, Diane and my Bombardier colleague, Wanda!

I'm really working hard to gain weight as my Transplant team has advised. (It will be all about losing or not gaining weight post-transplant - been there before).

Merry Christmas to all!!!

For Christmas, we'd like our warmer temperatures back in the south!

This just isn't right........

GTA Christmas Ice Storm 2013

Yesterday, a tremendous amount of freezing rain in S. Ontario caused ice laden trees & hydro lines to collapse & over 300,000 homes were without power for hours. 

Luckily, I was not one of them. 

I did prepare as much as i could for my power to go out, but happy to say I'm still warm & have power. 

My friend Bev Vandahl (part of my TO support team) called me in the afternoon to check on me, she is in one of the purple sections without power. She was happy to have her gas fireplace!

My building is in the small green area that was minimally affected by the blackout. 

Flights were delayed but most were cancelled altogether. 

My son Brad was supposed to come in yesterday for the holidays but unfortunately his flight was cancelled.:(

Airport is getting back to normal & Brad should be on his way shortly :) !

Busy week

On Sunday, my Goddaughter Carolyn Anderson arrived to hang out with me for a few days. It was a fabulous Christmas present!

Monday I had a rest day and Care got my apartment sparkling. My friend Joy Syncox (part of my TO support team) came to visit us for the evening. It was great for us to catch up on all of Carolyn's wedding plans and go over pics of some of her decor and fashion choices.  

Tuesday I had some early tests at TGH and  Carolyn wheeled me over.  I only had time for a few sips of my coffee while getting ready to go and hen I arrived at Medical Imaging for my Cardiac CT, the technician said, "so no coffee this morning?"..... Of course I admitted I had a couple of sips, so the guy says "oh & then you remembered?".....he said it would've been on the prep instructions because I was getting injected with a dye. (I just read my appointment notice, no prep requirements listed...hmmm. Guess it wasn't deadly.) 

After some other comical miscommunications between the CT checkin and chest X-Ray checkin, I completed both. 

Then it was on to my funniest appointment of the day. Simple blood work...nope...not when the lab technician is afraid of blood. This was a new experience for me.  After the tech in a matter-of-fact sort of impersonal way withdrew several tubes of blood, she slapped the cotton ball on me and walked away, saying I could go. I pulled on my sweater and almost instantly felt a cool wetness running down my arm. I gingerly pulled off my sleeve calling "excuse me ma'am" and I finally dug in the cotton ball container myself grabbing cotton to hold over the puncture. I heard the technician in next cubicle calling to me to bleed over the sink, but I was attached to my O2 tank so couldn't pull it over with me. My technician came scurrying back muttering "ew, ew, ew, I don't like blood". 

Anyone that knows me, knows that the more excited others around me get, the calmer I get, because I  feel I have to maintain some control of the situation. 

The tech was trying to get her gloves on, grab the Virox wipes to clean my drips all the while "ew, ew, ew, I don't like this".... I understand that it can be like a toxic spill for these healthcare people but it seemed sooo funny to me. She says she can take blood but can't see it outside the tubes?!  I hope she wasn't too traumatized. 

After this, it was a much needed stop at Tim Hortons for us, then Carolyn headed out to meet her friend Amanda for shopping.

I continued on to my physio for my regular work out and then walked home afterward. 

On Wednesday, Carolyn and Amanda planned a day of shopping and skating at City Hall, while I headed off to my  1:30 pulmonary function test to check my lung function.
I must say, PFTs are more difficult now that I'm on oxygen. When they disconnected me to do the puffing in the sealed closet, I felt like a fish out of water!

Next I had my Lung Transplant Clinic at 1:30pm.

I was an hour early so grabbed a high protein Booster Juice and waited in the wait room. Word in the waiting room came around that the team was running late (in the old days that meant there was a transplant surgery happening, but not sure if that's still the case). The assistants came around to make sure those of us filled our O2 tanks for the long wait. When I was finally put in an exam room at 3pm, they gave me another backup tank so I wouldn't use up my own. This should've been my sign.....I was going to be there awhile. 

For the long wait, I was only entertained by my Booster Juice & figuring out that I have had my phone on "Roaming" since I came to TO. (explains my extreme mobility bills lately....)

At 5pm, staff was walking out with jackets and dimming some of the lights. One lady offered me some Christmas cookies and assured me the team was still coming. 

I texted Carolyn to tell her I was still waiting for docs. Without asking me, she said she was coming with my chair. What a life saver!

The Doc finally came in at 6pm. It was a good meeting. My kidneys are still doing well, my lung function has continued to deteriorate as expected, but I have gained 2 pounds and I am physically stronger. The results for my Chest CT were not in, but he told me the lung and heart surgeons had ordered the CT to follow up on the cardiovascular flows and the fistula issues in my heart. I was happy to hear they are studying up for my surgery. Again I am extremely fortunate to have the top surgeons at TGH taking an active interest in my case. 

By 7pm when we headed outside to go home, it was cold, dark and ICY. I was grateful for the ride. 

It was another very long day, I was happy to get home to the apartment and especially glad to have nowhere to be in the morning. 

Stay warm and safe everyone!

Getting ready for the big snow in TO

It's been cold in the city. 

Not Thinder Bay -38 cold, but still -18 with the wind chill here. 

There is a snow forecast for 10-15cm overnight tonight. I'm prepared to stay in my cozy apartment with a blanket and my iPad in front of the TV. 

Below are some photos I took on my chilly walk over for physio this afternoon. 

Looking back towards my apartment building from my walk to TGH

Elizabeth St. The white stuff on the street and sidewalk is not snow.....it's salt in preparation for the snow

CN Tower Blue

The CN Tower lit up in blue to honour constable John Zivcic, Toronto Police Officer,  who passed away following an accident while in the line of duty. 

A hero in life and a hero forever, he left the gift of life so that others would live. 

Keep John and his loving family in your prayers. 

Blue CN tower from my bedroom window

A better photo (not from my window)

TGIW!

Been a long time since I appreciated the weekend so much. Physio has become a full time job for me. 

It is amazing how much energy it takes to get myself ready, my equipment filled and loaded, do the 1 block outside walk on the sidewalk (including 2 traffic light crossings) and then the 2 block walk INSIDE the hospital......all this before I start my 2 hour workout.....

By the time I get home and get to my couch or bed, I sleep so hard for an hour, I feel as if it's the next day when I wake.

When I'm not going to physio, I'm thinking about my next trip there and if I'm going to be able to do it. 

Again, it's more mental strength that I need to maintain. It would be so easy to make excuses not to go  or cheat on the times or number of exercises, but I know I'd only be cheating myself.

For healthy people that have a hard time sticking to a physical regimen, you can only imagine the determination required.

The Thursday and Friday back-to-back days finish me off . Saturdays and Sundays are so exciting, so for me it's TGIW - Thank God it's the WEEKEND!

Gotta be some perks....

I'm just about to leave for walk to hospital, checked the temp to see what jacket to wear.....

Sorry, Thunder Bay! I'm feeling for you. 

Old friend?!

One day last week after a vigorous and tiring session in the "treadmill room" at the hospital, I was on my way back to my apartment. It was cold, windy, getting dark and I was just focused on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to decide what I was going to warm up for dinner when I made it home. In the blur of strangers on the sidewalk, a smiling dirt-bronzed face popped up in front of me. "hey, you look way better than last time I saw you!" I did a double-take and wracked my foggy brain trying to remember who this dishevelled, bed-headed man could be. Then he quickly added "you were paler than a ghost before"......when it dawned on me, I didn't know him but he sure thought he knew me....  I smiled in my head and just kept pushing my walker down the street. Some days I think I am in a a time warp and feel like I've been dropped into a weird and surreal situation, like some sort of strange Hunger Games arena.  

The hazards of using Oxygen....

Dropping the tank on your foot....

Ouch!!

Dr. Shaf Keshavjee at TEDMED 2010 explains Ex Vivo Lung machine

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T2EmuyHoMAI

Winter White City This Morning

Last night, there was a scheduled building-wide blackout for some electrical work to be done here. The notifications had been up since I moved in, so I was trying to be as prepared as possible. The power outage was scheduled Friday night at 10pm to Saturday morning at 10am. My concern was mostly being without TV and coffee in the morning..... However, the building management issued instructions to prepare, so I felt I should try to be ready. Thursday after physio, I made a trip to Future Shop to buy some rechargeable batteries for a solar powered lamp that I brought from home (because I had experienced the Big Blackout in the GTA in 2003). This was a good start for my "bug-out" kit, I thought. I also purchased an external rechargeable battery pack for my iPhone and iPad, because even though TV and Internet would be down I thought I could survive by reading my book on the iPad or playing games. In my adventure to be prepared for the blackout, I foolishly did not think to bring an extra O2 tank (sometimes my No Fear attitude gets me in a pickle)..... Driving back from the store, I found myself in rush hour traffic. Usually not a problem heading back into downtown, it also happened to be a Maple Leafs game night. There is a bit of construction going on along the Gardiner Expressway and a shortcut street I jumped on to get me past the hockey fans took me directly into a one way path to the front doors of the ACC, which also currently happens to be the main entrance to Union Station (while Front St. is closed for renovations to the station). I was surrounded by cars, buses, taxis and streams of pedestrians who move for nothing! There was much cutting in front and honking going on, but I took some deep breaths and smiled as if I didn't want to panic and scream. Time stood as still as the vehicles around me as I wondered how I get myself into these things? Patience and deep breathing paid off and finally I inched back toward York St. I saw my opportunity and scooted through the walkers to a clearer street. Upon arriving at my parkade, I realized it was another place NOT to be at rush hour. The lanes down to the fifth level parking are narrow and cars are heading both ways. I had just received a rolling walker at the hospital that day to aid in walking with my heavy O2 tank so I unloaded it out of the car and pushed my way to the elevators on the last of my oxygen. I was never so glad to be in my own home away from home! Friday morning as I prepared for the power outage, I realized I had bought AAA batteries instead of AA, my new rechargeable battery was not charging properly and maybe the only useful part of my adventure the night before was finding a Tim Horton's drive-thru to pick up my Tassimo coffee discs. In the afternoon, I headed over again for my physio. On the way home at 4pm it was already getting dark and drizzly cold. I was greeted by building staff who wanted to know if I had full O2 tanks for the night, filled my bathtub with water for toilet flushing, if I had enough warm blankets, letting me know they would be patrolling the hallways all night and were on call if I needed to call for help anytime. Dutifully I got to my apartment, filled one bucket with water (how much would I need to flush in one night?). I made sure my O2 tanks were full and went to bed to watch TV and read. The announcement came at 10pm that the power outage could happen anytime. I watched TV until midnight, fell asleep and when I woke up at 9am, there was power! I enjoyed my coffee and only knew the power had been off because clocks were flashing...... Its good to be prepared but I was sure glad I didn't eat that whole carton of ice cream to save it from melting!!

Feeling a little blue

I'm on my own again for awhile. Meghan headed home this afternoon so it's a lilttle quiet and empty  in my place. I'm going to miss having my dining room be her walk-in closet!

Seriously, we had a great time and she got in lots of visits with her friends here in TO. They gave me many suggestions for my "Where to Eat" list and most of them are within blocks of here. 

The other night she had some of her friends over to swim and they ordered in Indian food. Mmmm, we loved the Butter Chicken, Tika Masala, Vegetable Korma and the NAAN bread. 

I'm learning so much about eating in the city. 

Yesterday was a challenge for me. It was my test run for walking over to the hospital for my physio. Just the idea of walking there was making me short of breath but I loaded my bag and my O2 in the wheelchair and pushed it the block to the hospital. Naturally it was cold and a little windy but I made it. I had to do it because I'll be doing it on my own at least 3 times a week. I'm so glad I had Meg for my first trip. Physio went vey well, but they will be pushing me a little harder than I was working at home, increasing weights right away.  

After the walk home I went straight to my bed and crashed for an hour to recover, too exhausted to talk or even sleep. 

Today, I am pretty sore and glad it's my day off!

While Meghan was here, I put her Swedish heritage to the test and she embraced the challenge, putting together my IKEA desk. No wonder everyone cringes when I look at the catalogue....

I love the stuff, a good cost-effective way to furnish a temporary living space. 

Thanks Meghan for all your help and for spending your vacation here with me!

Getting some culture

Yesterday we splurged and went to see the matinee performance of "Les Miserables" at the Princess of Wales Theatre.  It was a challenge to get there as there was a lot going on in downtown Toronto yesterday. 

Not only was there a big football celebration and Argos game happening, but it was also the annual Santa Claus Parade, so some of the main streets, including University Ave., were closed around noon just as we were to head over to the theatre on King St.

Driving the car or even a cab weren't going to be an option, so we decided to take the underground PATH system.

Meghan definitely got a workout pushing me in the chair. I put my life in Meg's hands as we bumped over sidewalk cracks, curbs and streetcar tracks! It was a lesson for us in the plight of those that require accessibility.  Although there was always a ramp or a tiny claustrophobic wheelchair sized elevator along the way, the trick was a) to find it, b) to figure out how to operate them and c) to have enough hands & feet available to open doors or push buttons to manoeuvre through. 

I had to be told once or twice to put my pointing finger away and let Meghan drive, but we had a few good laughs on the way. 

The play was amazing and very worth the challenge to get there. The weather was perfect even though there was an extreme storm watch in effect. 

After the show we stuck to the above ground sidewalks home, passing many hopeful Argos fans on their way to the big game and families wearing Santa hats after seeing the parade. 

We passed The Bay Christmas windows with people crowded around them taking puctures and selfies with the holiday scenes behind them. 

After a stop for dinner along Yonge St., it was home to the couch and bed by 9. I think my neice was more exhausted than me!

Officially listed today

This morning I saw my Transplant Coordinator to review my test results from last week. Nothing was found that would postpone my listing on the Lung Transplant waiting list. Next we met with the surgeon to review and sign all the consent forms. That was it. I'm officially on the list and now I wait. Things have changed a bit from last time. There is no pager to wait for or to carry, I will be contacted on my cell phone. I was blessed and grateful to have the support of my neice, Meghan, who was there with me as my support person for my listing appointment.

Making my life easier

Today I vacuumed.....

With my NEATO vacuum cleaner, he doesn't miss a spot in the whole apartment!

Window to the City

Funny thing I saw out my window last night. As I was looking out, I saw below a silver-blue minivan pull into a private office parking space on the side street behind our building. The doors opened and 5 young men spilled out. They huddled around the back of the van, then opened the hatch and pulled out some long items. I'm 9 stories up and it was dusk. I'm not sure why I continued to watch, but I am easily entertained these days. They started to skip off one by one, the van lights flashed as someone conscientiously locked the doors. It was only then I noticed that they were riding skate boards. They immediately stopped at a parkade entrance where a few of them started leaping and hanging from the black and yellow bars that stop tall vehicles from driving into the garage. As they swung from the bars, I saw one guy in a hoodie shooting pictures of each of them swinging. They took turns until a man with a security uniform showed up and they quickly rode off towards the Yonge St. Area. Was this a group of kids from the suburbs coming to town to ride the strip? Does that mom know where her minivan is? Will those photos be on Facebook to show their friends what badasses they are on a Saturday night downtown? Aw, to be a kid again.... The van was gone by around midnight when I went to bed, so I hope they had a safe night and didn't get into any trouble.

View out my window - you can see the top of the CN tower lit up in red.

View out my window - SickKids Hospital Elizabeth St. Entrance, the helipad is up on the right at very top of building. I hear the helicopters at all hours, have seen a few landings and take-offs.

Week 1 down, I'm on my way.

It was a few days of mostly sleeping & eating to recover from the move. I needed to build up my strength & energy for a full day of appointments at the hospital on Friday(yesterday). It was a very early start and my friend Bev Vandahl was here at 7:30am to haul my butt down the block & across Gerrard St. to TGH. Bev was a pretty good student, learning how to drive a weelchair, wrestle my O2 tank out of the carry case, find her way through the maze of buildings, wings & elevators. Most importantly, she knows where all the Starbucks & Tim Hortons are located now. After a CT Scan(0 on the ouch-factor 0-10 scale), blood work(1), chest xray(0), six-minute walk test(1), pulmonary function test(1), & 2D Echocardiogram(1 - for the digging into my ribs to find my heart), I was back across the street to the apartment by 4pm. What a bonus not having to fight through rush hour traffic after the appointments. I have been spending most of my time trying to watch TV on the Bell App on my iPad. I thought I'd be able to watch all the channels I subscribe to on Bell Satellite TV at home, but that was just too good to be true. Basically, you get all the Canadian programming that you would with the old "rabbit ears" antenna..... Unfortunately, local channels are a little obsessed with covering our good buddy, Mr. Ford. I broke down & ordered Bell TV to be installed here on Monday (then I can watch political fun in other countries, too). I'm also getting a local phone line because it turns out you need one in this old building to control guest entry. So much for saving $$$ on those things. Oh well, I'm a self-confessed TV addict & I will justify the expense with my usual reasoning - I don't smoke! so I don't spend money on cigarettes.....I tend to use this one a lot. Right now I am Netflix binging on "The Killing" TV series - such a good show. I've watched so much TV in the last year & I have discovered many great series. I'm going to add a section on the blog for my favourite shows, I'd love to hear your opinions & suggestions. Congrats Amy & Dan for a successful shag last night. (For non-Thunder Bay people, a shag is a pre-wedding social - concept and term credited to Thunder Bay in the dictionary). Wishing my Goddaughter, Carolyn & Rene a fabulous shag TONIGHT!!! I am with you in thoughts.

Here I go again...

I'm a small town girl from my beloved hometown of Thunder Bay, ON. For the 2nd time in 10 years, I am back in the city of Toronto, living near the Toronto General Hospital counting on the world-renowned UHN Transplant Team to save my life again. In the struggle to breathe, ironically I have landed in the town known as "the big smoke"! In 2005, after a 22 month wait, I received the gift of a new life in the form of a new heart and both lungs. To this day, I do not know who the generous donor was, nor do I know the loving family who made the ultimate choice to help a stranger. We have exchanged anonymous letters, so I know they are admirable people & that my donor loved life and was truly loved by family and friends. I have done well with my new organs, but while transplant is a gift of health & time, it is not a cure. Over the last 5 yrs, I have developed Chronic Lung rejection or Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS). As a positive, I will chalk it up to my body having a good immune system & has fought from keeping these new lungs. So....next step for me, another lung transplant. Heart/Lung transplant recipients have received 2nd lung transplants successfully, although it has not been done to date here in Toronto. Yay for me, I just love going first...(argh, hated having a last name that started with B, always front of the line for shots in school!) I hope for mostly positive days, but I could use some support with that. Please forgive me when I do allow myself some pity parties, its all part of the game.