Coldest Winter in 30 Years

I'm still hanging in here.

Toronto news says it's the coldest winter & most days with wind chill warnings, in 30 years!

I was counting on the warmer temperatures here in Southern Ontario making up for the fact that I have to be here this winter. There doesn't seem to be any heat arriving soon, the polar vortex continues sweeping right through Thunder Bay to Toronto from the Arctic.   

Thankfully, I am keeping pretty cozy inside most of the time.....and

I'm wearing my Christmas socks - the Chris & Gerry Stricker version of NIPIGON NYLONS. 

Clinic Day - Hurry up & Wait!

(Oops, forgot to push publish button on Wednesday when I wrote this)

Today is my busy day at the hospital. Because of the freezing wind chill today, I chose to take my car. 

Yep, from my building parkade to the hospital parkade. My lungs wanted nothing to do with that icy wind. I'm sure they would've just shut down. Even my oxygen tubing freezes, gets hard & inflexible, so pops off my ears. 

When I got here the parkades were all full, so I had to wait in line for cars to leave before I could get in to park. 

I'm one of the first appointments of the afternoon so I got put in an exam room pretty quickly. Now I wait....lucky to have a window! hope I'm home before 7pm this time. 

Don't let this sunny view from my exam room at the hospital fool you. 

This is a view of my apartment building from the hospital - it's the tall narrow greyish brown coloured building. 

And a view down at the 2 block walk from my building to the hospital. Notice how the sun does not hit any part of that walk & you can see the wind tunnels created by the buildings. 

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

I am saddened by the passing of the mother of one of my oldest and dearest friends. 

Anne was an important part of my teen years. Along with her husband Al, their home was always open to our group of friends as a safe place to hang out for Rumoli game, a spaghetti dinner or a house favourite card game of "Bugger up your Neigbour"!

From Anne we learned to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas in her very unique way. She was a character & while some saw her as a little eccentric sometimes, she was always entertaining & a loyal friend.  

Every year I think of Anne & Al Anderson on Ukrainian Christmas & this year was more poignant when Anne was quite sick & admitted to hospital on the Ukrainian holiday.  

I will continue to remember those good times. 

So for you Anne,

I won't touch my cards before they are all dealt & I NEVER play with my money during a card game!

My thoughts & love are with my good friends Ray & Bob, 

as well as their families on the loss of their mother & grandmother (Baba). 

New Year Resolution?

Well, I'm eating to gain weight & it's working. I'm up 3 pounds this week. 

(It's not really as fun as you are thinking....& I know after transplant, the dietician will be seeing me for the opposite reason...)

Last week I asked to get my cholesterol checked because it just feels so wrong to be eating like this. 

I haven't got the results of my bloodwork yet, so I'll keep trying. I'm still working on finishing off the Christmas baking. 

Some of my favourite no-no's....gravy & garlic mashed potatoes, bacon & pancakes with syrup, macaroni & cheese...& eating rich ristorante food when I get the chance. 

Thanks Mitch & Laura for feeding me so well. 

goodbye 2013.....hello 2014

After a wonderful holiday break with Brad & Amory, now with Mitch & Laura, it is back to work for me.  

I started back to my physio workouts yesterday. It was pretty tough going back but luckily Mitch is still here to drive me over because this cold weather is just nasty for breathing & walking!

Today I did bloodwork & my workout. Both went a little easier than last time. 

The good news at TGH is that there were at least 3 patients who received new lungs over Christmas. No break for the hard-working transplant team. 

I am praying for the recipients, but mostly for the families of the donors who chose the ultimate gift in their time of loss.  May saving the life of others bring you some peace.