Brain surgery and an Atmospheric River

 

So much has happened since my last post. 

It will be a challenge to catch up.

At the end of September we learned that my youngest sister had a tumor on her brain. She is a survivor of breast cancer (10 years ago) and lung cancer (2 years ago) so the prognosis was worrying. Surgery to remove the tumor was presented as an option. The surgery would take place at Royal Columbia in New Westminster but it was impossible to confirm a date for the surgery due to Covid complications in hospitals. These complications, which have impacted thousands of people waiting for surgeries, are caused by the unvaccinated in our province.

She flew from Campbell River on Vancouver Island to Vancouver on November 8th for preliminary tests and on November 12th at 2:00pm she finally had surgery which successfully removed the tumor. By 2:00pm the next day she was released from hospital...24 hours later!! Unbelievable! She was walking, talking, eating and eager to get out!

The surgeon requested that she stay on the mainland for 10 days and have a CT scan as well as a Cancer Clinic appointment before returning to Campbell River. In the meantime we are keeping a close eye on her for seizures and possible stroke. When she is given permission to travel we will take her back to her home.

On the same weekend as her surgery our province was visited by an "Atmospheric River". It was an ongoing deluge of rain and wind that decimated farm lands, wiped out sections of highways, forced evacuations of towns and stranded hundreds of people. Lives were taken, the food chain was halted...no truck, train or ship deliveries into or out of the city of Vancouver. It will be days/weeks before transportation routes are restored. Thousands of farm animals have died. Fuel for our vehicles has been rationed to 30 liters.

One week has passed since this disaster and the forecast is for another "Atmospheric River" to hit the northern coast of our province with potential flooding. More rainfall will also arrive later this week on the south coast which has not had time to rebuild and recover. Smaller highways have reopened with one way, slow traffic. The main highway, the Coquihalla, will take months to repair.

Vancouver Island again

Just returned from another trip to Vancouver Island.

Fanny Bay - oyster shell beach

Beautiful sky and calm water

 

Nine months ago

Nine months ago today

he held my hand

for the last time.

New murals in the city

I enjoyed another trip into the big city with my sister this morning 

to discover and photograph new murals for 2021.

The murals at this location (21st & Cambie Street)are on either side 

of small community gathering places with picnic tables, chairs 

and weekly events that include family games.

I couldn't resist this sign...so true!

The murals are a reflection of diverse talent. They brighten the urban landscape and provide surprises around every corner. Some are tucked into alleyways and others are on the sides of homes. I hope that all are appreciated and that "taggers" will respect the artists' work.

MASKS

After happily receiving my second jab of Pfizer vaccine I finally felt comfortable enough to enjoy a morning coffee and freshly baked scone at the local cafe. The owner had placed tables outside and I could sit with my coffee, writing book and watch people pass by for an hour.

When the mask mandate was lifted, the owner and all of the staff immediately stopped wearing masks. She had never installed a plexiglass shield between staff and customers but the distance between us was about 5-6 feet so I was not too concerned. I continued to wear a mask while picking up my order.

Everything was looking good. Covid numbers were dropping. People were rejoicing. But, before too long the Delta variant started to surge. Once again I am anxious about going to the cafe. The staff are all around 20 years of age. They are not wearing masks and they are talking to each other and me while preparing my order. Is my coffee contaminated? How are the scones handled before landing on my plate?

I hate this feeling of fear that has been regenerated! In the meantime I will enjoy a home brewed coffee and toast in the morning. When the urge to people watch is overwhelming I will sit in the local park with my writing book and observe the oddities of dog walkers.

It is my very strong feeling that the mask mandate should be reinstated, not just for public spaces but also for cafe and restaurant staff!!

New painting...The Empty Chair

End of July update

 

It feels as though the past few weeks have been very busy. I travelled back to Vancouver Island to join my sister in Victoria on July 8th where she was scheduled to have angioplasty at the hospital. We hadn't even checked into our hotel when a vehicle backed into my car causing damage to the right passenger side panel. We decided not to consider it as an omen!

The next morning I deposited my sister at the hospital at 7:45am. Unfamiliar with the city, I finally found my way to the downtown area where I hoped to have a quiet morning coffee. Everything was closed. I wandered for about an hour before finding Tractor, a funky little cafe with freshly baked scones. After a bit more wandering I decided to head back to the hotel and have a nap while I waited for the call to pick up my sister. At 1:00pm she texted that she was still waiting...and not happy! Feeling hungry I decided to explore Cook Street, an area of historic houses and shops. With an amazing burrito and a cold bottle of water in hand I drove back to the hotel again. At 3:00pm she texted that she was fed up and ready to leave!   Five minutes later she sent a message that they were wheeling her in for the procedure...thankfully! It was 8:00pm when they released her and we drove to the hotel!!

She had a 95% blockage of the main artery and the doctor inserted a very long stent. He did not want to deal with another 70% blockage at that time saying that, if necessary, she could have a stent inserted at a later date. Due to her history of chemo and radiation treatments he felt that she would not recover well from bypass surgery so that was not an option for the future.

We spent another restless, sleepless night worrying about whether the incision on her wrist would start to bleed again. The next morning we drove back to Campbell River, relieved not only that it was over but also that she had remained at the hospital instead of leaving in frustration. She is enjoying much easier walks now and fully recovered from the trip.

Back home in Langley I am continuing with my volunteer shifts at Penny Pincher, Greek lessons online, Strata Council Treasurer responsibilities and some random painting.

These are all quite small...the next one is much larger!

Cooler temps and colorful display

Thank goodness for cooler temperatures! It is still around 32C in Langley during the afternoons with the humidex but the deadly heat has travelled eastward. BC is now dealing with wildfires and loss after months of Covid sadness and isolation.

On a brighter note I wandered through town yesterday and discovered a wonderful display.

They dance in the breeze

casting colored shadows

on the shops and ground.

Visiting family on Vancouver Island

 

I returned from Vancouver Island on June 29th at the end of the hottest days on record in BC. It was the first time in one year that I was able to visit with family in Comox and Campbell River. The first two days were wonderful as temperatures were warm but not overwhelming.

A lovely stroll through Filberg Gardens with Heather and Chris

Filberg flower stall was inviting

During my visit we enjoyed delicious meals and many rounds of Trivial Pursuit with August who was soon to turn 12 years of age. He has a phenomenal memory and he was able to answer most of the questions in fierce competition with the adults...regardless of the category! Very impressive!

After two days in Comox I drove to Campbell River for a visit with my sister Tara. That was when the heat really hit. Fortunately they have air conditioning in their house so we were comfortable during the day and enjoyed good sleeps.

We drove into the city to see their contribution to the local Banner Project.

It brought back memories of the Salmon Arm Banner Project!

It was supposed to be a two night visit but Heather suggested that it was too hot at their home in Comox so I should stay an extra night in Campbell River. I was very thankful and did not hesitate to enjoy a third night at my sister's. 

June 28th was my grandson's 12th birthday so I headed back to Comox for one night to share in his celebration. Of course it was the hottest day on record...and their bedrooms are upstairs in a two level home! My son-in-law took me for a swim/float that afternoon which was heavenly. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, black forest cake and gift opening.

Despite the heat (around 40 degrees) August had to test drive his new electric scooter!

We all struggled to catch a few hours of sleep that night. There was no air movement at all which is unusual for Comox. The next morning I headed for the ferry at Duke Point and, since I had a reservation, my car was on the top deck where there was a breeze!

The next few days, as temperatures moderated, I spent in recovery. It was my first solo trip in years and traveling to visit family without John was emotionally challenging. 

I discovered yesterday that I will be making another trip to the island next week. Tara will be going to Victoria for an angioplasty and possible stent. The hospital suggested that she stay in Victoria for the night before and the night after the procedure...so...I will join her in Victoria for the two nights and then drive her home to Campbell River.

Colonoscopy and vaccine

This month has been dedicated to a colonoscopy, my second one in three months, and the second jab of Pfizer vaccine. This second colonoscopy was to remove a polyp that the first Gastroenterologist could not access. Of course this involved the dreaded pre-procedure purge again and a chauffeured trip to VGH with my sister. The Doctor called the next day to say that there was no sign of cancer in the biopsies!!

The second jab has not had any unusual side effects so far although my arm was very sore for the first 24 hours. Langley Event Centre was very well organized to handle the Sunday morning flow of customers.

On Monday we learned that travel restrictions were relaxed so I immediately made a ferry booking to visit family on Vancouver Island. It has been almost one year since I spent time with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson. This will be a special trip...my first without John. 

I spotted this lovely pink dogwood tree on my morning walk.

The latest painting

Overnight release

Finally!...a chance to feel semi-normal! My sister bought tickets to take me to the Vincent Van Gogh exhibit in downtown Vancouver on June 2nd. We drove into the city feeling liberated! After depositing our overnight bags in our friends' condo we walked over to Breka Cafe for a visit with Fikriye, a young woman who has relocated to Vancouver from her home in Antalya Turkey. Unfortunately we discovered that she is now managing a new Breka location on Main Street. We decided to visit her the next day.

Enroute to the Convention Centre we stopped at the Art Gallery to view the display of childrens' shoes on the front steps in honor of the 215 children whose buried remains were discovered at the site of a Residential School in BC. Visitors were respectful. Some were crying, others were praying. We stood quietly for a few minutes.

It was a very interesting way to view Van Gogh's work. Huge screens with continually changing images allowed a close up look at his application of paint and the cracks of time. There were several occasions when vertigo was a problem as the images slid up or down on both the screens and on the floor. Our expectation was to move from room to room but the entire exhibit takes place in one large high ceilinged room that holds quite a few people. This results in standing on a hard floor for 45-50 minutes which could be a challenge for some older people...like myself! Also, the classical music is extremely loud. Unfortunately our grandson, who is autistic, would never be able to enjoy this large spectacle.

Screens showed portions of images on a four sided structure in the centre of the room.

It was a full immersion experience!

That night we enjoyed dinner at Moxie's on Davie Street...sitting inside a restaurant for the first time in months! Later we sat on the rooftop pool deck of the condo building and watched the sky change colours while our energy levels ebbed. Time for bed!

The next morning we thoroughly enjoyed a long walk around English Bay and through the West End of Vancouver. Several stops along the way allowed us to spot some fun creations.

A Gnome's home!

A bike wheel trellis

A contemporary building has replaced the original church on Thurlow Street.

The glass panels in the overhead awning cast shadows of the cross.

New addition to the series

 

Backgammon (Tavli) at Jazzmin

Eggs

 

This painting is not in the new series but it helped to inspire the others.

New painting series

 

I have been inspired to work on a new series of paintings. 

They are slightly crazy but make me feel happy when I look at them.

It has been five months

 

It has been five months

since we held hands

for the last time.

Fidget sleeves

 

I decided to respond to a request for volunteers to knit fidget sleeves for Alzheimer patients who live in our local Care facility. Fortunately we received a bag of sample knitting pieces at the Thrift store and I was able to join pieces together to form colorful sleeves that stretch from wrist to crook of the arm. Buttons, beads and other donated embellishments were stitched on for the patients to "fidget with".

In total I managed to create 17 sleeves while watching boring TV shows!

It was fun and, hopefully, will bring comfort to restless hands.

Treasures

 More treasures shining in the trees on my morning walk.

These discoveries brighten my day!

A "POUR" painting

 

On Sunday I helped my sister with a "POUR" painting.

This is the end result after many pourings, tippings and blowings with a straw and a hairdryer.

She used a combination of acrylic paints, Elmer's glue, water and WD40

to get a variety of textures and reactions.

The wedding

 Yesterday was a very emotional day! Our youngest son, Adrian, was married in a small ceremony at South Memorial ballpark in Vancouver where they met six years ago.  Their plans for a big wedding last October had to be cancelled due to Covid. This was a special celebration of their union.

Despite the threat of rain the skies stayed clear for the ceremony.

After the ceremony they shared a pitch...

...and an attempted hit!

Sharing a moment in the middle of the road!

Wishing him happiness in his next chapter!

the update

Forgot that I was intending to post an update. It all seems like it happened years ago...not much to say except that, as usual, the prep was worse than the procedures. Turns out that I have a hiatus hernia which is causing a problem. The Gastro Doc also removed three polyps from my colon. Old age continues!

Gastro procedures

So, I received a call on Friday evening from the Gastro Doctor asking me if I would be available on Monday morning for my Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy. She had a cancellation. As I had expected to wait until April, I immediately accepted and started to adjust my diet. Today is clear liquids until 4:00pm when I will try to drink 2 liters of the obnoxious liquid that was prescribed. From that point on I will be positioned either close to or on the toilet! Since my procedure is scheduled for 8:00am, I have to drink the remaining 2 liters around 2:00am. Arrival at Abbotsford Hospital is supposed to be 7:30am. There is no adjustment in the amount of obnoxious liquid for the weight of the patient!! John, when he weighed 200 pounds, swallowed the same amount! Haven't figured out how to wake myself for the 2:00am bout. Might be easier to stay awake...or maybe I will not have a choice. Update to follow.

A trip down Memory Lane

 

Yesterday my sister and I drove into Vancouver for a little trip down Memory Lane.

The house that Dad built in 1952-1953 has a bit more greenery,

but otherwise, has not changed.

My grandparents' house has not changed since it was built over 100 years ago.

Its days are numbered!

We also visited the area east of Main Street where many murals are painted.

Our final stop was on Commercial Drive which continues to reflect a rich cultural mix.