The Wheels of Life Keep Turning :)

My first love - peddle power!

Ok, the pity party is over and I have moved on from my rant about cancer.  Time to focus on the future. 

This summer I have the honour of participating in the MS Rona bike tour 2011 from Grand Bend to London which takes place over two days (July 23-24).  I have been asked to join a team with Lish and her husband Conor.  Our team name is "On Your Left".  Our team website is http://www.onyourleft.ca/. 

Little did Conor and Lish know but I have not biked in a long time and the bike I currently have (my old one died 3 years ago) is not fit for a 150+km race over 2 days.  I actually won this bike in Florida at a casino several years ago and Lennie and I drove it back to Canada in the car - pain in the butt as it is very big and bulky but I love her!!!!  I even rode her to work at Ashley Oaks PS several times but the roads in London suck and are not safe so I did not ride her as much as I really wanted to. 

I am calling him Steve.

Lennie said that I could use his bike so I took it for a tune up this week to Cyclepath.  I bought toe clips and had them installed, added a water bottle holder plus bought appropriately padded bike shorts - not attractive at all but my butt will be happy.  My dad lent me his helmet (mine would not stop a pebble from hitting my head) so I am ready to rock and rock.  Our team is having some fundraising events and meet and greets starting in a week and I am psyched to get back on the bike and train.  As everyone knows, yearly I do a huge run for the Crohns and Colitis society of Canada.  This year, I have decided to focus my fundraising efforts for the MS Society (bet you thought it would be the Thyroid Foundation)((don't worry I am doing the fashion show again this year so they have my support too - photos next week)).  I would appreciate your support at http://msofs.mssociety.ca/2011Bike/Sponsor.aspx?PID=1247097&L=2

Northridge biking



Sweet shoes

 I was at my parents tonight and my mom and I got chatting about me biking as a kid and we remembered that I have always loved biking and having a cool ride was important to me.  She pulled out 2 fantastic photos that were taken when I was about 7 years old out front of our old house in Northridge.  I love the pants, shoes, poncho (which I wore 24/7 apparently and the basket. 

  My old bike had a basket too but Lennie won't let me have one now as he thinks I will get beat up.  I do have a great bell on the bike so that makes up for no basket or handle tassels. 



Speedy already! Plus, love the pigtails.





 My favourite biking memories are from 1990-1993 when I worked in Ottawa as a traffic surveyor.  Great summer job as a student.  I subleted an apartment and each year would return to work for the Regional government.  We worked with a plastic board with counters on it and you had to count the vehicles and pedestrians at intersections all over Ottawa.

 

Great tan and legs in my early 20s!

You worked 6am - 10am, 12pm - 2pm and then 3pm - 6pm.  It was exhausting but the best part was that you had to ride your bike around town each day to get to your assigned spot.  We would listen to the radio and chat all day long.  The other great part was that they partnered you up and I always had great working partners.  Lennie worked too once his contract with GM was done and we had great summers together in Ottawa.  July 1st in Ottawa can not be beat!!!  What a great party for Canada's birthday.  I have very few photos of that time in Ottawa except for this one of me with the counter on my lap sitting in my lawn chair.  I was really hoping I had a picture of my bike but I can't seem to find one - I think I cropped this photo for a scrapbook and the bike part went into the garbage. 

There are a million reasons why I am so happy to be participating in this event this summer. 

• Raising money for charity
• Cross training opportunity for the marathon October 9th - Yeap I am running it no matter what!
• Being outside in the summer
• Hanging with Lish, Lindsay and Conor
• Meeting a ton of new people
• Being in Grand Bend
• Sleeping at UWO
• Remembering how much I love biking

Thank you Lish and Conor for the opportunity.  I won't let the team down.

A Rough Go

I am not going to lie, I am having trouble with all of this. I know, I know "but it's only thyroid cancer", "it's not one of the bad ones", "you will recover from this". Yes, I know. A lot better people are going through a lot worst situations than me.

Here is the problem I am having with all of this and the biggest problem with thyroid cancer... I no longer have a thyroid. It's gone, zero, zilch, zippo left. Your thyroid is your control bridge of most of your bodily functions. It's your motor.

The primary function of the thyroid gland is to make thyroid hormones. The hormones are known as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).  These are vital hormones that help control functions in your body such as metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.  The hormones are also related to the functioning of the heart, lungs and brain.  Patients who’ve had surgery to remove their thyroid gland, take a synthetic version of T4 as a daily pill.  (Synthroid and Eltroxin are the brand names of levothyroxine [T4] in Canada). The body makes use of the T4 and converts most of it to T3. (http://www.http//www.thyroidcancercanada.org/index.php)

Try being a car, having your engine removed and then being told to go race the Indianapolis 500. You couldn't do it. You have no energy, no metabolism, and definitely no stamina. Sure, they have me on a synthetic drug to replace the hormone but it is just not the same.

Imagine being overweight and a slug and they take out the one thing that could help you...so now, bigger and sluggier!!!!!

I have tried to move forward, even walking the past couple of weeks and then running this past week. I thought I was feeling strong but my times are pathetic. I am running the Chicago marathon in 175 days and need to find the endurance I once had.

I am feeling low and I haven't had the big meeting to confirm if and when I get the radioactive iodine treatments (RAI).  On Friday I met with an endocrinologist who said I was in the "grey" area and will pass me on the top endo for thyroid patients.  Apparently, if you are 45 (I am 42) and have a nodule of 4cm (mine was 3) you go instantly to treatment but she was not sure what to do so pass me to the next person - I like that as this person will know my treatment plan for sure.

So, the next time you see me and you think she is recovering well from thyroid cancer, you are right but don't tell me "it's the good one" please don't say that because to me what I have "lost" is killing me inside.

What did they leave in there!!

So, it has been 7 days and the post op instructions say to take the bandages off.  So, here we go. 

Before I do that, let's remind everyone what my gorgeous neck looked like on January 18th 2011.  I loved my neck.  It was definitely not top model long or anything but I was pretty sure it was going to look good for a while without having to visit some sort of plastic surgeon for some nicking and tucking till later. 

And now, ouch, bandages coming off kills.  Oh, my goodness, I am feeling very nauseous as I look in the mirror. 

What the hell?  What the hell is in there??  Didn't they take stuff out??? 

If they did, then why does it look like Dr. Nichols put something in there.  Maybe a tracking device so he can monitor my behaviour?  Or, he can come find me and whisk me away to Hawaii - sorry Lennie but he is hot!

Also, what is with it looking lumpy, again if they took stuff out why not smooth and gorgeous like before!!  

I think everyone in the operating room decided they would have fun to see who could put their hand farther down my neck.  They each took turns, removed their watches and whoever could get to their elbow, they win - congrats nurse Ratched, you win and my neck is still killing me! 

Oh, and another thing while I am on a rampage, why is my neck the size of a mature tree trunk??  Even my face is huge and swollen.  Stop it!!!!  I can't stand looking at myself - thank God I really can't drive the car and go anywhere - kids will scream and think I am a new elephant lady - Jesus!!!!  (nothing against people with that ailment - I am just venting here) 

How the hell will I be covering this scar up for the rest of my life - scarves already make me look fat.

I need ideas - and don't say tattoo - that is another story to come later on this weekend when Megan takes me to get one ;)

Hugs - but don't hug me too tight as I still can't move my neck!

Seriously Lucky

I was going to write today about how the surgery went but really it was pretty good and aside from a ton of neck pain (last time my throat killed me) I am resting well. 

Lennie did snap this photo of me only a couple of hours after the surgery.  I was still on oxygen but only for a little as this time, my anesthesiologist was awesome and it did not take forever to wake up like I did last time.

2 interesting notes of the hospital stay, the nurses were amazing and did whatever they could to make me feel comfortable - I refused to take the pain meds as I didn't want to screw up my colon and at 2:00am when they had to come and get my blood once again, they reminded me that I would sleep so much better if I was pain free and they were right - 1 pill and nightie night.  Secondly, a PSW came 4 times to help me figure out what I could eat knowing I was trying to stay with the vegan diet but also the fact that I couldn't really swallow so she found me Popsicles that I sucked on and it helped soooo much.  They totally went out of their way.

Last interesting note was the fact that Dr. Nichols called me at home once I got released.  A surgeon calling a patient at home?  Are you kidding me?  Nope, called to see how I was.  Unfreaking believable.  Lennie says he has a crush on me - don't think so as I gave him a really hard time about the scar again. 

I did want to reflect on the kindness and friendship that I have once again been shown in my life that I have received over these past couple of months but really in the last week. I have received the most beautiful messages, flowers and not 1 but 2 edible arrangements arrived just in time as my brother Jeff was visiting and he and Lennie went to town on all the chocolate covered apples.  They were sent from my Aunt Sandy and her daughter Kimmy's family - delicious.  Also, my special teacher friend Lynn sent a basket and it was soooo thoughtful. 

If you know me, you know that I take a bath everyday so of course Krystal and Rich created a beautiful gift bag of bath salts and relaxing teas to make the resting even more enjoyable.  I really have appreciated the calls, hugs, texts and support from my Suzy, Lish and Lindsay - great girlfriends.

I was remembering in 2007 when I was diagnosed with Crohns disease and spent several weeks in the hospital.  I remembering being totally overwhelmed with the generosity of my family and friends and this time has brought back so many fond and special memories of the support that people have provided to me throughout my life. 

The Pratts once again sent the most beautiful tulips.  I split the 2 dozen into 2 vases and have the flowers all over the house.  My mom and dad sent a delicious fruit, nut and chocolate care package.   My Aunt Shirley Ann and Uncle Doug (who are away on a trip) sent the most amazing flower arrangement and I love the container they used as I will reuse it this summer for my cut flowers.  And lastly, my dear friend Niki sent a gorgeous yellow and blue (my favourite colours) arrangement to my hospital room which arrived the moment I was moved from recovery - perfect timing Niki! 

So now that I am home, my house looks like a flower shop and I love it. 

Thank you everyone for caring so deeply.  I must admit that with social networking so prominate these days, the humor of people's posts make the days so much better.  I appreciate everyone taking a moment to reflect on my situation and saying the kindess things.  What was a huge help was my brother Johnny and his family in Seattle helping my mom understand the situation and taking lots of time to call, gather information and be able to share it with them in Florida - thanks Johnny and Vicky. 


My favourite thing of course is Lennie who took care days from work to be home and help me with everything.  I think there is a higher power at work here because if I hadn't gotten Crohns disease and learned to ask for help I really don't think I would be coping as well and Lennie learned to be so strong for me from that difficult situation. 

A cool thing also is Megan who has spent a lot of time researching what I can eat and prepared the most amazing meal for us.  She prepared falafals on pita bread with tons of veggies - delicious and totally vegan - good work Meggie!

Hugs to all.