On The Road Again

Today was my first full day back to work and my first day "On the road again" since the surgery and the subsequent aftermath.
Feel a bit tired but that is overcome just by the good feeling of being back talking with my customers again. I have always enjoyed our publication, Saskatchewan FarmLIFE, now for over thirty years and it has never really felt like a job. By that I mean it is something that I have always enjoyed doing. Our customer base is so good. They have been so loyal through out the years and it really is a privilege to be able to help them out with their sales and advertising. I am lucky I guess, in that I always have had work that I really enjoyed. Can't imagine what it would be like to go to work hating your job or just going through the motions for a pay cheque. Only real drawback is staying in hotels. I have never liked that but it is part of the job especially now as we are covering the province with two sales reps instead of three.
Weather is ugly in Regina today. Feels like March and like it could start snowing anytime. Both Louise and I are getting sick of
dragging plants in and out of the house to escape the threat of frost. I have started tarpping my pond which is somewhat easier that carrying them into the house.
Tomorrow I will be going down almost the to USA border so will get to see what the water levels are like down there. One thing for sure, nobody wants this all day rain.
Tomorrow I will also get my first look at my incision. That's probably kind of gross to write about but Louise has been changing my surgical dressings everyday and I haven't bothered to take a look. Will have to change my own dressings tomorrow so that should be fun.
No hockey on TV tonight which is kind of a drag when you are sitting in a hotel room. I wish they had the Canucks and Bruins playing tonight and tomorrow. Passes the evening so much quicker. Still sticking with my Bruins to win the series in six games.

Lord Stanley's Cup

For as long as I can remember I have been a Boston Bruin fan. Someone asked me today why Boston and I guess that is a really good question. I assume it goes back to the days when I loved to watch the Bruins with Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Wayne Cashman, Ken Hodge, Derek Sanderson and of course Gerry Cheevers in goal. Who can ever forget the sight of Bobby Orr flying through the air and scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal against the St. Louis Blues. It's been a long time since the Bruins won the Cup. 1971 was the last time the Bruins won the Cup. You know how long that has been. Back then I had more hair and was skinnier. Thats 40 years ago.
Unbelievable! All those great teams and yet those nasty Montreal Canadiens blocked that great team from really becoming a dynasty aka the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. But now it is 2011 and the Bruins have battled their way into the Stanley Cup final against the Vancouver Canucks. Now normally I would be inclined to cheer for a Canadian based team and the opportunity to stuff it up the anti Canadian Gary Bettman. But sorry Linda, there is just something about the Boston Bruins that keeps me cheering for them.
Pretty good team again this year, no Montreal Canadiens in the way and with Tim Thomas in goal I am thinking Boston over Vancouver in six games. Should be an exciting series. I don't think there is any doubt that. on paper at least, the Canucks have the better team and probably the most complete team in the NHL. But as a loyal Boston fan I am sticking with the Bruins and hopefully a long, long, long awaited Stanley Cup championship

Final Touches

Went out into the country today, just a little bit, to dig up some bull rushes to put in the pond. Found some really nice ones but boy were the mosquitos bad. They were all over me so had to dig quickly to get in and out of there as fast as possible. I am trying something a little different this year. Once I planted the bull rushes, I planted three separate plants around them so am curious to see how those will turn out.
Louise also put the finishing touches on her yard plants and everything is looking beautiful. It's funny how many times we say we are done buying plants for this year and then it's just one more and we come home with two or three. Oh well it is a pretty harmless addiction and there are lots worse things money could be spent on.
When I think back to the aftermath of the surgery and all the complications that went along with it, I am just thankful to be alive and able to enjoy it for another year. I'm sure heaven is a wonderful place with all kinds of flowers, streams and plants but for now, at least, I am very thankful to be here.
Yesterday I had a pretty full day and was tired but feeling good today and now even better because the pond is done for another year, the fish have plenty of cover to protect them from both the hot sun and predators so all is well.

Louise's Birthday

Today we celebrated Louise's Birthday. In the morning Louise and I went out shopping for plants. For her plants for around the yard and for me water plants for my pond. We always like to compare to see who spends the most money each year on plants and every year it is always close,pretty much about the same.
So now I have my pond just about completed. I always go out into the country and dig up bullrushes from the ditches and I have yet to do that. Probably will do that tomorrow.
In the afternoon Tim and Karla had invited us over for appetizers and they were really good. Tim, Karla and Jennifer gave Louise a bistro patio set so now it is sitting out on our little brick patio by the pond. Looks very nice there and will have to use it tomorrow morning for coffee by the pond.
In the evening we went to Brian and Brenda's for birthday cake. Brenda had made a cake and it was very good. Fred and Marlene joined us along with Tim and Karla so it was a very special evening. They are such good friends, so kind and giving and it was great to spend the evening with them.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day and Monday they are talking about highs to 25 - 30 degrees so things will really start growing. Telling myself I will take it a littler easier tomorrow. The bleeding has now stopped and the two incisions are healing quite nicely so everything is looking good.

Feels So Good - Back To Work

Back to work today and it feels so good to be back. I'm not sure who is happier about going back. Me or my little dog Diego. He has been kind of sullen and quiet the last two weeks as I recuperated. He's a working dog, we just aren't sure what he does. But he goes to the office with me everyday and greets the mailman or any other person who happens to come in. The mail carriers have him quite spoiled. They bring him a treat everyday and he is quite put out if he doesn't get one. He also rides around with me in the truck so he is definately not used to staying at home and he showed us that the last couple of days. If we go out without him he has his own ways of showing disapproval either by rummaging one of the garbage pails in the bedroom or bathroom or dumping the cushions onto the floor in the living room.
It is really funny how pets get their point across. We we owned Psalty, Diegos predecessor, if Louise and I went out for a walk or bike ride or just left him behind he would show his displeasure by pulling the pillow cases off the bed and leaving them on the floor. Unique little personalities that they have.
Anyway it is great to be back and work. I am feeling stronger everyday and should soon have this whole episode behind me.

The Moving Company

Jennifer's furniture and other belongings arrived this morning via United Van Lines.
Boy are those guys slick and efficient. They did all the unloading and had me do the official check off. It took about three hours and all I did was sit outside with pen and paper and I am wiped.
They were actually moving three families. Jenn was first on the list, then they were going to Cold Lake, Alberta and then to Calgary. As yet they didn't have a load to take back to Ontario but were hoping to hear from the dispatching with something before Monday. They showed me their truck. The sleeper was awesome. Inside they had two bunk beds, a fridge and a color TV. All they were missing was a stove. Even in the van part of the truck there were so many different compartments I don't know how they keep track of them all.
And here is a fish story for you. The guys were telling me that just past Portage La Prairie people using nets were catching big trout in the ditches along the highway. Apparently, or so the story goes, one guy even caught a big trout with his bare hands. Ok I am a bit skeptical but it does make a great story.
So now Jennifer is back home, a Saskatonian. It is amazing it was three years ago that we loaded all her things into a U Haul and took her to Ottawa. What a sad day that was when we left her to return home but all things have worked together for good and now she has her law degree and is articling in Saskatoon.
I was going to go out this afternoon and buy some plants for my pond but now I am just too tired. Surgery and all the aftermath really takes its toll. I thought Crohns surgery would be the worst I ever faced but I think this kidney surgery and the consequent complications have been worse. Oh well things will get better.
Looking forward to the Boston - Tampa Bay game tonight. I have to admit I really enjoyed the Vancouver - San Jose game and watching the Sharks, especially Ben Eager, come totally unravelled. Nothing like letting your little temper tantrums cost your team a victory. I would have him watching from the stands for the rest of the playoffs. Or at least San Jose's last two games. Heh Heh

Today - Not So Good

I woke up to a lot of pain today. Not sure why. Maybe I tried to do too much yesterday. I find it so hard to sit around and do nothing.
Since my heart stopped after the surgery the Doctors have been allowing me only to have Tylenol Extra Strength for pain. I think candy coated Smarties would be just as effective. I remember when I had my Crohns surgery they gave me a morphine drip where I was allowed to push a button and give it to myself when needed. Not this time. Not sure if they think the morphine caused the problem or not but I guess I just need to grit my teeth and fight it.
My lips continue to be sore so apparently I bit myself pretty good. Amazing what you do when you are unconscious and unaware. All and all I am still on the sunny side of the grass so I feel pretty good about that.
Watched my beloved Boston Bruins win 6 - 5 over Tampa Bay last night. Talk about scary. Good thing I don't get too involved or that would be hard on the old ticker.
Tim Thomas would make some fabulous saves and then let in a real stinker. All in all I thought Tampa had the better chances to win the game and the Bruins were lucky to win. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think the Bruins will beat the Lightning in the series. Not departing from my Bruins but just doubting. That 19 year old kid for the Bruins, Tyler Seguin, he was something else with two goals and two assists. Ah the exuberance of youth. Tonight it is Vancouver and San Jose so that will be good.
Going to take it easy today. Try to get some sleep. The doctors have me drinking copious amounts of water and I have never been a fan of water. But you got to do what you got to do.

Feeling Better

I finally feel like things are getting better after the surgery and the aftermath of one week ago. I have to keep reminding myself that it is only been one week.
About a week before the surgery I was out jogging, trying to get ready, when I stepped on the side of a gopher hole and turned my ankle over. This morning when I got up the ankle seemed to be bothering me more than anything else. I told Louise and Jennifer that when I start complaining about my sore ankle it must be the other damaged parts of my body are beginning to get better.
The highlight of my day yesterday was placing a call to Trenna Graham and being able to thank her for saving my life. She filled me in on a few more details of the story which I won't bother to record here as the previous version was accurate.
As I placed the phone call I was kind of nervous thinking what do you say to someone who has saved your life. Trenna is very kind and she made it easy. I am looking forward to seeing her at church as soon as I am able and thank her face to face.
On another topic, I have been watching the stories coming out of Slave Lake, Alberta
with horror and sadness. What utter devastation and the miracle that no lives have been lost. I grew up in Peace River, Alberta which is approximately about two hours from Slave Lake. I remember going there for ball tournaments and hockey and it is a very pretty town surrounded by forests. I have always loved the ruggedness of Northern Alberta with the vast forests but when a fire breaks out those forests become a major enemy and a threat to all kinds of life. I know God will honor the
people of Slave Lake and help them rebuild their little town and get back to their way of life.

God's Timing - God's Plan

Someone once asked me if I knew the difference between minor and major surgery. He went on "minor surgery is any surgery done on you, major surgery is any surgery done on me. One of my passions in life is writing and our Pastor has encouraged me to write about my experience so that is what I am doing today.To that end my surgery one week ago appeared to go fairly well. The doctors made an incision in my back and an incision in my left kidney to remove two large and one smaller kidney stone. They got the two big stones but the smaller one got away. Not sure what they are going to do about that.
They use a small camera that they insert into the incisions so they can see what is going on. The first problem occured when the camera fell out of the first incision.
They then had to make a second incision into the back and a second incision into the kidney. Double your pleasure, double your fun right.
They then retrieved the stones after a two and a half hour operation and sent me off to the recovery room. I remember them coming and talking to me in the recovery room but nothing after that. The rest of the story I have gotten from talking with Louise, Jenn, Tim and Karla and hospital staff.
I was sent to my ward. Louise said I was in tremendous pain and so the doctors told her they would give me morphine and I would be pretty lucid so if she and the kids wanted to leave the hospital would call them if there were any problems. They decided to go to Tim's house which is only about five minutes from the hospital.
They were called back almost immediately and told that I stopped breathing, was unconscious, had no pulse and was not responding.
This is where God's miracle, God's timing and God's plan begins to go to work. One of the ladies from our church, Trenna Graham, works at St. Paul's Hospital. I am not sure if she is a nurse or nurse's aid. Doesn't really matter. Well Trenna, just happened to be in my room and she noticed that I had turned blue and was going purple. Apparently she called the nursing staff and they put on a full code blue to the ICU team who responded in seconds. One nurse did CPR and restarted my heart. Today I am grateful that my ribs and chest are sore because the
nurse did what she had to do and saved my life. They then attempted to put an airway down my throat and couldn't succeed. Unfortunately and unconsciously I really fight anything like that. So today I have a very sore throat and neck area.
I also bit my top and bottom lips really badly and today, one week later, the swelling has finally gone away from that.
Louise and the kids arrived at the hospital while they were still working on me in the ward and Trenna was there to comfort them and I am really grateful to her for that. She also went to a sitting room and prayed for me as they worked over me.
Words can never ever express the gratitude that I feel to her for that and it goes
without saying I am so grateful to God for giving me a second chance at life.
I have been asked by people if I saw any bright lights or angelic beings. I have to answer no and I am somewhat troubled if that means anything at all. My Pastor says no it doesn't so I hope he is right. Honestly I have no recollection of anythng.
I remember being in the recovery room and then everything is blank until I came to in
the ICU with my hands tied to the bed and Louise and the kids being there with me.
My doctor came in the next morning and said "you were halfway to heaven and we called you back"
So now there are so many people to thank. First and above all (other than God) I have to thank Louise. This has been a difficult 12 months with Mom being hospitalized and then in the fall I was hospitalized for a week. She is tired and deserves a rest. We have booked an Alaskan cruise in July for our 35th wedding anniversary and I am glad I will be there to take it. Every day as I attempt to recover Louise tells me to focus on Alaska and that is what I am doing.
And then I thank my kids, Tim, Jennifer and Karla. They were there everyday for me and the first day out of hospital Karla came over and her and Jenn made me lunch and got me one of those great smoothies from Tim Horton's. Then I again thank Trenna and also the hospital staff and especially the nurse who adminstered the CPR - the booster cables of life.
And also to Ed and Linda for their support. I think Linda phoned, texted or emailed every night. Linda and I share a love of writing and a love of hockey and everynight through the Stanley Cup playoffs we have been texting each other, pulling each others chain and having a little fun. She is a Vancouver Canuck, Ed is a Montreal Canadien and I am a Boston Bruin so it has been fun. We may even see a Canuck - Bruin final.
So what have I learned from this? That is a difficult question. It sounds clicheish to say slow down - stop and smell the flowers (and my fish pond) but that is what I know I must do. I know now I also need to make more time for God and less time with the wood and stubble of this life that is just here today and gone tomorrow. I said in one of my emails it is amazing how you take the normal things for granted until they are taken away from from you and you can't do them. Mina wrote a beautiful email in response to that and I thank her for her thoughts. I have the utmost of admiration for Mina as she struggles cheerfully, never blaming, with a burden that most of us could never even relate to.
So that's my thoughts. The surgery and all the excitement was exactly one week ago.
I want to get back out there, hitting the bricks running and then I remember that may have been what put me here in the first place. Slow down, trust God, smell the flowers.

Random Thoughts

Louise and Jennifer got home safely on Tuesday evening after a long drive from Ottawa. They arrived safely with no problems, mechanically or otherwise with the little car. They went through the USA cutting off about six hours. Much shorter than the Canadian route and Louise said it was a quiet highway. They saw lots of water in the fields south east of Regina and it looks like it will be some time, if at all this year, before the farmers are able to seed. Always seems like something for our farmers. I am always reminded of a farm about halfway between Regina and Saskatoon where the farmer has painted on the roof of his
barn "RISK AND HOPE Farm" and that pretty much is how it is.
I had my pre surgical consultation on Tuesday and it went longer than expected. First they put you through a battery of tests which took a couple of hours. Then you meet with the nurses and they give you a video to watch which doesn't explain the surgery but tells you things you are supposed to do after the surgery. Breathing exercises, leg exercises and things like that designed to prevent pneumonia and other maladies. After that it was a meeting with the anesthesiologist who explained all the scary things about putting you to sleep. Sometimes I wonder why they tell you that stuff but they do. My meeting with the
anesthesiologist took about two hours longer than normal as he was concerned about the Crohns medication I am taking.
Apparently there is a lot of bleeding when they cut into the kidney and the Crohns medication thins the blood and makes the bleeding worse. So they finally decided they had no choice but to pull me off the Crohns medicine until after the surgery.
So now I wait till Tuesday May 10th when they operate. Have to be at the hospital at the bright early morning hour of 6am.
Enjoyed watching the election results on Monday night. I am so happy to have a Conservative majority. Finally some stability in government for the next four years and I think people will find out that Stephen Harper is not so scary after all. Actually the election couldn't have gone any better. A Conservative majority, the Bloc wiped out in Quebec, a fond farewell to Michael Ignatieff and the NDP, the toothless tiger with their power base in Quebec. Does it get any better than that?
i have really been enjoying the Stanley Cup playoffs. I have been a Boston Bruin fan since I was about eight years old and
this year they are looking really good. I predict it will be a San Jose - Boston Stanley Cup final and hopefully the Bruins will
will the Stanley Cup. However I remember all too well when they had a 3 - 0 lead in games on Philadelphia and then lost the
series 4 - 3 to the Flyers. Like Vince Lombardi or someone said it ain't over till its over. It would be nice if the Vancouver
Canucks got to the final but I don't think they will beat San Jose.
Hopefully it's the year of the Bruins. Have waited a long time for that.