It's been a couple of weeks since we were on the same page, hasn't it? This month has been something else.
The presentation at Union Gallery and the talk at Ban Righ were both satisfying in different ways. The turn-out was good in both cases, talking to and with groups was pleasant even though I was nervous, and what I had to say seemed to be fairly received.
In a few hours I leave Ottawa for a week in Mexico. My friend Angus's father is marrying a woman there, and I am piggy-backing on his trip. It isn't anything I could have imagined happening a month ago, but my parents are funding it and Angus's family is welcoming me along!
Fertility treatment will likely begin while I am there. It is menstruation dependent, and the schedule calls for blood around the full moon.
Here's wishing everybody good luck with the rest of February.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Happy News!
The Ottawa Fertility Centre has started freezing eggs! This means I can have the procedure done there, and it will be covered by OHIP! They charge an annual fee for keeping the eggs in storage, but that is nothing compared to the cost of the whole procedure in Montreal. Pretty great, huh!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Our visit with the gynaecologist was brief and informative. The consultation room was chilly, I was grateful to keep my clothes on. Dr. Reid has referred me to the Reproductive Centre at McGill University.
Hope is a funny thing. Right now, mine is latched on to the idea that someday I will get to bear children and breastfeed. Unfortunately, the Reproductive Centre fees are not covered by OHIP. As it turns out, my little maybe baby eggs have a heroine! Our friend Jane Popowich is funds-raising on their and my behalf.
The possibility that this cancer may be hereditary is creeping around. Mom and Dad went with me to see Ms. O'Reilly, a Genetic Counsellor with the Familial Oncology Program. Specific information is needed from my aunt who had breast cancer, and some of my blood was taken for testing. The results of this research will not affect egg harvesting or chemotherapy, but may affect treatment afterward.
Uh, chemotherapy sounds awful. Dr. Levesque didn't do a very good job of selling it. I suppose no one honestly could. The pre-chemo screening is kinda fun. The bone scan was awesome. MUGA Monday. CT scan Friday. Teeth cleaning Tuesday! Turns out you can't floss your teeth through the months of chemotherapy treatment because of the risk of developing infections. Who knew? The list of possible side effects is long and gross.
Last Thursday I went to a yoga class in an effort to have optimum health heading into chemo. It was HARD. I didn't realize how weak I had grown until I found myself flopping onto the floor when I was supposed to be lowering myself in a controlled manner.
To keep my spirits up, I went to Basia Bulat's performance at the Sydenham Street United Church on Tuesday evening. She was incredible. What a singer! If she's coming though your town, try to catch her show.
There is a roundtable discussion this evening at the Union Gallery. All this time, since July in fact, I've been involved in a fantastic program called Art Shift. We'll be talking about that experience this evening, and exhibiting this summer. There is a collection of my 'couples' paintings on display in the living room at the Ban Righ Centre. I'll be there to talk about the work and stuff on February 18th around noon, if you'd like to join me.
Hope is a funny thing. Right now, mine is latched on to the idea that someday I will get to bear children and breastfeed. Unfortunately, the Reproductive Centre fees are not covered by OHIP. As it turns out, my little maybe baby eggs have a heroine! Our friend Jane Popowich is funds-raising on their and my behalf.
The possibility that this cancer may be hereditary is creeping around. Mom and Dad went with me to see Ms. O'Reilly, a Genetic Counsellor with the Familial Oncology Program. Specific information is needed from my aunt who had breast cancer, and some of my blood was taken for testing. The results of this research will not affect egg harvesting or chemotherapy, but may affect treatment afterward.
Uh, chemotherapy sounds awful. Dr. Levesque didn't do a very good job of selling it. I suppose no one honestly could. The pre-chemo screening is kinda fun. The bone scan was awesome. MUGA Monday. CT scan Friday. Teeth cleaning Tuesday! Turns out you can't floss your teeth through the months of chemotherapy treatment because of the risk of developing infections. Who knew? The list of possible side effects is long and gross.
Last Thursday I went to a yoga class in an effort to have optimum health heading into chemo. It was HARD. I didn't realize how weak I had grown until I found myself flopping onto the floor when I was supposed to be lowering myself in a controlled manner.
To keep my spirits up, I went to Basia Bulat's performance at the Sydenham Street United Church on Tuesday evening. She was incredible. What a singer! If she's coming though your town, try to catch her show.
There is a roundtable discussion this evening at the Union Gallery. All this time, since July in fact, I've been involved in a fantastic program called Art Shift. We'll be talking about that experience this evening, and exhibiting this summer. There is a collection of my 'couples' paintings on display in the living room at the Ban Righ Centre. I'll be there to talk about the work and stuff on February 18th around noon, if you'd like to join me.
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