Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Where did the year go?

Suddenly it is the end of December...again...and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2008 is gone!

A big "Thank You" to each and every one of you, for the huge impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the support I have received...without you, I'm sure that 2008 would have been much more difficult.

May 2009 mark the beginning of a tidal wave of love, happiness and bright futures.

To those who need someone special, may you find that true love.

To those who need money, may your finances overflow.

To those who need caring, may you find a good heart.

To those who need friends, I am always here for you.

Thank you for being my friends!!

Wishing you all a very happy and HEALTHY 2009!!!


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

A Politically Correct Christmas Story


12 Days of Christmas...the Canadian way, eh!


But seriously everyone, today being the 23rd, I figured a holiday post would be appropriate. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Celebrate and enjoy this special time with your family and friends.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

We interrupt our regular scheduled programming to bring you a Menopause Moment...















~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Menopause Survival Kit ...

Put M&M's into a cute container and follow these directions ...

To temporarily calm your craving for chocolate eat the
BROWN one ...

At the first sign of hot flashes eat the RED one ...

Eat the ORANGE one to minimize depression ...

The GREEN one calms your frustrations, when you want to be left alone ...

If you feel a headache coming on eat the YELLOW one ...

The BLUE one reduces bloating ...

If all symptoms occur at the same time ...

eat the WHOLE DAMN BAG!!!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All kidding aside, at 6 weeks post-surgery, I'm definitely into full-blown surgical menopause. I was definitely in peri-menopause before my surgury having very irregular periods, and already experiencing night sweats and some hot flashes. Well, I'm not sad to see the periods go and as for the night sweats and hot flashes, well, they've intensified some, but nothing I can't handle. I am experiencing some insomnia and irritability, but nothing major (at least DH hasn't complained too much about my mood swings). I may have more symptoms yet to come, but so far, I feel pretty damn good!

If this is menopause...so far, it's a breeze!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Surgery Update and Pathology Report

My follow-up with Dr. Vilos went very well. His resident saw me first; unfortunately, I can't remember her name, but she's wonderful...she was terrific after my surgery as well. She certainly remembered me...I was the one who had my uterus attached to my bladder and the complications associated with that (bruising of the bladder and bleeding) from my severe endometriosis. She asked how I was recovering, examined me and removed one lone stitch that hadn't came out on it's own. I then saw Dr. Vilos to discuss my recovery, pathology report and return to work date. Everything was fabulous. He noted some abnormal things found in my pathology but they are benign and he said it was nothing; don't worry about it; there was no cancer or pre-cancer....THANK GOODNESS!!! This was a HUGE worry for me as so many women have this preventative surgery only to find cancer with the pathology anyway. Here are the results:
  • cervix - no pathological abnormality
  • endometrium (uterine lining) - proliferative phase (first phase of menstrual cycle)
  • myometrium (middle layer of uterine wall) - adenomyosis (the dreaded endometriosis)
  • right fallopian tube - adenomatoid tumour (benign, relatively rare neoplasm occurring primarily in the genital tract)...leave it to me to have something rare!
  • left fallopian tube - no pathological abnormality
  • right ovary - follicle cyst (is formed when the follicle does not release its egg)
  • left ovary - cystic corpus luteum (these occur when the corpus luteum fills with fluid or blood to form a cyst)




It sounds like a lot, but Dr. Vilos assures me all of it means nothing just...NO CANCER!!! YIPPEE!!! Having all these abnormal results just reinforces that surveillance would have been a bumpy road and chosing surgery was my only option. I've already had scares with large ovarian cysts showing up on transvaginal ultrasounds in the past and that was not fun. I can't say enough about Dr. Vilos...I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon. His knowledge, skill, caring and compassion is incredible. When I was leaving and thanked him for everything...he gave me a hug. He is definitely a doctor who cares very much about his patients.

I'm happy this stage of my journey is over....now it's on to the next stage and being completely on "the other side". That journey starts in January with another breast MRI and my first visit to the plastic surgeon, Dr. Claire Temple, with surgery hopefully in late winter / early spring...let's hope the surgery scheduling Gods and Goddesses shine on me for that one!

I want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy Holiday Season and New Year. Thank you to all my "readers", family, friends and internet buddies...I couldn't make this journey without you.

Love
Shari

Happy Holidays




Thursday, December 18, 2008

London Bound

Looks like the weather Gods are smiling upon me. I panicked yesterday when I saw the snow squall warnings for today as I didn't want to miss my follow-up appointment with Dr. Vilos. The warnings have now been cancelled and the forecast is for sunny periods....YEAH! I'll update shortly about how my appointment went. I've been feeling really good so I'm hoping all is well.