Peaceful

It was a gorgeous week in Norther Ontario cottage country last week. The temperatures were around 20 c all week and the sky was bright blue. Skip and Steve were busy installing a pine ceiling...
Liz was painting the siding...

And me, well I was just being spoiled. With all the time on my hands I went for long walks and took some photos. I am doing my utmost to build up my stamina and muscles prior to my hip replacement next month.






The week was too short...

Time For A Little Push Back?

I've been away from news and Internet for a few days but reading today's paper and commentary gave me a chilling effect. Seems that the satirical show South Park, you know the one that trashed Canada a few years back, has been threatened by a few Muslim extremists and has caved in. The show has been censored.

As free citizens of free societies we seem to have the right to criticize, satirize, question, ridicule everything we want, except of course Islam. Doing so brings immediate threat of death. Is it time to push back and defend our right to express ourselves freely? If not now, when...

P - Is For Prednisone

I have five weeks to get through to the Hip Replacement surgery with a quick stop at another hospital for Cataract Surgery in two weeks. I'm not sure I'll make it.

I saw my Rheumatologist this past week who insisted I go back on Prednisone. Both my knees are swollen and stressed from limping around especially the left knee. She hopes the Prednisone reduces the inflammation and helps with some of the pain. I am living on codeine based pain meds the last few weeks and I'm terrified of turning into a drug addict. The pain is especially bad at night and wakes me every hour or so. To say I'm in a miserable mood these days is an understatement. Sadly it is the one person who is my greatest champion, my DL who is getting the brunt of most of my anger. The "why me" syndrome has kicked in big time. Is that a syndrome or am I just making that up?

I have decided that once this surgery is done and I am well healed I will take the one step I have been avoiding for the last year. I will take the doctors advice and go on the drug Methotrexate to treat the RA and hopefully save whatever joints I have left. It is a drastic step for me and I'm not taking it lightly. I can already feel my left hip, which was replaced in 2004 hurting me.

I'm going to have to chill out a bit since we are going to our friends cottage for a week. My sweetie is helping them with renovations and I know that Liz will take really good care of me. She spoiled me rotten after my foot surgery. There will be no internet for me for a week and I hope the weather is nice so I can go for some walks. There should be no bugs yet which will be a treat. I hate black-flies with a passion but they love me.

I'm taking my knitting and a good attitude and will be back next weekend. I wish all of you a lovely week.

I'm Tired Of Hospitals

And yet there is another one in my immediate future. Not counting the second Cataract surgery coming up on May 3rd, there is a hip replacement in my immediate future. May 25th to be exact, I will get my second new hip.

What was so shocking to me today was how quickly by Canadian standards this is happening. The usual wait list here in Ontario is anywhere from 6 to 8 months and I was already Googling this surgery in India where it could have been done immediately at a cost of U.S. $12,000. I had pretty much decided that if my wait was more than two months that I would seriously consider India.

My Orthopod knows me well and knows my generally high tolerance for pain. When I told him I could no longer tolerate the pain, that my DH on occasion had to carry me to the loo at night because I couldn't put my foot down, that and the x-ray results was enough for him to put me in the first available spot. He also told me he would try very hard to get me two weeks of rehab although he couldn't guarantee it. The thought of coming home after four days and trying to negotiate the stairs in my house scares the bejeesus out of me. With my first hip I had two weeks in rehab and I was pretty terrific. It makes all the difference in my view.

My friend in Germany had one just recently and spent nine days in hospital and three weeks in rehab. I think the German health care system is one of the best in the world. I think if I ever win a lottery I would move there in a heartbeat. I've pretty much had it with Canada...

WTF

So what do you think he's telling Prime Minister Stephen Harper?

Listen up Stevie, you'd best stay in Afghanistan... maybe? Maybe it's just me but I find pointing a finger at someone highly offensive.



Another Canadian soldier will be making the trip down the Highway of Heroes this week after loosing his life in Afghanistan.

In Preparation For...

Easter and the arrival of Boy 1 from California, I did a little baking. Oatmeal cookies with some chocolate chips and macadamia nuts thrown in for good measure. I need to put some of the weight back on that I lost being ill this past week.

They are delicious...

For my Greek Orthodox husband... Easter Bread

Didn't turn out half bad...

Tomorrow I will dye some red eggs just for him. A very Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate...

Oh Canada - Maybe!

Media Diplomacy...