Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone near & far....wishing you the beauty of the season! xoxoxo

Jesus is the reason for the season!

BT Christmas Eve Show & Organ Donation

What an awesome time with my friend Daniela!!! We spent last night downtown in a hotel, went out for dinner, was super excited and couldn't sleep because we were appearing on the BT Christmas Eve.....Let me say it was so fun.  Watching how everything on the set happens.  It really is jaw dropping on how small a set is and what happens behind the scenes.  Meeting the hosts of the show, the producers, & everything in general.  It was a huge giveaway show, so tons of prizes were givne to each one that was selected with their entry, and their guest got the exact same thing. 

First thing in the morning Kevin Frankish started talking on air about a letter he received from a person names Yvonne....in fact it was my friend Yvonne.  He started talking about kidney donation and what I was planning to do.  He hadn't read far enough into that letter to find otu who I was giving it to and said it was my brother....they made me stand up at that point and I shook my head back and forth to say no that's not right.  After that he spoke with Frank Feriginie about organ donation and how it is important at this time of year to let your family know your wishes.  Later on in the show Kevin brought my donation up again and he spoke to me, you can see it here http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/2054548034001.000000/bt-christmas-eve-giveaway-show--2of3/

Although I won a lot of prizes I have to say that the biggest prize of all was having organ donation publicly spoke about.  We need to get awareness out there. 

We all have 2 kidney's and we only need 1 to live a healthy long life.....I believe there are things sent to test our faiths, beliefs, etc.....2 kidney's + people needing a new kidney (since they have kidney disease) giving a kidney =  humanity!  Remember to register at www.beadonor.ca

Is It New Year Already

So I blogged yesterday about getting the call to say I'm a match and that I would get a call in the New Year for more appointments......Is it the New Year already???? I got a call today!!!! They have booked my Phase 2 & Phase 3 testing for January 7th, 2013....can you believe that???? It's so exciting to know that in a few weeks I will be 3/4 of the way through the testing (that is regualr testing), anything above & beyond that is extra testing.....Can you say Happy New Year???? I can :)

To Be or Not To Be

Imagine, a phone call this Thursday before Christmas.  It's 3:40 pm and a call from your assesment team comes in, and they say "You are a match and can move on".....Oh what a feeling to BE HIS MATCH!  Such an emotional time.  I cried, and cried.  I celebrated by telling all the ones who are closest to be by phone, inperson if I could, or by a text!  Everyone is rallying behind us, which is amazing.  We are blessed beyond belief with everyone's prayers and support. The best Christmas gift someone could give was to hear we were a match.  How much I love this man who will one day get my kidney....he is my best friend, lover, strength and soulmate.  We'll get a call in the New Year to make an appointment for the next round of testing to ensure my health.

On another note, I got accecpted today to appear on the BT Christmas Eve Giveaway show......I hope that I can get organ donation awareness mentioned on this show, spreading the knowledge of organ donation is huge importance of mine, and will be always beyond our transplant.

Such an exciitng day! 

Tissue Typing & Crossmatching

Today we went downtownt to Transplant Hospital.  We took our daughter with us as well to heck out the hospital where it will all happen.  We wanted to include her in certain things that aren't to deep just yet, introduce her a little at a time.  Tissue typing and cross matching consisted of each of us having blood taken.  The Receipient had 5 viles taken and an ECG and the donor had 9 viles taken.  That's all there was to this process, it's now the 3 weeks of waiting until we find out if we match one another! 

John 13:35   
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Sicknesses with Kidney Disease

Finding it difficult with my husband being sick with a cold while having kidney disease.  When he gets a cold, he gets it triple times worse then the normal person, why his immune system is low.  We need to keep him clear of infections, he needs to be strong on a consistant basis in hopes a transplant happens, so it can happen.  He started a course of antibiotics tonight so that should assist his healing.

Psalm 41:3The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Organ donation: What you need to know - Canadian Living

Organ donation: What you need to know - Canadian Living

Full Speed Ahead

Got the call, all First Phase Tests are good!  This means 2 things!  I'm overall healthy and we move on to the next step in the kidney donation process!  On my Phase papers it didn't have an insert for Tissue Typing and Crossmatching but that is what they tell me is next.  It makes sense to do this at this stage since they need to ensure my husband will accept my kidney.  They have scheduled it for December 3.  If they results come back negative then we can still proceed, but it will be with the paired exchange program which I will update more once we know our results.  Once testing is done it takes 3 weeks to come back.  It seems like a lifetime away just to get the testing done, and eve further for the results.  However the saying goes,

Lamentations 3:25

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Another Kidney Check Up

Another Kidney check up was today.  The Dr's and Nurses are amaxed at how we are keeping the nutrition level under control for the kidney's, this is a definte reflect on prolonging the need for kidney dialysis.  The creatnine level is at 734, up from last time.  Every time we make a visit to the Kidney Care Clinic, we wonder will this be the day we are told dialysis needs to start.  Today the Dr did not suggest dialysis yet, again mainly because there is a kidney donor being worked up, however he does hope it happens sooner then later as it is taking a lot of time to progress.

Time is not on our side, every minute counts in the race to get a transplant completed.  In saying this, if you are a donor of a kidney or any other organ, you need to know that time is of the essence for the receipient, there is no time to waste, no time like the present.  Think of something that you would have wanted done yesterday, this is what your receipient is feeling.  Although it is not all about the receipient, the donor needs to know that the receipient is not in good health, in dire need of the transplant; whereas the donor doesn't really feel the uregency since they are not sick and going through the everyday stress wondering if this is their last day off of machines. 

Nobody can predict the future, anything can happen to anyone at anytime, driving to work, going to swimming lessons, going out for supper, etc.  But we can as human beings can care about one another to give. Give blood, give support, give organs, give love.  It's called humanity.  It's in YOU to Give!


Deuteronomy 15:10Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Happy Halloween Testing

Yesterday I need my 24 urine test, and wow did I think I wasn't going to have enough room in that jug, I did but barely.  I brought that into the lab this morning and the technician looked at it with widened eyes.  After that I had to do another urine test and then 1 more vial of blood.  So we wait again!  Sounds like a waiting game doesn't it, it sure feels that way as well!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Pass Out

Today I went for my first Phase bloodwork, had to fast for 12 hours, did a urine sample, then they took 16 viles of blood (in which I felt faint and nausea from), and then they had to do an ECG.  The technician was fantastic, taking care of me every step of the way today.  And for those of you who know me understand that I needed that.  The second part of the testing comes next week, keep a look out for that post!

Results are In

Glucose results are in, and they are CLEAR for diabetes!  Feel on ttop of the world!  They called to say we're moving on.  They were going to send me the requisitions in the mail, whic I requested to have everything done via email since I want this to MOVE!  They sent me some papers in which I had to sign to get them to start emailiing, but that is all done now, and I have my First Phase testing Requisitions in hand to officially start the testing. 

What is Glucose?

Today I went for the mandatory testing for Glucose!  What is Glucose it is to check if I am diabetic, or borderline diabetic.  My mother was a diabetic (late onset) and because of that they need to rule this out.  The test involved a blood test, then to drink a thick drink, wait 2 hours and then have another blood test, that's it!  Simple!  Now we wait again for those results!

Thank you to my awesome family for getting up early and coming to sit with me while I waited, you both are so awesome and loved!

A Visit Downtown - More Education

Another visit today to the Transplant hospital.  Had a Doppler Ultrasound to be done, which came back normal.  This test is done to provide the surgeons assurance that the iliac arteries and strond, unclogged and free of disease.  This artery is what the new kidney will be attached to in the abdomen of the receipient. 

We then met the Transplant Nephrologist, he filled us in on the risks involed, what the best is for Ken.  He said Ken is overall a helathy guy (except for the kidney failure), and that a transplant would be his best option at the moment since he is so healthy.  He also said that if he is to start dialysis and cannot get a living donor to come forward the chances are of getting a deceased donor are very low because of his blood type.  He informed us that there are many more things they can do to the receipient when a living donor is invovled as there is time to do it, whereas a deceased donor there is only a 24 hour lifspan on the kidney to transplant it.  He also explained that Ken would most likely wait well over 10 years for a deceased donor kidney, which at that time his health may be to poor to have the transplant.

Because the process of our donor is taking so long, Ken will have to start tests over again, normally by now the transplant has already ocurred (or a date has been set for surgery).

We definitly need him to get a transplant soon!  As always, Hoping, Praying & keeping Faith!

A Journey Through Kidney Disease

It's been almost a month since I last blogged.  It's been a crazy month, with a lot happening.  But now down to more thinking about kidney disease and the fight my husband takes each day.

I came across an amazing story today, think out of everything I have read it brought the most real answers of the road from diagnosis to transplant recovery.  Amazingly written and pictures to make it that much easier to follow.  Click here to read all about this exceptional journey into someones struggle with Kidney Disease and someone's kind, unselfish heart that makes this story that much more meaningful.  To know there are people out in this world that are so giving of themselves (literally) amazes me.  So read A Journey Through Kidney Failure it will amaze and inspire you, believe me!

Transplant Assesment Finally

Transplant Assesment Team received my questionnaire and blood type, and finally received a call to say we're moving on to the next step!!!  So excited!  Now to wait to get my forms in the snail mail!

Blood Type Back

My blood type is back and we're a match, at this stage!  Having faith that these matches will continue as we move along this long but worthy road!

Blood Type Importance

Did you ever realize the importance of your blood type?  Well I realized now!  My husband needs to find a match for a kidney donor, more now then ever and I am taking the steps forward to do so.  The first step is to know your blood type, which I do not know.  I have an appointment today to get that blood test done so I can find out.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Time

Can you imagine that for 14 months someone was going to help save your quality of life?
Can you imagine having time ripped away from your life in an instant?

That's how it felt tonight!  For just over a year we have had a willing donor of a kidney. The process has been extremly slow.  Not knowing exactly how this process works made us believe this is how it is.  Now we have learned that it shouldn't be this slow, unless the tests are being booked by the donor as they should etc.  This came into our minds in June, when we spoke to the donor, asked openly if they still wanted to do this, and the answer was, "Yes, I'm just scared"....this went onto July, when face to face was asked the same questions and we received the same response.  On August 30th after visiting with the Social worker at the transplant hospital they explained how to approach the donor, so it was done again that same evening and the answer was the same, "Yes, I'm just scared."  Understandbly so, we understand the scared factor.  Scared for us is to be hooked up to a machine 3 times per week, 4 to 5 hours a time, that for us is scary and to watch the body deteriorate from there, that's a scary thought. 

Nonetheless we move on from there.  Today we went to the regular routine kidney clinic appointment to find out that the creatnine levels have gone up again.  The nurses were very concened and when the Dr didn't mention his concern about it, we asked him about what he thought of the creatnine level.  He said, "I'd be worried if I saw this number and you didn't have a donor, but since you do we'll work with it."  This prompted us to contact that donor today.

We explained to the donor the situation that had happened today.  And the donor went on to mention needing to work because of money and needed the weeks.  We went on to explain that surgury wouldn't be until they were not working anyway, which then brought out a whole other conversation, about not sure if they could go through with it.  The reason behind it is the welfare of the donor in the future which the concern was made by their child.  Neither one has been educated, been to social working, nothing. The donor has merely had a blood test done and urine sample.Understandably we know there is concern for anyone going to do surgury for anything.  But what bothers us isn't the fact that they most likely will back out, it's the way this has been drawn out.  In April testing had started on the donor, and it has been nothing but stalling, we walked on egg shells, trying not to pressure, giving the out at anytime, always asking the questions and making the statement, "If you don't want to we understand!"

To hear tonight that not sure if they can go through with it made us extremly upset, and angry.  Stalling in this situation just means that it has taken time from my husbands life.  It's taken nothing from their own. 

My husband looks well, but his numbers don't.  People don't see the numbers only what he looks like.  We'll work with whatever God throws our way, with or without a donation.  Forgiving the donor for backing out can also be done, but we'll never forget what was taken, time.  Time can never be given back.

Praying God will give us strength to get through another hurdle in our lives.

But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you - Psalm 56:3

Give the Gift of Life

Today we did the Give the Gift of Life Walk!  Amazing day, weather was great, the turn out was awesome.  Got to meet a donor named Max who shed a lot of light onto what being a donor was to him.  Amazing story, of an amazing person!  If the world had more people like Max around it would be a much happier place! 

The goal to reach in our area was $6,500 we surpassed that to almost $13,000....truly amazing people getting invovled for a great cause.  Hoping this grows year by year.  Gaining funds for the foundation to go out and teach about kidney disease, but also bring major awareness to the community about the disease.

2nd visit

We had our second visit to the Toronto General Hospital (Transplant hospital), it was to go through the social work aspect of the transplant steps.  It was an amazing visit.  We got to understand so much more, the process, the way to afford the rejection drugs for life, the donor side of things, etc.  We left there feeling more at ease, comfortable with everything that will happen during the process.  On our last visit we were a ball of nerves, scared, worried and more, but this one visit to understand things that much clearer made everything calm in our minds.

Amazing is how we feel about this process now!

Care to Donate for the Kidney Foundation?

Click on the link to take you to donate for something that will benefit from someone we know at somepoint in our lives! Give the Gift of Life Walk 2012

Sponsor for the Gift of Life Walk 2012

First Visit To Transplant Hospital

We visited for the first time last week the Transplant Hospital.  We were excited, nervous, anxious & overwhelmed.  We got to the hospital with just seconds to spare, Toronto traffic is brutal!! Then to find where we were going we needed directions.  We made it to the first appointment, the blood clinic, 14 viles of blood later and an ECG then off to visit our Transplant Assesment Co-ordinator (TAC). 

When we frist went down we thought that Ken was cleared to be operated on, but that however was not the case, he needs the Transplant Nephrologist to clear him first. We don't see him until October, and we may be in need of more tests for the clearance. In fact, just yesterday we were contacted to get another Echocardiogram completed, and to our amazement is being done this Thursday.

We got up to the transplant floor, which got us quite emotional......it was really beginning!!!!!

At first it wasn't what we expected, we were 3 other families who were going through the same pocess as we were.  We couldn't speak about the details of our own cases, just more of a generalization.  We went through what is taking place prior to a transplant, what happens during a transplant and what happens after.  A lot of details, that were a lot to take in (thank goodness for the 186 page manual) which we've already ready cover to cover.

When we were in the meeting with our TAC, having the other family members there really helped.  They had questions that we never thought of and likewise.  There were certain things that the receipient will have to undergo, that Ken has already had to undergo and he was able to explain how he had felt going through it.  The great feeling about all of it, that we were all on the same page, able to understand eachother as well as help. 

The one question we all had was about our donor's.  What support they will receive?  We all said it's all about the receipient, and she said it is with her since she is working with us, but the assistance the donor gets is as equally involved, which we were all happy to hear.

We were told that the recipient will be in hospital for 10 days, and then will need to return to the hospital 3 times per week for 6 weeks, then they start to reduce the amount of visits to bi-weekly to monthly, etc.  Then the receipent will be on rejection drugs for the rest of their lives, which can cause many side effects.  A kidney transplant is not a cure it's a different way of life other then dialysis, more freedom.

We were also told that the donor is taken in the morning for the operation, and then will remain in the hospital for 3 days, and go back to see the transplant team of dr's a couple times.  They said that the donor receives Laposcopy surgury to have their kidney remove, which is why it takes less healing time.

Overall a week after going to our first visit we feel more at ease.  Immediately after the appointment our emotions were so high, we were frightened of the effects of the rejection drugs & the cost of them, but somehow, someway it will all get sorted out one way or another.  The key to all of this is to be able to live a normal life, free of dialysis.  

All we need is faith, love, encouragement and support and we can get through this.

SURPRISED!!!

We came home tonight from a week away in PEI visiting family.  We were going to write about what an amazing time we had with those we got to spend time with, but instead we are writing about the surprise we came home to......wait for it.....a message from the Toronto General Hospital, in the message she said that she would follow the call up with a letter, so our next step was to rush to the mailbox.  To our surprise there it was.....what does it say you ask?  We are set up for our first appointment downtown with the transplant team.....OMG pinch us, is this moving forward?  Well this Wednesday we have our first appointment, what could be any better then that?  We also have dates that take us into October!!!  Coming back from vacation, feeling that feeling, getting back to the grind, when in fact we're feeling more hope then we have in a long time......is something going right for us?  Amazing, purely, amazing!

Kidney's and Losing Weight

The Doctor's get concerned when a kidney patient loses weight.  So this morning Ken had to tighten up the notch on his belt to the next hole and weighed himself and he has lost 11 lbs and we know that they will be concerned about that on our next visit in September.  We have between now and then to get him to gain weight (I know ladies what a shame), but for him it is.  The issue is he has been more nauseous then usual (probably the medication).  We need to keep his levels stable for the transplant team to be happy with him, and that includes his weight.  Between him being nauseous, eating for kidney health that is going to be a difficult job.  He can also work out on the bowflex to build muscle (which increasing weight gain), but that also requires energy which he is lacking, especially after working each day. 

As of now there has been no movement on the kidney transplant and each passing day his kidney's don't get better, they get worse.  Maybe today we will put a call in to downtown to see what is happening on the file as it seems they need a little push.

Here's hoping to weight gain for him (not me), and movement downtown.

Give The Gift of Life Walk 2012

http://kidney.akaraisin.com/brampton12/cc4cad94184b4ca8981ecdfeeaa66b2a

We`ll be walking in the `Give the Gift of Life Walk 2012`again this year.  If you would like to sponsor me and my team to raise funds for a cause close to your `Kidney`please click the link above and it will bring you to the page where you can sponsor.

We thank each and everyone out there for your encouraging words, thoughts, and sponsorship throughout our fight with kidney disease.

Moment for your Kidney Thought

We are going through a roller coaster of emotions right now. 

We have a willing kidney donor which is really heaven sent we're sure! What angel would grant us with that one wish in life?  The moment where thought comes in, is how unselfish this person is.  Caring for another person as much as they do.  It amazes us!  Not that either of us are surprised by that gesture, and believe us if the shoe were on the other foot and this siutation presented itself, we too would be of mind to be a donor. 

In fact our daughter, who is to young to donate, but would have in a heartbeat (after all it is her Daddy), but a lesson has been taught to her through the kidney education classes as well as knowing that someone has come forward to create a better life for her Daddy and one day when of age she will be able to pay it forward if possible.

The moment of stress, is to know it's all out of our control.  All the Dr's appointments, tests, & meetings in the world for us we can organize, be on top of. However for a donor we cannot be involved, why you ask? We can not apply pressure to  the donor, which is totally understandable.  The one things that is frustrating is that the hospital team doesn't go about it all the right way.  No education to the donor to let the donor know that they have to be the one to contact the hospital to arrange the next steps (appointments, tests, etc).  The transplant team wants to know that the donor is really in it and truly wants to donate.  Who tells the donor this? In all the phamplets we have read it doesn't say that the donor does all the contacting to the transplant team, but somewhere between mind reading and talking to our own Kidney Specialist this is where the lessons have been learnt for us.

We are writing about the stress of it all, and hoping to help educate others in this situation, because knowledge is everything!

Praying for all those out there with similar situations as ours and hoping that this blog assists others in their endeavor with kidney diasease or organ transplant in general.

Keeping the Faith!

Kidney Update

Went to the Kidney Clinic today.  Levels are stable.  For those of you who understand Creatine levels 652 is the number, from 644 in March.....keeping blood pressure under control, watching the diet of pottassium and phosphorus, things are stable while we wait for a transplant.  Waiting being the hardest part of the process, it's all in time with the medical fields time, and being the inpatient person that I am it is hard.  You would think that the patient with kidney disease (my husband) would be more inpatient, but he goes on normally in his everyday life.  Not worrying, not stressing, which is probably part of the reason his levels are stable at the moment.  I stress and worry enough for the both of us. 

Keeping you up to date! :)

Flash Mob June 16 2012

Here is the flash mob we did today, what an experience shutting down an intersection.  Honking horns (cheering us on of coarse)!  Special thanks to our leader Skye Bowen who taught us all we know.  Want to be part of these flash mobs, or better yet join a Fuzion class go to http://www.fuzionworkout.com/

CANADA AM "Be A Donor" Special Features First One-On-One Post-Op TV Interview with Organ Donor Champion Hélène Campbell, May 25 on CTV | CNS

Need to set your PVR for this and follow @CTVCanadaAM on twitter and use the hash tag #beadonor
to understand what a transplant receipent, donor, donor's family and receipients family goes through!  I'll be PVRing it as well as following the twitter feed, will you?

CANADA AM "Be A Donor" Special Features First One-On-One Post-Op TV Interview with Organ Donor Champion Hélène Campbell, May 25 on CTV | CNS

Life Experiences & Opinions

I sometimes wonder why people think they are always right, have the right answer, think they know it all, do you?  I by no way have all the answers, and in fact the one thing I do know is that NOBODY I know does.  You may have certain life experiences that make you feel like you know better, but who says your way is better?  One can only try it their own way and if it works out for them, then more the power to ya! 

We all have different life experiences.  Some people have lost close loved ones, some have not.  Some have had close encounters themselves with death, some have not.  Some of very little family, others have a lot. Some have life altering illness, and some have not.  Some have had many jobs, and some have not.  All these different life experiences give you opinions on how things should be, not that they are right opinions for everyone, just for indivually YOU.

Imagine being told that you've been through far less then the next person, and that because what they've been through, that they know more.....how would you react to that?  Well let me tell you how I'll react to it............my life is different then yours, you do your thing and I'll do mine, and hopefully everything works out for all of us!

There are tons of books out there on how to better yourself, your life, your attitude etc, however the best book is your own.  Live life your own way, the best way you know how.  Remember to Encourage, Support and be Respectful to one another's beliefs, after all it's what you Believe that matters!

Goodbye Nana

Today we said Good-bye to my Nana.  Below is what my Aunt Cate read, which really felt like it was written for my Nana.

A Song Of Living

A Song Of Living - Amelia Josephine Barr

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have kissed young Love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end,
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I give a share of my soul to the world, when and where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God,
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

Remembering My Nana...Rest In Peace

A slideshow of my Nana throughout her life.  She passed away on April 19, 2012 leaving a lot of memories behind.  She also left many family members who loved her dearly.  Such a special lady who I was fortunate enough to spend so much time with. On May 9, 2012 she will be laid to rest in peace. xo

Thinking of Life

Sometimes I just sit and think about how much has gone on in my life.  Some of it not so great and some of it so great!  Sometimes that not so great feels like more then the great stuff, but I really know it's not.  I realize I need to rise above all of these awful things and hold onto all the goodness my life brings.  We has human beings think things should be all roses, but if we try to look at all the positive things that come out of the negative we'd all feel better.

Although I have lost a lot in my life, my Mom, Dad, Grandparents, I still need to realize the gifts that these people gave me.  They gave me Amazing memories!  I've shared some great things with them and although they are gone now, they are memories we speak about all the time in our house.  From what they didn't like to eat and what they did, expressions they used, and the things that would make us laugh so much you'd almost wet yourself!  These are the times that need reflection. 

Ever thought about once your gone?  I have, and I don't want people to be sad, miserable, depressed.  I want people to remember me as the honest, loving, caring and funny person I know that I give to many people's lives, and I want all the people I know and love to be happy and live life to the fullest with no regrets!  And I'm thinking most want that to, and I believe that's what all the people I've lost wanted for me.

So go out there make memories, enjoy each other, the housework will wait until tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that!  Remember to live, laugh, love! xo

March 5, 1920 - April 19, 2012

What is important about 1920? This lady in the picture was born,
who knew that she would end up being my Nana? Well I'm certainly glad that she was! She was a special lady to me. We had a lot of laughs through the years of growing up. I was lucky to have her in my life for such a long time, and that she was always there in it with her full mind. My parents were amazing people, always had my Nana fly over here, or we did many family trips to visit her over seas, the Ocean is huge, but never kept the relationship I had with her very far apart.

Tonight I came home to find out that she passed away today. She's been waiting for her husband (who passed 39 years ago) to come take her with him, she'd be waiting forever she'd say. She lost my Aunt Sue (her daughter-in-law) 19 years ago, and lost my Mom (her other daughter-in-law) 9 years ago, and lost my Dad (her son) 9 year sago as well. This woman was amazing! Fought through all the sad times, and yet still came out the other side with a brave face and smile. She always would say, when is he coming for me, which was my Grandad, I would always tell her they aren't ready yet to get the party started, Once the party is ready, he'll come. And he did today, April 19 , 2012. She had always said that she hoped she would just fall asleep and that would be it, and that's what happened!

Although I know she was 92, my heart breaks, another piece of me is gone. I've had a lot of loss in my life, and as I'm always told, "you only get thrown at you what you can handle", well I'd say this is enough.

What I'll miss the most are my Saturday morning cups of tea with her. Every Saturday morning I would make a cup of tea and give her a call in England, I looked forward to my Saturday's with her, we would laugh, cry, tell stories, it was special to me and I know it was to her as well.

Since my Dad passed away I've made her the centre of my family, she was the tie to my parents, a huge part of my life. I'll miss her laugh, her cheeky ways, her telling me off, her stories, her!

Last time I saw her in November 2011, she told me not to cry when she did go, just like every other time I left her, but the tears will not stop as I write this, sorry Nana!

She was admitted to hospital at the beginning of February this year with an infection, and she did get better, was put in a respite care for rehabilitation, and in the past couple of weeks she admitted she could not go back to living on her own and choose to go into a home. On Monday of this week my Uncle and Aunt moved her into a home in which she stayed 3 nights, then fell asleep to go to her party!

Hope the party was worth waiting for Nana, you will be greatly missed! I love you! xo We love you! xox0

I was very lucky to have the oppotunity to go visit her a lot, these are some pictures over some of the years! I'd have to pull other pics to scan see there wasn't digital for all the other times! :)

BramptonGuardian Article: Brampton home to Ontario’s first kidney wellness centre

BramptonGuardian Article: Brampton home to Ontario’s first kidney wellness centre

Great to see progress for Kidney Wellness in Ontario. Brampton has the highest growth rates in dialysis patients in Ontario. Power of Postive Thinking and Prayer!

A New Challenge For Me

Tonight I did my first ever run/walk with my daughter. 1.74 miles, in 23 minutes.....I'm not looking to make it a race, I'm looking to get out there and exercise more.....you know heart health, feel good health! Even better I can do this with my daughter.

My daughter is a lover of track & field and cross country running, although I was at a slower pace then her, she was a wonderful encourager. Her track & field meet will be the end of May beginning of June so this will help her, especially since she normally makes the long distance running.

Although I had to walk on and off I think I did rather well for me! I had a heart problem growing up and was unable to run without passing out, and I had to watch everything I did that put a strain on my heart. The Dr cleared me to be able to excercise freely 11 years ago, and it took me 10 years to get myself out there and start to exercise. Over the past 15 months I've been going to Fuzion, which I really enjoy. So I'll be still going to Fuzion twice per week, but now I will try and add running a few times per week as well.

Thank you to my friend Bev who got me out to Fuzion that one night, thanks to Skye for being an enthusiastic instructor at Fuzion to make me want to continue going, thanks to all the new people I've met there that make it that much easier to go, thank you to my wonderful daughter who is my number one fan, and most of all thank you to my husband who enables me to do all that I can do!

Sickness

I have not been myself for a week now, I have been sick. But not my usual, chest, sinus or ear infection, it's a weird feeling. Today I started feeling dizzy (vertigo), sweats, body aches......weird! I have missed Fuzion so much (3 classes so far), which brings me down. I'm hoping that Thursday finds me feeling better and I'm able to start back at it. Nothing beats a great workout to make my mind feel better, and not to mention seeing all the people I've met there over the past year!

Mother-In-Law

My Mother-In-Law was taken to hospital on Saturday by ambulance, the Dr's are saying it was a very bad infection. Yesterday evening she had a heart attack. She lives so far away it is difficult for us, especially for my husband. She is 86 years young, and really had no ailments her entire life. She has had many children, and is married to a wonderful man. Praying that she will heal and get back home to her soulmate! xo

Fuzion Event - David Suzuki Football Team

A Fuzion event to raise money for the David Suzuki Football Team is scheduled for April 14, 2012 at Royal Orchard Middle School in Brampton. It will run from 5 pm - 7 pm. The minimum donation is $10 per adult, $5.00 per student.

Have you ever been to Fuzion? It's a lot of fun! It's excercise, but yes it's fun! Have you ever thought you could say excercise and fun in the same moment? Well come out and try Fuzion, you may just get hooked on it like I did!

Join Skye Bowen with her enthusiastic way to help the kids use their talents towards their football team!

Kidney Clinic Visit

Went to the Kidney Clinic today. Creatnine levels are up slightly, all other levels are normal. Watching the diet is proving to assist the stablizing of the levels. Reading everything there is to learn about Kidney Disease so I'm more informed of what to encounter. Dialysis hasn't been mentioned to start yet, but it might be close, around the corner. I know the Nephrologist is hoping for a transplant before needing dialysis. The Dr is great, fantastic, considerate and compassionate, all what is needed in a Nephrologist! We keep praying that things will turn out right, positive prayer will keep us in the right direction.

Also Remember to register yourself at Be A Donor on line, you could save a life of someone you love!

March Break 2012

We went to our Old Faithful, Jamaica. If you have never been to Jamaica you need to make a point of going! Jamaica are full of wonderful people, food and culture you won't be disappointed!

Happy New Year 2012!

2012 rang in quite quietly, but very welcomed.

2011 was a year full of go, go, go. There was never a dull moment, and it is full of memories. Overcame obstacles that I challenged myself with.

This year 2012 will bring many challenges, emotional times, but most of all hope.

Stay tuned for this roller coaster ride called..............The 2012 Challenge!