Gaining Strength!

Babysat Matthew both Friday and Saturday, Friday being a Dora Marathon! It never ended!!!
Sunday, for the first time since my surgery I went to St. Tims for church and then out to breakfast with some friends....Like I normally did before. I also shopped for dinner on my way home and wrapped Bill's gift. Then in the afternoon I went to a hockey game of Colie and Katies. It was a tournament in Orono...and they were playing in the championship game. But ended in second place....after a good try. Then everyone came to my house for dinner which I had put in a crockpot before the game, to celebrate Bill's 43rd birthday. Funny....how Jimbo has taken his father's role....and cleaned up all the dishes and the kitchen for me after dinner. (Love ya for that Jimbo) He also arrived at the house before us...so he shoveled the driveway and put down salt on the icey patches. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! So all in all it was a wonderful weekend...and I am gaining my strength back, slowly but surely! Happy Birthday Bill, Love you, mom

Date is Set!

February 12, 2008, 8:00 a.m. North Memorial.

Light At the End of the Tunnel

Saw the oncologist yesterday....and he said if I am comfortable not having chemo, he's comfortable with that too! They will continue to keep an eye on me, and have already scheduled a CTscan and appointment with him in April.
Today I saw the surgeon, and he checked me out with a scope and said that the incision looks perfect and I can have the ileostomy reversed as soon as possible. However, he is busy for the next two weeks, so as soon as possible will be Feb. 12 or 13th. I'm waiting for the hospital to call and let me know which day and time. So as I would prefer it was yesterday, I guess the 12th or 13th will be great!!! I will be in the hospital for about another 5 days, so that doesn't sound so bad. The good news is that Tom and Karen will be back from Vegas, so it won't be when they are out of town. It's bad enough they live in Chicago, at least it is driving distance. Vegas would be much harder. So I am happy for that. I'll update you when I know the date for sure. m

Retirement Party

Last Thursday, the college threw me a retirement party and the TDC Gang managed to roast me from the crown on my head to the slippers on my toes. They crowned both Karen Orr and me with Queen for a day honors, even though I have been Queen Mary Mother Magnificent since my 50th birthday. (But that's another story.) They had prepared a great surprise slide presentation that played over and over during the party. After roasting Karen, it was my turn, and they managed some nice words inbetween "Maryisms" and the new words written to the tune of "You are my Sunshine" which had my family all in tears without hearing a word. Ann Sidoti (my first boss in Continuing Education and Customized Training) and Barry Lane who was a Director of Customized Training and a Instructor for us for many years both told some stories but also had some wonderful words. Then Pat Johns gave me a plaque the shape of MN with my name and years of service to the College engraved, a certificate signed by the Govenor of MN and a gift from the people at the college. (This was a digital frame with some of the pictures from the slide presentation already loaded on it.) There were many past and present employees of the college and both Karen and I had family and friends in attendance too. The TDC Gang gave me a beautiful vase handblown by Bob Toensing a famous art teacher at the college. I've been wanting that vase for over a year now, and in the past Bob wouldn't sell it....so I really feel honored that he would allow it to be bought and given to me.
Following the party at the college we moved to the Moon Rock Cafe in Champlin, and preceeded to party till 8 p.m. More people that couldn't be at the college came to that, as well as, a lot who were at the college too. All the grandkids got to come to that and they got the honor of passing out the cake after it was cut.
I managed to enjoy the whole day by sitting as often as possible, continuing to drink my fluids and eating as often as possible, even though I couldn't finish my dinner, I boxed it and had three more meals from it. I didn't sleep well that night had too much on my mind. All the excitement I guess. The next day I went to lunch with some of the same people all staff from the college, mostly retired. But Friday nite I really slept good. Making up for the night before.
Yesterday and today I've had the pleasure of babysitting Matthew (Annie's youngest) as they had hockey games and didn't want him in the cold rinks. So I've been hybernating all weekend.
I'd like to thank all those that attended any of my parties, and for all the gifts and hugs and many kind words. I will get busy and write my Thank You's soon. I loved the parties, and love all of you. m

Milestones

Hi, I've accomplished a few more milestones this week. I've been out on my own twice. Once to the college for a visit on Monday, and today I made a trip to have my hair done. It feels so good to be independent at last. If it wouldn't be for this bag...I'd feel normal again. I know by this time next month I will be well on my way to being normal again. My plans for Switzerland are coming along well...and my trip to Sedona in March should be a reality too! So needless to say...I'm ready to PARTY on Thursday!

Feeling Great!

Well, I am happy to report that for the last 2 weeks my ostomy hasn't given me any trouble. I'm feeling more confident that it will hold...moving around more freely, and sleeping better.
I've been graced with great company, last nite Phil and I went through pictures for the family tree and the movie he is putting together. Friday evening, Jimbo, Ann and her sister Wendy brought me dinner. I think Wendy actually bought it. But anyway Famous Daves was great. Thursday Janet came to put my garbage out... and we made spagetti. She changed her mind about 3 or 4 times as the week went on and weather reports called for snow on Thursday, but no snow appeared, so she felt obligated to my son to come and put out my garbage as she had promised him the week before. Today I had Jimbo come and fix a leaky toilet. So I still am a little needy, but really I am doing so much more for myself. There are just a few things I can't manage and wheelding a wrench under the toilet tank is one of them. I do appreciate all the help and meals I've recieved and hope soon I can return the favor for those who have done so.

Today I got a phone call from cousin Diane....so nice to hear from her....although Cancer and Chemo are Hell she sounds very strong and ready to fight to the finish. Please keep her in your prayers too!

I'm looking forward to Thursday and my big retirement party at the College and points beyond. Hope to see many of you there. Love ya all, m

Gaining Strength

Hi, I'm gaining strength each day, and trying new things each day. I've done a little house cleaning, and yesterday made the trip to the basement three times and did three loads of laundry. Made me a little tired in the end, but it makes me feel good that I accomplished it on my own. Walking out to the mailbox is a challenge I haven't accomplished yet, but my driveway and ice scares me, as last winter I slipped and hit my head, so I still am depending on others for that, but thinking I may drive my car out to the mailbox and back. Sounds pretty funny, but it should work.
Last nite Janet brought me dinner again....and also helped with some housekeeping jobs for me. So nice to have someone to eat with, as well as someone else to prepare it. But then I made her watch the biggest loser with me, and spoiled her eating the cherry tort she had bought for herself. So I have this nice dessert in my fridge....any takers? Janet says she will be back on Thursday evening to take out my garbage....so Bill will be happy to know that!
Keep the prayers coming, Love, m

Looking Good!

I had an appointment with the surgeon this a.m. and showered and washed my hair and put make-up on for the first time since the surgery...so I feel like a real human being! Went 4 days without a leaky bag, but as I got out of bed this a.m. I had sprung a leak. But have a new bag on and hope this lasts till Thursday. I see the Oncologist on Jan. 23, and then the surgeon on Jan. 24, at that time he will set the date for the surgery to reverse the iliostomy. He thinks in early Feb. The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I should be in the hospital for about 5 more days. Hopefully by then everything will be back in working order. Dr. thinks I'm doing well. Thanks to Ann H. for taking me to the doctor today, and salting my driveway so visitors won't kill themselves on the ice. Nothing more to report! Call or visit anytime. Love ya, m

Laughter is Good Medicine

Yesterday, I got a call from cousin Janet who said she would like to bring dinner and come to visit. So at my request she brought chicken wild rice soup from panara and a suprise guest, her sister Judy. So it was girls nite....and we talked and laughed till 10:15 p.m....they tried leaving earlier, but I kept them talking (not an easy task). My first company since I started feeling good, I had lots to talk about!
Success with my ostomy bag is still on the upswing. My friend who's sister used a Hollister bag, said she named it Holly! I said, "I'm not that attached to mine" hehe. So I'm getting my sense of humor back too! Monday I go back to see the surgeon, so we'll see what he has to say. Love and Laughter, m

An Enigma!

That's what the ostomy nurse calls me. The Coloplast system she had set me up with last week is especially for those with allergies, but I was the one in a million that couldn't use it. She said the Hollister brand I am using is usually the one everyone is allergic to. So you see I am an enigma!!! Any way I got a chance to see the skin under the bag and I have healed quite nicely. So things are going forward instead of backwards. My strength is coming back...I'm better each day. This a.m. I took a shower and washed my hair without assistance for the first time. I've fixed all my own meals today as well....also a first. So things are on the upswing.
Thanks for all the comments, I love reading them as well as the emails I've received. Keep the prayers coming...they are working....I can feel it! Love, m

Two steps forward and one step back!

New Years eve was great fun. My whole family was together at Lutsen. We started the evening with dinner at Papa Charlies (a great restaurant on Lutsen Mountain. They had a torch light parade & fireworks right after dinner at 8 p.m. and then we all went back to our townhouse for the rest of the evening and it culminated with champaign toast and a sigh of relief and a few tears that I had survived 2007 and I was so done with it. Then everyone cept me and Will took off their shoes and socks and ran outside in the snow to frolic? (their words). I guess this is going to be the new tradition, but I’m not sure I’ll be doing that even if I’m well?! Or at least I think I’m old enough and sober enough to know better. But then on the news tonite they said 679 people in MN took the polar plunge and they looked sober!!
I wish I could say the rest of the trip has gone as well….I was doing fine till I saw the ostomy nurse last Thursday and she changed by bag to a new and improved one....which I was allergic to, and have had nothing but problems since. I went to Lutsen with the kids and made two trips to emergency rooms, first to Grand Marias Hospital on Saturday night, and again on Sunday morning to Duluth, St. Lukes. The ostomy nurse came in special on Sunday morning to help me out. My skin around the stoma was raw and bleeding, and I couldn't get a bag to seal on my skin cause I couldn't get the skin dry...it was oozing. Karen had spent the whole night up with me trying to help me as I cried out for her every few minutes and there was not a lot she could do that made me feel any better. I think they were all relieved when I finally called Uncle and asked to be taken to Duluth to the ER. So we called Annie and she came and got me and drove me down to Duluth. But anyway the ostomy nurse at St. Luke’s took care of me, and I was fine till noon today,(Jan. 1) then I blew out that bag and Annie helped me get a new bag on and I told her to pack me up and take me home. I need to be close to the doctors down here in the city. So I’ll see the ostomy nurse again tomorrow and hopefully, all will be well. I feel so bad that I had given the kids so many problems, but the good times were great. And once again I couldn’t have done it without them. I love them so much.
I am so glad 2007 is over and today I begin a new happy year!!! Wishing all of you the same. m

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 and Happy Birthday Jimmer! 64, and Bruce Mortenson I think 64 too!