Everything!

June 10/13.

Tonight at 9:15, I'll be undergoing another breast MRI. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).  The last one was a year ago.

This prep-shot was taken at my first MRI in 2011 on Sam's BlackBerry-cam, so it's pretty blurry - (likely a GOOD thing!) - Stylish! (not)

I have to buy a pair of earplugs to wear underneath the noise cancellation headphones, thereby quieting the ultra-loud clanging, beeping, buzzing and siren sound effects you have to endure. Also, due to a back injury 20 years ago, I can't lie on my stomach unless I have pillows or towels under my abdomen. Last time, the technician was very accomodating and found some padding for me to lie on so my back wouldn't hurt. (you have to stay perfectly still, boobs hanging through two holes in the examination table (lovely), and your face planted in a donut hole pillow for 30 to 45 minutes). Always tough. Each time I've had an MRI, I start to itch! And you can't move a muscle to scratch! Last time, I took a Tylenol 3 and a 5 mg. Valium before the test to help me lie still in a shaky state - and I'll do it again on Monday. (I'd recommend that to anyone having an MRI, as long as you have someone to drive you home afterwards!)

Nice floral hat!

Part of the test also involves the insertion of an IV needle so they can pump you full of contrast dye. Back then, I was told results would be available in 5 days, but I had to wait 12. Everything turned out well, and I'm hoping the same will be true this time.

Back to Princess Margaret Hospital for a checkup, and then to Mount Sinai for another test.

Still awaiting results of the painful uterine biopsy done 18 days ago! (Sometimes, the wait can be the hardest thing of all)!

"Backwards-working-now". On May 25th, stopped by cousin Kevio's place to say a final goodbye to my sweet littlest cousin, Sienna (who turns 2 this coming week). She and her beautiful Mum, (my cuz, Sacha) were heading off on the long trip to Malta to see Sienna's Dad, Mark. He's a water polo player there.

Sienna sure has grown since this family pic was taken when she was just three months old. This time, they'll all be there together for 10 months. As a result, Kev and Marilyn are empty-nesters and will miss them both so much. (I miss them already!)

Knowing how sad Kev/Mar would be when they had to drive them to the airport, I dropped off some flowers and a card, hoping to cheer them up a little bit. (I know what a wreck I'D be if MY kids were going away for almost a year!) They weren't home, so I left the flowers hanging on the doorknob till their return. I later found out they were awash with tears at the final goodbye, (which I was fully expecting to hear).

The next day, Tom, expert Shellac man at Urban Nails, gave me three new coats of shiny Rosebud pink at Urban Nails. Nice.

Later in the week, received an offer to write two more previews for the upcoming issue of Tribute, the movie magazine. Glad for the work and the chance to get published again. I was given one day to come up with reports -

about R.I.P.D (Rest in Peace Department, starring Jeff Bridges and our Canadian actor, Ryan Reynolds),

and World War Z, the zombie flick starring - (and co-produced by) Brad Pitt.

You have to write the previews based strictly on information and trailers, since the magazine deadline is way before the films appear in theatres. By the time I was finished all the research and writing, I'd been zombified! (have had a lifetime thing for zombies!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwTxRuq-uk

Must say, the movie looks pretty damn scary!

Even Brad Pitt admits the zombies in his new flick are like nothing you've ever seen before!

We had some pretty iffy & weird weather in late May, but finally, May 31st was a perfect day! April showers really DID bring May flowers! (will admit, these are the flowers at our next-door-neighbour's place, as they are super gardeners!)

But have to say, our backyard is gorgeous, green and lush, and we have four new adorable little baby raccoons living somewhere back there!

That same evening, Max's band, Ghost Daze, came for one of their frequent rehearsals in our basement. I snapped a few pics. (Roadie/promo Mum).  This time, lead singer/guitarist Emmett Webb played drums, and Max played guitar. - (check out Max's Alan Alda poster on the left. Max and I are M*A*S*H/Hawkeye fanatics).

Bassist Charles Wilson took a crack at Max's acoustic guitar.

It's really fun to have a household filled with rock music! This rehearsal sounded particularly tight to me!

Later, Max dressed up to go to a downtown bar with his marimba-playing music partner, Celeste. He's not of age yet, but Max is very anti-booze, so he just went to hang out and have pop. - (these two were voted Cutest Best Friends at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts).

The next day, my old high school pal, Dean Rogers, invited me to the annual outdoor art show at Jimmie Simpson park. Naturally, it had to pour rain, (bad hair day for me!) - but we went anyway and saw tons of interesting work.

Music was provided by

Moo'dSwing.

And there was a food tent - (with unidentified items for sale).

I liked the Wizard of Oz paintings.

And the tree/landscapes. (though I got in trouble from the artist for shooting this pic). All I was doing was trying to promote him, but guess I'll leave his name out!

I wasn't too big on the dogs.

But always like anything bright and colourful!

This young artist was painting

the surroundings!

Thank you, Dean, for the invite, (and for bringing an umbrella!)

June 4th brought Frank, patio door installer from Canadian Tire, to our basement.

He gave us an estimate (our third one) on replacing the wrecked sliding doors and rotting wood, built in 1979, years before we moved in. He and his father are a team,

gave the best quote and really seem to know their craft. So, within the next month,

the broken handles and everything else will finally be replaced and we'll be able to open the doors! (at the moment, it takes two people to shove the sliding door aside! - We've been told, once it's all done, we will be able to open the doors with our baby finger! - Yay!) - Contracts are signed. Can't wait.

June 5th, enjoyed the flowers at the No Frills Garden Centre.

Didn't buy anything, but liked the way this hanging bouquet matched my shirt! ha ha!

The next morning, ready to take on the track at Riverdale Park -

and ended up accomplishing my longest run yet - 13 laps - just over 3 miles. Never thought I could EVER run three miles,

but did it with some heavy duty mental inspiration and great iPod music!

This is the sign I pass on the walk home every other day, after my run.

Following a hot shower and change of clothes, drove Max - (lookin' spiffy), to his school's Music Night.

He and Celeste played marimba together

for three tunes,

and Max had a drum solo on the song Dracula's Mountain. Proud Mum here.

Another day, spent a fortune at Shoppers, made over 18,000 extra points, and was able to buy 30 bucks worth of free stuff. Love that!

Sunday night, watched The Tonys, 

http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-06-09/tony-awards-2013-watch-neil-patrick-harris-epic-opening-number/

(host Neil Patrick Harris did a fabulous opening number), 

and then saw Strombo's first CNN show featuring Martin Short. Now it's time to get my head together for tonight's MRI.

Here we go again!

May 26/13.

I've been lucky enough to have two years cancer-free after my breast lumpectomy in April 2011. Has been a wild roller coaster ride of emotion, but I'm still here, hangin' on. I try to enjoy the calmer moments, but they feel few and far between. There always seems to be something just ahead and around the corner, - another road block or hurdle to overcome. Was back at Princess Margaret and also Mt. Sinai for more tests last week. The stress and fear brings on much anxiety. For months, this blog has morphed into more of a personal life story, but I think I have to return for a while to the original concept of a medical blog with no candy coating. One of my most recent tests was an abdominal ultrasound. There's no pain involved, but hearing the results is not exactly a walk in the park. Among the discoveries? - a couple of Bartholin cysts; a tiny 5 mm cortical cyst in the mid/lower pole of the right kidney; small myometrial cysts in the fundal area of the uterus, measuring up to 3 mm, likely due to adenomyosis; and a possible echogenic lesion, suggestive of a polyp in the cervix. (whatever all that means!!) Reading my medical journals now. Ai yi yi.

After hearing all that joyous news, took the time to stroll the courtyard on the 16th floor at Princess Margaret to try and clear my head. It was a beautiful day.

And later, checked the inspirational board in the lobby.

That evening, was able to get my mind off things at a birthday party for my littlest cousin, Sienna, who is turning two! She is sitting on the knee of her stunning Mum, Sacha.

My cousin, Kevio, couldn't believe his granddaughter is hitting the two-year mark! (it actually doesn't happen officially till June 13th, but the party was early).

Kev celebrated at the barbeque, grilling up burgers, hotdogs, veggie dogs and turkey dogs! I had my first burger in as long as I can remember and it was fabulous!

Among the guests, (left to right), my nephew, Lee, Carrie's partner, Paul Nodwell, and my sis, Carrie!

It was quite a bash, especially when Kev's Rough Trade musical partner, Carole Pope showed up! (she was en route to a gig that evening).

It was fun to see a Kevan/Carole reunion!

Max and Kate provided some music!

And so did Lee. He's been selected as one of only eight students to join the vocal music course at Humber in September and has a stunning voice. He sang John Mayer's Stop This Train, one of my fave songs.

Sienna seemed quite into it all!

The food and presentation was amazing.

And of course, there was wine and plenty of snacks, 

and balloons!

A good time was had by all.

Lee and Max (now ages 17 and 18), played under the deck like the old days when they were little kids together! So cute, and now, both GREAT young men! They bring such happiness to our lives.

Sacha and Sienna are both about to return to Malta to see Sienna's Dad for a number of months. They'll be so missed here. Kevan and Marilyn don't want them to leave. Now they'll have to do all their visiting via Skype.

The next day, we drove to Newmarket for another party! This one at the home of Neil and Carolyn (Sam's brother and sister-in-law). It was a welcome-back bash for their daughter, Jenny, visiting for a few days from Edmonton, where she now works. (left to right, Geoff, Debbie, Justin, Neil, Jason, Max, Kate)

We brought Sam's Dad, Ben with us. He loved seeing the whole fam together.

Another day of fantastic food! (my weight is going up!)

All ordered from the Mandarin. Torpedo shrimp galore, ribs, lemon chicken, veggies, sweet and sour sauces,

mango salad, egg rolls, spring rolls and on and on and on!

Jenny was the belle of the ball! What a beauty. Great to see her.

We all checked out the massive swimming pool and sundeck being built next door. Wow!

A big thank you to Carolyn and Neil for opening up their home for such a beautiful party, (despite having just driven home in a mad dash from their Falls Bay place up north!) They still managed to pull it off perfectly!

We got back to Toronto in just enough time to head to Withrow Park 

for the annual Victoria Day fireworks display!

It was really fun to watch the exploding colours in the sky with Kate and Max.

After all the partying, it was onward to Mt. Sinai. I thought it was to talk about the results of the ultrasound, but NO! Another big surprise. I was told I had to have a uterine biopsy (also known as an endometrial biopsy), right there and then. No warning. Nothing. I asked about anaesthetic, maybe some lidocaine, (which is given to many women for this test), but the answer was a firm no. 

All around me were instruments that didn't look too pleasant.

Stuff right out of David Cronenberg's film Dead Ringers - (1988). Yikes.

With straw-like thingamajigs to collect the samples. Get me outta here!

Dr. Alarab told me she'd just done the same procedure on the woman in the next examination room and she had NO problem and was actually laughing through it all. I explained to her, I have a low threshold for pain. Most women get advance notice and are instructed to take up to four Advil before this procedure so the pain won't be so bad, but I wasn't given that advice. (thanks Doc). Lemme tell ya, it hurt like hell and I was yelling out loud. Afterwards? Lots of bleeding and aching inside. Sure as hell glad that's over with - (even though the Doc said she wasn't sure she got enough of a sample and she might have to repeat the test). Terrific.

Oh no! Enter my old blog mascot, The Cowardly Lion!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXhaBHGhUOI

Time to jump out the window and run for the hills!

Now all I have to do is wait three weeks for results, (which may or may not be cancerous).

To make myself feel better, it was off to see my pal

Paul Taylor, master stylist at JC Salons.

He listens to all my tales of woe and sends me home with a better outlook - (and better hair!)

Thank you, as always, Paul!

On Friday, I took a "me day" to do whatever I liked. It was terrific all-around. I have one friend (who prefers to remain anonymous), who never fails to make me laugh and help rid me of anxiety for a day. (only wish that could happen EVERY day). For now, guess I'll stay on the Clonazepam, keep running on the track and breathe deeply.  Fingers crossed, all will be well.