On Saturday afternoon we got some pictures frames for three wedding pictures and my certificate of nine years of service at Centra Cam.

At Centra Cam for * fun in the park we had Rock and Roll Band’s*week! We had blow up drums, guitars, keyboard, rock star glasses and wings! I played the drums on Monday and on Wednesday afternoon I played the guitar. It was pretty much every day we got to play with the Rock and Roll band.

On Tuesday afternoon my friend Amanda and I went for nails. I got bees and ladybugs with an French manicure.

On Saturday afternoon my Auntie Gail * my dad’s sister * came down from Lloydminster for the day. We made Resin bowls from an birthday present, that I got from my friend Kelsey and her family. It was really fun to make. After that we took my Auntie Gail shopping to Winners and Rickis!

On Sunday afternoon my mom, me and my dad coloured a picture of the butterflies and the flowers that my auntie Gail gave me on Saturday.

On Monday My friend Courtney showed me her baby girl Marley in the outfit that I bought her! She looks so absolutely adorable in her outfit. I absolutely loved the pictures that she sent me!

On Wednesday we had a BBQ and an wind up party for the fun in the park activities with Centra Cam. There was outdoor activities which was outdoor games! I played connect four and pin the badge on the cowboy. Their was a blow up gorilla! It was outside until it started to rain! Everything was pretty much finished once it started to rain so it turned out to be perfect timing!

On Sunday we had two appointments and I got my new braces! I got a design of butterflies. This time I decided to get some yellow belts . Then while the guy was working on my braces, we went to Kingsway mall because we had spare time between the two appointments! I got two shirts/ jackets that are blue and pink.

On Saturday afternoon we went to the block party downtown Camrose. It was just like Jaywalkers without the rides. I got an butterfly tattoo and I got a face painting on my arm which was a rainbow. I played bean bag toss! It was very fun event in our community! It was a warm and sunny day!

On Sunday afternoon mom, dad and I went to the Camrose museum for their country fair .
Their was an table set up in an tent with Centra Cam’s art and crafts that was made by the clients and some pictures of the clients. I held one of the roses that we made from the garden party and the BBQ. There was outdoor games like bean bag toss and connect four. We played together. Later on my dad put up my picture frame on the wall, that has the certificate for nine years of service at Centra Cam inside of the picture fame .

On Friday evening I was in the Rock the Runway Fashion show at the casino. It was very fun to be in the fashion show and we could watch some of it as well. It was an awesome experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you Twig for the amazing clothes I got to model.

On Saturday evening we took family pictures and had a family dinner! After that we sat around the fire table in our backyard, and we talked about the coming up holidays! We might have Thanksgiving at Joel and Ashley’s house and Joel might smoke a turkey. We might have Christmas on dad’s birthday weekend so Joel and Ashley could go to Saskatchewan for Christmas .

This summer I finished two word searches books. I just started a new one.

On Friday evening we had Rose Club Karaoke Night . I sang ” What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction and “Take Your Time ” by Sam Hunt.

Kelsey: Why did you have to get back surgery?

Cheryl: In July 2020 unfortunately, an MRI revealed a spinal Thoracic 11-12 benign tumor.

Kelsey: Did you try out physical therapy first before you had surgery on your back?

Cheryl: I was having a cortisone treatment for pain issues to lumbar spine. A new loss of balance, numbness and tingling to the front of my legs with difficulty sitting triggered an MRI.

Kelsey: What was your recovery time after your surgery on your back?   

Cheryl: I had a resection of the intradural extramedullary cystic tumor as the mass was impeding on my spinal cord. I had a surgical consult within a week with surgery booked on August 20th.  Surgical time was longer with 5 days hospitalization.

Kelsey: How did your family react when you had the news that you needed surgery on your back?

Cheryl: After my doctor’s appointment as a nurse, I knew what I was in for.  I went for a drive and cried my eyes out as I realized my life just changed.  I shared news with Steve though I kept silence with my girls until I had more details. When we shared the diagnoses with the girls, we cried as a family though I assured them I was going to be ok.

Kelsey: How long was recovery for your back? What did your day look like?

Cheryl: Post op care was a focus of cerebral spinal leak prevention, pain control, bladder function and mobility. These days were intense though my focus was equally intense as I was determined to regain complete presurgery function.

Kelsey: Did you have to take time off work, how long were you off for your back Surgery?

Cheryl:  After U of A Hospital discharge I was off work for 5 months. These months were spent with recovery of the surgical implications of this type of surgery. I did very well though spent lots of time sleeping, regaining strength and emotional contemplation.

Kelsey: So, explain how much pain were you in? How is your back pain now?

Cheryl: Unfortunately, I have a history of lumbar back issues. At the time of diagnoses, I was dealing with lumbar spine pain only to reveal a thoracic issue. As spinal compression symptoms increased, I was very nervous as goal was to prevent permanent function loss.  Thankfully surgical interventions were given.

Kelsey: How is your back pain now?  

Cheryl: 2 years anniversary has come and I’m doing very well.  I still have lumbar issues though I have minimal complications from my thoracic tumor removal. MRI’s will be done for monitoring. Blessed beyond words.

Kelsey: Did your daily life change because you had a bad back? Did your doctors give you some stretches for you back after your surgery?

Cheryl: I still have lumbar issues that are chronic. I’m mindful of prevention strategies of an active lifestyle and healthy living for life.

Kelsey: Would you recommend this back surgery to anyone else who has back problems or issues?

Cheryl: Spinal issues are a top Dr. complaint.  One needs to mindful of good spinal care for as we age degeneration is a health factor.  Emergency back surgeries happen. I’m so grateful at a time of COVID pandemic that I was able to access surgery. Forever blessed. 

Here is some information I found on the internet about intradural extramedullary cystic tumors if you would like to learn more:

https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Tumors

If anyone has something I can interview them on please message me!