I made a happy anniversary card for my friend Nicole and her husband Kevin’s wedding anniversary on May 19.
For Mother’s Day weekend. We made signs with Rose Club on Zoom! For Mother’s Day I helped with Mom’s garden and gave her the sign, Happy Mother’s Day!
I changed out my clothes and everything is summer and spring clothes.
I love going on walks and going to the outdoor workout gym by the park!
It’s been a super-duper stressful week as my Mom has been in hospital in Camrose. She needed knee surgery replacement on Monday.
My special friend Teresa had her birthday last week on Wednesday and I mailed her a birthday card. This is probably my favourite picture of Teresa and myself.
We watched the high school musicals on Disney + and I love the High school musical 2 which is in the summertime.
We had another school presentation today; everyone was at their houses, so they had little boxes of people on the computer screen! It went very well! Thank you to the Mrs. Calhoon’s OLMP Grade 5 class for having me.
So, for my roommate Craig’s birthday we played block buster charades! Happy birthday Craig! I gave him a subway gift card for his birthday! We had take out for supper and his Mom made black forest cake!
We had bingo spring with rose club! We all got a bingo! We got to get bingo prizes!
My hair was purple around Easter and it’s slowly getting back to normal colour!
Saturday night we watched the perfect date! What a good movie!
Saturday afternoon… we went walking around the house in my walker. It’s felt so good to walk after a week of being sick! We played Yahtzee and I got Yahtzee! I was spring cleaning my markers and threw out some! Emma did my fingernails red and blue!
On Saturday night we had birthday bash with rose club! I had some more chocolate cheesecake!
Sunday afternoon of cooking. Making rhubarb crisp and making meat balls with potatoes and green beans! We got some meals from Good Food and you get everything precut and everything else is inside the bags! All you need to do is make your meals and cook! Super duper easy and so much fun with good taste! This was huge help while my mom is recovering from her knee replacement!
My cousin Eric’s stomach problems with dairy. I was curious about my cousin Eric’s journey about his stomach problems with dairy, so I decided to do an interview with him!
Kelsey: What were your symptoms?
Eric: My symptoms are usually nothing but can include stomach pains and gas but if I have way too much dairy I will throw up.
Kelsey: How do you make your symptoms better?
Eric: To make the symptoms better I find time, water and lactase pills do wonders.
Kelsey: What is your diagnosis?
Eric: I am lactose intolerant, which means my body lacks the enzymes required to break down lactose. What this really means is that I cannot digest parts of dairy products.
Kelsey: Do people see you differently with your dairy problems?
Eric: I don’t believe anyone sees me differently. Many of my friends also are lactose intolerant so we often share jokes about our shared intolerance.
Kelsey: How did your friends and family act when you told them?
Eric: My family and friends are okay with my lactose intolerance as they understand the nature it.
Kelsey: Can you have dairy?
Eric: I can have some dairy though I usually avoid things like milkshakes and drinks with steamed milk.
Kelsey: How do you plan your diet?
Eric: When planning my diet around this I try to have dairy in moderation though I do not always succeed mostly because of my love of dairy even though it can upset my stomach.
Kelsey: What’s your hobbies?
Eric: My hobbies include riding my bicycle and hiking.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory growing up?
Eric: My favourite memory growing up would have to be sledding down the drive at my grandparents’ farm.
Kelsey: What makes you feel better?
Eric: Nothing makes me feel better than a warm cup of tea and a good action movie.
Kelsey: What tips do you have?
Eric: Some tips I would have for people with the same symptoms would be to take it easy and do what you think is best because not everyone has the same severity of symptoms.
Kelsey: How’s school?
Eric: School is going well; it is now all online, so I get to work at my own schedule which is nice.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite Christmas present?
Eric: My favourite Christmas present growing up would be the books I have received over the years, plenty of which I have read multiple times.
Kelsey: What are you excited about this year?
Eric: I am excited for the new year I hope we can finally have a somewhat return to the way things were before. My goal for this next year is to start my career and hopefully get a full-time teaching job for next fall.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory?
Eric: My favourite memory growing up with Ian must be all the rough housing we used to do when we were younger. I would say we got along well enough then, but we have become much closer over the last few years.
Here is a website I found on lactose intolerance if you want to check it out!
I asked my Auntie Gail to explain how she figured out how my cousin had an allergy to milk?
When Eric was almost 1 years old, I gave him some milk in a snippy cup and his whole face ballooned up and we had to take him to the emergency room. Then our doctor sent him to a pediatrician in Edmonton and they said he was allergic to milk and eggs. They told us to look for alternatives to milk like goats’ milk or soy milk. This was 25 years ago, and our grocery stores did not offer any alternatives. Today you can find all sorts of lactose free, almond and soy but back then it was hard to find.
It was very difficult at first, but we had to learn to read labels and he loved peanut butter toast which was good because he could not have cereal. It has always been hard to get him to try new foods but as he has gotten older, he will now try anything. He does eat a bit of dairy now but only in small amounts and his reaction to it is not as severe as it once was.
Thank you Eric and Auntie Gale for helping with this interview. I hope you learned something from this interview.
I am always looking for new educational topics so please contact me if you would like me to interview you. I send you a list of questions and you send me back your answers and some pictures. It is that easy!
The last weekend in March we celebrated my brother Joel and Ashley’s birthdays! They brought the puppy to show us. We bought them a wine maker set for their birthdays! We ordered Skyway Chinese food and we had mini Easter eggs cheesecake for dessert. This year I went home back and forth to the house for Easter. We had egg decorating on Saturday afternoon. We had wrapped up Easter eggs for a game! We rolled dice and used the oven mitts on our hands! We unwrap the ball of goodies until someone else got double numbers on the dice.
On Easter Sunday, my staff Kelsey and I dyed my hair purple.
My Mom and I enjoyed Sunday afternoon colouring pictures of Easter eggs and bunnies. We watched Heartland. On Monday afternoon Mom and I made meat casserole with the leftover turkey and ham with some potatoes and carrots. I got a French pedicure. Even though I got to see my brother Joel, I had to isolate in my room for five days! It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.
My school presentations job has started up again, due to COVID and the rules of the health system in Alberta, and Canada, we made a video of the presentation and taped myself talking to the kids! After the kids watch the video Cherilyn and I meet the class to do our activity and the class gets to ask me questions. What a blessing for us! It is so much fun and I appreciate the teachers still getting me to come share my message.
How did I keep busy in my room you may ask? In the morning I got fed in my bed with my head up, have tea at my desk in my bedroom. I can still get a shower in the morning! I am doing a lot of word searches! Our staff had dressed up in white gowns and blue shields and masked! I think it’s a learning experience for the whole world. I got to FaceTime with old staff Nancy from New Brunswick that moved back home two years ago.
The second weekend in April was the Rose Club radio on Saturday night but with the isolation of being in my room for a week I couldn’t go and listen to it. Instead, I just stayed inside my bedroom and did word searches!
On the Sunday afternoon we watched the puppy for Joel and Ashley! Coco is her name! Yes, even though the puppy is a supposed to be not allergic, I had a reaction to the puppy. That evening I was sneezing, and my eyes got red, and they were bothering me! We thought it was just when a dog gives you kisses, and I get rashes on my body and I guess it’s more than that! We also had a zoom call with our Edmonton friend Janet who got married to David on July 19, 2019. They had a slide show of Janet’s & David’s life we watched and we had a great visit with them!
We also sent out Easter cards for the other teams and my family for celebrating Easter wishes and good thoughts!
In the middle of March we got a new washer in the laundry room because the old washer was making a lot more noises and it was loud! I can’t really turn it on because I’m too short in my wheelchair and the buttons are too high up! I can still get my clothes in and the soap!
We went walking to the skate park today. It was busy!
Have you guys ever heard about Katie Joy from Without a Crystal ball on YouTube? She’s a girl who does research on the TLC shows and families! I like watching her show on YouTube while I am doing word searches!
We are watching Our Daughters with Danielle and her family! They have 6 kids and only daughters! The oldest is about 10 and is named Blakley and they had five children at the same time which is quintuplets. Her husband Adam has a blog and they live in Texas! The young kids are Hazel, Parker, Lulu, Ava and Riley! The kids just graduated from kindergarten and going into grade one in the fall. Can you imagine if you only had girls and no boys? Poor Dad! I’m watching Sister Wives too!
Sister Wives are in around the city of Arizona and they hope to build four houses! They also have lots of kids and some kids are married and have their own kids and families! I can’t imagine what it’s really like being on television and the world knows your life!
I have been to Arizona with my parents and youngest brother Luke. We went there for spring break when I was in grade ten!
My favourite part of spring and summer months are going outside and going on long walks around the lake with my roommates and my staff!
Outside on the deck
FaceTime with Auntie Gail from Lloydminster!
In March and February we watched the Twilight movies on Netflix. In April we watched the Hunger Games on Netflix as well. I think my taste in movies are changing into action movies and love stories! My favourite actor in the movies were probably Bella and Edward in Twilight and in the Hunger Games I liked Petra and Peter! What are you watching in 2021?
Theresa, my staff Kelsey and myself planted flowers and thyme, sunflowers, oregano, basil and parsley. We got flowers that butterflies like! My mom always plants flowers and has an amazing garden in the backyard! I love flowers and gardens too! My love of planting flowers comes from my Mom, my Auntie, my Grandma on Mom’s side! I can’t wait for them to grow!
When my world turned upside down and I can’t go to see my family?! It’s hard because my love language is quality time with family and friends. Hello to FaceTime!
Mom and I made Facetimed and made dough for buns! While I was at my house doing word searches books! I got to watch mom shape the buns! If I was able to go home, then I would be able to put the flour, eggs, yeast, salt and oil into the mixer. Also, I would like to put the dough into balls!
My mom was watching Coco again! Isn’t she cute?
Second pan done! You can see different in those two different pictures and two different pans! One is more golden brown than the other one! Mom said they were good! I’ll have to take her word for it.
Some flowers are growing already!
Being sick and being stuck in our rooms, there isn’t that much to do.
Kinda hard to do stuff like with Rose club because every one of my roommates and myself had to stay in our bedrooms. My staff Kelsey brought her iPad so I could get updated with Sister Wives! I even got to watch Counting On with the Duggar family. I was wanting and waiting to see Jinger has another baby girl! I need this app on my iPad!
What’s a week of not feeling good, resting in my bed it’s just the flu I don’t have COVID. On Wednesday I had my 1st PJ day! It’s weird that I haven’t seen my roommates since Saturday! I guess I will have to FaceTime Mom and Dad on Sunday because I can’t really go home for two weeks!
Trying to get some rest in my bed!
This is a day where I’m in pain and laying in bed with my massage bed on.
I did a fun picture.
This is an example for you to see what I do when I’m not feeling well. I was playing with the camera and effects to make myself a blue dog. I also did a butterfly picture.
My Mom and I have made some very good memories growing up. Mom and I have been to Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber and Keith Urban. My Dad and Mom took me to Dean Brody and Dallas Smith. Amazing experiences.
My Mom helped me do my school presentation in Red Deer at the Self Advocacy Conference on my birthday a few years back.
I look forward to what the next year brings for the whole family. Over the years, we had made some amazing memories and I love my Mom, she’s a amazing woman who I have looked up to, she’s very happy and nice person for my brothers and I to be around, I love her so much!
My Mom had an issue with her heart called Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC). I interviewed her to help you understand what that means.
Kelsey: What’s was the 1st sign of skipping beats in your heart and how did you feel?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): It was a very strange feeling – it felt like there was a butterfly in my shirt, and then I felt like I was going to faint.
Kelsey: What did you do?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I went to see my doctor, and he told me that I probably just had a panic attack. He was wrong.
Kelsey: How did you find out what was wrong?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I went to give blood at the blood donor clinic. The nurse took my blood pressure and checked my heart rate, and she told me that I had an irregular heartbeat.
Kelsey: Then what happened?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): My doctor did a bunch of tests. She told me to take magnesium and to stay away from caffeine. I lived with it for many years before I had surgery.
Kelsey: Explain what was going on with your heart.
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): My heart was skipping beats, sometimes several in a row. This made me very tired. If I went grocery shopping, I’d need a rest before I could find the energy to put them away.
Kelsey: Why did you finally have surgery?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): One day I felt really bad. I went to the walk-in clinic and ended up in ICU. My heart was skipping 8 beats in a row.
Kelsey: What kind of surgery did you have?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): It was ablation surgery. I was awake during the procedure. 3 wires were put into an artery in my groin, and they went up into my heart. I was given drugs to speed up my heart, which caused my heart to go into the bad rhythm. They then cauterize the parts of my heart that were causing the problem. I think they cauterized 7 different spots. It was quite an uncomfortable procedure, but it was very successful. I felt way better immediately after.
Kelsey: Why did it take so long before you had surgery?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I guess the doctor didn’t think it was serious enough.
Kelsey: Why did they finally operate?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I guess it got serious enough.
This is a picture of the four holes where they put the wires in.
Kelsey: If a friend was going through the same thing do you have tips for feeling better?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): Stay away from caffeine and tell your doctor how you’re feeling.
Kelsey: Where did you grow up?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I grew up on a farm in southern Saskatchewan.
Kelsey: How many siblings do you have?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I have two older brothers and one older sister.
Kelsey: What was your childhood like?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I spent a lot of time outside. We had cows, horses, dogs and cats. I loved the outdoors. I spent many hours outside playing with the dogs and cats.
Kelsey: What were your jobs on the farm?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I helped plant the garden, I picked many buckets of raspberries, strawberries, and peas, and fed the dogs and cats. In the house I dusted and vacuumed, and baked. When I got older, I helped my brother move irrigation pipe and build fence.
Kelsey: Where did you meet my Dad?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): We met in Moose Jaw, where we were both going to tech school.
Kelsey: What did you take in school?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I took computer aided drafting.
Kelsey: Can you tell me about your kids?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): I have two boys and a girl, who are all grown up.
Kelsey: How long have you lived in Camrose?
Sheila (Kelsey’s Mom): It will be 23 years in August.
Here is some more information on PVC that I found on the internet.
I have learned to be safe with coffee and stay healthy, no caffeine in your drinks! I hope you learned something today about your heart and your health reading this blog. I sure did!
Thanks to my wonderful Mom, and friend for this interview and this information.
This school year we are doing zoom calls for the grade 5 students. So, we recorded myself reading over my school presentation!
My friend Teresa loves her cat, so I gave her a cat mug for Valentine’s Day!
It was also Theresa my roommate and friend’s birthday on February 15. I bought her some hair dye for her birthday gift. We had a zoom call birthday bash with Rose Club.
I have been enjoying more colouring books and I was colouring flowers.
Going on a walk in the house.
We got a new fish and we named him Blue. Our other fish went to fish heaven RIP Red.
Every month I get a massage from Amy. I feel so much more comfortable after my massage.
Becca and I went on a winter walk around the lake the last weekend of February! My new wheelchair is so much better for the snow!
We made puffed wheat squares on FaceTime with Joel and Ashley.
Getting a pedicure with red, silver stars and golden sparkle! While watching Ice Age in the background!
We played bingo with rose club on zoom. Before Bingo we brainstormed ideas and voted for ideas for what we should do in April. We had ideas like; colouring Easter eggs and maybe dressing up for the birthday bash! We had two different bingo games. Both games were St. Patrick’s Day themed and the month of March. I got a black out on the word one and the other one had pictures of St. Patrick’s Day images and green pictures.
We listened to some St. Patrick’s Day Irish songs on Rose Club radio.
We’re watching the Twilight movies on Netflix….
My Mom and I planted cilantro, thyme, basil, parsley, bunching onions & cucumber. We also made Rice Krispie squares.
Whenever I’m feeling stressed or uncomfortable in my wheelchair. I like to watch movies that I haven’t seen in a long period of time. I watched Devil Wears Prada it is so funny.
We were busy this week. We were watching movies that we saw a long time ago! We watched Pitch Perfect 1 & 2 and Hairspray on Netflix!
Our staff Mary had her birthday on Wednesday, so in the morning we made a birthday video and, in the evening, we FaceTimed with her for her birthday.
This year I am doing my school presentations virtually. Cherilyn turned my presentation into a video where we both talk along with my PowerPoint Presentation. The kids are going to watch the video and then we are going to meet them virtually after to do an activity and chat with them. I am super excited. We had a practice one with Cherilyn, Janet and me.
We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a few days early this year. The Saturday afternoon weekend before St. Patrick’s Day! We played St. Patrick’s Day games with our friends from Rose Club. We played 20 questions about St. Patrick’s Day, we played name that tune with Irish songs, we tried to find the Leprechaun in the picture on the computer. We also had to find St. Patrick’s Day items in our house. We had a tour of Ireland on YouTube. We had a crossword puzzle about St. Patrick’s Day! What a great afternoon of games with our friends from Rose Club!! I like to say Rebecca had amazing ideas to fill the afternoon of games! Thank you, Rebecca!
We couldn’t find Pitch Perfect 3 on Netflix, but we watched Isn’t It Romantic and it was really good and a funny movie to watch on a Saturday night with face masks.
The cucumber grew so much that we had to repot it. We also made banana bread with chocolate chips. Here’s the banana bread that we made! I like banana bread with butter on top… it’s the best!
On Sunday nights I watch shows with my parents. We are on season three of Parenthood and we are watching season fourteen of Heartland! I am really enjoying these shows with my parents. I even got to meet some of the actors in Heartland a few years ago when they came to the CRE in Camrose. I met Amber Marshall and Shawn Johnson. (the granddaughter and the grandpa from Heartland)
You will notice when I go home to visit my parents, we all have to wear masks. I can’t wait for COVID to be over.
On St. Patrick’s Day, we painted our fingernails green.
Rebecca from Rose Club gave me a St. Patrick’s Day hair band for a prize from the St. Patrick’s day games on Saturday.
We made lime green Jell-O and homemade coconut flan for dessert for St. Patrick’s day! CAFCL is having a contest, and this is what me made. This is famous in Nicki’s country! It was really good.
We watched Leap Year.
This is an example of a good colouring picture of flowers in my colouring books.
I looked up to my dad! He taught me so much more than I thought I would learn from him. I have so many memories with my dad, going camping, travelling and learning how to make a songs! He’s a super hero and good guy for me and my brothers!
I interviewed by Dad and he explained his clubfoot to me and I want share that with all of you!
Kelsey: How did your parents find out what was going on with your foot?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): When I was born, it was obvious that my foot was bent inward, and they call that Clubfoot. By the way, my nephew, Eric, also had Clubfoot but it was both feet and he had a different surgery where they broke his tibia bones.
Kelsey: Why do you have a foot smaller than the other foot?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad):I had too many casts during my childhood and when your foot is in a cast it can’t grow.
Kelsey: How many casts/surgeries did you have on your foot?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): I had 15 casts total. I had one surgery when I was 5 and I fractured a bone in my foot when I was a teenager. Most of the casts were from when I was a baby until I was 5. We also tried orthopaedic shoes and I had a bar between my feet when I was in bed. When I had the surgery, the doctor cut 11 ‘V’s out of my bones. I bled through that cast, so they gave me a new one. That was cast #14. Cast #15 was from jumping down some stairs as a teenager.
Kelsey: What’s it’s like to find two different sized shoes?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): It sucks. My right foot is size 5.5 by length but wider. My left foot is size 9.5. Men’s shoes don’t go smaller than 7 and boy’s shoes usually don’t match. Lately, I try to find a Ladies shoe that doesn’t look too girly and I buy a 7 and an 11. I always have to buy 2 sizes and throw away the brand-new shoes that I don’t need.
Kelsey: Did your classmates or friends know that something was different about your feet?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): They didn’t notice.
Kelsey: What was your childhood like?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): I had trouble buying skates, so I didn’t learn to skate until I was 10. I played soccer and started guitar when I was 10.
Kelsey: Does your foot hurt now?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): Sometimes. The doctor thinks it’s Arthritis in the area where I fractured it.
Kelsey: What was school like growing up?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): We moved a lot so I changed schools many times in the middle of a school year, but it was ok.
Kelsey: How many siblings do you have in your family?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): I have a brother, a sister and a half-brother.
Kelsey: What kind of school did you take after high school?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): Electronics Engineering Technology at a tech school in Moose Jaw that was called SIAST.
Kelsey: What are your hobbies?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): Guitar playing, guitar amp building, electronics design, and a little woodworking.
Kelsey: How did you get into music?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): I saw my Uncle Ron and my Uncle Kevin play guitar and then I really wanted to do it too.
Kelsey: What kinds and how many bands were you in?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): 2 Country bands, 1 Blues band, 1 Christian Rock band, 1 Acoustic band, and one that was more Classic Rock.
Kelsey: What’s your job?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): Currently, I am a Maintenance Manager at EVRAZ.
Kelsey: How many years have you worked at EVRAZ?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): Almost 23.
Kelsey: Do you like to travel?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): No.
Kelsey: Where did you go in the world?
Mike (Kelsey’s Dad): My wife dragged me to Mexico, Florida, Hawaii, Arizona, California and more. I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy going to Nashville.
Here is some information I found about Clubfoot on the internet. Please check it out.
WHAT IS CLUBFOOT?
Clubfoot is an abnormal inward curving of the foot. One of the most common nonmajor birth defects, clubfoot affects a child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward. The clubfoot, calf, and leg are smaller and shorter than normal. Clubfoot is not painful, the deformity is correctable, and your baby is probably otherwise normal.
Approximately 1 in every 1,000 newborns has clubfoot. Of those, 1 in 3 have both feet affected and 2 out of 3 are boys. Clubfoot is twice as likely if the baby’s parents or their other children also have it. Less severe infant foot problems also are common and sometimes mislabeled as clubfoot.
Treatment
Treatment begins right away to correct the alignment of the foot. The goal is to make your newborn’s clubfoot (or feet) functional, painless, and stable by the time he or she is ready to walk.
Non-surgical Treatment
Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon will start treatment by gently stretching your child’s clubfoot toward the correct position. They put on a cast to hold it in place. One week later, they take off the cast and stretch your baby’s foot a little more, always working the foot toward the correct position. They then apply a new cast. One week later you will return to the surgeon and they will do the same thing again. This process, called serial casting, slowly moves the bones in the clubfoot into proper alignment. Your surgeon uses X-rays to check the progress. Casting generally repeats for 6-12 weeks and may take up to four months. (Note: Anytime your baby wears a cast, watch for changes in skin color or temperature that may indicate problems with circulation.)
In about half of cases, the child’s clubfoot straightens with casting. If it does, he or she will be fitted with special shoes or braces to keep the foot straight. These holding devices usually are needed until your child has been walking for a year or more. Muscles often try to return to the clubfoot position. This is common when your child is 2-3 years old but may continue up to age 7.
Surgical Treatment
Sometimes stretching, casting, and bracing are not enough to correct your baby’s clubfoot and surgery is needed to adjust the tendons, ligaments, and joints in the foot and ankle. This usually is done when your child is 6-12 months old. Surgery corrects all of your baby’s clubfoot deformities at the same time. After surgery, another cast holds the clubfoot together while it heals. Since it’s still possible for the muscles in your child’s foot to try to return to the clubfoot position, special shoes or braces likely will be used for a year or more after surgery.
With treatment, your child should have a nearly normal foot. He or she can usually run and play without pain and can wear normal shoes. The corrected clubfoot will not be perfect, however. You should expect it to stay 1 to 1 1/2 sizes smaller and somewhat less mobile than the normal foot. The calf muscles in your child’s clubfoot leg also will be smaller.
FAQs
What happens if I do not treat my child’s clubfoot? If your child’s clubfoot is not treated, he or she could have difficulty walking and functioning normally.
Thank you to my Dad for this interview and helping educate all of you!
We had a game day with our roommates. We played the game trouble. In the early evening we watched Frozen two and then after supper we had Rose Club zoom radio at home. It was different music and then at the end we sang happy birthday to everyone in December. So, it reminds me of birthday bash but only at home. It was a fun thing to do. I appreciate Rose Club making fun activities that we can still do at home.
I got a colour by number for Christmas from Joel and Ashley. It took me only about two weeks to finish the colouring book.
After colouring books, we watched Freaky Friday on Disney plus. Rolling around on the mat while watching YouTube videos. We painted my fingernails; I like bright colours! We did a face mask and watched a Cinderella story.
We played name that tune with our friends from Rose Club in the evening. It’s nice to see our friends from Rose Club once again on Zoom.
Baking chocolate peanut butter M&M cookies, and colouring princesses! Inside of the book they had two pages of stickers to decorate the pictures. What a great Sunday afternoon with my Mom and Dad!
Spring cleaning before getting ready for my new bed!
We got a new fish named Red Fin!
Poured spices into jars and making a homemade lemon cake!
This morning I got my new bed. It can massage my body, put my head up, feet up and has lights under the bed.
Playing Yahtzee with Emma and Theresa. We had a movie day! Tyler got Disney + so we watched Frozen one and then watched the 1st Cars movie.
I really enjoyed the second Frozen movie better than the first Frozen movie because I felt it was good for all ages to watch. I thought the first one was kinda too childish for my age group. Then we watched Cars, and it was a really good movie as well.
I even got a phone call from Centra Cam today, it’s very nice to catch up with your co- workers in this strange place in the word right now! I can’t imagine what life would be like without phones or not being able to FaceTime call your family and friends in the times like this! I would have gone nuts for the 1st five months of COVID because I couldn’t go home every Sunday afternoon.
We saw the lights on Main Street and ice statues of a shoe, and dog and a horse! We also watched Last Song.
Learning how to make homemade bagels with Ashley and Joel! You fry your dough in olive oil and butter into a pan on the stovetop. I watched Joel and Ashley on Facetime and they walked me through it. It was lots of fun. The looked pretty good and they said they tasted good.
We watched A Star is Born it was also really good, you should watch it if you haven’t. Making energy bites, playing games and nails with Mom!
For Christmas, I got some bath salts, and some bath bombs from my auntie Gail! It’s smells really nice!
Making valentines cards! We made cards for the teams for love and happiness on Valentine’s Day!
This Blog is about my friend Josh who happens to be my brother Joel’s best friend. Josh has heart problems that are called Bicuspid aortic valve. Here is my interview with Josh. I also really like Josh’s family so I interviewed them as well and asked them some questions. I hope you enjoy my interview’s!
I met Joshua though my brother Joel! They have been best pals since high school and football games in high school. One day Josh and Joel had baseball practice and Joshua liked my shoes. I was shocked because one of Joel’s friends were kinda happy and nice to talk to me. My friend Melanie tried to set us up, but sadly he has a girlfriend. I remember how we danced together at Melanie’s wedding and my shoes kept falling off my feet. Joshua and Joel were the waiters at my 18 birthday party and he sang Baby by Justin Berber. Josh your heart is large enough for army of family and friends you are a very kind person.
I have a wonderful relationship with Josh’s family. My friend Melanie was my aide at Kandu camp and my babysitter when mom and dad were away on date night, their auntie Karen was my fashion studies teacher at the comp! Their dad is a funny guy who likes to hug people too many times in a day! Maria I have seen her at family parties and Melanie wedding
Kelsey: What was the first sign of your heart problems?
Josh: The first sign was when I went for a physical at the clinic with my GP. He was checking my heart with a stethoscope and noticed a murmur with my heart.
Kelsey: Where were you when it started?
Josh: It is presumed that I had a heart condition for most of my life but it was first found when I went for the physical in Grade 9.
Kelsey: If you happened to experience further symptoms, what would you need to do?
Josh: I would consult a doctor and/or cardiologist. Also, Google.
Kelsey: How did your family react? What did they say or do?
Josh: At first they really didn’t do or say much. I had to see several specialists and eventually got a Cardiac Catheterization to diagnose the problem. Along the way my family was very supportive and pushed the process along so that questions could be answered.
Kelsey: What are the 3 words that help you get through the worst days?
Josh: YOU ARE LOVED
Kelsey: If you met someone with the same heart problem, what would your advice be?
Kelsey: Tell me about your childhood, what was it like living with your sister’s?
Josh: My childhood was busy! I grew up on a family farm with my Father, Mother and 2 older sisters. We raised numerous animals, but primarily pigs. I got along with both my sisters, they couldn’t always say the same thing, and I have several fond memories of growing and learning with them
Kelsey: Who is the oldest child sibling?
Josh: My sister, Maria.
Kelsey: Do you wish you had a brother?
Josh: Yes and No. I would have liked it unless he was better than me at sports.
Kelsey: What was your job on the farm?
Josh: My dad’s left hand man.
Kelsey: What animinals did you have on the farm?
Josh: Pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, cattle, dogs, cats and myself.
Kelsey: What’s your favorite part of growing up?
Josh: Living in the country and learning to work.
Kelsey: Are you a Daddy’s or Mommy’s boy?
Josh: Daddy’s
Kelsey: Where did you go to school?
Josh: Sifton, Charlie Killam, Camrose COMP and NAIT.
Kelsey: How were your school years?
Josh: They were great! It was a break from work (Farming). I would love to go back to High School!
Kelsey: Did you make friends easily?
Josh: I would say yes, but you might want to ask them.
Kelsey: What’s your favorite sport or team game?
Josh: I would say my favorite sport is football but I am a big fan of all of them!
Kelsey: How was the MS bike tour?
Josh: I rode in it for 15 years and I look forward to it every year!
Kelsey: Would you do the tour again?
Josh: Absolutely!
Kelsey: Do you have a favorite holiday?
Josh: Christmas, for time with family and friends.
Kelsey: Where have you travelled?
Josh: My biggest trip was to Costa Rica with your brother Joel and Anthony Do. Other than that, numerous trips to the USA and across Canada. I have never been across the pond.
Kelsey: What is your job?
Josh: I am a Heavy Equipment Technician.
Kelsey: Who is your favorite movie actor/actress?
Josh: Tom Hardy
Kelsey: Where did you meet your girlfriend?
Josh: I met her through my sister’s friend’s sister who was a co-worker of Donnelle’s. That connection led to the first meeting in a Leduc parking lot.
Interview with Josh’s Auntie Karen (I had Karen for fashion studies teacher at the comp. We sewed an apron for my mom for Christmas and for myself)
Auntie Karen: I am very proud of Josh. He’s a kind hearted man who is thoughtful and caring towards others. I always enjoy being with Josh and am especially grateful for the years when he accompanied Uncle Dave and me on summer holidays. Not every auntie gets to fly fish and hunt with their nephew, but I do!
Kelsey: What’s your reaction on Joshua heart problem?
Auntie Karen: I remember mentioning to his dad that since the men on his mom’s side of the family had heart issues, that it would be wise to have Josh checked out by his doctor. I certainly prayed for his recovery, but his dad and mom looked after him.
Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?
Auntie Karen: If someone’s family has health issues that could be hereditary, it’s important to have them checked out.
Kelsey: If someone else has the same heart problems?
Auntie Karen: Seek out other people that are knowledgeable and have had a similar experience. It’s important to have people to support them.
Interview with Josh’s sister Melanie (you might remember Melanie from a few blogs ago!)
Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory of growing up with your baby bother Joshua?
Melanie: Playing together on the farm
Kelsey: How did you act when he had heart problems?
Melanie: I was in high school so admittedly I was in a bit of my own world, but I was scared for him and what his diagnosis would mean for his future
Kelsey: What’s your favourite Christmas memory growing up?
Melanie: Christmas Eve candlelight service and eating Grandma’s rommegrot (Norwegian pudding)
Kelsey: How’s your kids like having your bother as uncle Joshua?
Melanie: My kids love Uncle Josh – he would be probably top 5 of their favourite people. He’s really good at getting on their level and playing with them
Kelsey: What’s your favourite thing about your bother Josh?
Melanie: He puts up with my antics like making YouTube videos about animal noises and singing karaoke with me for Kelsey’s birthday 😊
Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?
Melanie: Monitor blood pressure regularly, take cardiac mediation as prescribed, keep physician updated on family history and symptoms
Kelsey: What would you say if someone else did have same heart problems?
Melanie: Take good care of your cardiovascular health!
Kelsey: What’s was your jobs on your farm?
Melanie: Josh was a much better “farm person” than I was. I fed the animals, mowed the lawn, and hosed down the pig pens – that sort of thing – but Josh was the one to really do the hard stuff.
Kelsey: Where did you go on holidays with your family?
Melanie: Because a farm is 24/7, we didn’t holiday very often or for very long. When we did go it was Kananaskis Country for a few days with our camper. Our Mom took us three kids on a trip to Disneyland in 2001
Interview with Josh’s sister Maria
Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory of growing up with your baby bother Joshua?
Maria: I agree with Mel, playing together on the farm.
Kelsey: How did you act when he had heart problems:
Maria: I was grateful that the problems were being discovered and treated before anything really bad happened.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite Christmas memory growing up?
Maria: Going to church on Christmas Eve and then opening presents as a family in the morning.
Kelsey: How’s your kids like having your bother as uncle Joshua?
Maria: My kids adore their uncle. He is quite possibly their favourite. He plays with them so well and they look up to him a lot!
Kelsey: What’s your favourite thing about your bother Josh?
Maria: He is just an all around good person and is always there for you, no matter what!
Kelsey: What’s your tips on his heart issues?
Maria: live a healthy/balanced lifestyle and know the signs that something might need attention
Kelsey: What would you say if someone else did have same heart problems?
Maria: Take good care of your health and talk to your doctor
Kelsey: What’s was your jobs on your farm?
Maria: I mostly remember taking care of the chickens – feeding them, moving the shelters, watering them down in the summer heat, and putting together orders of frozen meat, and making invoices.
Kelsey: Where did you go on holidays with your family?
Maria: We often camped in Kananaskis. I have fond memories biking in the mountains. We also regularly went to Hastings Lake Bible Camp. But as Mel said, having a farm keeps you home more. But, I wouldn’t change it – nothing beats growing up on the farm!
Kelsey: What kind of pets or special animals
Maria: We had a cat named Lindsay Alyssa for years, and a dog Duke. A special pet for me was a little chick that never grew. I took it home to live in our furnace room. I made a home for it and played with it daily, and named it MJ.
Kelsey: Family favourite meals
Maria: My dad actually did a lot of cooking too! A favourite my dad made was rotisserie chicken. My mom made great cinnamon buns!
Here is information on Josh’s Heart Condition I found on the internet:
Bicuspid aortic valve
A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is an aortic valve that only has two leaflets, instead of three.
The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel that brings oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Bicuspid aortic valve
Causes
The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It prevents the blood from flowing back from the aorta into the heart when the pumping chamber relaxes.
BAV is present at birth (congenital). An abnormal aortic valve develops during the early weeks of pregnancy, when the baby’s heart is developing. The cause of this problem is unclear, but it is the most common congenital heart defect. BAV often runs in families.
A BAV may not be completely effective at stopping blood from leaking back into the heart. This leakage is called aortic regurgitation. The aortic valve may also become stiff and not open up. This is called aortic stenosis, which causes the heart to pump harder than usual to get blood through the valve. The aorta may become enlarged with this condition.
BAV is more common among males than females.
A BAV often exists in babies with coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the aorta). BAV is also seen in diseases in which there is a blockage to blood flow on the left side of the heart.
Symptoms
Most of the time, BAV is not diagnosed in infants or children because it causes no symptoms. However, the abnormal valve can leak or become narrow over time.
Symptoms of such complications may include:
Baby or child tires easily
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Rapid and irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Loss of consciousness (fainting)
Pale skin
If a baby has other congenital heart problems, they may cause symptoms that will lead to the discovery of a BAV.
Exams and Tests
During an exam, the health care provider will likely find signs of a BAV including:
Enlarged heart
Heart murmur
Weak pulse in the wrists and ankles
Tests that may be ordered include:
MRI, which provides a detailed image of the heart
Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound that views the heart structures and blood flow inside the heart
If the provider suspects complications or additional heart defects, other tests may include:
Chest x-ray
Electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart
Cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube (catheter) is placed into the heart to see blood flow and take accurate measurements of blood pressure and oxygen levels
MRA, an MRI that uses a dye to view the blood vessels of the heart
Treatment
The infant or child may need surgery to repair or replace a leaky or narrowed valve, if complications are severe.
A narrowed valve can also be opened through cardiac catheterization. A fine tube (catheter) is directed to the heart and into the narrow opening of the aortic valve. A balloon attached to the end of the tube is inflated to make the opening of the valve larger.
In adults, when a bicuspid valve becomes very leaky or very narrowed, it may need to be replaced. Sometimes the aorta may also need to be repaired if it has become too wide or is too narrow. Medicine may be needed to relieve symptoms or prevent complications. Medicines may include:
Drugs that lower the workload on the heart (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) Drugs that make the heart muscle pump harder (inotropic agents) Water pills (diuretics)
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well the baby does depends on the presence and severity of complications of BAV.
The presence of other physical problems at birth also can affect how well a baby does.
Most babies with this condition have no symptoms, and the problem is not diagnosed until they are adults. Some people never find out that they have this problem.
Possible Complications
Complications of BAV include:
Heart failure
Leakage of blood through the valve back into the heart
Narrowing of the valve’s opening
Infection of the heart muscle or aortic valve
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your child’s provider if your baby:
Has no appetite
Has unusually pale or bluish skin
Seems to tire easily
Prevention
BAV runs in families. If you know of this condition in your family, speak to your provider before becoming pregnant. There is no known way to prevent the condition.
The 1st weekend of December, Kathleen, Theresa , Craig and I made Christmas cards for the other teams with the Camrose Association For Community Living. We wanted to send joy and happiness to our friends this Christmas. On Saturday December 12, we had a FaceTime, Christmas exchange and turkey dinner with our friends from rose club. Rebecca, ordered Christmas dinner from the Norsemen Inn! We had a zoom party, we played named that tune, from SingAble Ardelle was a special surprise to the party. She and her husband had some Christmas songs to share. We also had a Christmas hunt in our house and Rebecca made clues and we had to go and look for Christmas stuff.
We also a Christmas dance party to end the night.
Levi brought us door prizes and our Christmas exchange presents. For the door prizes I got some Christmas movies, a Christmas blanket, kitty calendar and a mug. I gave my Christmas presents to my dad for his birthday which was December 17. I haven’t been able to go home on my usual Sunday afternoon but almost every day I get to FaceTime my parents.
On a Sunday I got to FaceTime my mom and we made sugar cookies to decorate Christmas Day!
We also made homemade turtles. Kelsey (my staff) and I have been enjoying reading Nancy Drew books! I enjoy colouring books in my spare time and I colour everything that I can put my hands on!
December 17 I went to see Dr. Parson’s my Chiropractor
To celebrate Dad’s Birthday we zoom called our Grandpa Raymond from Ontario and our Auntie Gail from Lloydminster and Joel and Ashley in Edmonton.
For Dad’s birthday cake we had a brownie cake with cream cheese icing on top
The kids got Dad a Jack for his birthday and my mom made Moccasins for his birthday.
Alex and I colour my hair red before Christmas
Coco got an early Christmas present. It’s a homemade jacket made by Grandma Sheila and Grandpa Mike!
Tonight, we had our roommates Christmas exchange!
I got a butterfly night lamp, a red blanket and a red hat. Some butterfly hair pins, 3 different nail polishes
We made candy canes cookies called peppermint meltaways.
Another FaceTime Sunday afternoon of Christmas baking
Christmas lights tour 2020
Red and golden nails are ready for Christmas Eve
We watched the Christmas Chronicle’s part two on Christmas Eve and we looked at Christmas lights
Christmas morning, we FaceTimed Joel and Ashley. I got a day planner, butterfly pjs , word search books, colouring book, markers, sweaters and moccasins.
After we opened the Christmas presents, we wrote in my day planner
Christmas afternoon we FaceTimed Joel and Ashley, we decided to decorate the Christmas cookies
We made hash brown casserole, fruit salad with ham and Mac and cheese casserole.
Covid Christmas wasn’t the trouble of holidays it’s was a very joyful Christmas 2020. I had a wonderful Christmas. I even enjoyed a Christmas Drink.
Taking down Christmas decorations on Boxing Day
Krumkake
Changed my feeding tube tonight. 2 times a year I change my tube. My birthday in June and at Christmas. It doesn’t hurt but it is uncomfortable. It takes about 15 minutes.
Helping with dusting
Colouring with new markers and colouring book, and making a meat pie
I hope you had an amazing Christmas! I wish you all the best in 2021.
This blog is about my friend Melanie’s sister Kristin.
I met Melanie at Kandu Summer camp and she ran the Respite program during my school years. Respite is like the Rose Club I attend now but it was for kids. We would go on field trips on most Saturdays, some sleepovers at the CAFCL office and lots of arts and crafts. The field trips were at the space and science centre in Edmonton, swimming pool in Edmonton, the corn maze. I did that for many years with CAFCL. I remember going to the green house and I got to plant for my mom for Mother’s Day.
Melanie stayed with me while my parents went on holidays. I often saw Kristin when I was with Melanie and Kristin was also an employee at CAFCL so I saw her when she was working.
Here is my interview with Kristin. Kristin had Nocturnal Seizures. Which are seizure’s that happen when you are sleeping.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite childhood memory growing up? Where were you born and raised?
Kristin: I grew up in a very small town called Daysland which is just outside of Camrose. Hmmm my favourite childhood memory…this is hard to pick just one, but I think the thing I enjoyed most about my childhood is growing up in a small town where my parents never had to worry about letting us roam the town on our bikes with our friends.
Kelsey: How did you find out that you were getting seizures?
Kristin: Back in April of 2016 (I was 26 years old) I had an episode where I could not talk for seven minutes. I knew words in my mind but for whatever reason I could not say them. I went to my doctor and was referred to a neurologist who booked an MRI. The MRI found that I had a tumour on the speech side of my brain. She ordered another MRI to get a better look at the tumour and before I got those results, I had my first seizure on August 29/2016 while I was sleeping. All my seizures have been nocturnal meaning I have them in my sleep and have no idea when they are coming.
Kelsey: What kind of seizures do you have Kristin?
Kristin: I have nocturnal Grand Mal seizures. Meaning they happen during my sleep and I shake violently.
Kelsey: How did Melanie and Ryan act when you were having a seizure?
Kristin: My first seizure actually happened when Adam and I were living with my sister and brother-in-law. Adam called up for Ryan and Melanie to come downstairs and they both helped Adam out. Thankfully, we were living with them because Melanie being a nurse was able to calmly help Adam through the situation and help him call the ambulance. Both Mel and Ryan have been a huge support to me.
Kristin: My husband is the one, who I believe, this has been impacted the most as he was the person who had to witness me having these seizures. I couldn’t imagine having to watch someone you love have seizures. We also had no idea when the seizures were going to happen so it’s not like he could prepare for me having one. He would just wake up to me having a seizure and help me.
Kelsey: Were you ever worried about your seizures and why did they happen?
Kristin: When I found out I had a tumour I had a moment where I cried but after that moment, I was 100% okay. I had many MRIs to keep track of the tumour and when it came to the point where the tumour needed to come out, I was okay. I only got a little nervous the day before the surgery, but I had faith that everything was going to be okay,
Kelsey: Did you guys change your plans for the day when you get seizures?
Kristin: When I would have a seizure, I would have to call in sick the next day for work as I was extremely tired, disoriented and would often feel nauseous.
Kelsey: How are your kids and your family doing?
Kristin: Since my kids are both so young (3 years old and 11 months) they are completely unaware of what went on with my tumour/seizures. When I had my surgery my three-year-old was aware that I was in the hospital but didn’t fully understand the extent of what was going on.
Kelsey: What did you guys do with the kids when you went into the ER?
Kristin: When I first started having the seizures, we would get an ambulance to come get me and take me to the ER because this was something new for us and we didn’t know how to navigate it. As time went on though we stopped going to the ER when I had a seizure because we knew how to handle the situation and what to do. At the beginning we didn’t have kids, so we didn’t need to worry about finding someone to watch them. By the time we had kids we were comfortable with handling them on our own and didn’t require going to the ER, so we never needed to worry about finding care for our kids. When I had my surgery in March our families helped us with our kids while I was in the hospital. I am the type of person who wants to know if something is happening and what we can do to fix the problem or manage it.
Kelsey: Do you want more kids?
Kristin: We do not want more kids; we like man to man defence which is what we have right now.
Kelsey: Are you feeling ok today or still not feeling good?
Kristin: This tumour caused me zero pain. It did affect my speech so sometimes I would forget words or mix my words up. I had brain surgery on March 6, 2020 to remove this tumour as we were told the tumour was growing. So far I have had zero seizures since the tumour has been removed. The picture on the left is me the day of my surgery and the right is about 5 days after surgery! (My shirt says Straight Outta Brain Surgery!)
Kelsey: Did people ask you about your seizures and how did you answer?
Kristin: Other than my close friends/family no one knew I was having seizures because I never had one in public since they were all nocturnal. Any questions my family/friends had regarding my condition I happily answered. I also made sure that the people I worked with were aware that I did have seizures in case I ever had one while working they would know to call the ambulance.
Kelsey: What did your doctor do?
Kristin: I see a neurosurgeon at the Foothills hospital in Calgary. He orders regular MRI’s to be done and then shortly after the MRI I see him for a follow up appointment for the results.
Kelsey: Are you on any other medication for seizures?
Kristin: I am on a seizure medication called Keppra. I am hoping that I can eventually get off this mediation since the tumour that was causing the seizures has been removed.
I asked Melanie to share her thought’s…
Her first seizure we didn’t even realize she was having one. She had what was known as an aphasic seizure, where she forgot how to speak, and at the time I though maybe she was having a stroke. Seizure never crossed my mind. Her first grand nap seizure was when her, and her husband, were living with us. It was late at night, and all we heard was him yelling from the basement. My heart dropped. When we got down there and saw her, and heard Adam’s description of what had happened, I knew it was a seizure. We had called the ambulance at that time, and they took her in. I was worried as to what was causing the seizures, and how this would change her life, but I also knew that she was a force and her team behind here would crush whatever was found.
When we found out it was a mass in her brain causing the seizures, my worry did increase a bit. Working as an oncology nurse, my mind tends to go to dark places at times. However, once I was able to calm and rationalize with myself, I knew what the doc had said and what they had seen, the darkness was a very slim chance. So, we kept truckin’ along as she did. My worry was always there, she is my baby sister, but I knew things would be okay!
When they finally noted that the mass was growing (this was about four years after initial diagnosis) and it was time to remove it, we had made the plan that I would come and stay with the boys while she was in surgery. In hindsight that was not the best choice to be alone with no adults to talk to. My mind could not stop racing while she was in surgery. So, the call that surgery was done and successful came as a very welcome and HUGE relief.
Thank you Kristin and Melanie for letting me do this interview. I hope people understand what a seizure is now.
Kelsey's butterfly lifestyle 