Kelsey

My family usually goes to look at Christmas lights and we watch Christmas movies on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning, we usually open up Christmas presents, and then we either do Christmas cookies or decorating gingerbread houses on Christmas in the afternoon!  On Boxing Day we usually go to Lloydminster and celebrate Christmas with dad’s family!  

Donna ‘s family  

Christmas to us is all about family – we love to get together and just eat until we explode out of our clothes and play games into the night. We don’t use wrapping paper but we have Santa bags with each kids name on them and the gifts go in there! The kids love it. We also have a tradition since my boys were small to bake Jesus a birthday cake so we always remember that he is the reason for the season. 

Keitha  

We used to  have turkey for Christmas Eve. But now with family being farther away we have to be flexible. Sometimes my daughter flew in on Christmas Day or even Boxing Day. So we have Christmas turkey whenever we can. Then lots of leftovers. We have gotten together with my niece for Christmas appies on Christmas Eve. I ask each member of family for their cookie request and make what each one wants. Instead of a bunch of baking that no one eats. Christmas is not the same without kids excitement but it is all about Jesus so we celebrate Him. 

Kristy  

We make Swedish meatballs and eat them Christmas Eve instead of the turkey most have – last year preparing and eating we’re virtual. We also open a Christmas Eve box that we open no matter where we are – so if we go to BC we take it and it has treats Christmas movies and our stockings for Santa 😉 

Karlina 

We have appetizers on Christmas Eve and open presents. We draw names and just get for the one we drew.  We often play games and always build a puzzle together. Ice fishing is often the activity for Boxing Day. 

Bridget   

Well when Mom was alive we always met at her place on Christmas Eve and did the “Chinese” gift exchange and we usually ended up arguing every year cause there were really no rules to end the swapping lol. We always had Hors-d’œuvre and fruit cake and goodies to eat. We did this with my grandparents as well so we kept that tradition going. We also meet at my Swedish husband’s Moms place on Christmas eve and exchange family gifts as well and have a different Swedish meal consisting of different casseroles and ribs and Swedish meatballs etc.  When I have my kids over we usually start Christmas day with a huge breakfast and then start the dinner prep and usually eat around 4 pm.  In the past we have also met and started having a raclette meal and usually invite others to join us for New Years. 

Rebecca 

We started a new tradition with nieces and nephews this year. We do gingerbread houses, pizza party, movie night and sleepover.  

Melanie and Murray  

We usually do lefsa making with Auntie Karen. 

Mary  

Every Christmas Eve we go to an outdoor skating rink.  Joshua and Alayna play hockey and I drink a hot drink and watch.   Then we open one present that night.  And then I cook a big Christmas supper on Christmas Day. 

Emily  

Since getting married and being so far away from my family we do an early Christmas with my side with Turkey/ham gifts, lots of games and snacks. Growing up we always went to my Grandparents in LaCrete for a big family gathering Boxing Day, upwards for 150+people with just cousins, aunts, uncles etc. (Not recently with Covid). On Christmas Eve, Tyrell and I go to the evening service with his family then go back to their home for appies and presents. Christmas Day is just us, and this year Brielle! We open our gifts to each other and have brunch before we head to his parents for Cornish hens instead of Turkey! 

Robin  

Each Christmas Eve we spend out at my mom and dad’s farm where we always have a traditional Christmas dinner with my sisters and their families.  We eat amazing food like my Norwegian Grandfather’s favourite dish, Lutefisk, homemade cabbage rolls, perogies and lefsa.  After dinner we spend time as a family playing games and visiting.  We love it at the farm. If it’s nice out we often will do outdoor activities like skidooing as well!  We love being at the farm. Here are my 3 kids and our pup by my moms beautiful Christmas tree and warm wood burning fire! 

Janet  

Our traditions have changed a lot, especially with Covid. I try to get together with friends to do a craft like a Grinch tree or an arrangement. We go to all the kids concerts or watch them on Zoom. I do a bit of baking and usually participate in a cookie exchange. I try to have meals with all my family, which can be hard since all our kids are in different places. I must have turkey, stuffing and turnip (yes turnip) at least once over the holiday. 

Ashley 

We always open our gifts Christmas Eve by the fireplace in our basement! We either have a ham or turkey dinner, We also always have a real Christmas tree at my parents house. We used to go cut one down as a family when we were younger, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen anymore. Picture taking is also unfortunately not part of our Christmas tradition, but here is an old photo 

Kenndey  

I couldn’t find any recent pictures of my family on Christmas, it’s been a while since we all got together to celebrate with one another. I also can’t think of many traditions. We usually open gifts one at a time. So I would open a gift, then my sisters and so on until there are no more gifts. We usually make breakfast and then play games all day. We play a lot of cards and board games. We also like to play Mario brothers on the Wii, but it always ends in a fight because somebody is purposely killing other people 😂. Just a super relaxing day spent with family 😁 

Cherilyn

Our family always drives around and looks at Christmas lights, last year we did a scavenger hunt and that made it even better! We get together with family and have a Turkey dinner or 10! We enjoy spending time with friends and family over the holidays. 

Mackenzie  

Before the Pandemic my immediate family would drive to Edmonton Christmas Eve to my Oma and Opa’s house. We would have mussels for dinner. We would drive back to Camrose to have Christmas morning at home. Christmas morning we open gifts and have eggs Benedict for breakfast. Before Covid we would drive back to Edmonton to open gifts with extended family and have Beef Rouladen for dinner. (2020 was only the second year I have had Turkey for Christmas dinner).This last Christmas we had Christmas Eve dinner at my house in Camrose. Christmas morning , Christmas dinner and all day in Camrose as well. This Christmas I don’t know the plans yet but something similar to last year. 

Teresa  

We spend Christmas Eve with Mattias’s family.  We have a mid-afternoon dinner, with lots of Swedish foods, games and a walk after dinner, as long as it’s not too nasty outside. That evening we go to Ferry Point Church (not last year, and probably not this year either – pandemic) where they do a 10:00 candlelight service, with the old wood stove burning, Mennonite carolers, and the old pump organ.  On the way out everyone gets a cup of hot cider. When the boys were little, they would get Christmas Jammies (and often went to church in them) and then were tucked into bed. Christmas morning, we get up early, have a large hearty breakfast, and then open Christmas stockings and then presents.  We have trays for lunch/supper (meats, cheeses, crackers, sweets, fruits and veggies with dips) because that’s what they really like to eat, and then I don’t have to slave over a turkey dinner. 

Annalise’s family decorate the Christmas Tree

Alex  

My family’s Christmas traditions are, we always watch Polar Express on Christmas eve and then we open a new ornament to put on the tree every year. 

Melanie  

Traditions: Matching Christmas jammies, Christmas movie on Christmas Eve , Skating on the pond with a fire and hot chocolate, Being with extended family. 

Nicole  

Christmas traditions! Well, our traditions have changed over the years. As a child we did Xmas eve at my grandma Neudorf’s house. Stayed until my Grandpa St. Louis came on the radio and told the kids to get to bed because you could see Rudolf’s nose in the sky. Christmas morning we woke up, opened gifts at our house and headed over to grandma and grandpa St. Louis’ for Christmas brunch, gifts and dinner. This day involved tobogganing because they had a hill behind their house.  

Today, we make sure to grab hot cocoa and find decorated houses around town. We watch a ton of Christmas movies but our favorite is Muppets Christmas Carol. From when I was a kid. We would also bring supper to my grandpa’s work at the airport. He would give us weather balloons filled with helium and we would sound like chipmunks while singing Christmas carols. Lol.

Marisa  

I don’t think we really have any traditions other then the normal dinner and opening presents. I guess one is the kids get to open one gift on Christmas eve and it always has Pajama’s and a Christmas movie for us all to watch. 

Auntie Gail

Our Christmas traditions are Usually in the month of December we try to volunteer for something. We have worked for the Salvation Army and usually Wayne volunteers at the Kinsmen tree lot. Christmas Eve we always go to church in the evening and then come home and eat and open most of our gifts. The boys always get new pyjamas and socks. They put on their new pyjamas and we watch a Christmas movie. Christmas Day we always go to Wayne’s family for dinner. This is your dad with uncle Ron and Auntie Cecelia playing music at our family Christmas party.

Breanna, Maryann and Dylan  

We drink hot chocolate by the Christmas tree, play cards Christmas Eve. Usually watch a Christmas movie together. We cook a big meal and talk about the best part of our day after we finish eating. Everyone goes around the table talking about what the best part of our day is and what we are thankful for. We go together to cut down our Christmas tree to a nice little tree farm where we can have sleigh rides and campfires. In the morning everyone can open their stocking but cannot open presents until everyone is up and ready. We have a magical mix of reindeer food that we sprinkle on the snow in the front yard, it sparkles and guides the reindeer to our home. 

Anna

Well with my whole family like my parents and siblings we do a 2 day event. Spend a day playing board and card games and doing some baking and then treat the next day like Christmas morning and wake up together and have brunch where the men cook! And the women and kids play and hang out, then we eat and then do gifts and stockings and spend the day just hanging out.

Then with Chris and I and our kids we do Christmas eve together a dinner and church and then matching jammies. Then Christmas morning the kids open their gifts and stockings and we spend the day playing and watching Christmas movies.

The 1st week and weekend in November we decorated the house for Christmas and then I started Christmas decorating for my parents house! 

My Mom changed my feeding tube in November because my feeding tube was feeding me too slowly so, we changed my feeding tube a month earlier and it is working lovely! 

Niki cut my hair! How do you like it?

We celebrated Janelle’s birthday and we decorated her some jars and lights for her birthday presents! We listened to her favourite music videos and her favourite music is pop and Disney music! 

Kelsey and I played Qwirkle!  In that same weekend we wrote Christmas cards for our friends from the different group homes!  We painted our senior Santa Ornaments!  We also had birthday bash and we danced the night away!

My friend Emily sent her baby picture of Brielle and she finally got into the shirt that I bought her baby in the summers! 

My Auntie Gail gave me some Christmas cards and new markers, so my mom and I have started doing Christmas cards! Thanks so much!

We made stocking puppets for the Christmas party from Rose Club!  We got some games for Christmas presents for the Rose Club virtual Christmas party!

We made oatmeal muffins and banana muffins!

We went to say goodbye to Chester Ronning school and I saw my old teachers and my old grade one aide June Jonson. The school is going to be taken down because they have built a new school! Lots of memories and lots of happy good memories from that school! It’s going to be missed!

 I tie dyed a towel!! 

We painted Christmas sun catchers for our windows.

I hope you had a wonderful November. I can’t wait to show you what I have done in December. I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and see you next year!

Kelsey: How did you get the answers to your back pain?

Mary: It took me about 7 years to finally get diagnosed with fibromyalgia. As well as to find out the bottom joint in my back never formed properly.   It’s the joint that carries all your weight so this is why my back has always suffered the most pain out of everywhere else in my body.   It took several specialists to come to this answer.   I finally got diagnosed about 3 years ago.

Kelsey: What was your symptoms?

Mary: My very first symptom has pain in my right hip, which eventually went to my left hip and back.  And gradually has affected most of my body over the years.  My biggest symptom is pain all over my body. But I also deal with fatigue, headaches, numbness in my arms and legs and insomnia.

Kelsey: How did your family act when you found out what’s was happening?

Mary: My boyfriend Joshua was with me through many appointments, tests, emergency room. Visits as well as me getting diagnosed and he has been very supportive the whole time.  Which I am very grateful for. My friends are also very supportive and understanding of my limitations and bad days.

Kelsey: How’s your back pain now? From, 1-10

Mary: My back pain definitely fluctuates. It hurts everyday. But some our worse than others. Most days it’s probably a 4 or 5, which for me is tolerable. But I definitely have days where it’s a 10 and brings me to tears the odd time.

Kelsey: What’s your tips on your experience with back pain? What’s makes better? Dose it make a difference to do things with your back pain? Is there any other places that you might have pain in your body with your Fibromyalgia? Where are they if you do?

Mary: Unfortunately, my pain is what they call nerve pain which is very resistant to treatment. I am on medications, but I’ve been told no medication will reduce my pain more than 50%.   Things I found that help a little are my heating pad. I usually lay with that on my back every night. Which reduces my pain enough to fall asleep.  I also make sure to exercise as much as I’m able. Keeping my body active keeps me from getting too stiff.   I also take a lot of hot showers, which usually helps a little with my aches and pains.  It does affect quite a few parts of my body, mainly my back and hips.  But it also effects my hands and feet that experience swelling and numbness on and off.  I get shooting pain down my arms and legs and have pain in my neck and ribs at times as well. 

Kelsey: Were you kinda glad when you found out what’s happening?

Mary: When I was finally diagnosed, I cried on the way home because I was so relieved, I finally had an answer to why I felt the way I did.   When you are in so much pain and no one can find a reason it’s very easy to start to feel like you’re going crazy. So to have my symptoms validated and given a name was a huge relief.

Kelsey: What’s your childhood like growing up? Did you enjoy your school? Did you make friends easy?

Mary: Growing up I spent many years in Saskatchewan being raised by my Grandma Betty and Poppa Tony.  They were the best people I could have possibly been with. Many of my best memories are with them on the farm. I spent the other years here in Camrose, which was rough at times. But luckily my best friend McHale lived right across the street from me. And we made many many years of amazing memories growing up. I did enjoy school a lot, I made friends quite easy. And enjoyed the schools I attended both here and in Saskatchewan. 

Kelsey: What did you want to do when you grow up? What’s your job now? Did you do more after grade 12?

Mary: For the longest time I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up, however with my back issues getting worse I ended up not following that path. I had the pleasure of working in Kelsey’s home for many years, which I loved very much. At the moment I’m at home on leave, but I am currently in college and will be opening my own business within the next couple years. Which I look forward to very much.

Kelsey: What’s your hobbies?

Mary: In my free time I love baking for my family and friends, reading, going to the gym, and visiting with my friends.

Kelsey:  What’s your favourite season, and what’s your favourite holiday Season?

Mary: My favourite season is summer; I’m not cut out for the cold! And my favourite holiday season is definitely Christmas.

Kelsey:. How many brothers and sisters did you had growing up?

Mary: I am an only child, but my Dad remarried when I was older and she had 3 kids from her previous marriage. So now I have two stepsisters and a step brother.  And lots and lots of nieces and nephews!

Kelsey: Where you a Dads or Mom girl growing?

Mary: Honestly neither! My grandparents raised me for the most part, and I was definitely a Grama’s girl.  She has always been someone I look up to.

Kelsey: Where did you go to school?

Mary: I went to school in Churchbridge, SK for a number of years.  Then I attended OLMP here in Camrose.

Kelsey:. Where have you lived, and have you travel around the world? Do you have any favourite places in the world where you been?

Mary: I have lived in Camrose, Brooks, Swift Current, Viking, and Langenburg. I have actually never travelled outside of Canada.  But I hope to one day!

My friend Mary and I met when she was learning about my morning routine.  I was supposed to be moving out of my parent’s house in April of 2015, but it wasn’t ready yet but I moved into the group house in August of 2015! Mary worked upstairs for probably 4 years. I asked Mary Do you like baking?.  She said, ” I love baking ” and I said, she’s hired!   When Mary started working at the group house with me, she had to found a way to lift me without hurting her back!   I was curious about her journey and how she found out about her fibromyalgia!

For more information on Fibromyalgia follow this link:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780?fbclid=IwAR2HwgZhUO6FMfVfjlyWayerRCGPNcgZwheT6bXTh5qNzg2RtWGorLv0qzU

This thanksgiving weekend we had a turkey dinner and Rose Club radio on the Saturday night! Norseman Inn made us, everything, turkey dinner with the sides! We danced to some thanksgiving music and other recorded music that someone recorded for us. We danced the night away!

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We went to Edmonton to celebrate Thanksgiving on the Sunday with Joel, Ashley, and Ashley’s parents! My brother Joel made a smoked turkey dinner with sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, and carrots. Ashley’s Mom made stuffing with hamburger which was awesome!  Too bad the house wasn’t wheelchair accessible because I had to bring my unpowered chair and I was sore by bedtime. We had some blueberry pie and carrot pie that was delicious as well. I got to hold Coco! My mom made ham and pineapple with mac and cheese casserole on Monday and in the afternoon, we visited with our friends Sherry and Lee from Yorkton!

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My friend Teresa sent me flowers in a tea pot and teacup … its was a wonderful surprise for me! I can’t believe it’s been like 22 years since we met her, and I was little girl and starting grade one and she was my teacher, and I was her teacher’s pet! We send messages on Facebook to each other, each week, or every month!

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My friend Theresa and I went back to Cloud Nine and got our fingernails painted again. I got some Halloween nails, it was, like honeycomb. Orange, white and yellow were the colours! 

I got to FaceTime Mary and see her dog. It’s always nice to catch up with your old staff!

One day I went back to my parent’s house, and we made chocolate chip cookies! Yum they were delicious. This Halloween weekend we dyed my hair purple but it didn’t work! Everyone carved pumpkins on Friday evening! 

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On Saturday night we watched two movies which were Halloween Town One and Two.  On Sunday which was Halloween we made pumpkin muffins! We had 70 kids at my parents and we gave out chocolate bars which we ran out of!

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I hope your October was fun and you had a good month.

Kelsey: How did you know something was wrong and what were your symptoms?

Cheryl: I was 37 weeks pregnant, trailing into my upcoming birth when I started having a piercing inner right earache for about 3 days. I’m an RN and was working evenings and remember asking one of my fellow nurses to examine my ear with no findings.

Kelsey: What did you do when you knew something was wrong?

Cheryl: I went to bed that night and woke up around 3am. My right side of my face felt weird though as it was early am I fell back to sleep.  When I woke up, I knew something was wrong. I looked in the mirror and to my surprise my face looked like I had a stroke. My right eyelid wouldn’t close. The right side of my face from upper forehead to lower neck was paralyzed. I had facial droop with no feeling and unable to smile. My swallowing was affected, and I couldn’t close my mouth properly. 

Kelsey: What did the doctor do? 

Cheryl: Steve came with me to the ER and with examination I was told I had Bells Palsy. In the next days to follow I developed shingles also to my ear.  I was referred to see an EENT specialist who then diagnosed me with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused from the herpes zoster virus which causes shingles. It affects the facial nerve near the ear and leads to facial paralysis and hearing loss.  This was very difficult news as due to the severity of my facial paralysis and the nerve damage that had happened, I was told that it was permanent.  I was devastated in knowing what I would do if I physically couldn’t smile along with the loss of physical function my window to the world just became a bit smaller.

Kelsey: How long did it take to recover and what was your recovery like?

Cheryl: I was referred to a surgeon for assessment for possible facial reconstruction. At this appt I was told that surgery wasn’t indicated.  I was informed that the nerves slowly heal themselves though only at 1 mm a month so thus the road of slow healing.  I was referred to the Glenrose Hospital of which I had many appointments of nerve conduction studies.  These appts were hard as there was no recovery for some time.

I had to have 2 separate surgeries to put a gold weight in my right eye to close my eyelid.  As I was still taping my eye closed the gold weight would allow for closure of the eyelid so my cornea would be protected. I had my first surgery approximately a month after my delivery. The gold weight though was not the right weight so approximately 5 weeks after I had the second surgery with the exact gold weight needed.  I continued with acupuncture physio twice weekly in Tofield for months. The acupuncture was to stimulate the nerve movement.  I was so blessed to have a physiotherapist whose skill set enabled me to try new treatments and not give up. 

Over the months to follow I would eat on my left side of my mouth as I would choke. I developed crocodile tears of which you cry when you eat. As I had no movement from my forehead to my neck, I became protective of my face.   At the three months mark I remember coming home from a nerve conduction study feeling very low as there was no change to my face.  I remember though seeing the smallest indentation in my dimple and this gave me hope. 

I was off work as on maternity leave and over the course of 18 months my nerves began to heal that 1mm per month and I slowly regained function in my face.  At my last nerve conduction study the test still indicated no change to my facial nerves.  They felt that the nerves to the left side of my face had crossed over thus gaining new function. At the year mark I was able to surgically remove the gold weight implant as I had regained function and my eye would now close naturally.

I have had long term facial neuralgia, my smile is not symmetrical and I still have the good old crocodile tears. I’m most grateful that I regained my facial function and thankful for prayers and family supports along the way. 

Kelsey: What is your job?

Cheryl: I have been a RN for 28 years of which I’m so grateful for my recovery as at the time of my injury I questioned if I would be able to continue in my career.

Kelsey: Where did you grow up?

Cheryl: I was a farm kid from Killam, AB

Kelsey: What are your hobbies?

Cheryl: I love to garden and create beautiful spaces. I enjoy hiking moderate trails enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and the challenge of climbing to the top, kayaking, travels and entertaining and cooking.

Kelsey: How many kids do you have and what does your husband do?

Cheryl: I have two daughters Raelene and Katie that are in post-secondary education now enjoying new opportunities. Steve, my spouse is a Renaissance artist and self-employed in construction.

Kelsey: Where have you travelled? 

Cheryl: At an early age with the girls, we wanted to expose them to the benefits of travels.  We have been to Eastern Caribbean, Turk and Cacaos, Florida Keys, Bahamas, multiple trips to PEI, along with travels to Nova Scotia, Ireland and Scotland, trips to Montana, Las Vegas, Mexico, Victoria, Vancouver, along with the beauty of our own Banff and Canmore trips. 

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Kelsey: Is there anything else you would like to explain or talk about your experience?

Cheryl: As I age there are so many unknowns in life, but I have learned that gratitude, faith, determination, and family provide the pathway for dealing with difficulties.  There are many blessings every day. Look for them and know that life is beautiful.

When I was probably around 8 years ago, we went to the same church as Cheryl and her family! Cheryl became good friends with my mom! I didn’t know that Ramsay Hunt Syndrome was something that you could get when you get pregnant before we met her and her family!  Thanks so much for your interview and your friendship over the years!  I hope people will learn something interesting about Cheryl and her family!

Here is the information I found on Ramsay Hunt Syndrome on the internet.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351783

The month of September started with some sadness that we didn’t expect to happen, but we lost our dear friend Mchale she used to be my staff. Mchale and her baby son Noah were murdered. My friend Mchale was super duper outgoing, biggest heart and always up for anything. Friends and Family of Mchale and Noah are trying to get Noah’s Law passed. Please sign the petition and help this from happening to someone else. Here is a picture of us in a ride at Jay Walker’s jamboree.

https://justiceformchaleandnoah.ca

https://www.facebook.com/Justiceformchaleandnoah

My friend Theresa and I went for nails at Cloud Nine Day Spa because I bought her a gift card for her birthday almost two years ago!

Sometime in September we had a walking scavenger hunt with Rose Club and we had lots of fun looking for things like a red car, house for sale sign and some holes in the ground. We had to find yellow leaves on trees and hidden behind the trees! We had to find K on a license plate! We had to find a school or school bus and take a picture of.

My Auntie Gail had her birthday in September, so I made her a birthday card! She had a lemon cheese cake for her birthday, and her work her co- I workers put up an sign ( you hit the Big 50 on her desk at work)

We took family pictures and everyone was wearing blue, black and white shirts! Ashley bough Coco an outfit and it matched my Mom. I think my Mom needs some grandkids!

My friend Teresa lost her Auntie, so I mailed her a card.

Then the last week of September was karaoke with Rose Club and Rebecca made a wheel of our own names and then she would spin it and picked our names that way it was pretty cool!  Rebecca put up YouTube and we played karaoke.

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I can’t wait to see what Fall brings. The leaves are already leaving and the cold is coming!

Rebecca had heart palpitations and I was interested to interview her about her journey. We met at Camrose Community Church, and she was the Sunday school teacher! I remember when I was younger, she made me a doll cake for my 8th birthday party! When I was 16, she made two strawberry cheesecakes! For my 17-birthday party, we went to her shop after we went to the bowling alley. We were able to decorate cupcakes!  She also made me a graduation cake and she made (my brother Luke and my confirmation Cakes!  

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Kelsey: How did you know something was wrong with your heart?  How did you feel?

Rebecca: I was having heart palpitations, I was tired, didn’t feel good.

Kelsey: Why did you need surgery?

Rebecca: The top and the bottom of my heart stopped communicating.

Kelsey: How did you feel after surgery, compared to before?

Rebecca: I felt really good after surgery, I couldn’t feel my heart beating funny. I thought I had carpal tunnel, after surgery my hands stopped going numb.

Kelsey: What was your recovery like?  How long did it take?

Rebecca: Recovery went well, I had to be off of work for 6 weeks.

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Kelsey: What’s your advice for other people going through the same thing?

Rebecca: Be patient, recovery takes time.

Kelsey: How did your family react when they found out you needed surgery?

Rebecca: Louis and the kids were very worried, because it had to do with my heart and was so sudden. I was able to reassure them that I would be ok and feel much better.

Kelsey: What was your childhood like?  Do you have siblings?

Rebecca: My childhood was like everyone else’s. We played and went to school. I have one brother he is 3 years older than me.

Kelsey: Where did you grow up?

Rebecca: I was born in England and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Kelsey: What countries have you lived in?

Rebecca: England, Germany, Canada

Kelsey: What’s your favourite memory of your mom and dad? 

Rebecca: Camping, picnics while going on bike rides.

Kelsey: How many kids do you have? What do they do?  Do you have grandkids?

Rebecca: 4 kids, Matt goes to school, Human Resources, Aiden is working in Marketing, Emily is working in Edmonton for a road construction company, John is a construction worker. 1 grandson Mason who is 13 years old, he lives in Regina.

Kelsey: What’s your job today?

Rebecca: I work for Canada Post

Kelsey: What other jobs have you had?

Rebecca: Sold furniture, baker, owned my own restaurant, waitress, catering

Kelsey: How did you get into baking and cooking?

Rebecca: It was something I could do while I was raising my family. I sold my baking at markets, then I opened my own shop.

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Kelsey: What’s your hobbies? 

Rebecca: Crafting. Gardening. Baking.

Kelsey: How did you and I meet?

Rebecca: We met at church and we became great friends!

I hope you have learned something about this interview with Rebecca! I didn’t know about heart palpitations before I interviewed her! Rebecca is wonderful, hard working and loving, and a kind friend who I look up to and trust!  Thanks for your interview, Rebecca!

For more information about heart palpitations check out this website I found…

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-palpitations/symptoms-causes/syc-20373196?fbclid=IwAR0-RXSIOGHeB6OWsCTQTohCxGoPbU9-wA3JxJ9kCqA3wFlWctMNWYZyZQ8

Rebecca had to receive a pacemaker. This is what I found on the internet…

A pacemaker is a small device that’s placed (implanted) in your chest to help control your heartbeat. It’s used to prevent your heart from beating too slowly. Implanting a pacemaker in your chest requires a surgical procedure.

For Rose Club name that tune in August I won a wooden picture that we painted and gave to our senior for this month! 

My friend Karlina from high school came for a visit and we played Yahtzee!

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I did some rolling on a blanket on the grass outside!   Then I did some colouring on the deck!

In the evening it was Rose Club Birthday Bash on Zoom, it was Big Valley themed, so it felt like we were at Big Valley at home! 

On the Sunday morning, My Grandma Sharon, and my Auntie Gail (my Dad’s Mom and sister) came to visit us! My Dad and I took them to where my dad works and where Big Valley usually is! And Jubilee Park!  I showed them the wheelchair accessible outdoor gymnasium.   We went on a long walk.  We went to the under pass! Yahoo it is wheelchair accessible!! 

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My Auntie Gail gave me some butterflies and flowers on canvas!  Thanks so much!  Also, some word search books! Then we got back from our adventure, we taught them how to play the game Qwirkle.  I got to try out my mom and dad’s hammock for the 1st time!   While I was in their Hammock, my mom and dad were drying out the swimming pool and getting ready for the fall season!

A month ago, I was in my bed with my hot water bottle, and it got a hole in it and I got my 1st burn on my arm!

One Monday morning I got to show my mom the under pass at mirror lake!

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The start of September and then the long weekend…

On a Wednesday afternoon I got sore from sitting too long so I showed Dana my staff how to put me on my mat!

On Thursday morning I got to go back to Centra Cam!  (Just in the morning though) I did some weights, medicine ball * a ball with handles on the sides* and some bands! That was 1st period of the day.  Then, after the coffee break. I started reading the book…”Ella Enchanted”.

When I came home, I started to paint the 1st canvas. It’s a butterfly!  

On a Friday afternoon I started to paint another painting with flowers and butterflies! 

On a Saturday afternoon I finished painting the second canvas, and I went back to my parents house. We went on a walk outside on the berm and I said “let’s make a birthday cake for the puppy! After supper we made a dog cake! 

On Sunday morning my Mom decorated COCO ‘s 1st birthday cake!  In the afternoon we celebrated our grand puppy/my niece’s 1st birthday! She ate a piece of her birthday cake! My Mom bought her a pink jacket. Joel and Ashley came with Caramel Macchiato cappuccino cups for dessert! They were in mini glass cups! They were very yummy, they reminded me of an ice cappuccino without the ice!  Thanks for bringing us over dessert!

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On Monday morning I painted on the back deck! How do they look?! 

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I went back home and made rhubarb crisp with my mom, played two games of Yahtzee and we went on another walk, and I helped make supper! It was meat balls rice with salad, and carrots from Good Foods!  After supper we watched Parent Hood!

Looking forward to the Fall Season and all of the changes that are coming.

My Auntie Donna had a hip replacement and I wanted to interview her! I think it’s a hard road for recovery but she’s feeling good again! I look up to my Auntie Donna who is doing everything for her family and friends! I don’t know what it is like having a hip replacement surgery! I always get to sleep during surgery and she was awake for her hip replacement surgery!   We had made some of memories! I remember going to her place for Christmas for one year! We played Mad Gab with the cousins! She was here in the summer and we played Qwirkle.

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Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant, that is, a hip prosthesis. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total replacement or a hemi (half) replacement. Such joint replacement orthopedic surgery is generally conducted to relieve arthritis pain or in some hip fractures. A total hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty or THA) consists of replacing both the acetabulum and the femoral head while hemiarthroplasty generally only replaces the femoral head. Hip replacement is currently one of the most common orthopedic .

Kelsey: When did you notice something was wrong with your hip?             

Donna: Our daughter Kaitlyn worked in Finland for a year and in July 2012 we went to visit her.  We did a lot of walking and every night when I went to bed, my left leg would throb like a toothache all from my hip to my ankle.  I thought it was because I was overweight and out of shape.  However, I realized it didn’t matter if I was active or still – my leg always seemed to ache.  That September I joined Pilates because I am very rigid and hoped my flexibility would increase.  It didn’t, and I was frustrated because there were certain movements I couldn’t do because I just didn’t have the range of motion.  That fall I had my yearly physical with my family doctor and after telling her my concerns she suggested we start with x-rays.  The x-ray tech looked at them and said, “No wonder your hip hurts!”

I met with the orthopaedic surgeon in Saskatoon in the spring of 2013.  He told me there was degeneration of the hip, but at 51, I was young to have a hip replacement.  By April 2014 when I saw him again, the degeneration was worse – practically bone on bone, and he said it was time for surgery.  I could have had surgery in August, but we had a holiday planned to go to Virginia. I got a call in the fall and had my surgery November 5, 2014.            

Kelsey: Did you try anything else to relieve your pain before surgery, like physio or cortisone shots? 

Donna: I did not have physio or cortisone, and neither was ever suggested to me.

Kelsey: What was the pain like before surgery? 

Donna: The pain was like a toothache down the left side of my left leg.  I think I have a low threshold for pain, so it was often a level 8.  I often didn’t realize it myself, but friends at school would know when it was bothering me because I would limp.  While Bob and I were waiting during one of my appointments I saw someone walking on a path toward the hospital.  I commented that they must need a new knee or hip because they were limping so severely.  Bob told me that was exactly how I walked sometimes, but I didn’t realize it. 

I still participated in activities such as Pilates, going to the gym, and walking but had limited range of motion.  The pain seemed to be bad whether I sat, stood or walked.

Kelsey: Tell us about your surgery.

Donna: I told the surgeon and anesthesiologist I wanted to be completely out during my surgery because I didn’t want to hear power tools!  I took along my iPhone and my earbuds so I could listen to music.  There was a sheet draped across so I couldn’t see below my chest.  I thought of holding my phone up and getting a picture, but I didn’t.  I did take a selfie, plus one of the surgeon, though.  I don’t recall how long the surgery took.

At one point during surgery I was aware that I could see my leg and it appeared to be raised completely straight up and hanging from the ceiling.  I thought “Cool!” because I know I just couldn’t do that.  I also remember hearing what sounded like a hammer hitting copper pipe, but thought I must have imagined it.  However, on last season of Grey’s Anatomy, Dr. Richard Weber needed hip surgery, and during the episode it was the exact same sound!!  Proof the sound I remembered hadn’t been a drug-induced hallucination!! 

Before my surgery I told the kids at school that I was going to be away because I was having a hip replacement and would now have titanium in my leg.  One of the kids was heard saying “Our librarian is going to be a Cyborg!”  Another asked why I was going to be gone, and a fellow student said “She’s going to get a new leg.” 

Kelsey: How did you feel after surgery?

Donna: After surgery when I was still numb from the spinal it was awesome!!  Absolutely pain free!! However, things changed as the anesthetic wore off.  I am allergic to a couple different drugs and medical staff weren’t sure what I could take for the pain, nor how much they could give me.  My pain was off the charts for about 9 hours, and if it wasn’t for my Pilates breathing, I would have lost my mind!  I apologized to my roommate the next morning because she must have thought I was dying.  I do admit I dropped a LOT of F-bombs!  I don’t remember what I was finally given for the pain, but after they found the correct dose, I felt so much better. 

My surgery was on Wednesday at noon.  I was up the next morning after they’d removed the catheter, and when the nurse helped me to the washroom I was surprised how sturdy and solid my leg felt.  Thursday I was walking with a walker, and Friday the physiotherapist had me going up and down stairs.  Saturday I had another physio session, and was out of the hospital by noon and on my way home. 

Kelsey: How was your recovery?

Donna: At home I had lots of support.  A physiotherapist visited me on Monday after a teary phone call when I told her I was sure my left leg was now about 6 inches longer than my right – a normal reaction I was told.  Bob was very good about helping me with my exercises and when friends came to visit they became my coaches.  I used a walker and then graduated to a cane.  I had a raised toilet seat and for extra safety had handrails in the shower.  I was diligent about doing my exercises and after the staples were removed friends took me swimming to North Battleford twice a week.  I was grateful for this as I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks after my surgery.  I found the water therapy to be very beneficial, noticing an increased range of motion immediately.  At first I just walked in the lazy river using a paddle board for support, but then graduated to an aqua bike, and then swimming. 

At home I took my pain medication as prescribed but soon found I had very little need for it. After I recovered, I was happy to have full range of motion but was happiest to be pain-free with none of the throbbing, deep aching. 

Kelsey: How long were you off work?

Donna: My surgery was in November and I went back to work the end of February.  While recovering at home I relaxed in bed, had lots of afternoon naps, watched Netflix, read and practiced Spanish using Duolingo.

Kelsey: Any cons to having surgery?

Donna: Since my hip replacement, any time I am flying, I always set off the metal detector. 

Kelsey: How is your other hip?

Donna: My right hip has now started to give me trouble, and I had x-rays two years ago so we could have a base-line to see how the osteoarthritis is progressing.  As of today, my right knee has been worse than my hip.  I recently saw my surgeon and he told me hip problems often show up in knees.  From x-rays my right knee is showing 30% wear, but my hip is at 90%.  My surgeon asked if I was ready for surgery again, but the pain isn’t unbearable, plus I’m not limping.  I will use those two factors to determine when I make the call to be put on the waiting list. 

Kelsey: What do you do for work?  What other jobs have you had?

Donna: I am a librarian at Unity Public School and have loved my work for over 15 years.  I took my library technician program via distance education from SAIT in Calgary.  I had previously worked as an Educational Assistant and had also worked for the Mental Health Association of Saskatchewan.  For a time I worked at Curves, a fitness center for women; I worked at a funeral home doing after-care and pre-planning funerals; I was a village administrator; I have been a Mary Kay beauty consultant for 32 years.  In high school I worked at an ice cream shop which is why ice cream is one thing I can stay away from. 

Kelsey: Do you have kids?

Donna: I have three children.  Grant is a navigator with the Canadian Armed Forces and works with Search and Rescue.  Interesting point is that Grant is on the waiting list for a hip replacement, even though he is only 39.  Sorry about those bad genes, Grant!  Kaitlyn works for the Saskatchewan provincial government in communications.  She was working for the Ministry of Health when COVID began, and that was a very busy, interesting time for her.  Courtney is a dental assistant but is just completing classes in Dental Hygiene in Toronto.  My husband Bob is a regional manager with Farm Link, a grain marketing company. 

Kelsey: What do you do in your spare time?

Donna: In my spare time, and before COVID, I like to read, cook, bake, swim and entertain friends and family. Since COVID I have gotten hooked on paint-by-numbers and diamond art.  I’ve recently lost 30 pounds and have gotten much more active, working on the elliptical, doing work-out videos, Pilates and yacking on the phone while I’m on the treadmill. 

I hope you learned something interesting about hip replacement and thank you Auntie Donna for your interview.

For Canada Day we went to the pool and hockey rink area where they were playing music and hanging out, ball, water bottles and freezes! By the glass area there were some booths of Canada Day stuff! In the afternoon we watched two movies. One was 5 feet apart and a girly movie! There were amazing fireworks in the evening!

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On July 3 was our mom’s birthday so I surprised her with a ice cappuccino and a birthday card! We celebrated her birthday on the Sunday! We gave her some jackets from Rickis! We had homemade ice cream cake with peppermint flavoured and chocolate mints!

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Our brother Luke had his birthday the weekend after our Mom’s birthday! We gave art supplies for his birthday! We had brownie cake with cream cheese icing!

Sometime in July my friend Teresa lost her friend. So, now that I can actually get out of the house and I can go back to shopping again! I brought her a kitty stain glass for her window! I have been enjoying the outdoors and blowing bubbles on the deck!

We got prizes from Rose Club , which were some tie dye sets and we bought white t- shirts and tie dyed them!

When your Doctors can’t finger out your lower back pain and did everything that he could….. I went for physical therapy and she had said keep on moving! We thought it was my hip was out, but it wasn’t out of place! So, I have learned how to help myself with the pain! Do some workouts on the mat and walk in the walker!

Rose Club had another scavenger hunt and we had a wonderful time looking for items! We had to find a # 7 on a van! We had to look for a bench, bird and some thing with paws! We had to find a lawnmower and take a picture of it for the scavenger hunt!

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I actually got to go to the new pool with Mary Ann and her grandson Dylan! I actually get into the hot tub because there’s a ramp for the hot tub!

One Saturday afternoon we went to the new Space Jam movie and I went to Cruella with my Mom on one Tuesday evening!

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We went to watch the Snow Birds and it’s was an amazing show and an awesome experience!

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I remember one summer I was able to go meet the Snow Birds!

My Mom and Dad have been babysitting Joel and Ashley’s puppy Coco! My Mom and I made a zucchini chocolate cake! I wasn’t hungry for cake though! Mom has a machine called save food, that you can seal up bags and we put the leftover zucchini into the bags!

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Theresa and I got some face masks from Rose Club prizes from bingo or something! So we did our fingernails and we had face masks!

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My Auntie Donna and my Mom came to visit me at my house and we played qwirkle!

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My best friend Teresa mailed me ” thinking about you “presents! I got an hoodie, pants, homemade slippers that her mom Victoria made for me! It was a wonderful surprise, she also gave me a book where you put water into a pen and draw out the picture, once it’s dry, you have to start over! She sent me some stickers as well!

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