My roommate Craig, staff Kelsey and I went to the Camrose Crush hockey game on a Saturday night!
We watched Wedding Crashers one Saturday afternoon. We had a birthday bash which was Oilers hockey game themed and played hockey Saturday night songs!
I missed the radio with Rose Club because I was isolated in my bedroom because my brother Joel shared his cold with me and my mom! The staff had to dress up in covid gowns until I had no symptoms! I have been doing lots of colour by numbers. That Sunday I Face Timed with my mom, and we made mint Chocolate chip cookies! Once I got out of being isolated, I painted the birdhouse I won from the Rose Club Bingo on New Year’s Eve! I painted the birdhouse rainbow colours!
I like to watch a cooking show on Facebook by a girl named Natasha. I really enjoy the Kbaby on YouTube. Katie and Ben have two kids Avery and Ella and they are having another baby girl coming in February! I really like the Arnold sisters on YouTube as well. You should check them out! Four sisters who also started doing a YouTube channel, While I’m colouring or doing word searches, I would have them on my iPad!
In December, Paulette and I started going back to the fire hall to shred paper on Friday mornings! We usually get two bags full!
We started watching Shauna Rae on TLC, it’s about a woman who is 22 and is in a 10 year old body! She had Brain cancer when she was 6 months old and stopped growing after chemotherapy! Kinda interesting!
Saturday afternoon Nicki and I went on a winter, snowy and sunny walk around the lake and we went walking underground to the under pathway! Saturday night we watched sisters on Netflix!
On Sunday evening we made oatmeal blueberry muffins!
Kelsey: What were the 1st symptoms of your heart problems? Explain, how did you feel? Where were you when it happened?
Maryann: I was at home when I had indigestion-like pain. I had been having stomach problems for a few months before that, so I thought it was my stomach. I tried my usual tricks to get rid of the gas, a warm beanbag on my belly, a hot bath but nothing was working. It felt like pressure in my chest, just like a baby elephant was sitting on my chest.
Kelsey: What’s did your doctors do at the emergency room?
Maryann: In the ER, they hooked me up to the cardiac monitor, and told me that I was having a heart attack. I was in denial; I couldn’t believe that!!! They gave me several medicines and then I went to Edmonton’s Royal Alex. The next day I had an angiogram where they found several of my major arteries were blocked. Within four days they put in 4 stents and 2 balloons.
Kelsey: What did you have for heart problems? What was diagnosed?
Maryann: Inferior Myocardial
Kelsey: What did your family and friends say or do when you found out what was happening?
Maryann: My family and friends were shocked and concerned.
Kelsey: What’s would you say to other people that are going through the same symptoms? How are you feeling and doing today?
Maryann: I would tell others to go to the hospital if they are having these symptoms. I am feeling great now and my life is getting busier every day.
Kelsey: What are your hobbies and what’s your typical day?
Maryann: I love to sew, garden, kayak, and swim. I also love to spend time with my dog, Koda and my grandson’s dog, Kai.
Kelsey: What was your favorite job? Explain how you got into nursing?
Maryann: My favorite job was at Team 12. There was a nursing school close to my home in Ontario, so I was able to go to school.
Kelsey: How did you get your job at Team 12 and how many years did you work there?
Maryann: I applied for the job, had an interview, and was hired… I heard about CAFCL through my friend Karen Norrie. I worked there for 3 years!
Kelsey: Have you traveled? Where have you traveled?
Maryann: I have traveled extensively in Canada, but have also been to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and I’ve also traveled to Cuba, Mexico and Jamaica.
Kelsey: Where did you grow up? What did you do after you graduated high school?
Maryann: I grew up at a lake in northern Ontario, Sesekinika. After high school, I went straight into nursing school.
Kelsey: How many kids do you have and how many grandkids?
Maryann: I have three children and eight grandchildren.
Kelsey: Do you have any memories of your parents? What’s your favorite memory of your mom and your dad? What was your childhood like? Do you have any siblings?
Maryann: I had a very nice childhood, with my two sisters and three brothers. My favorite memory of my mom is that she was always baking or cooking something delicious. My favorite memory of my Dad is that he was always building something, and he had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh.
Here is some information I found on the internet regarding Maryann’s condition:
Inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) occurs from a coronary artery occlusion with resultant decreased perfusion to that region of the myocardium. Unless there is timely treatment, this results in myocardial ischemia followed by infarction. In most patients, the inferior myocardium is supplied by the right coronary artery. In about 6-10% of the population, because of left dominance, the left circumflex will supply the posterior descending coronary artery. Approximately 40% of all MIs involve the inferior wall. Traditionally, inferior MIs have a better prognosis than those in other regions, such as the anterior wall of the heart. The mortality rate of an inferior wall MI is less than 10%. However, several complicating factors that increase mortality, including right ventricular infarction, hypotension, bradycardia heart block, and cardiogenic shock.
You can go to this website if you want more information:
Thank you Maryann for sharing your story with me and my blog followers. If anyone else would like me to help with another topic for a future blog I would really appreciate it.
The last night in November, my mom and I went to the concert Travis Dolter and saw the Christmas Coca Cola Truck! It was great to hear live music again!
In November we had a craft night with rose club, we made sock puppets for the Christmas party and our Christmas concert. So, the second Friday evening in December it was the Rose Club Christmas party, we were in the play Covid Christmas 2021 and I was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and I used my sock puppet on my right hand and I had to read lines off the sheet of Christmas concert paper (Covid Christmas). We sang some Christmas songs with special guests form the North Pole and it was the leaders from SingAble, we did a scavenger Christmas hunt in our house, and we found an angel on the top of our Christmas tree and some mittens! We had a Christmas exchange, and I got the Frozen puzzle (from the Frozen movie.)
The next day, which was Saturday afternoon, we did some Christmas shopping for our roommates and wrapped them in Christmas wrapping paper! Everyone is getting PJ’s for Christmas from me!
For the last week of Centra Cam we didn’t doing the Christmas dinner, Christmas exchange and the Christmas party. Instead we had some Special events during the last week of Centra Cam. On Monday morning we watched the movie Elf and coloured some Christmas pictures! Centra cam gave us a Christmas card and some gift cards from Wendy’s and McDonald’s. On Thursday morning (the last day of Centra Cam) some of the clients and staff were able to go to the bowling alley and I got 109 on my first game and then I got 88 on my second game. It was a wonderful way to end the year before the Christmas holidays and I had a great time bowling!
I went back home on the Thursday afternoon, and we made cookies to decorate! We also started to make my dad’s birthday cake which is homemade ice cream cake with chocolate sauce and mint chocolate patties on top of the ice cream cake!
We celebrated our dad’s 52nd birthday. So, there’s a story behind this… okay our Dad has a green vest that our grandma Shirley brought him for a Christmas present ages ago that he Loves! So Ashley and Joel decided to buy every one else a green vest to give to him for his birthday presents and we got dad long john’s, new blue jeans and underwear for his birthday! He kept saying What’s going on??? He opened 6 green vests then, we took some family pictures in the front of the Christmas Tree and everyone wore their vests! Then, we opened Christmas presents and they were Old Navy PJ bottoms with Santa Clause on them.
The day after Dad’s birthday, we celebrated Christmas, this was the weekend before Christmas. We did this because Ashley and Joel were celebrating Christmas in Moose Jaw and Luke might have to work this Christmas! So on the Saturday morning we opened Christmas presents and then we played Qwerkle together!
For our parents, we bought my mom some boots and we bought dad a new black vest! Joel and Ashley got some cookbooks, and kitchen supplies. I gave Ashley some fingernails and Luke got some jewelry making supplies! My mom brought her grand puppy Coco Christmas PJ’s ! My Christmas presents this year… Ashley made me a Scrapbook of my Kelsey’s Butterfly lifestyle blog! I got a butterfly and flowers puzzle, word searches books, fingernails, and tattoos pens and stickers. Brett young’s new CD and an day planner! Luke even made me a ring. My parents found some holders for our game Qwirkle and some score sheets.
Instead of doing stockings, Our family plays a game where you wrap up stocking stuffers into alot of saran wrap and then you roll dice until you get double numbers on the dice and then you give it to the next person! From the game, I got some shower gel, hand lotion, Christmas socks, face masks and an luffa. On the Sunday afternoon we decorated sugar cookies as a family and then mom and I did our fingernails!
The week of heading up to Christmas weekend!
On Monday evening, we did our roommate’s Christmas exchange! I got lots of bath bombs and a bath bomb kit that you can make your own bath bombs! I got two pairs of PJ bottoms, Willy Wonka themed Candy Land Game!
On Tuesday evening I went to the swimming pool with Maryann and Dylan. I gave them their Christmas presents! My mom made moccasins and I coloured a Christmas card for Maryann and we gave Dylan swim passes for the swimming pool!
On Wednesday afternoon my mom and I went for our booster covid vaccination shot and then we got our flu shots at the same time at save on foods. Then we made a ham pie for supper! We watched Uncle Buck in the evening and babysat Coco for Joel and Ashley!
On Thursday afternoon I did some word searches and finished the book! I had to pack for the Christmas weekend!
On Christmas Eve afternoon we were lazy and watched My Dad’s Christmas Date! It was good at the start, but it got boring after awhile! My parents and I tried out the Qwirkle bonus pack from my Christmas presents! It has score sheets and holders for the tiles! It’s worked so well! My parents tied and beat me by two points! On Christmas Eve we had Anna-Marie over for appetizers and we played Qwixx!
On Christmas morning I helped my mom get the stuffing ready by ripping up pieces of bread! On Christmas afternoon, My parents and I worked on a beautiful butterflies and pretty flowers puzzle that I got for Christmas! It took four hours to do! I helped my mom make sweet potato casserole! After Christmas dinner I watched El Camino Christmas with my parents and my brother Luke! It wasn’t a very good movie and we were disappointed!
On Boxing Day we played a few games of Farkle and we decorated gingerbread houses with Luke! The day before New Year’s Eve we made a turkey pie with the leftover turkey, and we made homemade bath bombs! For New Year’s Eve we watched New Year’s Eve movie! We hope 2022 will be better than 2021! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
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:
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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…
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.
Kelsey's butterfly lifestyle 