tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6615348720351634882024-03-05T19:51:47.261-05:00Flip the {bird} to MSChin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-70487236554944644892016-01-18T09:39:00.002-05:002016-01-20T07:58:25.257-05:00+9 Months Update ... Good-bye Supercane !! Even if it's for a couple of weeks. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Low and behold, it's been 9 months already since HSCT !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the past three months I've experienced some sort of bone/joint pain in my right leg (the good leg !!). I've come to realize that if I take an Advil in the morning, the pain is in the back of my mind and I can continue with my life. So I do, when I remember.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My energy levels are still up. I managed to put Christmas stuff away in our basement. Don't get visions that it was swift and quick. It was slow but efficient. After the tenth trip down the stairs (backwards - don't get the wrong idea, I still don't brave the odds to go down a set of stairs with boxes on my hand facing forward) I was almost done. Big accomplishment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I say big, because I did it on my own. I usually rely on my dear husband to do all the box lifting and outdoor stuff. But he broke his tibia in December. Had to have surgery and he's still recovering. The only way he can walk is with his crutches. This made me realize I had to step it up a little. Now I am in charge of taking care of him. So I had to make Christmas magic happen on Christmas Eve. Then put everything away. The one day that we got a big dump of snow, I was the one shoveling it outside with the children. I also got to go out and watch them having fun on the sleds. It hasn't all been red roses. I've cursed a little under my breath. But things are getting done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The big news that happened almost two weeks ago is that I made a conscious effort of leaving my cane home when I went out a couple of times. And I was ok. I'm so used to use a cane, been doing it for about 3 years now. Maybe I've been ready for this for a while, but every time I go out the door, it's an automatic action. I grab the cane. This time I made a point of looking at it, and think, 'no way Supercane, you're staying here today'. And I didn't fall, no one looked at me funny, I have two hands again .. and it feels Awesome !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Best reward ever. We went get pizza with my two girls one night, and one of them holds my right hand while walking to the store. Then she freezes. Stops. Looks at me in awe !! Your cane !! You don't have your cane !! If I could have taken a picture of her face. Stunned. Happy. Delight. 'Mummy doesn't need a cane anymore !!'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you all may know, I live in Canada. It's winter. And we finally got snow, a lot of it. I did ponder when we got the first snow storm. I went out that morning, take the children to their school bus, and see a beautiful white driveway. Long, loong driveway to walk to the bus stop. And I looked at the cane ... should I ? Am I going to be safe ? There's snow, it's a good excuse to use it ... Nope. NO, No, no. No cane. I came back still on my two feet. Upright. Excellent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, these years with MS have taught me well though. As a regular MSer, I'm almost expecting this is a fluke. I'm just having a good couple of weks kind of thing. This can't really last. But you know what ? I'll take it. It feels great. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A year ago, at this time, I was planning my trip to Russia. Writing my lists, so I wouldn't forget anything. Trying not to think I was leaving my family to go for a treatment I was hoping would work. At that point, all I wanted was that HSCT would stop my progression. My secret hope was to stop it and improve my walking a little bit. But if you had told me in 9 months I'd stop using my cane. For a day, for a week, who knows for how long, I would have laughed. Not possible. I have MS. One doesn't get better from MS !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But here you have me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's still not a pretty walk, lots of room for improvement. Some people might think I've had too much to drink when I walk. Lol .. but again, I don't care. To me this is a big step, be able to walk unassisted. And I'm enjoying it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have a brilliant day everyone !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-62110489995085840882015-10-09T09:26:00.003-04:002015-10-09T10:08:25.012-04:00+ 6 months update !!First of all ... let me say I'm sorry.<br />
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Sorry for not updating my blog sooner. Time has gone by so quickly. Before I had my treatment, I always complained that most other bloggers seemed to stop blogging after having HSCT. So unfair ... now I couldn't read more about how they were doing. Did the treatment work ? Well, here I am now, not having updated anything in 6 months. Bad me .. lol.<br />
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Quick rewind to my last days at Pirogov, Moscow. Even after 6 months have gone by, I still think the staff in Pirogov is outstanding. You will be in good hands. Doctor Fedorenko is a caring and remarkable doctor. Anastasia is as nice and bubbly as everyone says. The staff will take care of you, will clean up after you, will feed you and will most importantly want you to be in no pain or discomfort. Yes, the food isn't 5-stars, but you will survive. You might even be adventurous enough to try tongue and liver. The city is as modern as any city in North America. If you get a bit of time to go touring downtown, you won't be dissapointed.<br />
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And yes, there were some challenging times over there. I had to focus on my breathing when they were putting the pic line to get my stem cells. It wasn't too smooth, it bothered me, I couldn't really sleep with it on, but it can be done. The transplant was different too. All the staff knew what to do, there were no mishappenings. But to me it was very powerful. I was never in any pain, but I did feel my heart pumping heavily. All I remember was looking at Dr. Fedorenko (who never leaves your side) and telling him 'heavy heart, heavy heart'. He asks you to tell him what you're feeling, and that's how I was able to describe what I was feeling. And after the longest 60 seconds of my life, it was over. And I felt tired, and went to sleep.<br />
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After that, there was a whirlwind of thoughts. I got to say goodbye to my two buddies that were sharing this journey with me. Off we go to Isolation. I tried to get some routines down to let time go by quickly. Isolation was done in 7 days and off I could go to the world. I decided to take a short trip to a grocery store and get some supplies (yes, eating supplies) to enjoy in my last few days at Pirogov. Bought ice cream bars to share with Steve and Ange. I think we ate pizza more than once. Believe me, pizza was like a deluxe dinner by now ... lol. Now .. did you see that ? After transplant I was able to walk by myself to the grocery store, a couple of blocks away. Yes, I was tired after that, but oh it was so worth it !! Then there were the real goodbyes. That was sad, frightening and great at the same time. We were all off to our families and homes. And I was leaving the people that helped me leave MS back. So grateful to them.<br />
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The trip home was a long one. But I walked it. I walked the airports, slowly, with my cane, but I walked them. I flew from Moscow to Rome, 6 hours between flights. I had big gastronomic dreams for this airport. Italy I thought, endless dishes of pasta at the airport. Well, let me tell you. Two words. Tiny airport. No pasta. Niente !! The airport is so small that once you get out of the plane you have to go down the stairs of the plane to the parking area, then enter a bus that will drop you off at the airport. Big shock !! After a dissapointing leg in Rome off I left to my family, my home in Canada. I was thrilled, excited, couldn't wait to hold my four children and tell them how much I had missed them. My husband. Every time I thought about that I'd start crying. And I'll blame this on the steroids. So instead of thinking about that, I tried to focus on what was coming next. Get over the flight, go to sleep. By the way, that dinner in the plane was the best vegetarian lasagna I've ever had in my life ... lol. Got to Toronto, focus. Get to Customs. Passed Customs, focus, go get the bags. Got the bags, focus, go pass the door. After I pass the doors I see my children, let all go and start crying. Lol ... best feeling ever !! I did it. I had HSCT, I made it home and I was still alive !!<br />
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The feelings I had at that moment going through my head were so many. Relief, love, admiration, happiness, thankful, blessed. Oh how I missed everyone !!<br />
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My first challenge was waiting for me at home when I look up the stairs to go to my bedroom. The stairs looked like climbing the Everest. It would have been so easy to go sleep on the sofa that night. But that wouldn't be me. I made it upstairs and I slept in my bed. Happy.<br />
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The first few weeks were different. Everytime I looked at myself in the mirror made me want to scream. I was bloated, my face was like a balloon, and I had no hair, I remember crying alone in the bathroom a lot. I was feeling very overwhelmed. But every tear helped me to put up a good face every time I got out of that bathroom. Made that day count. My feet were swollen too. I had to put them up a lot those first few weeks. I needed a nap every morning but in general I went back to do the usual things. Made my children's lunches for school, do laundry, basic cleaning (although I did have cleaners come to do the full house for that first month), cooking, etc. The second week I was home I went grocery shopping. I avoided crowds the first while. But I didn't hide. And I was fine. Going back to all those activities, helped me heal.<br />
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Did the treatment work ? I get that question a lot. Yes, my progression stopped. I am not worse than before. It worked. I'm not hopping on one foot, or running on the sand, or skating on ice. HSCT is not magic. It takes work. But it's been 6 months and it worked. I wake up every day, ready to get on my list of things to do. Before, I'd stay in bed wondering what was going to go wrong this day. Now I don't, and nothing goes wrong. And I persevere.<br />
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There's days that my legs feel stronger than others. Sometimes I go upstairs without holding on the railing and I go ... wohooooo !! And then I'm back to holding on the railings. And you know what ? It's ok. I'm grateful that's my only problem.<br />
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I never had too many symptoms to start with. And they all remain the same more or less. Tingling in my left fingertips, same. Drop left foot, same. Balance, better some days than others. Energy ... up up up !! I'd say the biggest improvement is in my energy.<br />
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I know it's still early in my recovery. There's still lots of time to improve my mobility. And I'll be working on the exercises the physio gave me back in June. I did very well on those until the children got out of school for the summer holidays. Yes, I have no problem to blame that on them .. lol. But I did do some swimming and bike riding. I never stopped moving, I had a pedometer and my steps were increasing, until it fell in the pool. Needless to say it wasn't waterproof. But I keep moving, walking, keeping busy.<br />
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My husband got me a pair of walking poles. I used them to go on a walking excursion to some nearby caves. I find I feel safer with them when I'm walking on uneven surfaces. At this point I'm being careful. I don't want to fall, I don't want injuries, they would bring me back to cero.<br />
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I've been lucky too and haven't gotten sick. I had a mild cold back in May. It took me two weeks to get over it, but just taking Advil I was fine. It was a great summer, lots of memories, hot weather, enjoyed our pool, trip to the cottage, kayak, and seeing everyone enjoying our time there was great. I had to avoid swimming in the lake as Dr. Fedorenko forbid me to do it. But we had good times.<br />
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I'm keeping busy. My four year old started school this year, which gives me a free morning every day. So I started volunteering at their schools twice a week. Started going to abstract painting classes. Doing things that I love. Feeling good. Feeling grateful.<br />
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<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-862438844900161712015-04-19T00:20:00.001-04:002015-04-19T00:20:39.687-04:00Fourth week in Moscow ...Well, this has been a diferent week.<br />
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Spent mostly in my safe door-closed room, called Isolation. The only people that were allowed to come in were doctor, and nurses all gowned in, wearing masks and gloves. And you get used to that. And feel safe. Your immune system is low and you don't want to risk getting any germs, infecctions or anything that might get you sick. So you adapt. Good Doctor will bring you your numbers which will go down at first , but then suddenly, in my case they will start creeping up, almost too soon. Which, again, it's great, but you feel so safe, are you even ready to start thinking you might get out of ISO before ten days ?<br />
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As I said before, I'd make a good inmate. Had my routines down.<br />
Coffee in the morning, stretching session going on, shower, vodka solutions that you had to pour over your body every day, got my newly fresh karate hospital pijama every day. I got it down. Then I'd work by the nice window light on my son's stiching project (it will be his Christmas sticking this year). Then wait for our snack at 12. Usually a nap would be fitting, ready to wake up at 2pm, time to eat my lunch and quickly chat with my children before heading for school. Then maybe watch a bit of Netflix, read, lie down again ... Ready for dinner at 6. And I'm not even obsessing with the food anymore. I still keep a food journal, cause I find it's funny, but I've tried the tongue, I've eaten liver, porridge, some stuff I don't even have names for. I usually mix the soups with everything else they bring and they end up being pretty tasty. But that feels almost in the past now.<br />
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So after zenning it out for a whole 7 days, Dr. Fedorenko comes in with the biggest smile, opens my door, my numbers are way up and I'm free. Free !! I don't know, should I ? I kind of shake to the idea to get out of my room. It feels so safe. But I did go out, all masked on, shaky, not sure .. Making sure there weren't any dragons or sick people dragging themselves outside, sneezing or coughing ... lol.<br />
And it was ok.<br />
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My friend Ange and I were released the same day, and we just hugged it out. Did't want to let her go. It's such a profound feeling going through this together. I just couldn't believe it we were both in one piece, smiling, safe, upright, what a blessing. We got together with Steve yesterday, yes, being ever the gentleman he stayed in for one more day. But again, it was just so nice and unexplainable for other people to understand the joy we felt of just being able to sit, chat and laugh. I'll miss these guys. Meanwhile, you can see Dr. F. walking around, just looking at us with a big smile in his face too. Seeing us outside of our rooms, starting our independence again. I'll be forever grateful to him for allowing me to have a second chance in life.<br />
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So now, what's left. Regain my energy. Start taking a few walks indoor first and then venture out. I don't want to overdoit. It's been an intense treatment and I want to do this right. So I still have a few more days left here. My flight leaves home next Friday early morning, so I have until Thurday to work back on my strenght and I'll be taking all the time I need.<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read this. For the huge support on the page I created in Facebook (Flip the bird in Russia) where I've put a few more pictures.<br />
I feel all the love and I really appeciate it. I always love to hear all the kind words.<br />
I can now start thinking on my way back home and there's no other better feeling like that.<br />
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:)<br />
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<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-8352764188211369682015-04-12T01:06:00.001-04:002015-04-15T12:12:22.582-04:00Third week in Moscow ...I guess it's time for an update.<br />
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This last week has been one of the bussiest. Not because of many things happened, but each of them were very intense.<br />
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Last weekend I was dealing with four days of chemo, that really the only effect it had on me, was feeling utterly tired. So I slept it, and I slept it and came out of it. Then I had a very welcome day of rest, I got to see my two buddies that I enjoy so much time with.<br />
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Then came the day of my stem cell transfussion. What an experience, rushed, quick, intense, heavy sensation on the chest, a quick tomato sauce taste, but mainly heavyness in my chest. Dr. Fedorenko was by my side the whole time, looking at me, wanting to hear all I was feeling. Very reassuring. Having four children has taught me that you can breathe through anything. Pain, heavyness, weird feelings, it will all pass. And it all did. Quickly. The fact that he was telling me it was almost over ... I just trusted. I trust this good Doctor with no regrets. And it worked. Then, I just felt I wanted to sleep, massively, intensely sleep. I know they kept coming in, checking on me, my blood pressure, is she still with us ... lol .. But I just slept. And I made it. And I'm thankful I've had this life changing experience that will give me hopes with a life without MS.<br />
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I was awakened quickly cause there's the tradition of throwing our buckets with dry ice where our<br />
stem cells were frozen for a few days. So Ange and I 'gracefully' woke up for this big event. And we got to hear Dr. Fedorenko's beautiful words of new begginnings, we got our Iris pins that I will<br />
treasure forever. Anastasia got to do a little dance, hugs, kisses, tears of joy, very intense moments that I will keep forever in my heart. The Doctor, staff, nurses are all so professional. We are a lucky bunch of people.<br />
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Then the next day I got another day off and it would be Steve's special day of stem cell transfussion. I was lucky enough that he asked me to come in and witness his procedure so I could take pictures. I will be forever grateful I was able to see this. So methodical, everyone knew their places their<br />
mission and everything got done perfectly. Steve was great too ! Very brave and I'm sure he may have played it a bit for the camera ... hahahaa .. Joking, you were great. Thank you again.<br />
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Then we had a celebratory pizza with a guest from the second floor, Paul from Australia that is just starting all this. I hope we filled him up with hope and positivism. This can be done and it's the best decision you've made so far mate ! What a pizza !! Best one I've had in a while.<br />
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A day later the three of us (Steve is catching up quickly !) have gone into Isolation, where we still keep in touch via messages, which is great. I miss them but I know the end will be even greater. We already have dibs on who's getting out first and get us a BIG MUCHO QUESO PIZZA !! So we can celebrate as we should !!<br />
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So that's all for now from Pirogov. Days go by slowly but surely. Day +4 for me. I can now start thinking how how little there is left for me to go home and get all my cuddles.<br />
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Take care everyone and be nice.<br />
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:)<br />
<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-88707160650670720782015-04-05T03:49:00.002-04:002015-04-05T03:49:19.989-04:00Second week in Moscow ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A lot has happened, and not much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I got my stem cells extracted a couple od days ago and got a whopper of 2.9 million in the first try. Must say I was the winner day. A relief to get it done in one day and get that stiff aparatus off my neck. One day off. My partners in crime got their numbers too, one more stubborn than the other one, but we are all good now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm on my third day of chemo and sailing through. No major side effects, just feeling tired. Energy down, but that's to be expected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Getting used to the food. I'm a very good patient and eat almost anything. Has to be what my body needs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've come to realize I'd make a very good inmate somewhere. I Keep my room tidy and clean. Do my own dishes. It is very zen. I have my routines which help me go through the day. Lunch time is busy cause it's when my loved ones get up and want to catch up. Thank Goodness I've already gone through the chemo drips and various naps so I'm somewhat awake .. Lol. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But it's nice to hear from them. It's nice to read the tremendous support coming from everywhere. It loads me up, it makes me happy, it helps me. I don't dwell too much on the heartfelt ones, not because I don't treasure them, but because I'm trying not to think too much. It's easier that way. Keep it light. Keep it happy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's Easter at home right now and I'm hoping my husband got it all done. I remember a year ago, he was working away and I had to toss the plastic eggs outside in the garden the night before, so the children would have their egg hunt in the morning. I remember in the end thinking ... Why did I fill so many eggs ?? Tossing them by the handful .. Lol. A year later I'm in Russia, having chemo, killing (hopefully) the cells that cause my MS. I wonder about Easter next year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's also been great to bond with the two friends I'm going through this, at the same time. We get it. We're in good spirits and that helps. We're bonded, we're bruised (literally), but we laugh together too. So important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That's all from Russia. Short and sweet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">No pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a Happy Easter !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-22109425460982350382015-03-29T04:58:00.002-04:002015-03-29T04:58:24.655-04:00First week in Moscow ...I'm finally here !!<br />
<br />
I made it. I met my brother. I have toured a bit. I'm admitted at the Hospital. I've had good results in every test. I was officially told I could start treatment. Today is my day 2.<br />
<br />
But let me start from the beginning.<br />
<br />
Leaving my children and husband has been the worst, saddest thing I've ever done. In a long time at least. I felt torn. In the end I just wanted to get out of the house, quickly, like getting a band-aid out. And that's how I left. So quickly that I forgot my scarf, and then I had to go back for my gloves ... Lol.<br />
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At the airport I had a bit of time to kill, so I took pictures of the lobby, of the plane. Toyed with the idea of buying something to eat (should have done that, now that I'm thinking about it). So I sat down, start playing games in my ipad, and then I remember ... shit.<br />
<br />
Let me capitalize that.<br />
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Shit !!<br />
<br />
My friends, I forgot to bring my prescription glasses. You may think it's not that bad. But let me tell you, for someone as blind as I am, it is bad. Of course I also forgot to bring two extra contact lenses<br />
in case anything happens to the ones I'm wearing. But right then, right there I realized I'd have to wing it. And at that, I'm great. So I'm still winging it. Taking care of these babies in my eyes like nobody else's business. The only problem I've had was when I was having my eye test and I had to walk tunnels and tunnels wthout being able to see people's eyes. Svierta (sp), the nurse, so sweet offered me to hold her arm ... lol. When I got there, the Optetrician asks me to read the letters on the wall ... hahahha ... Suuure. Anyway. Checked. Have already a plan for all the staff to forget I use contacts so I can sneak them into Isolation. Nobody tells please !!<br />
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After that first blow, nothing can be worse really. The plane ride was fine. Food was delicious not. But their bread !! Oh boy, if you ever fly KLM please ask for two buns at least !! Fresh and crunchy ... Mmm. Quick stop in Amsterdam. I loved the fact they sell fresh tulips at the airport. I'm craving flowers after our long Canadian winter. I was waiting to board the plane to Moscow and there was a<br />
mother with a screaming little boy. And I mean screaming, tantruming (is that a word ?) on the floor<br />
and I became one of the others. Yes, the others, that whenever I've travelled with my children, think Oh God, not beside me please. At least mine are mostly happy to go anywhere. Anyway, I found myself hoping to be seated faraway from them. And I was. As a matter of fact, the poor boy must have been exhausted cause I didn't hear him at all.<br />
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Three hours later I made it to Moscow. Had booked the wheelchair service .. yes, I could have walked it. But I was told doing it that way nobody asks you questions and it's fast. So I did. No shame in that. The man that was pushing my chair took no prisoners and rushed me in front of everyone for the customs line (yes, I did feel a bit bad about this, but what the heck!). The lady barely looked at my face to confirm it matched my passport's. Off we went to get the bag. And off to find my driver waiting with a big smile, Alexei.<br />
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I was thinking I would see mainly Ladas on the road, such is the poor knowledge I had from Moscow. Did not see one. Lots of cars, they drive agressively, but this is a big city and that's how you have to drive. Made it to the Hotel, met my brother that was waiting for me. He gave me a bag with goodies from Chile and I realized my favourite chocolate with almonds wasn't there. The, at least 10 bars of<br />
chocolate I was counting with, weren't there !! Lucky he's my brother. We went out to dinner to an Italian restaurant that night. We got into the restaurant and a KGB type looking guy is requesting something in Russian from us. We looked at each other ... oh, ok, he wants our jackets and he gets lost in a room, and took the longest time. This might be it, I think, never made it to the Hospital. They are making us dissapear already ... hahaha. Food was great, could have had a second serving (maybe I should have thinking in retrospective).<br />
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The next day we toured through a nearby market and gor some souvenirs. Laughed when I saw most of them sell t-shirts or mugs with a bare chested President (for some reason I don't want to write his name, pUtIn ... You know).<br />
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Then it was off to the Hospital. Got to meet Anastasia, Dr. Fedorenko's lovely assistant. Met the Doctor in person when I got to my floor. Big smile, to which I quickly got used to and I see every<br />
morning when he comes to say hi. Vey impressed with the staff. Full of smiles, even though most nurses don't speak the language, we understand each other. They are lovely. You can breath good spirit. I got to meet the other two patients that will go through the treatment at the same time than me. And I find there's an instant bond between us. I feel very blessed.<br />
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The next two days started early. Had a total of 10 tests the first day. Including x-rays, several sonograms (heart, stomach, legs, etc), MRI, eye test, swabs everywhere, blood tests, etc. All very thorough. Then I had my meeting with Dr. F. when he officially told me I could start treatment if I agreed ... duh !! Of course, yes, please !!<br />
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Afternoon off.<br />
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So we went on a tour through downtown Moscow with my brother and Steve (fellow patient). What can I say, even the subway stations are massive. Beautiful, enormous, sense of greatness (too much maybe ?). I may sound a bit envious of such history. The buildings are massive ! The Red Square is MASSIVE !! The Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral ... WOW !! Everything beautifully restored. We took a tour bus that drove us through the main areas and buildings and I was trying to close my mouth because I was in awe.<br />
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We got back after 8 pm that night. I was exhausted. My legs hurt, but it was all worth it.<br />
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The next day, yesterday, I officially started the treatment.<br />
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And I'm hopeful. How can you not, when you're told you have a 100% chance of halting your MS. I repeat, he gave me a 100%. I'm just going to be happy with a 90%. I'm Chilean .. Nothing can be that good ... lol.<br />
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Can't believe a week has passed already, days are flying by. One week into Russia. I've met beautiful people, a doctor that wants to heal you, Anastasia that is always giving you a smile and always helpful. Fellow patients that I know will always have a special place in my heart. Staff that are there for you. Even the food isn't that bad anymore. Now I get why former patients get so obsessed with the food, there's not much else. I carry a food log of what we get every day. And I rank it. After a week I find myself looking forward to porridge every morning ... hahahaa. I'm serious, I'm cleaning those plates so well they won't even need to wash them.<br />
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Take care everyone, and eat your morning porridge !!<br />
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:)<br />
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<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-75064414457322568402015-03-22T10:24:00.002-04:002015-03-22T10:24:54.444-04:00Start your engines ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The day has come !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In a few hours I'll be boarding the plane that will take me to Amsterdam first, then to Moscow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm excited. I'm terrified. I'm confident. I am full of doubts. I'm happy and I'm sad. So many more feelings going through my head right now. But I do know I'm making the right decision, I'm taking a leap of faith trying to take matter into my own hands and doing the best I can to get better. Of this I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Unlike the last post .. this won't be an 'Oscar speech' thanking everyone. I did forget to mention though .. lol .. all the past and present patients at Pirogov and other facilities that perform HSCT. A big thank you to each one of them. Thank you for all the answers, words of encouragement, advice of what or what not to bring. Thank you for being an inspiration. I remember each one of you. You all know who you are. It's my turn now and it warms my heart knowing all of you are also joining me in my journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have a few more bits to get around today before I leave home. Simple things and not so simple ones. I need to say goodbye to my children, and that will brake my heart. But it's all for a good cause and I'll be back. Bald and tired but I'll be standing proud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My brother is already in Moscow waiting for me. And that is reassuring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'll be posting quick updates on my page on Facebook if you feel the need to follow it. Go to 'Flip the Bird in Russia' and like it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here are my main reasons to go through HSCT ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't have anything else for you right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-69834987558041236712015-03-13T08:34:00.000-04:002015-03-13T08:37:36.955-04:00A year ago ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A year later I find myself reflecting. So much has happened since March 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last year in March, I found myself and my family in DisneyWorld. Enjoying a much needed roadtrip, warm beaches, and the excitement to see Disney again through the eyes of my children. At the same time, while surfing the web on those nights at the hotel, I remember finding out about HSCT. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment ... were the magic words. I think I made my mind about following this path, right there, right then. But you can't make those decisions while on a busy vacation. I needed time to read the vast amount of information about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So I just prayed my legs would take the trip, the everlasting walk through the parks, waiting in line for the rides .. oh how I welcomed when my then 3 year old would fall asleep and I just had to wait for the others .. lol. We made it, I made it. They all loved it and dreaded the long drive back. More importantly, the car also made it. Good memories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway .. after being denied to get the treatment in Ottawa, Canada. Their reasons being 'you're too well for this'. I kept looking and decided to apply to go to Moscow. Where in a couple of days Dr. Fedorenko, personally, wrote me an email back, saying he would be delighted to help me. I was accepted. I'm going to Russia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you are Chilean like me, we're always prepared to hear the worse news. That something, for some reason or another, isn't going to work. Whatever that 'it' is. Another earthquake, another volcano just erupted, our newly elected President keeps screwing it up, now through her son, our pollution is really bad, we need rain to clean the air, etc. There's always something. So, this whole year, I kept waiting for something to happen. Something isn't going to work, my trip to Russia isn't going to happen. It looks too promising, it can't just happen, can it ?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ql2hxPQ0wPGRx4IViYw2KTYgpPb1XdQ9fLZB_qzbL1z4JDNLT6F_hvRbBvi00A2ucYN-tjKKSbouqxi7Kxgp11slcITcRMgDta1qqwAAg2v83eVAd7Oh4TdgJU8LD7Wrjd8ShpodwYk/s1600/11033172_1039115169437546_3756895992518503791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ql2hxPQ0wPGRx4IViYw2KTYgpPb1XdQ9fLZB_qzbL1z4JDNLT6F_hvRbBvi00A2ucYN-tjKKSbouqxi7Kxgp11slcITcRMgDta1qqwAAg2v83eVAd7Oh4TdgJU8LD7Wrjd8ShpodwYk/s1600/11033172_1039115169437546_3756895992518503791_n.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcan Villarrica, picture taken from Pucon. March, 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well ... nothing has happened to stop my trip. The opposite. Things have happened that have gotten me closer to Russia. Small things and big ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have the support of my immediate family. My husband and children are excited, and have supported me each day. They are dreading the goodbye, just like I am, but we're trying to focus on my return. One of my girls has big plans for me when I get better. She thinks Mama will be able to go skating with her, or down our trail to the river. I say, don't ever dream small my dear .. you never know. Bless her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also have the complete support of family and friends down in Chile. My Dad, my brothers, my dear cousin and close friends. I've even been contacted by old friends that have become closer and main supporters too. Amazing how the internet can help to bring us all closer. Thank you for sharing my journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In Canada, I have to thank first of all my mother and father-in-law. Without their financial help, I wouldn't be able to go to Russia. They've also taught me to be patient, when I have to explain what HSCT is about ... every time they call .. hehee. Jokes aside, they are great and they've made this dream possible. To my husband's brothers and their families, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all the work you've been doing behind the cameras even though you're also going through your own things. To my husband's sisters, thank you for contacting my children's school and making 'MS wear red Day' happen. Much appreciated. And thank you for the book about 'happy tears' .. I will be bringing it to read while in Moscow.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsmY7OA0dKpQzET7cLZBOD4LJtaaxnG-Tma5hDhPWD-tkGCQFfwAeQkABAauaHvCG_7uAu-E8SfcioMCZH3ilODsgGhNoV1vGT5_B-4ciC3ZetGMJeL2f7WP9Yragmqaq1Eie_D53VGI/s1600/Tim,+Sheila+and+Brooke,+Barbados.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsmY7OA0dKpQzET7cLZBOD4LJtaaxnG-Tma5hDhPWD-tkGCQFfwAeQkABAauaHvCG_7uAu-E8SfcioMCZH3ilODsgGhNoV1vGT5_B-4ciC3ZetGMJeL2f7WP9Yragmqaq1Eie_D53VGI/s1600/Tim,+Sheila+and+Brooke,+Barbados.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim, Sheila & Brooke while on vacation in Barbados.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have to thank also many others that have helped. My friend Lisa who keeps my brain working with translations for her Greenhouse. My neighbour Julie for her initiative to organize a hot chocolate sale while on Christmas season. To all my other lovely neighbours that came to a party a couple of weeks ago. Your support and love is very much appreciated. Some of my husbands co-workers and friends have shown support too, to which I'm really thankful. To my family doctor, Dr. S. Thanks for your well wishes, your interest and your support. It means the world to me. To the Rotary Club in Bowmanville, Thank you !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I feel the love !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also have to give a shout out to Petunia Face. Lovely, funny and hilarious lady which kept me busy reading her very accomplished blog through the month of February. When I started reading it I had no idea we would end up having the same HSCT journey. I laughed out loud, cried and enjoyed all the pictures. I wish you the best in your journey and I'm still star struck when I read your comment on my blog today .. lol. Now I have to get used to having to wait for her to publish a new entry on her blog, but I'm getting better at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This week I will focus on enjoying my family, my children, cuddles, their hugs and kisses. Get my last very important provisions for the trip (m&m's, granola bars, instant coffee, adult diapers .. hahaha) and preparing for the journey that will change my life. I cannot wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Take care !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9 more days to step into that plane ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-9288251207871334622015-03-02T13:01:00.004-05:002015-03-02T13:01:34.697-05:00Lo and behold, it's March !!! ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've been waiting for a year exactly to go for HSCT in Moscow. A year has helped me reassure what I thought from the beginning, that this is the route to go. I've learnt more about what will happen, how I might feel, what things I should bring with me, etc. One thing has been steady, and it's the trust that all of us undergoing this treatment have in Dr. Fedorenko and his team. I don't know him yet, but I doubt every single patient that has met him is wrong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had a dream last night. I dreamed I was admitted to Pirogov Hospital in Moscow. They assigned me a mattress on the floor in the main hall. I had to kill a few spiders at night, and I was backing into a Chinese restaurant, and I mean literally backing to it. There were no walls, I could smell the food and watch the people eating. Other than that it was a good night. I also had a yellow full size fridge that for some reason had lots of icing cakes in it. I forgot to travel with my bag, and didn't have any of my clothes. I was most upset because I also forgot to bring my ipad .. how will I be able to talk to my children and husband ? The other patients seemed nice but I wasn't wearing any shoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I should have woken up wondering about this. But I didn't. I just find it funny. It's my mind playing games. It always happens before I started school, a new job, go on a trip. It kind of made me chuckle. Really !! What are the odds I'll be sleeping on the floor ... right ? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway. Saw my family doctor this morning. Last time I see him before my trip. He confirmed his 100% support. He'll prescribe whatever Dr. Fedorenko orders after treatment. He asked me if I've done any swimming as he prescribed when he last saw me in December. I lied and told him only a couple of times ... shhh, don't tell him. He grinned and said he knew I have a lot of things going on right now. He'll bug me later. Thank you !! I promise I'll swim .. heck, I'll jog if I'm able to. Play hide and seek ? would that help ?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So all things are lining up. I've been spoiled with friends and neighbors generosity and love. My Russia bag is filling up nicely with things to pack. Schedules for family activities are updated, spreadsheet with HSCT schedule (thanks Mindy) printed, instructions to use washer and drier prepared. Hoping Putin doesn't screw it up too badly for the next couple of months so I can go and return home peacefully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Moscow, here I come !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">22 more days ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span id="goog_46739744"></span><span id="goog_46739745"></span><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-10243801294202339792015-02-22T15:19:00.002-05:002015-02-23T13:56:32.733-05:00Sleepovers before Moscow ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My husband works away for about 3-4 weeks and then returns home for 10 days. When he's away, the children like to have sleepovers with me. So they take turns. Lately though, I'm the one looking forward to each sleepover. They don't know it. I love it. I love looking at their sleeping faces, at their innocence, one of them likes to talk in her sleep so that's a whole different entertainment. I play with their hair, I kiss them, and cuddle them. I'm treasuring each sleepover cause God knows I'll miss them when I'm in Moscow. I will miss them, but I'll have them back again. It will all be worth it. I love that quiet time I get to enjoy each one of them. Having four children, I don't get many of those times during the day. So I'm treasuring them. I'm treasuring the little one singing around the house for no reason. Wearing sunglasses, her bikini and winter boots, while dancing and singing in the mic. Don't you just love the innocence of children ? I'm treasuring each moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was talking with a journalist of a local paper. Here goes another effort to help my crowdfunding site. We'll see what happens there. He asked me why do I think HSCT would be news for them to publish. I told them I wish I had heard it from someone local, or in the paper, or somewhere else that gave me any hopes for my MS. In the end he says 'Happy Birthday' .. 'excuse me ?' I say ... 'Have a good day' ... 'oh !! lol, you too' .. hahhahaaa. I'll blame that one on the phone line. That same night a photographer came to take pictures of us. Apparently we're going on the paper .. sometime in February. The children are very excited, they think they'll be famous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My sister-in-law emailed the Principal at my children's school about doing a fundraiser. It was denied, but she agreed to ask the students to wear orange in support of MS, March 12th. That's nice, I guess. More kudos to Amy for setting this up. Thank you !! Don't know why orange .. isn't red MS's color ? Anyway ... any color is good I guess. Should I try to squeeze in my Flip wristbands in school that day ? Darn .. I'm loosing market with the 'Flip the {bird}' idea .. never crossed my mind it wasn't really appropriate for little children. Hey .. maybe the High School ? hahhaaaa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway .. I have a few more names in the media which I'll keep trying to contact this week. You never know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Also bought some mint gum (for the days in ISO when I won't be able to brush my teeth), two tubes of moisturizer (my skin will get very dry), face wipes .... (don't know why but I thought I might need them). All of these items have been added to my Russia Bag. Checked !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On a side note I must share these pictures my husband took of his Flip bracelet while working in Newfoundland these past few weeks (east of Canada). I love him to pieces. Even though he criticizes my grammar sometimes. I'll be forever grateful for his support and love. Here's the pics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How cute are these pictures ? I just love the idea that he took the time to think about the journey I'm about to embark and wore the bracelet (even though he complains it's too tight for him .. lol) and took pictures on the different things he has to do. Thank you !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I would like to remind people that I opened a Tilt account to try to get extra funds. Tilt is a crowd funding site. Canadian dollar hasn't done very well lately and the treatment is getting more expensive for us. I also have to think of my return and that I'll need physio after 8 weeks. Everything adds up and any bit helps. I want to publicly thank to my first supporter Sarah. Thank you for start the ball going. And to two newly met neighbors that have also shown me support. Muah !! I thank you all in advance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.tilt.com/campaigns/flip-the-bird-to-ms-in-russia">https://www.tilt.com/campaigns/flip-the-bird-to-ms-in-russia</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Also, to all Facebook users, I opened a page which you might want to visit. I'll be able to share quick updates and pictures/videos, while I'm in Moscow. Please go to it, give it a like and join me in my journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/flipthebirdtoMS">https://www.facebook.com/flipthebirdtoMS</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I think that's all for now. Wow ... we are almost into March. All the best to the current patients at Pirogov in Moscow. I've heard of some vodka parties going around. Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">28 days ...</span><br />
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Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-30168514340166932232015-02-14T08:16:00.001-05:002015-02-14T08:16:37.508-05:00Happy Valentine's ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So this week I realized it was my last time to drop one of my little ones at Nursery School for Valentine's Day. It was my last time helping her address little cards for her friends. It was my last time seeing her holding that bag before entering the classroom like it contained a hidden treasure. Such innocence in her eyes. Expectation. Giggles. It just hit me. I kind of gave up in the middle. I didn't send anything with my 6 year old to school .. it might be a boy thing. He didn't really care or asked to bring anything. The older girls ask to bring stuff. So I got them something. The oldest one is the 'cool' one. You just don't bring Valentine's to everyone, she doesn't like everyone .. lol. So she's happy to make her own stuff for close friends and teachers. I wonder when I gave up. Did I give up on this ? Maybe having a 4 year old, going through all this for the first time will bring it back. It just opened my eyes, to her wonder in life. I needed it. I know there's next year .. she'll be in JK (or first year of Kindergarten) and her excitement will be the same. She'll be able to write her name even better. And maybe I will be allowed to send lollipops or treats to the school (too many allergies at Nursery school). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See ? I'll explain. Where I grew up, all the way down in South America, Valentine's is the 'Day of Love'. Only reserved for teenager or older couples that are in a relationship. You go on a romantic date. Red roses, chocolate hearts and giggly cards from Hallmark (Village was the case in my teenage years). It's a day in February, where you're in summer holidays, hot and sticky. You don't have classmates to bring anything to. You are actually dreading March coming so soon, cause that's when school starts. So it was always far from my thoughts. So I've learnt through my children to enjoy these things that for me had not much meaning before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I finally got out the good gloves today. Needed them badly to walk my children to the bus today. Funny I remembered about them only mid-February. I guess that's good. It means it hasn't been so frigid before. Glad to report they are awesome !! So one more item checked off the list to Russia. Gloves/mitts .. checked !! I'm also proud of myself for not needing to wear socks so far !! wohooo .. lol. Nothing better and easier that slipping into your winter boots with nothing to create traction. Love it. It does get a bit tricky when I had to drop little one at Nursery School. You cannot enter with your boots and get all the floors dirty. So after suffering for a couple of weeks wearing socks I hate, having to sit down, take boots off. Walk all funny with socks on, not wanting to slip, cause how embarrassing that would be. Go up the stairs, come down again, sit down. Try to fit those boots on, too tight .. ugh. Now I just bring slippers, problem solved. Ahh, so happy. It's all in the little things people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I didn't get many responses on what to do with my hair. Only two people told me to go for it and look gorgeous for the last few weeks. And reminded me I will save money on this for the rest of the year, to what I say : good point !! I just read another suggestion of coloring it my children's favorite colors .. nah, that's not gonna happen. Cause I'd look like a rainbow. May as well buy a clown wig. Hey ... there's an idea !! So I'm guessing nobody gives a shit. I'll do whatever I think then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My brother in law sent me an email this week, saying it might be a good idea to open an account in a crowd founding website, and sent me a link. I honestly had forgotten about this. I looked into doing this a few months ago, but as you all might know by now, I really suck at fundraising for myself. I found some disadvantages to crowd funding and finally decided it wasn't for me. Mainly because it means people will try to help me. I have a problem with that, it's always been difficult for me to ask for help. But times are desperate. So .. he reminded me of this idea. And I looked into it. And I still suck at it. But after having a phone conversation with my husband. Where he told me about the poor exchange rate we have right now to the US Dollar. Every cent Canadian dollar goes down it's really U$500 more we're paying for your treatment ... bla bla blah. It really sucked. I know, I get it, I understand ... and I hear you. Wish I could help more .. ideas come to my head, but they don't apply in a small town in Canada. Not that it would work in a big city either. Nobody would stop if I stand in the corner of our court .. it's frigid cold anyway. There's also the 2 feet of snow which would make the logistics difficult. '<i>There's the lady with the cane again</i>', the odd driver that passes would say .. lol. And the children would be playing in the snow around me cause they go everywhere with me ... mhh ... not a good idea. But you have opened my eyes, I feel empowered. I will do this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I will also contact again all the local media, tv channels and maybe now that the deadline is so close, something, someone will care, listen, and help. Any ideas are welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wish me the best people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For anyone that wants to help and/or share my cause, here's the link to the crowd funding site : </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">https://www.tilt.com/campaigns/flip-the-bird-to-ms-in-russia/description</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And to everyone I wish you a Happy Valentine's. Enjoy it with the ones you love. I know I have mine right here with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-65253059666971279382015-02-12T08:48:00.000-05:002015-02-12T08:48:43.847-05:00Food for thought ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ok ... so people DO read my posts .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Amazing how life goes on, we are in the middle of February, almost, and winter is totally blasting here in Ontario. Last week I had to shovel the snow in the entrance of my house 7 times (counting this morning). No small feat. Now, I do get the easy part. My wonderful neighbors are the ones that do our landing strip. Sorry, our driveway. Have I said I have great neighbors ? I do. One of them was working his way through the snow last weekend and we (me and the children witnessing this heroic act through the window) couldn't figure out who that kind soul was. Is it our neighbor on the left ? Nahhh, it doesn't look like him (he always wears a very light jacket, unmoved by our cold winter). Is it Uncle Tim ? naahhh ... he uses the four wheeler that belongs to my in-laws (therefore not the latest model), this one is a brand new yellow one. It has to be our neighbor on the right. He's the only one that would face the world wearing a hilarious viking hat, yellow long and bushy beard included. It can only be him. Thanks again Rob !! and Al, and Kerri !! Awesome neighbors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Another thing in my personal news this week was that Target announced they will close their doors in Canada. What a bummer. They've been in Canada for only two years. I don't have any studies in business, but it blows my mind to think that someone thought it was a good idea for Target to start their business in Canada with over 200 full working stores. Let's start small people !! Talk to me next time and I can give you advice. Yes, it wasn't the cheapest place to do grocery shopping .. but who in their right mind would do grocery shopping there. And yes ... I guess the prices weren't as good as they are in the States. But the quality of the stuff was great. Loved buying clothes there for my children. And sometimes for myself. Loved the quality of towels and decor. I will miss it. But the best part is that they had a Starbucks. That hurts. It hurts cause now to get a good latte fix, I'll have to drive to the next mall (20 minutes away). Oh well, I know I will survive. On my efforts to get over this slowly, I go to Target and they had already closed the coffee shop. Ughhh ... I felt empty. At least I can fondly remember that the last coffee I got there was for free. You know .. cause at this age it's fun just to start a conversation for no reason. I was the next in line and see a guy (kind of in charge of the store looking guy) was teaching a young girl how to serve the perfect latte. So I start a small talk. And it seems they were offering a new brew of coffee. Want to try it ? he asks, sure !! So after a few minutes with the freshly poured latte on my hand I kind of ask ...'<i>hellooo ... I'd like to pay please ?</i>' '<i>Oh no</i>' he answers. '<i>I took care of it</i>'. Whaaat ? So nice. Thank you guy at Starbucks. The best was yet to come. I come back home, showing off to my children that a handsome guy made me this coffee for free (of course I'm going to embellish this a bit for them) and my youngest one asks '<i>awww, was he weird Mama?'</i> ... ok so only weirdos give Mama a free coffee ? '<i>No, my dear, he was very normal, smart, well spoken and kind person</i>'. Ha !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway ... we are again getting closer to the weekend. Which is always busy in this household with sports activities. Weather man said last night we're getting another cold spell .. great !! I've been religiously checking the temperatures in my hometown and in Moscow .. always colder here. So I'll win that battle for sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was looking in the mirror this morning ... my gray is starting to show again ... to do or not to do the roots again. Food for thought .. is it worth it to look awesome for a month when it all will come off next month ? What do you think .. how about I put this matter to people's vote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">39 more days ...</span><br />
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Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-62819027173906647842015-02-04T14:04:00.000-05:002015-02-04T14:04:45.380-05:00Coming clean ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I go for my treatment at the end of March. And as a friend used to say ... we're in February already so this month doesn't count. Then it will be March ... so that doesn't count either ... lol. Amazing how time flies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've been working on my little milestones. Last week I finished decorating my master bedroom. And it puts a smile on my face every morning when I see how great it looks. How crisps the walls look now with the white trims. It's all about the little things people !! My life is full of little things that make me happy. Of simple things I try to accomplish. I try to show my children that too. The other day I was changing all of the bed sheets and as I was getting the old sets off the beds I'd throw them on the stairs. After changing 4 single beds and my king size bed, the mountain of sheets was pretty high. What is my surprise when I'm ready to come down the stairs ? ... they had build a tent all along the staircase ! I laughed out loud !! And loved it at the same time ... I wished I had taken a picture of it to show it to my husband. The little things that make them happy. Of course they made big plans ... bring colouring books, flashlights, could they spend the night there too ? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I got a check in the mail. A very generous check. Thank you Rotary Club !! It will be put to good use .. especially now that our Loonie keeps dropping. For non-canadians, Loonie stands for Canadian Dollar. It's not doing great right now, but according to me, it can't do worse .. so maybe in a month it will climb up a bit. Oops .. got distracted by the economy. Thanks to David from the Rotary Club again. Very nice man, called me a few weeks ago. Said the Club had learnt about my story and they wanted to help. Funny how things happen. In November I worked for the Elections (figured I'd contribute to this household bills with the $200 I get for working that day) and met this lovely man. The friend that was sitting next to me, also working there (I know, I'm lucky - what are the odds, right ?) happens to know pretty much everyone. So she knew this man that was working two tables away from me. At the end of the day, she tells him my story, briefly. He gives me a card and tells me to send my info and a brief story of the treatment by email. And I did. I heard back from him in December. He sent it to the person in charge. In January I get this call, talk on the phone to David, he said a check would be on the mail the week after. He asks me if I'd be able to talk to the members after the treatment, when I feel better. Of course !! And just when I was starting to wonder about it, I get the check. Wow. Big surprise. Big surprise indeed !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't want to forget to upload my latest picture of Flip Wristbands.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marianne, Norway</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you Marianne for your lovely message. It's still very comforting to suddenly receive these emails from people I don't know and say they'd love a bracelet. This one is all the way in Norway. Thank you to all that have helped me so far. I guess it's time to remind anyone that is reading this blog and wants to sport one of these, to contact me by email and give me your address. All I ask for is the cost of the shipping. I have to thank all the generous souls that give me way more that I intended to receive, you know who you are. It's all there waiting until I go to Russia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now I have to come clean. I don't really know if anyone follows this blog. I still can't find if I have actual followers ... maybe I'm just talking to myself .. oh well ... in case there's people that religiously read my posts, I have to tell you I've been cheating on you. Last week, one of my friends in the MS/HSCT community posted someone's blog. And I'm hooked. My only complaint is that she writes very well, which can be a problem if you get easily addicted to good writing. And, she's been blogging since 2008 !! If you're like me, a Virgo, I couldn't just read her last post .. nope ... I had to start reading from the beginning. And it's been a blast. My reading stents are only stopped by my children's/households demands, or when my ipad's battery goes. Reading that blog has made me realize that even though I'm not an accomplished writer (my English vocabulary is not so awesome), I do have something to say. If my point of view in life can help one more person going through MS, I've done my job. So thank you Petunia Face !! I'm thoroughly enjoying reading about your journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lastly, I must remember the four little reasons that keep me focused. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">These are my four loving, cuddly cheerleaders. Plus my husband, parents, family, extended family, friends and lovely neighbors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">46 more days ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-79395470177990665772015-01-19T12:58:00.000-05:002015-01-19T12:58:50.010-05:00Bye Bye Tecfidera !! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yes, another milestone done with !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yesterday I had my final dose of Tecfidera. A newer drug recommended by my Neurologist to delay the progression. I started taking it in December 2013. So after a year has gone I feel I can evaluate it. I had the common side effects, intense blushing, more common at the beginning. My face would just turn red and feel very hot for about 20-30 minutes. In the summer at least I could mask the symptoms with just feeling hot with the weather ... in the winter, not so much. Lol. I guess if I'm optimistic, I would say I didn't really have any relapses. No new MS symptoms which I appreciate. But also if I look on how I was a year ago, I feel my balance has slowly deteriorated, so has my walking. It's getting harder to go up the stairs and some falls that could have been serious have been luckily stopped through 'furniture/wall surfing' in the house. So, all in all ... not such a bad year. Thank you Tecfidera ... but now I officially FLIP it to you too .. off to the garbage you go !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have no fears to be off it. My body needs to be clean and be free of any of this for HSCT. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On a different front, another of my milestones has gone too. My littlest one turned 4. Big girl. No more babies in this house, just like that. It feels great but it's also a bit sad. Where does time go. I wish her first memories were of a Mom that can do everything with her. But she's grown accepting her Mom uses a cane, can't run or play catch. She's also learned that it's a great help to go get things for me upstairs, and she does it willingly, still .. lol. I can't teach her how to skate or run on the grass with her, but I can still tickle the hell out of her though .. hahhaa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My 'bag to Moscow' has filled up slowly too. Found some instant noodle soup on sale. Santa brought me the adapter I'll need for my ipad and some slippers. Checked, checked and checked !! We're down to the basics now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">62 days ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-83284154477843984792015-01-08T10:30:00.000-05:002015-01-08T10:30:21.655-05:00Happy New Year everyone !! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yes, Happy New Year everyone !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is my year !! I'm determined it will be a successful one. Full of adventures, chemo, baldness, less trips to the hairdresser (lol Julie), ups and downs, not a lot of sun (it seems I'll have to cover myself a bit), lots of happy tears, lots of hugs saying see you later, then more when meeting fellow HSCTers from all over the place, some more when I have to say good bye, and then the sweet ones when I come back home. There will be more, I've just been told I'll have my Dad and Stepmom visit me soon after I come back from Moscow. It will be their first time visiting me home in Canada. Even sweeter and I'm sure there will be more hugs there. I know there will be a lot of cyber hugs too. I feel support and good wishes are coming from everywhere. Such a good feeling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This year started bright already. I can only imagine what's to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I tend to be in the positive side of things, and that's how I want to remain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Finally got all the Christmas stuff put away, house looks like a house again. Can't wait until next November, when I have new energy to put up everything again. Who knows .. maybe I'll even feel like decorating the stair railings again, or put up all those extra little Christmas trees. This was not the year for any of that .. lol. I'm focused on not wasting my energy. Efficiency comes first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For now I still need to go through some milestones here at home to start getting ready for my trip. Today is my 4 year old's birthday. Then in February it's my eldest's one. Then, the countdown for Russia is official.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I found out there's a sweet lady that will start treatment at the same time I will. Exciting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Weather is cold too. I feel I'm training for temperatures in Moscow. Yesterday it was colder here than over there. A balmy -20. Nice. With that I'm also really hoping the end of March won't be this cold. I'm not expecting flowers or grass .. but if I can at least not travel with my winter jacket and boots I'm good. Yes people ... I'm packing my suitcase in my mind. Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">73 more days ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So this is a short one. But I want to wish you all a great year. May it be full of blessings, laughter, happiness and new beginnings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-16161424391740009622014-12-28T20:30:00.000-05:002014-12-28T20:30:08.925-05:00A Christmas miracle ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is the story of a magical night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As some of you might remember, a few months ago a dear neighbor came and gave me the money she had gathered selling hot chocolate last Christmas. She never found a charity to give it to, and I was a deserving cause according to her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well, a few weeks ago she told me they would be selling hot chocolate again this year and I was the 'official' cause this time. I felt blessed. Overwhelmed. Happy. In tears. Thankful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Every year for Christmas, our whole area puts lights on the houses, lawns, some like big blow-up figures, others flashy lights. There's a lot of lit reindeer, Santas, snowmen, candy canes, nutcrackers. Some go really all out and install spotlights that shoot way up in the sky, or screens that run movies all night. Down the road there's a very dedicated Santa that shows up every day from 7 to 9 to greet each car. Sometimes he's joined by Mrs. Claus and I think there's even an elf. Anyway. It's a big show and people love it. Tons of cars driving by, buses sometimes too. You really have to time it if you have to go somewhere, and try to get out before the craziness begins. But it's all worth it. Children love it and why not say it, adults too. I think we just use the children as an excuse to drive and see the lights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Everyone in this household was excited about the hot chocolate sale. It's a big night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But I'm also Chilean. And we, as Chileans, are always expecting the worst to happen. All the time. I was sure something would happen the night that the hot chocolate was going to be sold. Horrible storm. Electrical outage. Snow blizzard. Heck, we don't have earthquakes here, but that could also happen. You just never know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But nothing happened. All my little helpers had their Santa hats on and out we went. Everything was set up to sell the hot chocolate. Table, music, big electric kettles, cups and lids. But what I saw the most was love. My neighbor's family from Quebec had come to stay with them for Christmas, they don't speak a lot of english, had never met me before, but all I found was big hugs from them. Big smiles. Other neighbors joined in too. Children, all helping for the cause. My cause. MS. It still makes me tear up a bit. There were signs 'Hot Chocolate $1 for MS'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some people felt the need to park their cars, get out in the cold and come to talk to me. Give me a hug. They knew someone with MS. A sister, a brother, a parent, a daughter or a friend had MS. There was this girl that still makes me regret not having more time to talk to her and her mother. Her family thought she had a stroke, she was in the hospital for 2 weeks without being able to move. Then she started walking with difficulty. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She was walking to me with a cane, all I could think of is 'I hope it's not MS'. Then her Mom tells me </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">she had been diagnosed with MS two days before. She's 22. It broke my heart, still does. So young. I wish I could send a message to her to somehow to find me again. You never know. I kept telling her Mom 'HSCT, remember, HSCT. Read about it please !!'. I really hope she remembered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway ... all the hugs from people I don't know, all the encouraging words. Having my family there, my neighbors, people just happy to give, made me realize I'm so lucky. I don't know how else to explain it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'd like to share some pictures of that magical night with all of you.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_upfbzaAhPhUop_r7AnmayhfJhslVvX6Z0Fc0LH4SO7rTDy7VXhZxQK1IPvPlbvhEG1XNzYxXi9MXIcJfC6iq-BHhanY0kyr56lQktWVonW1sw6uqGS9vAqss5DpydusSvNZYnZ_koM/s1600/10881736_10205199137915032_1193961483111282394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_upfbzaAhPhUop_r7AnmayhfJhslVvX6Z0Fc0LH4SO7rTDy7VXhZxQK1IPvPlbvhEG1XNzYxXi9MXIcJfC6iq-BHhanY0kyr56lQktWVonW1sw6uqGS9vAqss5DpydusSvNZYnZ_koM/s1600/10881736_10205199137915032_1193961483111282394_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my neighbor's house looks like. I look at it every night from my window. Beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even got to have the help from Santa !!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkXizlUglZdOhIBsqiaWF1DRNx4CWwi4jjwQObM77kn_6uvhCbpUF7M8THvO72o7ax8wx84HcWivpIYFaYigkuK2dJ04RaXfAdMxl416g2x2VEAcH7aaOjUYX-M4OiVXaU3IR0la8jIs/s1600/10885166_10205199132954908_4221366027420354432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkXizlUglZdOhIBsqiaWF1DRNx4CWwi4jjwQObM77kn_6uvhCbpUF7M8THvO72o7ax8wx84HcWivpIYFaYigkuK2dJ04RaXfAdMxl416g2x2VEAcH7aaOjUYX-M4OiVXaU3IR0la8jIs/s1600/10885166_10205199132954908_4221366027420354432_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish I knew her name. All the best to her !!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpjzixvGd2ho-SaO7bHKqEteEHD-vX622myGkWsHj67lVgepxjtA-REOfHULDy5jQhmmB215k-5f3lDv6TJKwYm3XvL4EEsFWr_AHWjPUB-2h_NwYBh6r2w1S-vYNGS0IGCwpBWKPyzI/s1600/10885154_10205199141835130_6874396179265312777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpjzixvGd2ho-SaO7bHKqEteEHD-vX622myGkWsHj67lVgepxjtA-REOfHULDy5jQhmmB215k-5f3lDv6TJKwYm3XvL4EEsFWr_AHWjPUB-2h_NwYBh6r2w1S-vYNGS0IGCwpBWKPyzI/s1600/10885154_10205199141835130_6874396179265312777_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, pups wanted to help too !!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGU0VbF_fLh29dILWEtADh97iCvfPYoh39ndmIP4F6ndqoQOsp6lvs2JlHnmWhzR-8p79kNOeM7Thca9YK_RzEFc68uWD_WTWYvyVNFd8JmP_TL8v3R8Wnh6UUN2y1SIw3azIJ5LdoAc/s1600/DSCN8878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGU0VbF_fLh29dILWEtADh97iCvfPYoh39ndmIP4F6ndqoQOsp6lvs2JlHnmWhzR-8p79kNOeM7Thca9YK_RzEFc68uWD_WTWYvyVNFd8JmP_TL8v3R8Wnh6UUN2y1SIw3azIJ5LdoAc/s1600/DSCN8878.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the hot chocolate serving station with the direct help of my 3 yr old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31YFRJyAKchzDNbbcPUCRDpTtxJ-jXUDScDIsz27ymfRACqODclJ3yCIQE6bNadj2alu0va6MR_mbOe05snirRZsssCTMm6tLJmpCHFLl8W-IvJCm-yC_E3ajmj0R4MsxtNRYeshy88g/s1600/DSCN8885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31YFRJyAKchzDNbbcPUCRDpTtxJ-jXUDScDIsz27ymfRACqODclJ3yCIQE6bNadj2alu0va6MR_mbOe05snirRZsssCTMm6tLJmpCHFLl8W-IvJCm-yC_E3ajmj0R4MsxtNRYeshy88g/s1600/DSCN8885.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Julie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway ... it was a big night. Big hit. People were very generous. I feel blessed, once again, to have so much love around me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a wonderful last few days of 2014 and may the new year bring you happiness, love and laughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-22879258138038021542014-12-21T16:34:00.001-05:002014-12-21T16:34:46.482-05:00Ho Ho Whooot ???<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oh my, time flies !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've been busy the last few weeks. Attending sports and school events, organizing different activities, finishing touches for this holidays, planning our Christmas dinner, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We are almost at the end of December and I haven't had much time to think about how close my trip to Moscow is. Getting very excited .. hopefully Santa will get me that adapter I still need for my electronics (hint hint).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I did finish working on my two older daughters' stockings and I think I never posted the pictures of them. Here they are ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdPd1bDOhLoFnJg46TdemPsM75Z3_ytsf3RVsdVsJBjd3jr9hMZ3Ayp_mXFUI7s2ErtBt37Ccor8qOLISF8V2Tuv5higUn4NIZ7LNdtbOz9ubxblD8AHqAfGDUJCilNMzXfAxISLp7-o/s1600/DSCN8780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdPd1bDOhLoFnJg46TdemPsM75Z3_ytsf3RVsdVsJBjd3jr9hMZ3Ayp_mXFUI7s2ErtBt37Ccor8qOLISF8V2Tuv5higUn4NIZ7LNdtbOz9ubxblD8AHqAfGDUJCilNMzXfAxISLp7-o/s1600/DSCN8780.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">They look beautiful, a bit smaller than I thought, when you compare it to the humongous I made for my husband but that may be good news in the end .. lol. They are already hanging off the fireplace waiting for Santa. Working now on the next one. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's been great to read all the good wishes. It's also been great to hear how well the last transplantees of this year have done in Moscow. Nice to hear Dr. Fedorenko and staff do take it easy once a year and get to have a break. My wish is that they relax and rest to start fresh coming January... by the time March comes they will be in great shape again. Lucky me !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My children just started Christmas break. That means they get two weeks off from school. So they are very excited, even more when they wake up every morning and realize there's only a few more days until Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also have a few more pictures of the 'Flip' bracelets. Here they are ...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My BFF Kay, Chile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn92m-PC1zlr4-9faZT7QZaN3hurN0PRGipfDB8aMWJx6JyZ1oOMPb_cFVn3AHlr_Mf3q_hdrlm-R0gfs8m4i5pKHTfZh3T6zSqbthN7eAjuDBNL1MrkJMMq_c2IStWNKXOuLHf3lDnQ/s1600/Nancy+&+Sari,+Maryland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn92m-PC1zlr4-9faZT7QZaN3hurN0PRGipfDB8aMWJx6JyZ1oOMPb_cFVn3AHlr_Mf3q_hdrlm-R0gfs8m4i5pKHTfZh3T6zSqbthN7eAjuDBNL1MrkJMMq_c2IStWNKXOuLHf3lDnQ/s1600/Nancy+&+Sari,+Maryland.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy, Sari and pups, Maryland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you wish to get a couple please just let me know. As you may have read before I don't charge anything for them, just the cost of the shipping. My email is : xxiimmee@hotmail.com. I still would like for the bracelets to be all over the world and Flip it big time to MS. To my knowledge, there's a few in Chile, Canada, United States, England, Norway and some in Australia. Some others are making their way into Germany !! Thank you !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Again, I appreciate all the support, words of wisdom, comfort, answers to any questions I get about the treatment or stay in Pirogov. All the success for the patients leaving the hospital in the next few days and remember to take it easy. Thanks for all the new friends I've made. From far and close. MS is still a mystery but it has brought a lot of us together, embarking the same journey. Here's to us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I wish everyone, from the bottom of my heart, a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
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<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-76966517447821452912014-12-08T18:46:00.000-05:002014-12-08T18:46:27.904-05:00Me and my doctors ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This entry was my husband's idea. Any complaints please write directly to him .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My relationship with doctors has been a very happy one. Reason ? I haven't needed them much. Up until I started having babies (back in 2005) I really didn't go much to visit doctors. The annual dental check up, the annual gyn checkup, the every-two-year eye checkup. Done. Now, as you all may know by now, I grew up in Chile, where you have to pay for health. Every drug, visit to the doctor, test, prescription, etc. You pay for everything .. so maybe that's what kept me healthy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then I moved to Canada in 2002. Free health .. wahooo. I got to meet my family doctor (which I kind of inherited because he is my husband's family doctor as well). Very nice person. Quite capable and even though I didn't have to see him much, he is the nicest kind doctor I've met. Always greeting me with a heartfelt hug and a smile. He'd have an answer for my questions and if he didn't, he'd look it up. Always taking the time to chat after the medical stuff. What else can you ask for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then, in 2004 I got pregnant. My family doctor, Dr. S. sent me to Dr. K. He would deliver my babies. I was blessed again. Best doctor ever. Funny and relaxed like us. Busy, always had to remind him what number baby I was pregnant with .. lol. But he was very good to us. Had four natural deliveries with him. Nothing to complain. I remember every time I was at the Hospital, about to have the baby and the contractions would stop, I'd ask him 'do your magic, cause I'm ready for this'. Sure enough ... whatever he did worked perfectly. Still see him sometimes at my children's school. See ? I live in a very small community. So, it's a good thing we were very lucky with the pregnancies and him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then, I started with my MS symptoms. As I was seeing my family doctor more (Dr. S.), every couple of months with my children's checkups, I could ask him about my weird symptoms whenever I visited. My left arm feels numb and tingly ... 'must be a pulled nerve, stop doing what you're doing'. Checked. My leg is going funny ... 'maybe you're over exercising, give it a break', checked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was time for my annual check so I tell him the symptoms aren't really disappearing ... the heaviness in my left leg and the tingly sensation on my left fingertips never went away, I say ... this time he looks at me seriously, very unlike him, does a few physical tests and tells me I'll have to go see a Neurologist. Big eyes !! Oh shit ... that doesn't sound so simple anymore. So he refers me to Dr. N.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The only problem of health being free, is that appointments aren't that fast. I had to wait from November until February, to see Dr. N. Too much time in my hands. I surfed the internet ... and quickly realized all the symptoms I had now, and some in the past, made sense with having Multiple Sclerosis. Nooo, it couldn't be .. what is MS again ? So, come February I go see gentle Dr. N. He sends me for an MRI and other tests. I go see him for the results, thinking, it has to be simple to fix, it can't be MS. Well, in the kindest, nicest way he tells me I have MS. I remember looking at him with big eyes. For the first time in many many years I had nothing to say. 'Do you have any questions ?' he asks. Well, he quickly realized that I was devastated and wanted to leave his office the fastest way possible. Little did I know that would be the last time I'd see him. If I had known I would have tried to have a more proper exit. Not running wild sobbing like. Anyway ... if you're reading this Dr. N., thank you for your kind words. If you saw me now you'd be so proud. I'm all accepting and knowledgeable about MS. Sadly, before I left his office he said he doesn't treat patients with MS, so he'd refer me to the MS Neurologist ... Dr. C. Ugh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So now I'm in Dr. C's hands. I had to end up with the crazy one. He has smiled to me twice. Once when I told him I'm originally from Chile and he told me about his big trip down south and that he loved it. Second time, when I told him last December that I'd start my treatment with Tecfidera (MS drug). He smiled and almost did a happy dance to this one. Weird. Most of the time, when I see him, he takes about 5 minutes to read my file. I'm sitting there, across from him and he reads my file. Just think how long 5 minutes can really be. He takes all the time in the world to do this. Maybe he does it on purpose ?? He finishes, asks me if there's anything new and he writes down what I say. Very old fashion like. I mean, I don't really know him, he might be the nicest person to other people, but to me he's just not there. He's the guy that 'knows'. He should be open minded, answering my questions, guiding me a little ... I remember what he said when I asked if it would be a good idea to get a disabled parking permit. He said 'I see, we're getting desperate' ... What ? Really ? When I asked him about the Zamboni treatment he said it was a piece of garbage. Then I discovered HSCT. I asked his opinion about it and he asked me if I wanted to die. Why would I be so desperate to do a treatment with chemotherapy, he said. These are the guys that know. These are the guys that are treating patients with MS. I understand that he's a Neurologist. He doesn't know much about HSCT. That treatment is done by Hematologists (blood doctors). I get that .. but shouldn't they tell us, MSers that maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel ? There is a possibility to look into this ... instead of quickly get you into drugs that can cause brain tumors or death as a side effect. Shouldn't they also tell you about this aggressive treatment that could stop your MS ? Food for thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well Dr. C., I am desperate. My mind and my heart tell me HSCT is the right thing to do. It makes sense. I'm desperate to stop this progression. I want to continue being independent. I want to be here for my family and children and myself. Yes, I'm desperate if you want to see it that way. I think I had to see him again about now ... can't remember and really don't care. He's not going to be any support. I wish, one day I can go see him again without using my cane. Do a happy dance right in front of him perhaps. I was going to say kick his desk too, but who needs violence .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This brings me back to dear Dr. S., my family doctor. He's been my medical support. I told him about HSCT when I first heard about it. He didn't 'throw it in the garbage', like Dr. C. He only said to read all I could about it, the good and the bad. Do your research first, he said. So I did. When I saw him again this past September I told him that by the way I'm having HSCT done, in Russia. And I asked for his personal opinion. He said he understands why I'm doing it, and then he said in an apologetic tone that current medical treatments for MS are very mediocre. I couldn't agree more. He got a big hug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There's one more doctor missing in my list. The one I'm going to meet in Russia. Dr. F. I've only heard good things about him. How caring, whole hearted, empathetic, thorough and good person he is. He is there to heal you. He smiles. But I want to see it with my own eyes. Then I can tell you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a few pictures of this week's Flip bracelets ..</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sandy, Washington</span><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kisha & family, Ohio</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kris & family, Alberta-Canada</span><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Let's flip it people !! Love this last one .. lol. The requests for the bracelets have winded down. There's no envelopes in my 'to send' pile right now. It might be the season. If you would like me to send you some please send me an email to xxiimmee@hotmail.com with 'bracelets' on the reference. I only ask for you to donate the cost of shipping them. It's really easy, just use the Donate button in this page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I thank everyone that has donated already and has sent me the pictures. It is so nice to open my email and find more people helping me to flip it to MS. Also thanks to everyone that sends me comments about the blog, or that sends me messages. I feel the support, the love, the encouragement. Thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have an excellent week.</span><br />
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Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-60424057222587296552014-12-01T09:12:00.000-05:002014-12-01T09:12:04.252-05:00Under four months to Moscow ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Actually, 3 months and twenty two days to go ... yes people, I'm counting the days. I even have a calendar in my tablet. Like a child I open it every day and see the countdown get lower and lower.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It was nice to talk to my dear brother on the phone the other day. He will join me in this medical adventure to Moscow. We'll meet there in March. He will go all the way from Chile and I'll go all the way from Canada. It will be great. I was saying it was a nice talk because I briefly walked him into what HSCT treatment is about. It served me as to check if I know all the steps. Believe me, there's many. Fellow HSCTsers know. Now, I'm really bad at remembering all the technical stuff. T-Cells, white cells or red cells. This is why I appreciate other members posting all these details which I'm sure I'll get to when the time comes ... to me this treatment basically kills the cells that produce your MS or whatever Autoimmune Disease you have. I only need to know that and remember the basics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So to any of you that are interested in what is HSCT, in a very basic way, here is what happens right after you get to the Hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1) You meet Dr. Fedorenko.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2) Pay for the testing that is coming in the next four days (about U$1,000).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3) 4 days of testing. To make sure your body will take the toll.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4) Dr. F gives you the ok to continue with the treatment and I pay the remaining U$39,000.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5) 4 days of stimulation injections (at 11pm and 3am). They stimulate your stem cells from the bonemarrow to your blood stream. This way they can be collected through your blood later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6) 1 or 2 days of stem cells collection. They need to get up to 2 million of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.... this is the time when my brother should be departing ..good .. I'll spare him the really ugly part .. lol .. should he give me the official mohawk shave ? opinions ?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7) 4 days of chemotherapy ... this is what kills the bad cells.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">8) 1 day of rest ... I figure I'll need this by then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9) 1 day for transplant ... my good stem cells are going back in !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10) Up to 10 days of Isolation to give the time to your body to get its numbers right (first down and then they need to go up). Remember, your immune system will be like a newborn baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11) Spend remaining days in Hospital, out of Isolation getting ready to leave. They also give you a dose of steroids so you can fly home like Superman, or Superwoman. May these effects last !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All this should take around 30 days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'd like to fit in the first few days some site seeing with my brother, my Bro. We are in Moscow after all. So hopefully I'll be able to fit some of this during this time. Need to get some Russian dolls for my children .. someone suggested to get them before hand on Ebay .. lol .. my extremely want-to-be organized self says yess !! ... but then my other self convinces me that they wouldn't mean the same ... me buying them there, about to have a treatment that will change my life, hopefully. That time of the year might be my favourite too. Spring. New blooms will be in the air ... it's going to be dead cold for him though .. hahhaa. And I'm sure we'll get to meet wonderful people too. I tried to explain that to him on the phone ... but I'm sure he kept wondering 'why would they care'. Well, I'm sure all the carers, spouses, parents or friends that take a month off their lives to go and accompany a patient doing HSCT, do care. I told him about the crazy Australians .. lol, haven't said anything about their vegemite ... let's leave that until the time comes. I've also told him we are all like a big family, but I understand that. Uless you are in my shoes, it might be hard to get.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />So that's the basics of the treatment. My main goal in going to Russia is to get HSCT and finally Flip the {bird} to my MS. If I can squeeze some site seeing with my Bro, even better. If not, there's always the future to go back to Russia and explore. Dance the limbo on my way to Red Square.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The return home is a bit more uncertain. I guess it depends on your level of disability. I've tried not to think about this too much and mainly wing it .. as I do with many other things. I know I need to keep away from crowds for the first while ... or sick people/children (cough cough ... stay away from Mama four children of mine) .. do not get close to any animals (I guess visiting my inlaws farm with cows is out of the question) .. clean every surface I touch and wash/sterilize hands whenever possible. Some people go back home and need to rest for a couple of weeks straight .. some others seem more mobile ... it seems you can start exercizing with a Physio after 2 months. Other than that I'm sure I'll adapt. Not even thinking about the routines in this house ... Will I be able to do the weekly grocery shopping ? ... cooking ? ... will I be able to do the laundry or will that be too much too ? Drive my little one to Nursery School twice a week ? I will try to slow down on the children's extra curricular activities in the spring, so I don't have to go out so much ... other than that, I'll adapt, we all will. Life is about adapting is how I see it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lots of other things happening right now. Christmas decorations are in full swing. My husband finally made it home yesterday from Newfoundland. So the outdoor lights are being installed. The indoors is done, kindish .. I'm skipping some extra little Christmas trees that I had here and there last year, then I don't have to put them away .. lol. Call me lazy .. I just see it as practical at this point. Thank Goodness I left a Christmas village on the china cabinet last Christmas ... when I saw it again in March (yes, as you guessed, we don't use that room much) and thought .. nahhh .. December is close enough !! So now that's done too !! hahahaa. I finished my two oldest daughters stockings .. and they look beautiful. They are hanging on the fireplace. Started on my son's now ... and it's going quite fast, but won't rush it. I'm hoping to bring this work to Russia to stitch my way through them there ... I'll have so much free time. Maybe I'll try to sneak it into Isolation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So that's about it. It looks like December is going to go fast. Very busy month, lots of school, sport and family functions. Short days and long nights. But I still love it. There's something about Christmas, about the lights, listening to my daughter play Silent Night on the piano. I miss all my loved ones down in Chile roasting themselves in summer's hot weather. But there is something so powerful in having a white, dark, cold Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My wristbands are going well. I need to pick it up though .. a bit more than 3 months to go and the box doesn't seem to be any lighter ... lol. Keep the pictures coming when they arrive. There's some ladies in the US spreading the 'Flip' and I really appreciate it. Again, if you want to get some just send me a few words to my email : xxiimmee@hotmail.com with the word 'wristband' or 'bracelets' on the reference. Let me know your address and how many you want. I only ask to cover the cost of mailing them. I do my best to try to flatten them up but I'm not convincing the Mail Office ladies. At this point they laugh when I get there. I guess at the beginning they thought I was trafficking something .. lol ... so I showed them the bracelets, told one of them my story and where I'm headed. I live in such small town that one of the ladies that works there is the sister of the former owner of the house we bought last year !! Small round world we live in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's some more pictures ...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My God-daughter Fran, Chile<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barb, Michigan (love the braccelet, ring and nails combo !!)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth, Wisconsin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet, Michigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisha and her boyfriend, Ohio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks again for all the encouraging words, advice and support. They mean the world to me. Thanks also for the constant information from patients in Pirogov Hospital, Russia, right now. All the best to you from the bottom of my heart. I'm glad some of you are really enjoying watching the snowfall. Believe me, I get it. I came to Canada from Chile. It's summer there right now and we don't really get snow in the city. I know what it feels like to see that snow fall. I'm used to it now, but it's still pretty to see ... just not so pretty when you realize you must go out and dig yourself and the car out because you need to go grocery shopping .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a brilliant week everyone !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-49692246791793925812014-11-21T10:09:00.001-05:002014-11-21T10:09:29.626-05:00My day to day with MS ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've been asked many many times what are my days like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For family here in Canada, I guess they get used to my condition. To me, I'm so used to it but I do feel worsening very slowly. But then again I look a year back, and I'm pretty much still doing the same things. Maybe I slowly adapt, as my family does too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It doesn't face my children to see me hanging for dear life on the stair railings at night, just so I can get upstairs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For my family and friends in Chile it must be different though. They don't see the day to day. They don't have time to prepare. I just go into their lifes again every year if I'm lucky. More every two years. I'm sure they can see the changes. I went there two years ago to spend Christmas and I was using a cane already. Funny story : a dear friend let us use her beautiful house at the beach for a week and I totally forgot to bring my cane with me. You want to guess what I used instead ? yes, my husband found the perfect alternative. We unscrewed the brush part and I was using the long stick .. hahahhaa. A bit too long, but there was going to be some beach walking so I needed something. I'm sure some people turned around to see this makeshift cane. But as you know, I entered the 'I don't give a damn' stage a couple of years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This year when I briefly went in August, I was still using a cane. But I noticed I welcomed any help. Well, that could also be that my nieces and nephews are almost all taller than me by now, and they are all adorable. And holding their arm is at the same time help and their way of showing me I can rely on them. And I show them I need them and appreciate their help. I love you all. Just don't make me laugh when we're walking or I cannot give one more step .. hahhaha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I learnt a while ago that it is ok to accept help. To accept you need that help. It's ok to accept someone's arm to walk beside them. It makes both of us feel good. Many hands help me here at home too. As you know winters in Canada can be pretty tricky for people like me. I always welcome a hand to walk on the icy paths or house entrances. Better be safe than sorry. And my husband's family are awesome at that. Always lending a hand, an arm, a full body embrace if necessary .. hahaha. Of course I wish I didn't need it and I'd be free as a bird. But that's life. That's how I can cope now. And I'll take it. I've accepted it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, my day to day goes like this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Early wake up at about 6.12 am. Well, the tv goes on at that time .. I finally get out of bed after 6.30. Get ready, look at my grayhair .. need to get it done this week. Turn everyone's light on, so they start their day. Make sure beds are made, complain when I have to help with some bed making except for mine, help with some colour combinations on the clothing .. lol ... get the little one dressed. If I were her I would just stay in bed, in pjs all morning, but she insists .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then we come downstairs. Pups get out of their cages, get a treat, go out to pee (the pups, not us .. we do have bathrooms ... haha). Breakfasts ... most of the time they make their own and help little one with hers. I'm preparing their lunchboxes. And watching the news ... and drinking my coffee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Out to the bus. We walk our long, very long driveway and then to the road to wait for the bus. They leave, and I walk back. In days like today, I shovel the snow from our front steps and clear the car. And wish my husband were home so he can take over this task. I think 'frack' !! How deep in snow will we be when we can put the Christmas lights out ?? and I keep shoveling snow. Meanwhile little one wants to help. But her mitts aren't the right ones, so I go in to get her the others. Then she wants her shovel ... negotiate and give her the brush to clean the snow off the car. Nope, she still want's the little shovel and decides to takes the mitts off. She want's to make a snowman. I keep shoveling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Come in the house. I have breakfast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Catch up on mails and Facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clear the kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Go upstairs to give the little one a bath and work on projects .. hey gotta be efficient and use my time upstairs .. won't be going again until the afternoon .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We come down again and have lunch. Mondays are grocery shopping day so that's what we do. Tuesdays and Thursdays I take her to Nursery School. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Come back home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Get ready to go wait for the bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Get the children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Help them do school stuff. Sign agendas, do homework, practice spelling or reading, look at their art, say it's beautiful, decide if the art work is a keeper or goes in the recycling. Tell the oldest one to go practice piano. Can someone open the door for the pups ? Empty lunchboxes, ask why they didn't eat their lunch. Eat their lunch leftovers. Fill up their water bottles and put them back in the fridge. Can someone open the door for the pups again ?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Start thinking about dinner ... decide today I don't feel like cooking. Who wants noodle soup ?? hahhaha .. hotdogs ... kraft dinner ?? C'mon, something easy please !! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Start with dinner. I've learnt that having an early dinner is better than saying no 100 times when they ask to have a Halloween treat. At least I can put some good food before and they won't ask for too many.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then, depending on the day of the week, we can just hang out here. Some others we have to go out to extra curriculum activities .. that would be Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and most Sundays. Remember I have four children .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then we come back. Put the pups to bed for the night. Then our joke is that we race upstairs .. them jumping every two steps .. me, dragging myself trying to tackle someone's leg so I can try to win this time. Nope, not gonna happen, no matter what I try. Get ready for showers, get their clothes ready for the next day, pjs, book reading, turn lights off, cuddle, give kisses ... get some stuffies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And now ... (drum roll please !!) Best time of the day for me. Get into bed. Ahhhh !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To all this you have to add a bit of cleaning. Yes, I do clean the house .. mostly baths and kitchen. And change sheets, that's a job in its own. And now add Christmas decorations. And some odd painting/decorating jobs. Add shoveling snow in the winter. Thinking I should have cleaned the windows (from outside) while the weather was still mild). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oh well ... as you can see, my days are pretty normal and they go by quickly. I walk slower, but I can still get the basics done. For that I'm grateful. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm usually spent at night, but each day is worth it. Yes, I could pack more in, but I can't. And I can live with that. I am alive, I have a beautiful family, I am healthy-ish and in no pain. I look at four adorable faces everyday that still think I'm awesome. With all my faults. I'm still beautiful to them. I still know things, and can give them all sorts of answers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My requests for wristbands keep coming slowly. Slowly but surely. The box is getting lighter .. lol. Here's some new pictures of my latest supporters :</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RvQyUQJe74sis8Y8JSnPNtaiYTrr8DygwcHyXeaWlCVjKN6mKLQZzA02PDbuK6h3MD3KmZFXhf6pCoxZjtFerly6UbROzA_s2SFzfwYxYfrtK_QKJXb3o_eoDpcJ075tJ17-yhUv22U/s1600/Emma,+Marc,+Ruth+and+Tessa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RvQyUQJe74sis8Y8JSnPNtaiYTrr8DygwcHyXeaWlCVjKN6mKLQZzA02PDbuK6h3MD3KmZFXhf6pCoxZjtFerly6UbROzA_s2SFzfwYxYfrtK_QKJXb3o_eoDpcJ075tJ17-yhUv22U/s1600/Emma,+Marc,+Ruth+and+Tessa.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma, Marc, Ruthie and Tessa - Canada</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOatx9zr6sJUAhWlPfOqFj-3BLvTggX3Iz276KQnO1cbby4h1aeI_LCkaSgGyywS9fPEcd0IDgljhTwZ5SgQhcF1pJCcXOWR4etsUJCDrk6Iuy1mwnVAHKS-SEeGsPz4MPads_Pj1dxc/s1600/Mary+-+Texas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOatx9zr6sJUAhWlPfOqFj-3BLvTggX3Iz276KQnO1cbby4h1aeI_LCkaSgGyywS9fPEcd0IDgljhTwZ5SgQhcF1pJCcXOWR4etsUJCDrk6Iuy1mwnVAHKS-SEeGsPz4MPads_Pj1dxc/s1600/Mary+-+Texas.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary - Texas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xBUMnFNUkIt0AM6wjXKqY0KqYEJfO4fIfZtB-SguV4G_8K1i-s_c-2ndeEiOeq1NfcFkplo94igC2chZN6PStvV03-nNMHqqIEug0kcapbKxL5h8UZfSXHjLJ2JtNGipqNhOby0jtFQ/s1600/Mindy+-+England.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xBUMnFNUkIt0AM6wjXKqY0KqYEJfO4fIfZtB-SguV4G_8K1i-s_c-2ndeEiOeq1NfcFkplo94igC2chZN6PStvV03-nNMHqqIEug0kcapbKxL5h8UZfSXHjLJ2JtNGipqNhOby0jtFQ/s1600/Mindy+-+England.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mindy - England</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So happy to see my wristbands are slowly going everywhere. We're flipping the {bird} to MS from all over !! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each one of you. If you're reading this blog for the first time, please feel free to send me an email to : xxiimmee@hotmail.com with the word 'flip it' on the reference. Let me know how many do you want and your address. The only cost I'm asking for you to pay is my shipping cost. You can find the 'Donate' button on this page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks again so much. Please feel free to comment on here, I love to hear feedbacks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a great week !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-42825899328900731982014-11-14T13:11:00.001-05:002014-11-14T13:27:40.773-05:00Update on the 'Flip' Wristbands and other projects ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wow !!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have to say I'm overwhelmed at the response to the Wristbands. Who would have thought that after all these months of having them sitting on a box, some of them would see the light of day. Lol. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I wanted to give an update on them. Some of them have crossed the Atlantic and are already in the hands of some brave HSCT veterans, or warriors as we call them. Some others are in West Canada and several others have made it to the US. Others will be send in the mail all the way to Australia !! This is so exciting. I thank each one of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's some pictures ...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQyRvJCz-EUNs6To7vN2D56K6jO2ZEgUV8Y1TbXYAoP7XOr7k-sqadxsZP9QUBdunfxLNsE2Q6ksGnjv4RsxYfO70K3uXiFsLiqz7ILO9mec2lswIo4-e_7V6g-bdht7kmq-l5_eqeNo/s1600/Sarah,+Jamie+&+Maddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQyRvJCz-EUNs6To7vN2D56K6jO2ZEgUV8Y1TbXYAoP7XOr7k-sqadxsZP9QUBdunfxLNsE2Q6ksGnjv4RsxYfO70K3uXiFsLiqz7ILO9mec2lswIo4-e_7V6g-bdht7kmq-l5_eqeNo/s1600/Sarah,+Jamie+&+Maddie.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie, Sarah and Maddie - part of my family in Canada</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dyjd-5bwhmEcPAelt_HS8gETBsj2LjRhb2Y_q0f7afuNykIM9sI-Wyv5ICa7sZFjB8SVzBpPkdNDwSvTxodC9iBPQMwke7CzJyaBhrO11e_gtmL2uB848xtOo8YjvedUs5x5CXrJUNI/s1600/Brooke+Taylor+Slick+-+Pennsylvania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dyjd-5bwhmEcPAelt_HS8gETBsj2LjRhb2Y_q0f7afuNykIM9sI-Wyv5ICa7sZFjB8SVzBpPkdNDwSvTxodC9iBPQMwke7CzJyaBhrO11e_gtmL2uB848xtOo8YjvedUs5x5CXrJUNI/s1600/Brooke+Taylor+Slick+-+Pennsylvania.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke - Pennsylvania / HSCT Veteran</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7r34CqM9PYtLfyjLdwiQwoM8oj0SerK5oPQVZhpWn92G8Gw5wwO9Vw_WGS-HCX4DGXumrpDhFHIvBoSZfIxnT2nStp8JHSHETdTFl1Ub_AOOphQdfw0U766gdrlc3oLNzX4PY-EaKIo/s1600/Gwen+-+England.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7r34CqM9PYtLfyjLdwiQwoM8oj0SerK5oPQVZhpWn92G8Gw5wwO9Vw_WGS-HCX4DGXumrpDhFHIvBoSZfIxnT2nStp8JHSHETdTFl1Ub_AOOphQdfw0U766gdrlc3oLNzX4PY-EaKIo/s1600/Gwen+-+England.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwen - England / HSCT Veteran</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How proud you all make me feel !! Thank you again !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So if you want to get into this 'Flip the world movement', please feel free to email me at : xxiimmee@hotmail.com. Let me know your address and how many would you like. The only cost I'm asking for is to cover posting them, which is minimal. You can use the 'Donate' button in this page and add the amount. It's pretty straight forward. Then, please, PLEASE send me your picture wearing them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My days have been busy lately. I've had this burst of energy .. where was it during the summer when I could actually spend time outside !! I had excellent timing and planted some tulip and crocus bulbs two days ago with the 'help' of my three year old. I was holding off just so the squirrels wouldn't eat them. How could I guess that the day after I planted them, I was so lucky that mother nature sent us a brief snowfall and now all the ground is semi covered in snow .. yay !! Ximena 1 - Squirrels 0 !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So that's done .. I hope to come back from Russia next year and see the flowerbeds full of beautiful tulips, crocuses and hyacinths. Love that time of the year, it's my favourite !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What else .. as you may have all read in the blog before .. earlier this year I was doing big painting jobs in the house and did most of the rooms. Now I'm giving some finishing touches painting window and door trims and baseboards of the rooms I won't be painting. Trying to finish all that stuff before I go for treatment because when I come back I won't do anything. Just sit down and lay around all day .. lol .. (right family ?). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm also working hard at night trying to finish my two oldest daughters Christmas' stockings. It takes me around 8-10 months to stitch each one of them and now that they are both ready I'm hand sewing them to look like actual stockings. The goal is to have them ready for December. It takes so long to make them that I forget how to actually put the pieces together, so it's a bit time demanding but I'm getting there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a picture of the one I made for my husband a couple of years ago ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLpSt8aORt5fcUIw1LtBGLcISbRqKeeRncdH5NHA0WABiutLAPMqn2mcoI4TMnda_C8OOoTwl5XslOr_Hp57SWSZhjypS5tvB5Pf3jkSaDxssJzZGb20I_ZnmhGk2MW1yK_bDD4YV1wM/s1600/DSCN5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLpSt8aORt5fcUIw1LtBGLcISbRqKeeRncdH5NHA0WABiutLAPMqn2mcoI4TMnda_C8OOoTwl5XslOr_Hp57SWSZhjypS5tvB5Pf3jkSaDxssJzZGb20I_ZnmhGk2MW1yK_bDD4YV1wM/s1600/DSCN5137.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I must add that this stocking is massive in size !! Didn't think of that and now every time for Christmas I end up stuffing it with socks and some bulky stuff. The children's ones are smaller, checked .. hahhahaa. I'll update with pictures of the new ones when they are finished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I've also been decorating the house for Christmas. All of you that have had little children know this. It's not me asking them to start decorations in November, it's them. They can see advertising of Christmas on tv, on the paper, pretty much anywhere. So we're doing one item a day. That's all I could negotiate .. lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you again for all the encouragement, words of wisdom and laughter. Life is good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-8279903809599479002014-11-11T09:07:00.000-05:002014-11-11T09:07:31.366-05:0021 things I'm ok with ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Letting my 3 yr old eat popcorn right after breakfast when I need to get something done in the kitchen/or wherever and I don't need her 'help'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2. Getting out of the house with unmatching clothes ... it was after all an unplanned outing. It's ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. Leave a project for the next day, it's ok to procrastinate sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4. Dance and sing like crazy to a song you like, it's great for your children to see their Mum can still rock it !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5. Cry. It's ok to let it out sometimes. It's ok for your children to see it, we're not invincible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6. Let your children take over sometimes. Let them feel they are old enough, but then give them tight cuddles and pretend they are your newborn babies and that nothing bad is going to happen to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7. Laugh ... it's sooo ok to laugh. A good sincere loud laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">8. Stop for a minute, look out the window and get lost in the view. Take time to smell the roses, or look at that tiny bird, or the chipmonk running in a hurry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9. Feeling sorrow. It's been a hard road, I've had to give up many things but I'm still alive. Then I put my smile on and keep going.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10. I can always rake those leaves tomorrow. It's ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11. Listen to your favourite songs very loud !! At home or in the car, let it all out !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">12. Start thinking of Christmas shopping, lists or cards to send in August ... lol</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13. Let your children jump on your bed and mess it up. This one has been very difficult for me. I do not tolerate anyone jumping on my bed, don't know why, but last night it just made me happy seeing my children so happy when jumping and messing up every inch of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">14. Take a break and buy take off food tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">15. Let the rain soak you up sometimes. At least you're able to feel the water fall on your face. So you didn't bring the umbrella, big deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">16. Not wearing any make-up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">17. So I don't have that awesome sexy walk anymore cause my left leg isn't the same. Hey, I'm walking, I'm happy !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">18. Asking for help when I really need it. It's ok to accept sometimes you can't do it by yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">19. Having a bad day today. Tomorrow will always feel better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">20. Taking a day off everything, sit down and watch a good movie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">21. Laugh with a silly laugh just to make your children laugh histerically. Listening to that laughter will make your soul soar.</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-72669604022755503792014-11-06T10:58:00.001-05:002014-11-06T10:58:34.138-05:00Cut the hair, cut the layers ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So this summer I thought it would be a great idea to cut my long hair. I had thought about it for a while. I wanted to get my children ready for a bald Mum (remember HSCT involves chemo). Take it step by step. I just wasn't sure when to do it. There's lots of time, right ? Treatment is in March.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So one of my older daughters wanted to have shorter hair for the summer too. I take her to the hair dresser and when I'm on the way with her I think .. what the heck !! I'm going to chop mine too. All of it, make it super short. Yeah !! July. Summer in Canada ... not a bad idea. I have to say I was ready to fight this humid summer with my short locks. Yup !! For once I'm not going to be battling the weather with pony tails, have the hair up or having to throw cold water on my face. I'm ready, bring it on summer !! My hair was chopped. Wow, it was really short.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This summer, of course, was the best we've had. Hot and dry days. I think we had one, I repeat, ONE humid day. I got ready for a battle I didn't have to fight. The children ? Nah, they didn't need to prepare for any bald Mum. They can easily do that in a week. Now, I have to say, it was nice not to have to worry much about the hair. Summer, free, swimming all day in the pool .. or well, me sitting by the pool deciding when to get in and not get into any swimming race (that I'm slowly starting to suck at -oh boy, children grow up fast and furious), or unwanted splashing (boy I'm getting old). It was nice to live in that graceful freedom anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I used to use my hair short, you know ? Back then I was in my 30's. I was working full time. Life was at my feet. I also had a ton of less weight. Hadn't had any children so no tummy whatsoever. No worries in the world. I had my pedicure done every month, I went to my weekly relaxation massage. Hair dresser every month. I lived by the cinema so I'd go to watch a new movie every weekend, in the morning so nobody else would be in the room. Eat sweet popcorn .. oh life was good indeed. Did I say I was lighter ? I didn't think of that, did I ?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">See ? The trouble is, more than 10 years have passed now. Fourteen years in fact. I've gained weight, I don't feel so graceful anymore, I never ever have pedicures either. I've become very ticklish in my feet and it's just plain embarrassing to kick the pedi girl every time she touches my toes. Not worth it. Tummy I have indeed. I have had four children, and oh boy, that takes a toll on your body. My hair dresser (the good one that I save for awesome occasions) shakes her head when I finally decide to go to her in a desperate need to cover my gray hair. Oh yeah, another gift from childbearing/raising, gray hair. Cause I'm not 'that' old. No, no, this is just genetic .. hahaha. Life is still at my feet, but it just doesn't feel the same. So yeah ! I don't look as awesome with short hair as I remembered. But I pulled it off ... ish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One thing I really enjoy though compared to my 30's is that feeling of not caring. I used to produce myself every time I stepped out of my door, just to look good. I worried about that. What shoes do I wear today .. mmhhh .. which scarf ... which jacket ? I wanted people to like me. In my 40's I could not give a shit. I guess it's also different that now I live in a small town in Canada, where nobody pretty much gives a shit either .. lol. In Santiago, where I used to live (Chile), it's just different. I welcome that. So I feel like wearing yoga pants today, awesome. So I don't feel it like wearing make up today, awesome. Who I'm kidding .. make up only comes on when there's a party or special occasion. Even then, the eye shadow only comes on if it's really an important occasion. When I put eye liner and mascara I get the big WOW's from my children .. Mama is dressing up !! hahhhahaaa. I no longer choose a jacket, it's whatever is hanging in my hook. I pretty much use the same shoes, easy black-go-with-everything slip on shoes, awesome !! I do still like purses though. Everything might look black and gray in my outfit but oh the purses are gorgeous .. hahhaa. So I've saved some money on the clothing and make up area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So here I am ... with now 'shortish' hair .. growing in a way that isn't too awesome. Do I chop it again ? Does the gray hair grow faster because my hair is short or has it always looked this bad after three months ? Is it a proportion thing ? It's a long wait until my treatment in March ... and there's a looong winter ahead. Crap, I didn't think of winter coming, did I ? I always refuse to wear a hat when it's cold cause it flattens my hair .. well, there's no choice this year ... and the next for that matter. Maybe I'll let it stay like this and at least a bit of hair will come out of the hat ... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Everyone else has been very graceful and they all say I look good. Thanks everyone. Family and friends, it will get better I promise. I'm sure I'll wake up from this 'I don't give a crap' stage and I will take care of myself a bit more. Thank you to my family and friends in Chile. When I got to visit last August everyone also behaved and lied to me saying I looked great. Thank you. I appreciate every effort. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On a side note, I have to give a HUGE thank you to a great response to my idea of the Wristbands. Thank you from the bottom of my heart !! I have some bracelets that will be mailed today to the US, England and some awaiting to go all the way to Australia !! You know who you are !! Thank you !! I can't wait to get those pictures and post them here. You've all been so generous too. Makes me feel amazed at life, at people, at how close we all are after all. I still have a box full of them, so please keep the orders coming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span>Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-36705996829941478092014-11-05T09:19:00.002-05:002014-11-14T12:30:07.024-05:00Flip Wristbands around the world ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">First of all ... I want to thank so many encouraging comments from all over the place. Not here, for some reason, nobody comments here in the blog, lol .. but I have read so many sweet words coming from the HSCT forum, the Russia forum (where I'll be going next year) and from friends and family that I copy the link to this blog. I read each one of them and be sure that each of your words makes me stronger. It's so reassuring to hear people like what I write, considering I was about to delete it. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you from the bottom of my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Also, some people have asked me to include a Donate button. Which now you'll find in the front of the blog. I'm not asking for donations, unless you're wealthy and don't know what to do with the extra cash. But this brought to mind another idea. As I've totally given up on fundraising with my bracelets (I really suck as a salesperson -my 9 yr old daughter is way better than me), an idea popped in my mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What if someone out there wants to sport one of the 'Flip the {bird} to MS' bracelets. I'm not asking anyone to pay for it. What I'm asking is to just donate the shipping cost (so I don't go backwards on this). Hence the donate button. There's no set amount, so each can donate whatever depending where you live. I've done it through Paypal and it's pretty easy. As long as you have a credit card, you can do it. You don't need to subscribe to anything. The cost to mail it in Canada is about C$2.00. It was supposed to be cheaper but can't seem to pack the things flatter enough in the envelope and they charged me more, pfttt. I'm assuming the cost will be C$3.00 for the US and around C$5.00 International (just roughly doubling the cost of a regular letter).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So what do you think ??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'd like to have a picture of friends and people I don't know personally wearing my wristbands from all over the world. And when you get them in the mail, please take a picture of you wearing it and email it to me. I can include it here, with or without your name, your call. Wouldn't it be neat ? There's some family and friends that already have them. Some here in Canada and most down in Chile. Can you please send me a picture of you wearing it too and I can put them in the blog ? I'll start with mine ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKwfLxQ7-2s7Unzc0LShwvZrpxCsYDJkxCLGSf__c9Qbvtjb2Kza_E4Ypei2naVM6ny352kQEBt4C1ERhxpyDXW4QPLjEzHLA9dCd3FZ01xGYmjguHhlGkN_loj33QYJncCkJvg_DTws/s1600/DSCN8690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKwfLxQ7-2s7Unzc0LShwvZrpxCsYDJkxCLGSf__c9Qbvtjb2Kza_E4Ypei2naVM6ny352kQEBt4C1ERhxpyDXW4QPLjEzHLA9dCd3FZ01xGYmjguHhlGkN_loj33QYJncCkJvg_DTws/s1600/DSCN8690.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By the way ... I'm talking about the blue bracelet. The other has nothing to do with this, my dear cousin had it made for me and that's only mine .. lol. Had to put this disclaimer, don't want any disappointed customers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, if you're interested in this idea, let me know. Send me an email to : xxiimmee@hotmail.com (don't laugh at my email address please -I created it long ago and I'm guessing I was bored) with 'wristband' or 'flip the bird' on the reference. Give me your address, let me know how many you want and donate the shipping fee in this page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oh I'd love for this bracelets to travel. I've had them stacked in a box for months with nowhere to go .. lol. Please feel free to share this blog anywhere you think people will get something out of my journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oh, I found a picture of my dear friend in Chile, here it is. Hey it almost looks fashionable if you accessorize it !!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Qj-omwsPsnIsjAMZXW1vHkRWE4zsj3H_l2YFBA8kLIkQW_SyILvCElghfTnUSsGEDmzKAAoY1TAMOue2gCFTRqhp_6NH3niHNww7SJ9QjMkRilXpiBqkFadpKU91KFq2btmU-uTRx4k/s1600/10625065_680321442054267_2479880250817662822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Qj-omwsPsnIsjAMZXW1vHkRWE4zsj3H_l2YFBA8kLIkQW_SyILvCElghfTnUSsGEDmzKAAoY1TAMOue2gCFTRqhp_6NH3niHNww7SJ9QjMkRilXpiBqkFadpKU91KFq2btmU-uTRx4k/s1600/10625065_680321442054267_2479880250817662822_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cata - dear friend in Chile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So please be well, thanks again for all your kind words. Thank you also for all the HSCT Warriors that are right now in Moscow. You got this !! And best wishes to the ones that have recently gone home after having HSCT. Take care of yourselves and take it easy. As someone said, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">:)</span><br />
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Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-661534872035163488.post-82373979678702358932014-11-01T10:50:00.002-04:002014-11-01T10:50:55.982-04:0021 Random things that I regret not doing ...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Giving more kisses and hugs to my family and friends when I lived at home (Chile). It's never enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2. Walking on the sand every time I was close to it. Right now it's just a tripping hazard and way, I mean, WAY too much work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. Eating more empanadas, tortas de milhojas, cuchuflis, chirimoyas, alcachofas while I had them easily available.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4. Giving a bit more effort to my track and field days at school. Sorry Pedro (coach), I just didn't want to do the 5 laps around the school to start practice and ended up hiding in the bathroom so I could make it back in a glorious not-so-exhausted way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">5. Skydiving ... no way I'd do it now ... would not be able to get up again .. lol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">6. Run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">7. Be a famous paintor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">8. Tour Spain waaay more when I was there. Should have gone up to Barcelona. And heck, should have jumped on the train and see some of France too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9. Come out of my shell in highschool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10. Finding that 'square ball' a client wanted to find for her son that Christmas. I was working at the toy department at a chain store for the season ... hahaa ... square ball.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11. Try yoga.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">12. Skate more on ice. No way I'm even thinking of doing it now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13. Do my road trip to the north of Chile on a motorcycle .. yeah baby !! Now I'd have to do it in a tricycle and maybe just for two hours in the morning or I wouldn't be able to do anything else the rest of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">14. Say more I love you's. Give more kisses. Give more hugs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">15. Giving hell to that awful guy that stole my necklace on the bus (micro), when I was coming home from a day at Manpower (College).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">16. Open my mouth and answer back to someone that is giving me hell for a stupid reason. I tend to be shell shocked and can't mumble a word. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">17. Giving more effort in my only gymnastics class back then when I was little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">18. Keep up on my journaling ... should have given my brothers more thrilling things to read .. yeah, I know you were reading my endless lists of which boys I liked most.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">19. Eaten my chocolate easter bunnies. I insisted in keeping them as decorations on my shelves until one day I realized all the backs were already eaten .. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">20. Using any sunscreen in my teen years. I remember having very bad sunburns .. I know I'm going to pay for that one day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">21. Given my dear Mani (Grandmother) more kisses. I still miss her dearly. She taught me many things, one of them to not have regrets.</span><br />
<br />Chin-up Ximenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16023271315694817655noreply@blogger.com0