The Race Came to Me

      My first thought when I open my eyes and last thought before closing them is ~ MSA! 

       I have been doing so much research and reading trying to figure out what I did wrong? I have always been health conscientious, exercised and ate right, so, where did I make mistake? Perhaps growing up was I exposed to something in the environment, which could have had a hand in this. We did grow up by a lighthouse and the light for this lighthouse floated in a bed of mercury, which we would play with. This was before they knew it was so dangerous for you. I also grew up on well water which could of been contaminated with something foreign or was it something at one of the postings? I had so many questions but so few answers.

      It  was almost time for the Ottawa Marathon. I had removed my name from their list and really did not want any info regarding the marathon since I would not be able to run it this year.  What I did not realize until the event, that they had changed the course; therefore, they were going to be running right in front of my building. In fact, one of the music stations was right outside my building. I could not go to the race, so they brought the race to me. That morning, Hunny and I had a latte and sat on the patio and cheered on the runners. It was good to be cheering; I remember the feeling so vividly and feeling so tired but always getting a boost from these stations of cheering people.

Birthday Girl

    This week, we were also going to Angus, Ontario. We were posted there for 1997 – 2000 and still had good friends there. Well, this was a big year for this group,they were all turning fifty. We were going to a 50^th BBQ. It was one of our friends from Africa who was turning 50! We were seeing the whole gang, lots of fun. There were about 60 people there as it was a joint party with her daughter was turning 19 at the same time, needless to say, fun was had by all. We had a lot of laughs and shared memories.

      I cannot help but think what kind of shape I will be in when I am 50. I will have had MSA for three to four years by this time and doctor said in three to five years I will be in a wheel chair. While this thought looms over me, I am doing my best to stay active and mobile. Hope and determination are two things I can never give up.

Quality Family Time

     The wedding was over and quite successful, it was time to focus on the family, quality time.

Hunny & Family

The In-Laws

    My Hunny’s family stayed an extra day after the wedding. We have three suites in the condo that can be rented, and that is what my husband’s family did. They came up for breakfast, we talked about how magical and fairytale like the wedding was. After breakfast, they went sightseeing, and would be back later in the day. When they got back we took the kids swimming, which they enjoyed.  After the swimming, Hunny made dinner for everyone.  It was nice to sit, relax and just laugh over a glass of wine.

Brenda & Bertha

    The next day, both of my sister’s came for the night.  Again we did a lot of laughing.  One of them was going home the following day. Hunny was dropping her off on his way to work and before a meeting.  I get a call from the airport from her with panic in her voice, and saying a drive-by would have been faster. Which she refers now as "the drive by push out", I asked what she is talking about and she said that she was just dumped at the airport and Hunny just left. Of course, we both got a chuckle out of this, as we both know she likes to embellish stories, like her dad. It was tough saying good-bye, we had a couple of weeks together which were great.  We both knew that the MSA would be progressed by the next time I saw her. It was a good thing that I could not go to the airport or that would have made it tougher for both of us. I used to take care of her kids often and now she is taking care of part of me. We have developed a special bond, she calls each day since I was diagnosed.  It is funny how life has it's surprises, which are not all bad. I spent a lot of time with her and her husband when I was a teenager and we have always gotten along good.  In fact, it was her husband who gave me the handkerchief when I got married. This is the handkerchief that was lent to my daughter, and then it was given to my niece in August for her wedding and then back to his own daughter in December when she gets married. This is how traditions are born!

Veronica & Brenda

Canadian Geese

    The fifth oldest sister came for the night before going home.  We took a bus and went downtown to do some site seeing. I was still able to walk unaided then. I just looked like I have had a couple of glasses of wine. I still looked like I was okay to everyone on the outside but I can feel the unsteadiness when I walk and I feel shaky inside, especially when I get tired. I do not want to stop though because I am afraid if I stop I won't be able to start again. We walked along the canal and met a family of geese, we were able to walk right up to them and get a photo. 

Stairs from Ottawa Canal to Wellington St.

Supreme Court of Canada

     When we got to the Supreme Court of Canada, we climbed the steps.  There were over 50 steps. I had to hold the railing. This probably seems pretty good to everyone else but it is all relative. Last year, I would have run up these stairs with no problem. 

     We walked in front of the Parliament as well. We had a fun filled day. When Hunny got home, we drove this sister to my other sister’s where she was leaving from. When I was first married  26 years ago, and my husband was in the N.W.T., I lived with her for about a year. So needless to say we spent a lot of time together. I was very glad we got to spend this day together and remember how that felt all those years ago.

Loretta & Brenda

    The next day, my oldest sister arrived so her and I spent a few days together. There is a few years difference between us and we have always been close. When I was around three, this sister moved to Toronto and I was homesick for her, our mom had to take me to see her. Every time I would see a plane I would cry for her to come home, in fact, I use to think she was my mother. During her visit, we went and had Gelato. It was my first experience eating this. They make it fresh each day at Truffle Treasures and I will definitely be going back. We were pretty rebellious this day as neither one of us had eaten yet so we decided to have gelato for lunch, such a wise decision!

  
The following day, we went to the Baker Street Café and had the best lunch possible, it was very good as well. The weather was gorgeous and I wanted to keep up with walking. Hard to believe I now practice the things I have been doing for 48 years, like walking and talking. I was grateful for this time I had with my second mom.

    I am very fortunate that I have such a special bond with so many in my family, which I will be sharing as the journey continues.  I know the support has always been there and always will, and for that I am very thankful. 

Friday the 13th Wedding

Friday the 13^th wedding?    

   This is an unlucky day for some people but not when your born on Friday the 13th. Then, it becomes a lucky day, and this the day my daughter will marry her fiancé. The first proof of this luck was the weather... high of 24!

    

     We found the gown at All That Glitters Bridal, North grower and it was pretty painless, not at all what I was expecting. We only went to one shop! We found the bracelet and earrings here as well. The bride found the necklace at a craft fair by a local artist. The birdcage veil was a little trickier to find, but, we managed. 

     My sis made all the bouquets and boutonnieres, which were gorgeous. The garter, she made from her own wedding dress. They were just beautiful!

      The something borrowed was the handkerchief another sister had given me on my wedding day 25 years ago, she herself had used this on her wedding day. What a nice surprise this was. It was all caught on camera by excellent photographer(some of the pictures are compliments ofLove Bunny Photography). We had a bus scheduled so people would not have to drive if they wanted to have a few drinks.

     The Bride’s parents had the important job of bringing the attire of the bride along with the flowers to the venue, Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm, and early, so as to beat the traffic and just to be there when the bride got there. What pressure! Once there, we helped with final touches to create with the Alice in Wonderland Theme.  The topper was added to the cake, (the cake was made at Abaco Cakes & Catering).

   

      The Bride-to-be arrived at the venue and hurried into the dressing room with the Bridesmaids. I could see the excitement and I had to keep my feelings in check as I know if I started to loose it, that would be the end of me. I started to do up her gown but realized this was a special moment for a young Bride and Bridesmaid’s so I slowly moved off to the side. She was just so happy that I wanted to relish this moment, like looking through a looking glass. The beautiful Bride in front of me was my baby girl, all grown up into this beautiful woman who was about to marry her soul mate.

    

     Downstairs the Father-of-the-Bride was outside walking around and practicing his speech. The Groom and the Best Man were acting relaxed and laughing. The Groom's parents and sister were showing their guests from Europe around.  I was happily surprised to see all the family and friends that were there from in and out of town. I was happy that they could all make it to share this happy occasion.

    It was time to get in position for this joyous occasion to take place. Everyone was seated. When we were seated, I ended up on a side by myself, which turned out to be a blessing. My nephew’s daughter came over with me and asked me all kinds of questions during the ceremony, which was a great distraction.                                   

                                                 

Here comes the Bride

Bridal Party

Valley of People

     So imagine, a long tree lined driveway that led to some old stone steps that looked down into a valley, which is exactly what my daughter arrived to. The Bride and her Dad arrived by a horse-drawn carriage. She got out and was led down these old stone steps to meet her future husband. At the bottom of these steps was a valley of people who came to share in this special day.

After the ceremony we got lots of pictures thanks to Love Bunny Photography

Groom's Family

Groom and his family

Father of Bride's Family

Bride and Grandmother

Mother of Bride's Family

The Sister's

Bride's Family

    
                 














    After pictures, we went to greet people inside.  This was the part I was going to find so hard, I had not seen some of these people in a few months and some a few years. I was just praying they did not ask me questions about my health, I was holding it together by a thread. Luckily, this went fine.

     Then, came time for the speeches... another difficult part.  My husband gave his speech, which to this day has left a big impression on my daughter and her husband. Were you ever able to cry silently? I was for once.  The tears were rolling but I was not sounding like the wounded animal that I am. The Best Man and Man of Honour also gave their speeches with provided tales of friendship and great laughter, which we could all use. After the speeches, were the dances, after the traditional dances, the Bride & Groom requested one for my true love and me. We waltzed to Kenny Rogers, "Through the Years, that rang so true right now. Additional photos.

The Bride & Dad

Groom and Mom

Mom and Dad of Bride

      

Bride & Groom

Who says," Dreams don’t come true"?

Planning for a Wedding

Dr. Grimes

     What a way to start a month, especially when there is a wedding taking place. I had an appointment with He Who Shall Not Be Named .My Hunny took me to this appointment, as we did not want a repeat of September.  Each time I go, I set myself up for disappointment. I think he is going to tell me that they made some terrible mistake and I do not have MSA but something treatable... I am always disappointed.  I saw my Doc’s apprentice first, who I do not really care for. I realize he wants to specialize in Movement Disorders but, I feel like he is more concerned with checking off the boxes on the sheet than listening to me, and it is a waste of my precious time.  I told him about my swallowing difficulties and how sometimes I choke on my own salvia and he said this is part of the MSA. Well, thank you, but I already know that He did not offer any suggestions on how to deal with this. I reminded him that it could be scary when, say, I don’t know, maybe, at the pool and I cannot breathe and there are a bunch of 70 and 80 year olds looking at me and trying to help. I also told him about the terrible leg cramps I get. I cannot stand of my tippy toes, as I will get leg cramps. I also get cramps putting on my pants, socks, and shoes. I would give anything if I could stretch, you know, like a cat does. Wouldn’t that feel good? If I do stretch like that I have instant Charlie Horse. So, this smart doc says that is a complaint we hear often but we don’t treat this. Hello! Thankfully, He Who Shall Not Be Named came in and I shared the same info with him.  He told me to up the dosage of the meds and see if this works and he is going to send me to an ENT to see how strong my vocal cords are.  He also said the big thing when choking is to try and get the throat to relax and remember you can breathe through your nose. This is important to remember, because you tend to panic when not getting air and forget this. Thank you! I will not be seeing his apprentice anymore. He just frustrates me. Let him play doctor with someone else. This is over now, on to better things, like planning a wedding!

     One week to go and there is a wedding going to happen! All the family started to arrive. That meant my sister, the 4^th oldest, was coming the week before to help me out. She asked, "where will I stay?" and I said, "in V’s room"  (my sister who had been there in March). She said, "she has been to see you once and she already has a room named after her?" This gave me an idea. When B arrived, I had everyone who ever stayed in this room name on a piece of paper and stuck on the door. Of course, I told her I forgot to change the sign, so I proceeded to go through the names and hers was at the back.  We had a good laugh over this.

     The next day, we got a message from another sister G, bragging about the size of the lobster she was having, well wouldn’t you know it we went to the Superstore and who was there but Lobsterman. We could not contain our laughter and tried to ask, so as not to insult him, if we could get a picture taken with him. We sent this on to Cape Breton, of course. I am sure you can tell what kind of visit we were going to have?

                                   B was here for Mother’s Day, as well. I told my kids I wanted pizza and beer for this occasion.  Just simple, the most important thing was to have everyone together.  We went to the Byward Market, for the day and the kids came that evening. They arrived with two bouquets of flowers. They brought 2 dozen roses for me and a mixed set for B. They also gave me two charms for the Pandora bracelet they bought me for Christmas. One charm was a bouquet of flowers with my birthstone and the other was a house, they also made me a slideshow with over 200 pictures. I am very proud to call them my children, not because they give me things but because they give me things from the heart, things that matter. What a great Mother’s Day!
     Lots of family came this week. There were five sisters who came, the five oldest ones, along with nieces and nephews.  They started arriving the Wednesday. My nephew from Cape Breton stayed with my son, but came for a visit to see our new surroundings. My husband’s family was arriving  the day of the Wedding and planned on staying the weekend. I was trying not to think this far ahead as it was going to be the first time I saw family since I was diagnosed and it would be the first time seeing some friends. I may look fine on the outside until I walk or talk, but inside there is great turmoil. I did not want the foucs to be on me, I wanted it on the Bride and Groom for their special day!! 

     One of my sisters said it was the calmest wedding she ever attended.  Just three days away.Everything was ready. The  venue was booked, the hotel, the food, flowers and the bus. The last fitting done, the bridesmaid dresses were   delivered, the veil was bought, the tuxes delivered and we found shoes. 

   Let's have a party!  Cannot wait to see everyone and to see my little girl walk down the isle! Although there will be a lot of mixed emotion, this is what we all want: to know we taught our children well and they are confindent to go and start their future, and make dreams come true.

 

Let's celebrate!