a big step

This has been a tough year - it's much better now - but it has been a rocky road. I haven't written much on my blog lately but that will change soon.  I'm feeling inspired, creative and like my old self again. A few weeks ago I sat down with TVW magazine and told my story...the story of my health and what happened to me at the beginning of 2012. It wasn't easy. What happened to me in January was extremely traumatic, I'm still processing it all. I really struggled with speaking about this but in my heart I knew it was part of the healing process and hopefully an opportunity to inform others about something most have never heard of. Today the TVW magazine hit stands, I can't take it back now - it's out there! It's been a big day for me, I feel a little exposed, my secret is out. I will write more about it here in the next little while, I have so much more to tell. I also have some really cute photos of Beckett's 5th birthday party and Poppy's 2nd birthday party that I want to share....Zoë's turns 4 on Monday...I'm in party planning mode!  As I said, I'm feeling like my old self....thank goodness. xx

world blood donor day

Every blood donor is a hero. Earlier this year my life was saved by a hero (or heroes) who gave blood. Today is World Blood Donor Day. For more information you can visit the World Health Organization website here. Today I give thanks to the people who give the life-saving gift of blood.  I am forever grateful. xx

healing at home

You may have heard by now that I had emergency surgery at the beginning of January, it's been a rough start to the New Year - not exactly what I had planned!  Each day I get a little better, both physically and emotionally. It really does take a long time to recover from surgery and a hospital stay. 

I'm starting to get out of the house a little more, it began with lunch with my husband - which was great. Another day I took a trip to the mall with my best friend, which was very tiring (the mall has never had that effect of me before)! Last night I went to the hockey game with my husband, a bit of a mistake, it was a great game but being in a crowd like that scared me, I was so worried that someone was going to bump into me.  I was also extremely exhausted when I got home, lesson learned.  I have mostly been spending my days reading and playing with our kids, it's been nice.  I'm not driving quite yet, just waiting for the surgeon to give me the go ahead!

I'm very lucky to have a lot of help at home, my mom, mother-in-law and aunt & uncle have been fixtures at our house to help with the kids.  The food, flowers and friends have been non-stop; I'm discovering what great cooks my friends all are!  As rotten as this whole situation has been it has really put things in perspective for me....I'm savouring every single second I'm spending with my sweet family.

a sigh of relief

This photo breaks my heart.  Poor little bug, he's getting his blood test and didn't cry but wow was he sad.  It's routine that each year as we near Beckett's birthday he goes through a series of tests and appointments.  In the last two weeks we have been to the lab at Children's Hospital for his complete blood work, Audiology for a hearing test, the Ophthalmologist for an eye check-up (he has cataracts) and then to the Paediatrician for his yearly check-up.

photo by ka davidson

                                                             

I'm happy and relieved to report that all is good with Master Beckett. It's quite stressful waiting for results, I can't help but go through the worst case scenario as I'm laying in bed trying to fall asleep.  So when the eye doctor says his eyes look good and the cataracts haven't grown, I smile and sigh.  When the audiologist checks B's ears and says that his hearing is "normal", I feel relief.  The big one is the blood results, we head to the doctor's and when we learn that his blood is good, I'm so grateful I could cry.

photo by ka davidson

When you have a child with special needs there are a lot of tests, you're always watching and noticing and like any parent you are always worrying.  We have a lifetime of tests ahead of us, unfortunately I was born a worrier, my worrying is far more intense since I have had children.  I try to keep it under wraps, control it....I don't want it to rule my life.  Right now, as we approach Beckett's 3rd birthday, I'm happy and so thankful that my babes are well.....may all our babes be well. xx