Children's

 

Luk had a couple more cow photos.

We still haven't heard if, when or how they were rescued.  They belong to our neighbor behind us.  He had them a fair distance from home.

It was sibling appreciation day at Children's again.  Lucky us.  We stayed and played after Luk's clinic.

Ellie.

She is soooo mild mannered.  So sweet.  Always the best part.

We've met a few of the therapy dogs now.

The boys had shopping bags and went table to table taking what they wanted.  Kai only takes what he genuinely likes.  Luk had to be pushed to take anything.  He grabbed me a sticker and pen.  A mini teddy, bubbles and a fidget for Jia.  Candy for himself.  He wouldn't grab anything until I explained that the program won't continue if they don't hand out the things.  We then looked at some of the other kids who were really enjoying the shopping experience and he then gracefully tolerated the rest of the experience.

So many appointments, plus an ultrasound.  We skipped occupational therapist and orthotics today.

Luk did great.  All is going well for him this time. No major changes.

The social worker team was really pushing transitions to adult care.  Eric and I sent the boys out and talked to the team in charge today.  Explaining that it's hard to talk about Luk in front of him.  That we don't see the kind of ability, growth and maturity they seem to be expecting.  Like....we are NO where near reaching the goals on their lists.  They are going to take our concerns to the board and request better testing on his learning challenges and executive functioning. 

Kai likes traveling, he likes road trips, the ferry, hotels and he loves eating out..  He didn't care for four hours of sitting and waiting with constant talking about Luk.  Haha.

Our hotel night was great, there was a better than usual breakfast provided.  Such a beautiful day.  Such a shame to be stuck in a city.  

We had time to kill before checking into the hotel so we hit Tswassen Mills.  We played in Cabelos, wandered the whole mall, let the boys pick out snacks for the hotel and explored the duck museum.  I know ya'll will be shocked by this but I did NOT buy any ducks.  

Eric looked out and laughed.  Nothing like a gorgeous sunset over Costco.  

Lili caught Esmei outside yesterday!  

Zoom in on her eyes, she looks petrified.

The trip went well.  All good for all of us.  The ferry was great there and back.  The drive home from the Victoria route was hard.  Two hours and forty minutes!!  We definitely didn't save any time.

1/8th of a tank there, 5/8th to get back.

I was online at 7 this morning to get a site for Eric's 60th Birthday and I hit reserve exactly 1 second after 7, I got two sites in the cart and still didn't get one.  I think we need something more exciting than camping to celebrate.  I did suggest today a standby cruise to Alaska, he likes that idea.  There is an inside passage leaving on his bday and the rate is $99 a day.  We like the gamble part.  If we don't get picked, we would be left with no plan in place.  It's so hard to plan anything when we just have no idea what is next for me health wise.

Cows on the loose.

 

It's so hard to leave them sometimes.  Even when it's only a couple days.

Obligatory ferry shots.

Enjoying the sun, the view and the pirate paks.

Luk's picture.

16 pregnant cows on the loose.

These are out of order.  Most of the cows ran down this driveway.  The old holly farm.  Eric closed the gate.  We drove back to let the farmer know where they were but he was gone so we went to a house that had come out at the scene.  She said she would call and let someone know where they were. So we thought perhaps they were found.  However, an hour later I read on Facebook that the search was still on.

Cars weren't pulling over.  People are dumb.  Soooo dumb.

We watched these girls break through the fence.  Eric pulled over and we both got out.  I was trying to get them towards Eric who was trying to direct them back home.

An idiot driver flew up and scared them.  Eric was waving for him to stop but he was determined.  Then there were lots of words.  Eric let him know clearly what a total jackwod loser he was. 

They ended up running down the road on Lakes towards Herd.  Oy.

And....this is why....I always leave a buffer time on ALL road trips.  We weren't late for the ferry.  

I thought I was very brave getting so close to the big girls.  Luk said I looked like a 6 year old out there.  Haha.  Probably.  

If anyone hears how they are please let me know.

Barefoot Shoes

 

When you get home from running kid errands and the Mr has the hood up on two of them.  Panic.  Haha.  It's all good.  Both maintained ;)

The lawn needs cutting.  Shrubs need trimming.  The driveway is a mess.  The new bedroom windows need to be installed.  We need an air conditioning solution for upstairs, the peeling paint needs a redo, the closet floor needs to be installed, we need a better Chihuahua gate and the dtiveway gate needs a wash and the electric opener installed.  Sigh.

I'm grateful the laundry is caught up, the kids are all ok, we've all been fed.  The pantry is full and the vehicles and rvs are in great shape. 

Eric and I are taking the boys to Vancouver tomorrow for Luk's clinic day.  The tap form didn't arrive but I managed to get one today from the pediatrician.  Variety didn't book us because I didn't let them know what our income is.  I didn't realize the stupid fiasco of yesteryear with a salary cap was reinstated again.  We qualify now that we're retired.  In the last minutes of the day we got a room assigned.  Luk helped us get the packing done.  We're all set. I feel like there is too much going on and I've forgotten something. I hate that feeling.

I read about diabetic shoes in a support group.  Who knew?!  I ordered them from Amazon.  They are barefoot hiking, walking shoes that allow the toes to spread for better balance.  Slip resistant. Flat for better posture and blood flow.  ?  Who knows.  I don't know how they help with diabetes. They sort of look and feel like water shoes.  I despise wearing sox and shoes, so far I like the concept.  I'm not sure about the look but my feet are happy. 

Nothing new on the cancer front.  I'm still trying to figure out insulin.  So far I hit target one day out of three weeks so I feel like the mystery of balancing insulin, food, hydration, elimination, sleep, stress, temperature and exercise to find the perfect dose is somewhat impossible.

To be clear...diabetes has no cure.  I can't eat right and it will just go away.  The pancreas is no longer keeping up, a part of it was excised during the colectomy in 2005.  It's amazing I made it so long.

I controlled diabetes from age 15 to 58 with diet and avoided meds.  It wasn't gone, it was managed.  This is definitely extremely frustrating.

If I eat a perfect day and the dose is close, I can repeat the same thing the next day and it's wonky again.  

Our son Jia got a new wig.  Fei did his make up, lent him a crop top and put fake nails on him.  He is simply gorgeous.  Eric took Jia to Walmart to mess with coworkers.  They did a double take ;)  So that was fun.  Then back to the boy look today.

The driving lessons are slow going.  Jia's car is manual.  We haven't left the driveway yet.  Jia can start, move forward, back up, name all the components and do a safety check before starting.  He doesn't want a stranger to teach him.  There is a checklist in the icbc book.  I don't have ANY faith that Etic and I can teach Jia.  I suspect we'll need a failed test before admitting a real driving teacher is needed.  It's early days.  Baby steps.

Epic Off Road Anniversary

 

The morning started with 17 rigs and we did some easy trails.  Taco lunch at the river and then 8 rigs carried on for an advanced run.  It was tight and technical.  

I ordered a red Epic banner for Onyx.  Jay delivered it today.  I wonder if it would be considered a branding or a tattoo?  

It was a fun day with friends.

We made it home for Easter dinner with all five kids.  Eric had it all precooked and prepped for assembly.

Easter isn't much of an event these days.  Kai and Luk ate all of their chocolate today! They shockingly aren't complaining of tummy upsets.

Bonus Trail Day

 

We met up with Jen and Erik for a short jaunt.  We attempted getting to Mead Lake but the snow was too deep. 

Eric fell though.  Still 3' in some areas.

The newest driver on the road.

 

Driving with new drivers is super, super scary.  

Congratulations Jia.  Although I dread this learning part I'm super excited to be another step closer to having another driver in the house!

Small Updates

 

I got flowers delivered today and of course there are pink roses.  They're from a co-worker and his wife thanking me for helping him with work related things.  

I had some alone time today so I packed a lunch, had a drive in Onyx, did my thrift store then ate lunch at Kin park at the ocean.  It was pelting rain.  It was so nice listening to the rain on the soft top and my book at the same time.  

Check out my haul.  $29 and all for me.  Jeans, a Hawaii print nightie, a new Speedo bathing suit, a Tracker travel backpack, collapsible travel water bottle, a leash to match Sassy's pink flamingo halter, fingerless gloves and a hat for my Onyx camping stash, a bag big enough to hold all my diabetes supplies and a Boyds Bear, a girly bear holding an arm full of pink roses, of course.

Then I got Jia to work, picked up some groceries, gathered the boys from school and finally back home.  Eric put in the new steering pump in Oscar.  Wow, is steering oil ever stinky!

It was a nice, basic day.  No major events.

Yesterday I had an appointment with the anesthesiologist for the general surgery on the 13th.  It was a long chat.  Apparently I've had way more surgeries than the average person so he is sure I'll be fine.  Also, he is going through my huge file and told me I'm very healthy.  There was a long silence and then I laughed and said "sure, aside from the anal cancer, Chrones and diabetes".  My current diabetes meds are approved by him so I don't have to stop taking them.  According to him my diabetes is really well controlled.  We have differing views of controlled.  It was controlled, then it wasn't, then it was and now I'm struggling to figure it all out again.

Monday I finally had insulin doses close. Tuesday my sugars were too low so I dialed it back and then it was a bit too high this morning again.  So, getting close but clearly not an exact science.  

I did get results back from one of the mri scans and I don't understand it all.  Some parts still sound a bit alarming.  A lot hinges on this next surgery.  He will be attempting to remove two rectal tumors for biopsies and getting clear margins on the cancer lession.

We are staying home for Easter this weekend.  That's weird.  I'm not in the mood to camp in the cold.  I don't feel like decorating either.  The kids don't seem interested in Easter.  I did buy them all Chocolate of course.  Eric and I will be on a group run on Sunday celebrating Epic's one year anniversary.

Eric has the opportunity to do a trip to Rubicon and Moab with friends.  A 19 day road/camping trip with lots of fun stops.  It's in Sept.  He would be back 4 days before we leave on our Hawaii cruise.  I already have very serious  fomo.

I just have no clue what I'm free to do.  19 days away from kids and dogs right before the 12 days for the cruise is too much.  I'm decently positive I would be the road trip weak link.  I have way too many issues.  For a hot minute last night I thought maybe I could follow in Onyx with Kai and just skip the trail parts.  Realistically, camping in the car with Kai would be daunting.  19 days is too long for me and Kai.  My specialized diet would be hard on the road.  

Leaving Kai with siblings and Gramma for a month seems cruel to all of them. 

Eric says we've never been apart for 19 days before.  So sweet.  I'm  certain we can handle that.  The kids will be sick of girl dinners after 19 days without him here taking care of us.

At this point I'm still attempting to talk Eric into planning to go without me.

I appreciate everyone on this health journey with me.  I love only having to type it out once.  It leaves me more time to focus on other things. The blog has been handy for keeping my amazing support system in the loop.

Full length, long sleeve flannel night gowns are hard to find.  My Mama wanted me to be warm through the recovery stage, so look what she had made for me!  Definitely very warm :)

Thanks Mommy.