The deets....

The details are that I have cervical cancer, microinvasive carcinoma I think is the term the doctor used. I’m quite proud to say that it is caught early.  EARLY. That is the magic of this situation, if you can see anything magic about this. (Go out and get your Pap tests ladies)

I will be having 2 surgeries, the first one being this Thursday, April 25th at the General Hospital. It’s called a cone biopsy. It’s a day surgery, so in and out the same day.  In some cases, this procedure can actually end up removing all of the cancerous tissue and nothing more is needed in terms of treatment. From what the doctors can tell at this point, they don't think I will need any radiation or other treatments. Because of some other issues I have been having thet last few years, I already know that I will need the second surgery which is a hysterectomy. Depending on results from this week’s biopsy, the hysterectomy could be performed in a less invasive way (as opposed to a radical hysterectomy) therefore resulting with quicker recovery period. I won’t go into details about the surgeries themselves (Google can do that for me) but I am at a point where I am feeling at peace with needing these procedures and looking forward to them. I know that once this is behind me and that I can get back to my regular exercise regime, will feel better, have a healthier life and live to be old, grey and quite happily wrinkled.

I’m not going to lie, of course the part about going under the knife scares the poopers out of me, more so the being put to sleep but it is done all the time and most that I have spoken to so far, actually liked it. We shall see. The idea of not having any control kinda freaks me out but I know that I will be in good hands. Here is a fact that at first weirded me out but is strangely bringing me comfort now – the surgeon that will be doing my surgery this week is the same surgeon that did my mom’s surgery five and a half years ago. So I’ve met her before and for me, putting a face to a name comforts me.

So for now, I’ll leave it at the following -  I am good, I am calm, I am positive, I am happy this was found early

Hugs all.
XOXO

. I’ll touch base after surgery day. Wish me luck and send the positive vibes my way on Thursday am.

Life

Life - such a big word. How could you even begin to talk about the word 'Life' as simply as just a word, a noun, especially in one little blog post, especially when you aren't the greatest writer to begin with. But, if you'd ask me the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of 'life' I would say - beautiful. It is of course much more than just that but it is a beautiful thing is it not? Full of adventures, obstacles, mysteries, people, animals, nature, challenges...

Now 'challenges', there's a word. We often think of the word 'challenge' as a negative thing, but I am trying the flip side these days and seeing the word as a positive. I am trying this method simply because I am currently facing one of those 'challenges' that life brings you that I don't think you can ever prepare yourself for. This challenge I am facing will be both trying on the emotional side, the physical side and the spiritual side. So why would I feel the need to now try and approach 'challenges' as a positive? Because I have to. I have to believe that I can face this challenge with a positive mind and heart. I have to believe that I will find enough energy to face this challenge. I have to believe that I will have the heart to face it, as well as all of the positive forces I can find within myself.

My beautiful life has recently given me a challenge that I know in my heart that I will get through by keeping a positive mind. My challenge is CANCER.

(I know some of you are just finding out about this now, and some of you have been privy to the past few months of my testing and doctors appointments and waiting, to finally getting to my diagnosis. I will be trying to write regularly for those who are interested in knowing what is up but don't want to call. This is all very weird but I will try and write when I can. Also just to add, I am OK, and will be OK. I will give more details shortly but this is caught early which is the saving grace in these challenges. I trust that I should be back to normal by end of year. This is not a secret, I am not ashamed, and I am not afraid to talk about it. Talk soon).

One year past

Well again almost another full year goes by without an entry. It's been a year (yesterday) that mom left this world. I can't even put into words what this past year has been like. Unreal really.
I'd like to focus on the positive which is that my baby girl, Sophie Ginette was born on November 10th, 2008. The rush of emotions that was felt that day was intense and mostly happiness. The sadness was for the absence felt but the happiness for the life created. Now at 9 months, she is just an angel that was brought to me to remind me that life is wonderful and worth picking yourself up for and moving forward. I will try from now on to record all the wonderful moments that my kids bring to me. As mentioned before, I had started this blog to please my mom since she took so much pride in knowing what her girls were up to and what they were feeling and thinking, but now I will focus on this blog as a way to record life as it goes by for my kids to eventually read should they wish to. I'll post pictures as well but I also post the majority of my pictures at http://picasaweb.google.ca/adelecroteau

Strange days

I have my reasons for not having updated this blog in a while and most of you already know it anyways. My mother passed away after a one year battle with ovarian and peritoneal cancer. Some fights were won and some were not. Ultimately, I just don't know what to say or how to proceed in this life without my mom. I know we all end with death but never did the thought occur me to think that my mother would leave us so soon. I imagined being an old lady myself with my mother by my side. As well, I have to admit that this blog was mostly written for her as she enjoyed checking it on a weekly basis to see what her grandson was up to. I will do my best in keeping this updated anyways as I know it also makes a great place for memories to be stored and fun times not forgotten.

With all the sadness that my family and I have had lately, there is also much happiness. The big one for me of course if the much awaited birth of my daughter, Sophie Ginette. She is due November 27th and I am already so much in love with her as much as I am with Julian. The second exciting item is the marriage of my older sister Julie to a fabulous lady named Holly. We can't wait until they are both living closer to us so we can spend lots of time with them and get to know our new sister-in-law more. Congrats ladies. Julie is currently on a posting in Congo for two years. It's far but we get regular updates from her adventures. I just can't wait until she gets internet at home to be more in touch and see pictures to her surroundings.

Anyways, it just feels weird writing now after all we have been through but I promise, I will make more of an effort and especially with Sophie on her way soon so those far away can stay updated and see pictures.

Thanks for being patient and understanding.
Adele

Three months later

So i've told Maman it's absolutely time we update this blog. There is so much to tell. Not only am I speaking arabic but I let maman know when I pee and I will also be a big brother come November this year. That's he/her picture above. Maman said on June 30th we will find out if I will have a brother or a sister. I just can't wait to have more company in the house. I will have so much to tell them and show them.
I our last blog, maman was telling you all how I can eat my yogurt alone now. Well that's me with my yogurt beard. I am much cleaner now though. That was three months ago.
This is also me back when bathtime was fun. I don't like it so much anymore. I am not sure exactly why but I think I would much rather run around the house then be confined in the tub and wet. It frustrates maman and papa because they used to find it easy to bathe me and now I just cry.
On easter, we went to visit with grand-maman jeannette and grand-papa Donat and I was looking pretty fine if I do say so myself. A little tie and everything.

So Maman has been feeling pretty yukky and she says it the baby making her sick to her tummy. She said i did it too but not as bad and that it will go away. I wonder if my sister or brother is kicking maman so it hurts. It must be hot in there and they must want to come out and play with me. Maman says in good time they will be ready to come and play. I can't wait.

I will try to tell Maman not to wait so long before writing more next time but I do tend to keep her pretty busy.

Just because

Maman (I mean me) doesn't have time to write much right now cause she is at work but she wanted to post this picture because she says I am incredibly cute in this one (notice my fav item in my right hand). This was taken on the night of Papa's birthday dinner. We had grand-maman, grand-papa, Julie, Camille and Manon over for dinner. G-pop made ribs and they were tasty.

Maman took pictures of me eating my yogurt by myself for the first time. She plans on posting those in the next few days. Apparently I had a yogurt beard. It was yummy indeed.
Later alligator

I love balls!

Ah get your mind out of the gutter...I went to Cosmic Adventures with Maman, matante Janet, Mononcle Pierre and my cousin Isabelle cause it was her birthday. We had so much fun. I could have stayed in the ball pit all day. I especially liked the blue ones, not that they are any different but I think I like the color blue. I also got to miss my nap to make it to this great party. I had chips, and juice and we played for hours. Then for dinner we went to nana's house and had cake. Well they had cake, I didn't want any.

Other than that, I have had my first bad cold. I was coughing all the time and mommy kept wipping my nose. It was like a fountain out of my nose. My nostrils started to hurt she was wipping it so much. Oh well, I am getting better now but Maman is the one who is sniffling now. I guess that is why they keep saying to cover your mouth when you cough...but I still have a few years to be able to get away with this one.

Friday is Papa's birthday and we should have more then just his birthday to celebrate. Maman told me this morning that Papa will be starting to work a normal day shift soon. I am glad to see Maman so glad but also, I will get to spend lots more time with Papa. Youppi!

Stay Tuned

It was mentioned to me that I hadn't written in a while and that I should have lots of stories from my second Christmas. Well I do but I haven't had time to write because I am so busy playing with all my new toys and also, maman and papa had to bring in the computer AGAIN to get fixed. At least they didn't have to keep it for a month this time. I told maman that next time, she should insist on a new computer instead of this getting it fixed every few months.

Maman just transfered all the pictures to the computer a few days ago so I will post some shortly but in short, I had fun. We visited lots of people, most I may have met once or twice but they all were nice, and a few little ones my age. I had fun sharing my toys with Victoria on Christmas Eve, shared again with my cousine Isabelle until she got sick and had to go home early (poor Isa), then got visited by Summer, maman's friend's baby girl. She was sweet and I also let her play with my things. I have to say that the highlight of this Christmas was getting to spend so much time with maman and papa. I didn't have to go to daycare for close to two weeks even though I like it there, it was funner at home. I got to sleep in, nap longer, cuddle with maman and watch football with papa.

So there you have it, another nice Christmas season. Pictures to follow soon.

Who's Santa and why does he want in my house????

So Maman and Papa took me to the community centre this Sunday to see this guys called Santa. Okay so what's up with me having to sit on his lap. He wants to come into my house and do what? Since when do we leave strangers into the house. Weird. Anyways, glad maman pulled me away from him quickly. By the way, hasn't anyone told him that it's not in fashion to match your pants to the color of your top. Whatever. His reputation, not mine. Other than the weird guy with the fake beard, I had so much fun running around following all the bigger kids. I can't wait until I can join at the craft table and get my face painted. Maman said we will go again next year. Hope no one invites red man.
Maman said I was her present this year, same as last but come on now, enough with the bows. Not funny.
Here is Maman and me before the encounter with the Santa dude. She does have an evil look in her smile. Bet she knew I would be upset by him. I still love you maman.

Without a computer

Maman et Papa ont amené l'ordinateur pour se faire réparé donc ca fait une couple de semaine que nous n'avons pas accès à la maison. Maman said it should be fixed soon so I will be able to post all my adventures once again. It's okay though as I have bene pretty low key since the last time I wrote....I mean Maman wrote on this blog. I got my first year shots....yahhhhh.....and then got sick. First it was pink eye, then it was fevers and an ear infection and throat infection. I had to take antibiotics for one full week. They were kinda yummy, tasted like bananas. But it made me not hungry and I slept and slept and slept. I made Maman miss a whole bunch of work but she said she didn't mind. I have to say, it was nice sleeping in her arms and having her sing to me and rub my hair. Maman always knows what to do. Then I got really high fevers again. Maman took me back to see Dr. Fisher but she said the infections were gone and that it was probably viral. Well turns out it was roseola. When my fevers were gone, then I got this silly rash all over. It wasn't ichy but just red all over. It was gone by Monday of this week and so I am back up to my normal silliness.

The last few nights, Maman and I have been having so much fun together. I was splashing in the tub last night and water was going all over Maman's face and she was giggling and so I started to giggle loud. We had fun. I also had a great day with Nana. She took me shopping around at Winners, Micheal's Craft Store and a few others. She bought me a fun airplane toy from Winners. I couldn't wait to show Maman when she got home.

Well that's it for now cause I have some more playing to do but I will write more early next week but won't post pictures until Maman and Papa get the camera back. Toodles.