Monthly Archives: December 2014

I’m trying to take photographs on the sly, so I can’t get a picture of the big open counter area where the nurses and doctors gather, just like at Cedars. But you can see the side of the room, with … Continue reading →

The nurse couldn’t get blood out of my foot either.

Now they’re talking about taking blood out of my foot. I managed to talk them into trying to draw back on my port (another hopeless cause), but I figure it’s worth trying before we go to the foot…

So I’m in the back area in a patient gown now. It’s amazing how similar the set up of the ER here at Ottawa General is to the ER at Cedars-Sinai. It’s amazingly similar. My nurse said she’s worked here … Continue reading →

This is the nice note Dr. Chapman wrote on his company letterhead. It basically states he wants me to be evaluated for pancreatitis and bacteremia. He thinks my belly swelling and pain could be pancreatitis, but I doubt it. I … Continue reading →

I’m sitting here in the Ottawa ER (long story I’ll write about later, I’ll be okay, I just need some blood cultures pulled and that’s only done in the hospital here in Ottawa), and I’m sitting near where patients get … Continue reading →

I understand my father is dying. I understand my father is in a world of pain, incomprehensible to those without cancer. I understand my father isn’t ready to die nor wants to die. But… My father is just being a … Continue reading →

This is a very interesting article about improving palliative care, it addresses when someone is dying at home, it’s a lot of work for family and friends (being chronically ill in general is hard on those around us, but dying … Continue reading →

Lies I’ve encountered that (some) Canadians believe about U.S. healthcare. These are actual comments (or references or insinuations) I’ve heard from Canadians. 1) Everyone in the U.S. gets every medical need met right away. Clearly, they don’t know much about … Continue reading →

I’ve started to step up my ‘anti-cancer’ diet, and I’ve made two different soups back to back this week. Tonight, I did a chicken/onion/garlic/lots of fresh ginger/potato/carrots/broccoli with a little fresh mushrooms soup. I really don’t like mushrooms, but they’re … Continue reading →