Robin and I were earthbound this year. We did not visit the Chelsea Flower Show this May. It is a little sad. We always visited our family in the UK too.
Here are memories of a previous visit in May 2005. This is the Chelsea Pensioners Garden (Ecover Garden) on YouTube. Filmed and edited by Robin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Rcza4jP_k
Warm regards
April
Monday, May 19, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
May 14, 2008
Hello Family and Friends:
Mr. McCubbin did the laundry and the dishes today. We do not have a dishwasher so he really DID the dishes. I think this is progress in the right direction, don't you?
Mr. McCubbin did the laundry and the dishes today. We do not have a dishwasher so he really DID the dishes. I think this is progress in the right direction, don't you?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 13, 2008
Her majesty Queen Venus of Hoggtown sends her Royal Regards!
A cheerful note to Robin and I from Clara. It included a picture of her dog. How could I not share this?
April
A cheerful note to Robin and I from Clara. It included a picture of her dog. How could I not share this?
April
Monday, May 12, 2008
May 12, 2008
How do you mend a broken heart?Robin had a post-operative check-up with his regular cardiologist, Dr. Neuman today. Dr. Neuman gave Robin a "thumbs-up" and praise for Dr. David's work. We were not aware of all the repairs until today's visit. We thought the hole was a surprise, but there were some heart strings missing also (yes, there are heart strings). Dr. David fixed them. Robin had a broken heart. Robin's echo looked very good today. Now he will continue to visit Dr. Neuman every six months. Since Robin went to this appointment alone, I will never learn whether the doctor recommended a daily diet of Swiss Chalet quarter chicken, white meat and ice cream. :(
Life is a gift.
Take care all,
April
Friday, May 9, 2008
May 9, 2008, In his own words
Hello Family and Friends
Robin wrote the following in an email to a friend.
My sternum is healing now as I can feel more support in the chest if I cough. Last three days have been very good -- walked about 2.5 kilometers yesterday although the last .5km was a bit slow with the old folks blowing by me but they were cheating as they had walkers with wheels!!
Picked up the cat the other day (about 10lbs) -- they're right about the 10 pound limit because I could feel the pull picking up the cat so not even testing any strength because I've read about people popping their sternums 3-4 weeks after surgery by doing stupid things (ie. one guy was driving and got in bad parking spot, had to turn wheel lock to lock several times to get out and ended up popping his sternum and throwing himself back several weeks in repairs).
Wakefulness is pretty good -- not nearly as tired as I was though a busy day usually means some form of resting next day. Attention span is still a bit limited-- find that though I sit down to attempt read something I'm just not ready to focus any length of time to really get started (they said it would be a bit like that, short attention, more a want to do something but can't settle long enough to really do anything) -- watched a few movies but find sometimes even though a good movie I lose some interest about an hour into it and put it away then come back and watch ending later.
Off the prescription pain killers -- just take a couple Tylenol occasionally now -- would describe it as moving from pain to more of 'some level of occasional discomfort' -- can't lie on side yet without feeling pressure in centre of chest but getting up and down from chair or bed is vastly improved from a couple weeks ago. Getting in/out of a car is still a bit slow because of being scrunched up a bit with car seating.
Generally doing pretty good considering how it's only just over three weeks ago they had me busted open on the table - incredible what they can do.
Ed. OK Robin, enough of the scarey stuff.
Take care
April
Robin wrote the following in an email to a friend.
My sternum is healing now as I can feel more support in the chest if I cough. Last three days have been very good -- walked about 2.5 kilometers yesterday although the last .5km was a bit slow with the old folks blowing by me but they were cheating as they had walkers with wheels!!
Picked up the cat the other day (about 10lbs) -- they're right about the 10 pound limit because I could feel the pull picking up the cat so not even testing any strength because I've read about people popping their sternums 3-4 weeks after surgery by doing stupid things (ie. one guy was driving and got in bad parking spot, had to turn wheel lock to lock several times to get out and ended up popping his sternum and throwing himself back several weeks in repairs).
Wakefulness is pretty good -- not nearly as tired as I was though a busy day usually means some form of resting next day. Attention span is still a bit limited-- find that though I sit down to attempt read something I'm just not ready to focus any length of time to really get started (they said it would be a bit like that, short attention, more a want to do something but can't settle long enough to really do anything) -- watched a few movies but find sometimes even though a good movie I lose some interest about an hour into it and put it away then come back and watch ending later.
Off the prescription pain killers -- just take a couple Tylenol occasionally now -- would describe it as moving from pain to more of 'some level of occasional discomfort' -- can't lie on side yet without feeling pressure in centre of chest but getting up and down from chair or bed is vastly improved from a couple weeks ago. Getting in/out of a car is still a bit slow because of being scrunched up a bit with car seating.
Generally doing pretty good considering how it's only just over three weeks ago they had me busted open on the table - incredible what they can do.
Ed. OK Robin, enough of the scarey stuff.
Take care
April
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
May 7, 2008
Hello All:
Robin went to lunch with Vivienne and Elizabeth today. They had lunch at New Toronto Fish and Chips on 5th Street. It is only a few blocks away. Robin said he had a nice time and enjoyed the company as well as the fish and chips.
This is excellent progress. He cooked supper for me today too. I could easily get attached to this pampering.
Thank you for dropping by.
Warm regards
April
P.S. No Desperate Housewives jokes please.
Robin went to lunch with Vivienne and Elizabeth today. They had lunch at New Toronto Fish and Chips on 5th Street. It is only a few blocks away. Robin said he had a nice time and enjoyed the company as well as the fish and chips.
This is excellent progress. He cooked supper for me today too. I could easily get attached to this pampering.
Thank you for dropping by.
Warm regards
April
P.S. No Desperate Housewives jokes please.
Monday, May 5, 2008
May 5, 2008
Hello Family and Friends:
Robin is gradually eliminating pain killers. I believe there have been a couple of days that he has been pain killer free. He has also been up and about more over the past few days.
We went for a very long walk on Sunday. He said it was his longest walk yet. It was such a nice day. It was great to be together for a simple walk. The neighbourhood looked so nice.
We sadly missed Lt. Col Miles Montgomery's (nephew) Assumption of Command Ceremony this Saturday at Niagara Falls. Robin and I congratulate you and wish you and your family the very best in your new command. See our families celebrating the ceremony below.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
May 3, 2008
Hello Family and Friends:
In comparison with the previous week, Robin had a low-key, sleepy week. He hasn't quite recovered from that horrible sneeze pain yet. However, yesterday he walked 14 blocks to the clinic to have his blood tested. He took the street car home to limit his walking. I really think the dreary weather had something to do with his mood too. It felt like we were in a Bronte novel with all that grayness and wind (perhaps Wuthering Heights).
Connie and Eric, our neighbours and friends, came for a lovely visit. Visitors are good for the heart and soul. Like I've written earlier, Robin is always perkier during and after the visits. Thank you for your visit as well as Larry and Mum McCubbin.
After nearly eight years of non-stop travel it is good to be on the ground and resting. A life of airports, hotel rooms and board rooms, although professionally exciting, is tough on the body. This is time to regenerate.
This ends Robin's third week. Next weekend I will be winding down Robin's progress reports because it will mark the half-way point in his recovery. I maintain this blog as a way to communicate with family and friends, so you are VERY welcome to stay with us for our normal day-to-day life reports. It's the McCubbin-MacDonell Soap Opera after that.
Just to let you know, we live in an interesting and diverse community. Our street and community have it's own blog called, "The Spirit of Lakeshore". If you are interested, here is the community blog address: www.thespiritoflakeshore.blogspot.com
Heartfelt regards to everyone.
April
In comparison with the previous week, Robin had a low-key, sleepy week. He hasn't quite recovered from that horrible sneeze pain yet. However, yesterday he walked 14 blocks to the clinic to have his blood tested. He took the street car home to limit his walking. I really think the dreary weather had something to do with his mood too. It felt like we were in a Bronte novel with all that grayness and wind (perhaps Wuthering Heights).
Connie and Eric, our neighbours and friends, came for a lovely visit. Visitors are good for the heart and soul. Like I've written earlier, Robin is always perkier during and after the visits. Thank you for your visit as well as Larry and Mum McCubbin.
After nearly eight years of non-stop travel it is good to be on the ground and resting. A life of airports, hotel rooms and board rooms, although professionally exciting, is tough on the body. This is time to regenerate.
This ends Robin's third week. Next weekend I will be winding down Robin's progress reports because it will mark the half-way point in his recovery. I maintain this blog as a way to communicate with family and friends, so you are VERY welcome to stay with us for our normal day-to-day life reports. It's the McCubbin-MacDonell Soap Opera after that.
Just to let you know, we live in an interesting and diverse community. Our street and community have it's own blog called, "The Spirit of Lakeshore". If you are interested, here is the community blog address: www.thespiritoflakeshore.blogspot.com
Heartfelt regards to everyone.
April
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)