When a Hysterectomy Closes the Baby Door, You Cope with Humour

On May 6th, 2021, I found out non-essential and elective surgeries have been postponed for the month of May because of the rising number of COVID-19 in Manitoba. The postponed surgeries include hysterectomies - which I was supposed to have in two weeks. This post contains the real word for "Mother Nature's Bill" and "Crimson …

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My Looming Thyroid Surgery – When it Hurts to Sing, There’s an Issue

"We have your surgery date." I'd just returned from a pre-op appointment with my head and neck surgeon when a nurse called with a surgery date. So much for waiting six weeks to a month. On March 11, 2021, my surgeon will be removing half of my thyroid, and a golf ball sized benign nodule. …

Misconceptions of the Childless Couple – When Risk Doesn’t Equal Reward

The following post is from my opinion column "Tammy's Take" in the Interlake Spectator. Some content has been added and edited. Six years later, there's a part two. And, no, I'm not pregnant.~~~~~ People find innovative ways to reveal their baby bump. Teasers on Instagram. "Accidentally" on talk shows. After an energetic performance at the …

Medical Lab isn’t Enforcing Their “Policy” – Why Have Rules if You Won’t Enforce Them

I like to keep my posts light and airy. Poking fun at myself. Laughing about my teenage sense of style. Eating raw cookie dough and shaving my parents' yard and so forth. But Monday, July 6th, I experienced an emotional roller coaster. Not felt since the sinus surgery of 2014 when I thought the hospital …

So, What Happened to the Birthday Blog Challenge?

It was March 18th, 2016. I received at phone call from the seizure clinic. The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) in Winnipeg's Health Science Centre had an open bed. So, how did a five to 10-day stay at Chez EMU sound? Why does everything end with "Chez"? With 37 nodules cemented to my head and face? …

What Do You Write about During a Pandemic – You Just Write

"ideas for blog posts during a pandemic" I Googled this tonight, trying to come up with a post. Seriously, what should I post about while people are either arguing or making fun of hoarding toilet paper? Some believe COVID-19 is a death sentence, and others are saying the symptoms are mild. When people are panicking, …

How a Heart Attack Put Life into Perspective – Eventually

"How are you doing with all of this?" My parents went for my dad's pre-op earlier this week, and she called when they were home. But that's what she asked me. How are you doing with all this?  My dad had a heart attack the night of February 13th. When I heard the news, I …

Another MRI Experience – Bye Bye Fasting, And We’ve Changed the Dubstep

Friday, February 28, 2020Dear Diary,  Last night I had another MRI. I was in the tube for about 35 minutes, and I almost fell asleep at the end. The sounds the machine makes are so weird. The table actually moved at one point. It felt like a ride at the Red River Ex. When the …

Dear Diary – The Entry I Didn’t Write on September 9th, 1991

None Kirana / My Orange Notebook It was a Tuesday. Tomorrow, September 10th, is 28 years since my first seizure. Right down to the weekday. But what about September 9th? Before my life changed overnight? Before I received the diagnosis of a brain tumour? What would my diary entry have been that night? I'll never …

Brain Tumour Awareness and Balance – Mine was Perfect

I was a figure skater with perfect balance. However, a symptom of a brain tumour is unsteadiness. It's Brain Tumour Awareness Week. Where we attempt to erase the stigma, educate the public, and so forth. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada wants the public to be aware of the above eight signs. But my symptoms? I …

My Second Brain Surgery – What Really Happened in Step-Down

December 14, 1993. Twenty-five years since my second brain surgery. It's been a semi-emotional day. I even cried into my coffee. No, it didn't enhance the flavour. I like to find humour in unpleasant situations. I pondered, and I chose step-down. Because, what the heck is step-down? And what happened? My first brain surgery on …

Bathroom Scales Don’t Determine Your Self-Esteem and Confidence – The Long Climb Back

September 10, 2017. That was the day I told my ex-husband our sixteen year marriage was over. One year later, this is the number on my scale. But it's just a number. I'd gained weight in Edmonton, and I had a closet full of television clothes. When I unceremoniously returned to Manitoba, I'd inch into …

Just Divorce Yourself – Conquering a Secret Fear

I conquered my fear of the dark! Sort of. A pin on Pinterest stated darkness is merely the absence of light. Sort of how plain rice cakes are the absence of taste. It's logical or illogical. Science over whatever isn't science. Whew, glad I can put that behind me. When I was a broadcaster with …

A Brain Tumour Anniversary – Marking With A Post And Memoir

Every year I mark the anniversary of my brain tumour surgeries. This year, I wanted to go beyond the usual Facebook post of "Today, December 14, is 'X' years since my second brain surgery," and insert mildly humorous antidote here. I tried to write a quirky letter to my second brain tumour. Then I attempted …

Do These Flannel Pajamas Make Me Look Fat?

I'm self-conscious. About my weight. My appearance. Skin texture. Eyebrow shape. Everything. A month ago - after editing late into the night - I groaned when my Messenger whistled in the morning. I was message-bombed. Moreover, weight-message bombed. A perky person messaging someone in flannel pajamas - that's right, I wear flannel - about Beach …

I’m Exhausted – But It Was Worth It

I can’t shake this fog. I know my body’s been through a lot. My meds were lowered. I had two seizures within four days of each other. Then my meds were raised to normal levels, and I jumped on the ice two days after my release – I mean, discharge. It’s obvious this is an …

Stepping Out of the EMU

I’m free! Well, almost. After 11 days in Winnipeg's Health Science Centre’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, I'm being released tomorrow. It seems like yesterday when I arrived at the EMU and a technician glued 37 nodules to my skull, and then I was led to my little room. I had two provoked seizures. My usual: awake, …

Because We Know It’s All About the Food

“How’s the food.” It’s the most common question I’m asked during my stay at the Health Science Centre’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Or as I call it: Chez EMU. And it’s good. It actually is. Okay, the pork is awful. It’s like blubber. But for the most part, it’s been yummy. I know, weird way to …

A Tired Joke – aka, To Tired to Write

After yesterday, I'm exhausted. But I wanted to write everyday. So, here's a joke. Late night humour. Once upon a time there were three tomatoes. A Mama, Papa and a Baby. The Baby tomato lagged behind, which prompted the Papa tomato to turn and approach the Baby tomato. And the Papa tomato said "Catch up," …

Pop the Champagne Cork

I had my event. It was a two-minute long seizure. I talked halfway through. Then when it was over, I was a tad out of sorts. I'm good. Thank you to the awesome nurses who rushed by my side. And to my super strong husband for being by my side. And to Ativan. I want …

When There Are No Words – You Write Anyway

I wish I could express myself, But I just can’t today. I’m not sad. I’m not glad. I’m an in between. Sitting here blue-plaid. Watching an EEG screen. My brainwaves on a television. Instead of me. My voice is off-air. Yet a microphone’s installed above me. I wanted to prove them wrong. I would be a …

Wire, Cables, and the Orthopedic Ward – I Don’t Remember Breaking A Leg

Wire. Cables. Everywhere. At least you’re in the right ward. While I sat in the foyer of Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, I glanced at the television above the reception desk. A 42-inch television. If it was meant to relax patients, it wasn't the best idea to have it on CNN. In all fairness, the captions were …

I’d Rather Be Skating – But Here We Are

Twelve days before Stony Mountain on Ice. My first figure skating competition in 25 years. And here I am. Sitting in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Watching my brainwaves on the screen in front of me. With picture-in-picture, 24/7 video surveillance. Gazing at pigeons out my window. What is Winnipeg feeding them? They’re frickin’ huge! Cemented …

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit – A Whole New World

“Bring some books and your laptop.” The nurse from the EMU made it sound like a vacation. Starting March 21, 2016 I’ll be spending five to 10 glorious days in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. During my stay, I’ll be hooked up to an EEG and EKG monitor while under 24-hour video surveillance. Complete with a …

Happy Shiny News and the Watershed Phone Call – Good Luck with That

Phone calls. We usually associate early morning calls with negatives. And midnight calls with dire situations. A call at 9:30 p.m.? It's often, “Do you remember so-and-so?” Think back. When was the last time someone called before sunrise to say, “Hey, I’m chillin’ and drinkin’ a Bud. Thought I’d give you a shout.” If this …