September was a busy time with a quick trip to Ottawa for myself and the son in law to close/pack up the apartment and movers shipped the contents to this province. The teacher daughter has lots of room in two garages so stored the possessions until an apartment was located. Really tight housing market in the city now and finding a place to rent was a struggle but they finally managed to lease a two bedroom apartment with balcony in the west end of the city, near to transit station, free parking and heat included at the same price as their Ottawa spot. Another two weeks self isolation upon return (getting to be a pro) and more projects completed, more swims in the pool and books read. A few trips back and forth to the city as the baby continued to improve and all settled into the new routine. The family surprised me by coming home for the weekend of my birthday and we had the oldest and youngest grandsons together for a visit.
October first saw the move to the new apartment for the now Nova Scotians. Thanks to elevators and extra son in law helpers all went smoothly. My job (the most important position) was hanging out with the baby. Didn't take long for the oldest daughter to get settled in (not her first move) to the cozy apartment and we made our way home. Having made a promise of weekly visits "to do something fun" I have honoured the intent and daughter and son in law managed to get out once for supper while I enjoyed the baby. October also saw a call from Sick Kids in Toronto for the grandson to be assessed for liver transplant as his biweekly blood tests remained the same. After the question of health insurance (interprovincial move) was settled for the testing, flights were booked through Hope Air (wonderful charity that does medical flights) and accommodation arranged through the David Foster Foundation. As traveling out of province, special permission was granted for Dad to attend as well, because with the pandemic only one support person is allowed. They spent a very busy four days of testing/appointments from 8am to 4pm daily including some sedation and fasting. The grandson handled it like the trooper he is. The two week self isolation was a chance to recover from all of the interventions.
The two week post visit case conference advised that our grandson was being placed on the liver transplant database list and that they should pack a bag and be ready to go if 'the call' came. The team would like him to be 10 kg as better success with larger babies and since he was 6.5kg at that point some major high protein/fat diet required. The plan being that he would be Life Flighted to Ontario if a cadaver donor became available and only his mother would be able to accompany. They were also advised that a live donor is a better possibility if one could be located. It is possible for an adult to donate a portion of their liver as the organ is regenerative. Someone under 40, no health problems or lifestyle issues, BMI under 30 and passing all the screening. This situation was complicated by the fact that his mother is A+ and he is O+. Likely his Dad is O but doesn't know his blood type and has previously had hepatitis so wouldn't be a priority donor. Three of my children are A+ like their father and only one is O+ like me. This auntie didn't hesitate to put her name forward, filling out the 11 page health questionnaire and advising her principal of the situation. She has been moved along the system having bloodwork, chest xray, EKG, CT (for blood flow) and remaining an MRI (for vessel placement) booked for Jan 4th, both in New Glasgow as the first available site. Pretty impressive gift as this auntie has a two and four year old at home but as she said "my sister would do it for me" and this is true as well. I will admit that all this making me a bit misty eyed and reaffirming that I have raised good children. The transplant is coordinated through the Toronto General Hospital (adult) across the road from Sick Kids (peds) and there is a nurse for each service who are great supports. After all the donor test results are submitted, there are Tuesday case conferences where a timeline is given and the daughter would have to head up to Toronto two weeks early for pre op education and then a covid test 72 hrs before OR. I could arrive the day before, take her to the hospital, await updates during surgery then return to pick her up a few days later as there is no visiting in ICU or floor with the pandemic. An early discharge is hopeful if a private duty nurse accompanies to assist with care. Likely an AirBnB or a condo so meals could be cooked etc and assistance with the flight home once clearance is obtained.
We had arranged for family photos mid November aiming to gather the clan before lobstering began and as it turned out, fortunately before travel/visiting restrictions were imposed again for the central region after multiple covid cases amongst the 18 to 35 yr old age group. We were lucky to have a window of cool but dry weather for the morning as only outdoor photos were being done and the photographer and assistant worked his magic. We had some lovely group photos and really special ones with the grandchildren....priorities.
I attended three of the local recreation department craft classes creating a painting, a stuffed snowman and 
some tree ornaments until....I was excluded the final week for having traveled to
the city to visit grandchildren. The screening (no visit to exposure sites - mostly bars and restaurants in HRM) at the local hospital allowed me to visit a former coworker but the blanket statement of 'no travel to HRM' prevented me from craft class. No logic.
the city to visit grandchildren. The screening (no visit to exposure sites - mostly bars and restaurants in HRM) at the local hospital allowed me to visit a former coworker but the blanket statement of 'no travel to HRM' prevented me from craft class. No logic.
Lobster season has opened in our area....one district began last Monday as scheduled, the remaining district is setting traps tomorrow at 4am. Of course the weather has been terrible with lots of gales and rough seas as it always seems to be this time of year. Our son and son in law have a week in now and have surely been earning their money.
After multiple requests from my employer (as the pandemic arrived in Nunavut) and discussion with the daughters, I advised the manager I'd be available for a January Public Health contract. The plan being to head up before the donor daughter needs me, stop in Toronto on the return if required and extend if things are a bit delayed with the planning/ baby's weight gain. Haven't been to Taloyoak since 2014 so lots of changes and will get to hang out (after my first two weeks of solo living/self isolating except for work) with my jobshare partner and catch up. I've already started picking up baking supplies, coordinating the recipes and locating my winter gear. Looks like the only short to medium term trips available are work/medical travel. I've sent off my 2021 RN registration and named the city I travel from....awaiting my itinerary.
On a lighter, more positive note...I've discovered an entertaining Wednesday evening activity which is live at 8pm Atlantic Time, but available for replay on FB Live, YouTube and Twitter:
friendsandfiction.com
It's called Friends and Fiction and five authors (Kristin Harmel, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe) interview authors such as Kathy Reichs, Sue Monk Kidd etc. It's a great hour of conversation, book readings and fun. Through my local library I've also discovered not only Libby but now Hoopla which loans videos etc. Since entering the 21st century and having fibre op installed we are actually able to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. and enjoyed Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson in The Highwaymen (story of Bonnie and Clyde) this week. Much better than the CNN coverage that the shore captain has been addicted to the past four years. So. very. tired. of. USA. politics. Sigh
And today while running errands....I stopped at the local museum gift shop for a few small gifts as we're keeping the purchases to a minimum and...treated myself to a lovely scarf in the Barrington tartan...once a Barrington girl.... Gotta have your small pleasures.
We have (for the first time ever) become the owners of an artificial Christmas tree. It's not very tall in our high ceilinged livingroom and requires a box to raise it up and still requires some 'fluffing' of the branches But...it is prelit and there was NO usual Grinch swearing of lights being putting on. Certainly a win.
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| It blew during the night |
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| Gnomes r Us |
I have my fingers crossed the living room floor will be installed in my absence this winter. Some things are best experienced at completion....not lived through. With a busy/unprecedented holiday season and packing for north, not sure when I'll post again. Happy holidays if they arrive before my update does.
