Grandma had it right ...

So today is April 30^th and it is one of those dates I sure try not to forget. This is Neil’s birthday. I was able to send him a text that he got right around midnight, while he was working.  The only reason I was able to do that is that I was awakened at about 3:00 a.m. today because I had to pee. So I got up and noticed the clock said 3:00. That prompted me to remember that Vancouver time is three hours off from Timmins time. So I sent Neil a quick and cheerful birthday note. I didn’t read his answer until about 9:00 a.m. today.  So that was cool and fun. Holy Jeez Neil! 33 already eh. Wow.

Hmmm… one of these days, I may get more grandchildren. OMG I can hear Jennifer laughing from here! Just kidding Neil.

Speaking of babies, I was at the Timmins and District hospital today where they announced a “new” form of infant care.  It’s called the Mother-Baby Dyad Program. The idea is to have the newborn spend more time with the mother, live in the hospital room with the mom, instead of being kept in another room; all to promote a greater sense of closeness and well-being.

The chief nurse explaining the program asked the reporters if they had any questions. I looked at the other media folks who didn’t seem to be ready to say anything, so I asked, “Isn’t this the sort of thing my Grandma did when she had her babies?”

The nurse said yes, that’s exactly what the program does. It seems as more and more moms went to have their babies in hospitals over the years, the protocol of care created a situation where mom and baby were given care in separate places. Well, some wise person discovered that having mom and baby spend more time together is a better way of doing things. There will be exceptions of course, if mom or the baby develops any sort of a serious illness that requires special treatment.

So I felt good to learn that change does not always mean doing something new.

It’s busier than usual in Timmins these days. All that snow we got this winter has NOT melted yet, but it is melting very fast. That means flooding in local lakes and rivers. So it will be a tense time for folks living near water in the next week or so. 

 

WESTREE CODFISH ...

Oh by the way I enjoyed a few days of excellent seafood last week. I cooked up a batch of Westree cod. Betcha didn't know you can get cod in Westree, eh? I breaded it and cooked it so nicely in the cast iron frying pan. Oh yeah, it was good. I had a big feed one night with potatoes, and then had cod sandwiches for a few days after that... with lettuce, tomato, Miracle Whip and pepper sauce. 

The good news about cancer ...

I was thinking a lot of about Jennifer this week when I met with Martin Kabat, the CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario division. He is on a tour to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the cancer society, so he was a news story. What impressed me was meeting with some local cancer survivors, who had incredible stories. Of course, my mind wandered back to the days when Jennifer had her own struggle. And her own incredible story.

I was pleased to spend some time with a close friend, who is in her 50s. Her name is Judi.  Her grandmother died of ovarian cancer. Her mother died of ovarian cancer.  A couple of years ago, Judi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. But now,  Judi is a survivor. Her hair is growing back and she looks great. There is a photo of her on my news website.  Thank goodness there are more and more stories of people who survive. Part of Judi’s story is that the cancer focused her life in a way she never expected. Suddenly she knew what was important and what was not. And it brought her family closer together. I know that has happened in our family. Anyway I was happy to write about Judi. She is a nice lady with a wonderful family. And we were both happy to see each other. I hope we see each other for a long, long time.