Today Should Have Been the Day | Halifax, NS

February 15, 2010.  It was supposed to be the day of my surgery.  Oh, it seemed so far away!  There was so much time to worry and fret.  The angst I was having.  I was afraid I would die on the operating table and I kept making mental lists of what needed to be done before the surgery.  I wanted my life tidied up - literally and figuratively.  Clean out the storage closet / decide what should be done with my stuff / make a list of bank accounts / and on and on and on...  

Then we got the call on February 2 to come in and  have surgery the very next day.  In the midst of the snowstorm, off we went to meet with Margaret (the breast health nurse) and have a dye injection in my breast (it helps locate the lymph nodes during the surgery).  My time of worrying was over with the buzz of all the activity. 

The morning of February 3rd, en route to the hospital with my gang; I don't look worried at all, although I think I was distracted by my cute new mittens (thanks Nancy!):

Even though I was either asleep or high most of the day, I still have a few stories that needed to be blogged, things I want to remember, things that will make you giggle.  They'll be coming soon.

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Karla | Halifax, NS to Toronto, ON

We met on July 8, 2003.  Karla and I were hired to work in the same department and this was my first day on the job; she had been employed with the company for a year at that time so she knew all the ropes.

I had left my job in Sydney and moved to Halifax and the promises that the big city held.  I had family in the city, but no friends to call my own.   My new position looked interesting and I looked forward to meeting new people and making a new life.  As luck would have it, Karla and I had desks adjacent to each other.  I was "the new girl" with some of our co-workers and was never really accepted, but not so with Karla.  It took awhile but we soon started having lunch together, then the occasional dinner.  Soon "occasional" became "frequent" and we became great friends.

Karla has big changes in her life and is leaving Halifax and heading to Toronto.  I am excited for her and hopeful that she will embrace the change and take advantage of all things the big city has to offer.  But I'm sad for me.

Karla, my dear friend, I am going to miss our lunches, our Girls' Nights, the rent-a-kitties, and our 2 o'clock specials.  You have been a wonderful friend and I wish nothing but the best for you.  I continue to hold out the hope that you and Justin will discover that Halifax is home and head back this way in a couple of years.  So enjoy Toronto, but remember your East Coast roots.  Don't stay away too long.

Love,

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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It Hasn't All Been Smooth Sailing | Halifax, NS

For the most part, I've been recovering pretty well.  There have been a few hiccups in the past week; nothing horrible, just enough to make life interesting.

The bandages came off on Monday.  Seeing yourself for the first time with a fresh scar isn't easy.  It took me a few days, but now where I see a scar I see survival.

I also had an unplanned trip to the hospital where the nurse suggested my breast may explode because of the excess fluid from the surgery.  "Don't panic," she said.  Really?  Because I'm pretty sure no matter what you tell me, if my breast explodes I'm going to panic. 

Deodorant.  It may just be the greatest invention ever.  I'm just sayin.

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Too Much Information | Halifax, NS

There is a fine line here, the line dividing the information that is safe to share on the internet with family, friends, clients and others who randomly end up here from the information that's just too personal.

I love that each and every one of you are here, but I write for me.  I want to remember my journey, I want people close to me to know what I'm going through and how I'm handling it, and there's a teensy part of me that would like to think that my random ramblings may some how help someone else who has those terribly scary feelings after finding that fateful lump.  It is these things that help me determine where that line is.  When something may fall under the category of Too Much Information, there's a chance I may tell you about it.  Especially if it has made me laugh.  Or I think you will laugh.  

But you'll have to stay tuned for those...

Have a fantabulous weekend!

xoxo

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Wordless Wednesday - New Booties! | Halifax, NS

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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I Know He Loves Me | Halifax, NS

I was three days post-surgery and struggling with all that has happened.

I hadn't yet showered and my hair had three days of bedhead and about six naps built up.

He saw the struggle and fear in my eyes and leaned over and gently kissed me.  "You're beautiful," he said.

And I know he loves me.

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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Let The Stink Blow Off Ya | Halifax, NS

If you'd been in the house too long, that's what my Nanny Kyte used to say:  "Go outside and let the stink blow off ya."  Seems like a good rule of thumb so today that's what I did, I ventured outdoors.  We didn't go far, just a quick walk around the parking lot with the camera.  See, I didn't even take my pajamas off:

xoxo

...Kare

email:  karenk{at}eastlink.ca

website:  http://www.karenkyte.com

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