This is one of those posts that could be categorized as too much information or why on earth is this woman telling us this. A number of you have known me for a long time now (some of you all my life) and I want to share with you a very personal journey that I am presently on. I am sharing it because I need to talk about it openly. I am also hoping that this will help me move on.


In June of this past year I had my annual examination done. Yes ladies, you know what I am talking about. The results came back that I had some abnormal cells on my pap. I wanted more testing, the next test, whatever it was they needed to do, I wanted it done. Unfortunately at that point it was a wait and see issue. They didn’t have the specialist in Iqaluit and that person wasn’t due until October. And even when they did arrive in October I wouldn’t be at the top of the list because this was only my first test and while the results were abnormal, they were low grade abnormal. The only thing to do was wait for 6 months and have another pap.

So life carried on as best it could. Always a tiny cloud hanging over my head from the day I received the results.

This fall I managed to get in to see a doctor in Calgary and showed him the results of the last test and asked for the next one. He did the second pap and called almost the next day with the results. The cells had gone from low grade abnormalities to high grade and I needed to have a coloscopy right away. The news arrived the Friday before I was scheduled to move to Edmonton to start my new job.

I arrive in Edmonton and manage to get a family doctor almost right away and get a referral. I was a basket of nerves the day of the appointment and am still not sure what I did in the morning before my appointment or how I managed to drive myself around town that day. I got into the doctor’s office, assumed the position and then he said, “You need a coloscopy.” Yes, that’s why I’m here. “I don’t do those.”

It was one of those moments of incredible vulnerability. Here I am lying on a table naked except for the paper gown covering me, my feet are in the stirrups and at once I feel very alone in the world. “Not to worry, I’ll get you a referral to the right place.” He was very nice about everything and actually explained the test to me and what would happen. And then he did another pap….cause I was already in position.


Finally..the coloscopy. Wednesday of last week I headed into the clinic for my test. The nurses are/were terrific. They explain everything very slow and clear and make you as comfortable as you can be under the circumstances. I nervously joked my way through all the preliminary stuff and held a deafening silence once the doctor was in the room. He performed the test, took a sample for a bioposy and told me to book an appointment with the nurse out front for a loop excision.

They said it would only be a pinch and would be over after a few minutes. It wasn’t. I was sore for the rest of the day and am still sore and now need to go see the regular dr to see if I picked up an infection from the biopsy.

Thursday of this week past was results day. I called the clinic and she said the biopsy and the pap they did have confirmed--high grade cells--precancerous.

So the good news is that they are as of yet precancerous and in March they will burn them all (hopefully) out/off of my cervix. It sounds like a disgusting procedure and if anyone has personally had a LEEP done and would be willing to share, please email me at northofnain@hotmail.com I'd like some first hand information on it.

I know I am supposed to be jumping for joy or feeling a sense of relief. More than likely we have caught everything in time. It is a very slow growing disease (cancer of the cervix) and normally women who skip paps will find out they have it where as patients like me who go annually normally catch things in time. But it is just taking me some time to settle into the results and prepare myself for the upcoming procedure.

That is my journey so far. I have read a ton of web sites on all of this, talked to a number of people and sat in silence in my home many a night thinking about what might come. Each person handles these things differently. A few people have offered up websites and tips and advice from when they had the experience. Much appreciated.

For those that are just finding out, I’m not looking for words of sympathy or condolences or anything like that. It helps to see it in writing. Please do not leave messages of sympathy...I'm not dead or dying...but I needed to share.

It’s official. My photographer status has gone from amateur to professional. I sold two of my photos this week. It was very exciting to get the phone call. I had almost forgotten about sending the cd.

A design company in Iqaluit purchased the photos to create display stands for a couple of the hamlets in Nunavut. Don’t go looking for them where you live…they will likely never make an appearance, but I will get to see them in February at the trade show I’m attending in Cambridge Bay. The cash for the pics is a nice bonus, but then again so is the photo credit. I'll share the image with you...but I need to wait until February when it is officially unveiled.

Work is chugging along. Not very quickly this week as my concentration is non-existent, but I at least manage to show up and do a few small non thinking tasks each day.

The person that I had been sharing an office with up and moved this morning. When I came in she had already moved everything out. There has been tension between us since the beginning…but this is a bit beyond. The tension goes back to her thinking that they hired me to take over her job and fire her…which they didn’t. And the reason we ended up sharing space is the link between our jobs (personnel and payroll). She doesn’t like my personality…I’m too much a bull in a China shop and act like I know everything and can make miracles. (Which I can! ;)) And as some of you know I am sooo hard to get along with. At first I thought things would be fine once I was settled in and everyone realized that I wasn’t firing the whole office. But no such luck. Yesterday she wore headphones all day. It really bugs me. Not that I need to be everyones friend, but I’ve never had such a definite dislike directed towards me—at least not since high school.

The almost daily snide comments from some of the staff about my lunches is also driving me nuts. I really did almost lose it the other day. I had some of my fabulous, incredible turkey soup. I heated it up in the microwave. By coincidence someone else had turkey soup that day too. “How long did you heat yours up for?” I reply 3 minutes 51 seconds. The next comment from someone else (who, btw, wasn’t in line to use the microwave) was “That’s an awfully long time. Do you really need to heat it up for that long?” I said apparently I do….and then it still wasn’t hot enough. This on top of the comments about the smells of my lunches is driving me nuts. Yes, my lunches which often consist of Indian and Thai food don’t smell the same as your SALAD…but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste better. Don’t stick your nose up at my choice of food…it is very insulting. Who has the right to regulate ‘smell’ in the office?

Here’s another tale in the ‘it could only happen to Jennifer’ file.

Last night I decide to take a bath. I pour in some lovely bubble bath, adjust the water, grab my book and enjoy. When I got out I decided to just relax in my robe, take my book and make myself cozy on the couch to read. Then came a knock at the door. Holding my robe tightly closed I poke my head around the door. One of the guys from downstairs is there asking if I know anything about the water leaking from his ceiling. “Oh, my dishwasher overflowed on Saturday morning. Is it from that?” He doesn’t seem to think so and says it was gushing not that long ago. “Dunno,” I say. The landlord is on his way over and will figure it out says the guy. “Ok.” And I close the door. I settle back onto the couch with my book and a very short time later there is another knock at the door. The landlord.

He comes in to have a peak. I tell him about the dishwasher. He doesn’t think that is the problem and decides to let some water run in the tub to see if that is where the leak was coming from. As we let the water run I mention I don’t know how to get the cover off the light in my hallway and if he would be so good as to tell me I could change the light bulb. (This has been an issue since before xmas.) He does it for me, but I know now that it is on springs…for next time. We check the tub. Nothing and no one from downstairs has come up to tell us there is more water draining out. Then a light bulb goes off as I continue to try and hold my robe together…I had a bath. “I just had a bath. Do you suppose it is from the overflow?” Could be. “This is the first bath I’ve had here. That would explain it.” Yep. Problem solved. Now someone needs to fix the problem and I can’t take another bath until I get the go ahead.

Yep…only me.

Part 2 of My trip to Europe

There are a couple of days missing from the Paris portion of the trip that I forgot to mention before. Thinking ahead, I bought an adapter before leaving Ch'town so I could recharge the batteries in my camera. Unfortunately the girl selling it to me didn't know any more about them than I did and I didn't have the right adapter once I got overseas. This became a problem when the battery died the morning I was to go on a tour of a few French castles. Fantastic sights. I bought a disposable camera, but have no idea where the pictures went. Back at the hotel they finally tracked an adapter down for me and I was able to re-charge the batteries in the camera...but not before I missed out on some amazing sights. Oh well.

So, part 2. Amsterdam. I didn't take part in any of the activities that are legal in Amsterdam but illegal in most other places. Just because I am on vacation doesn't mean I leave my morals or train of thought at home. Why did I put Amsterdam on the list of places to visit then? My main reason was to see Anne Frank's home during the war and to see some tulips.

Herring anyone? Me neither. I didn't partake in the herring. I'm not a big fan.


Tulips. Now that is something I can get into. They were everywhere even though they weren't in season. I LOVE tulips. Definitely my favourite flower. I would like to go back and visit when the are in bloom. I went to the tulip museum and learned all kinds of interesting facts about tulips including how to bring them back to Canada. They need to be certified or else they won't allow them into the country. I picked up some name Gabrielle in honor of my nephew (Gabe). I did get stopped by customs on the way back. I guess a whirlwind tour of Europe with a stop in Amsterdam could make the authorities wonder what you are bringing back into the country. I think he was a bit disappointed to find out that is was only properly documented and certified tulip bulbs.



Think tacky gift shop. They sell all kinds of souvenirs here, litle 'Dutchmen', wooden shoes, and tulip bulbs...but they aren't all certified so it really is a matter of buyer beware. I would have brought back a pair of wooden shoes, but I was traveling with a backpack and small carry on suitcase and the rather large wooden shoes would have taken up too much room.


Wonderful painting on the side of one of the many gift shops around the city.


I think this says it all. Truth in advertising.


The house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the war. Now it is a museum. Very moving. Definitely worth the visit.


Family bicycle. Ignore the garbage bags. Seat up front for toddler then the family and finally a wagon on the back.


Amazing homes. Amazing architecture. It was damp and a bit chilly and the sky was grey the whole time I was in town, but it was a wonderful city and I wish I had a few more days to wander around and just 'look'. Maybe next time.


Cheese anyone? Take your bike in and come out with a cheese wheel. Maybe not. The smell of cheese was a bit overwhelming inside the store, and I like strong cheese.


House boats along all the canels. (?sp)


The train that would take me from Amsterdam to London...via the CHUNNEL.


My trip to Amsterdam was three days in total. I wandered around for the most part, having no real agenda for this leg of the trip. The museums I visited took up a large part of my time. The one I don't have pics from is the Van Gogh Museum. Well worth the trip on a bus that I wasn't too sure about but got me where I needed to go...and back. The great thing about Europe though is that most people speak English so I was able to ask directions and get around easily.

I do remember thinking how civilized the whole place was. Even with prostitution and drugs easily available...literally on the street corner I never saw any signs of violence or crime and recall only seeing 2 police officers. I stayed at a Best Western...I did want to ensure I wasn't checking into a hotel that charged by the hour...and enjoyed sitting in their lobby drinking an alcohol cooler that I purchased out of the vending machine and then surfing the internet in the lobby while I drank it. A great time was had by all...and then onto London. Next weekend. Christmas in London and the Coronation Street Christmas special.

Scrapbooking attempts....

I want to add some printed text to the prom ones with the name of my high school, etc. The one of our dog Bandit...I'm not sure I'm happy with the bottom portion but will leave it for now. The cheerleading one I think is done.









One of my non-official resolutions for this year is to spend less time on the internet just...being on line. Scrapbooking may be a good way to spend that time...though it certainly is more expensive.

I turned semi productive Sunday afternoon and went for a walk. There is a river that runs through the centre of the city. Each side of the river has walking trails and pathways and parks. I jumped into Oliver James and headed towards the river confident that I could find one...and I did.

Here are some of the views that I found...maybe next weekend if it is semi warm I will head out again and find another section.






Close up of Christmas


Christmas ready to be put away. I'm taking a risk, but I put all of my ornaments loose into rubbermaid totes instead of back into the plastic cases and cardboard boxes they all came in. Takes up much less room and uses up some of the many totes I had up North and don't seem to need here. I may regret the decision to not wrap them all individually....but my theory is that as they are not moving in the box they should be fine. We will see next December.

I scrapbooked two pages last night. After three years of not doing it I finally got a couple done. I am semi-pleased with the results. Definitely more pleased with these results than the ones I did three years ago...but I guess practice makes perfect. I am hoping to do a couple more this week. I'll post pics when I finally get them finished.

I am in the midst of cleaning my house up after the holidays and decided I needed a break. I took my old computer out of the closet and decided to transfer some files to the new one. My first choice of files...my trip to Europe. I started flipping through some of the books I purchased over there the other night and decided that I should blog my trip. I don't think I did it before. If I did...ignore the next few posts.

For those of you who didn't know me before I moved to Nunavut and Alberta I lived and worked in PEI. 2005 wasn't the best year for me personally. One thing that did go well though was that I finished all the courses for my Master of Education. I wanted to treat myself for all the hard work and sacrifices I had made in the two years prior, and wanted to do something for myself before moving up North...so I went to Europe for two weeks. Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Here's some memories and pictures from my trip.

First stop on my European vacation...Paris.

After a long flight and a missed connection in London I arrived in Paris. I took the subway to where I thought my hotel should be and went in search of my bed for the night. After several wrong turns and a few stopped strangers I found the little street I was to be on and eventually managed to check in. I was very tired and after a meal at a nearby restaurant fell asleep.

The next morning I had a chocolate croissant for breakfast with fresh squeezed oj. It was wonderful. I then took the subway to downtown and started to wander around. I fell in love instantly. Paris really is an incredible place.

The Eiffel Tour and I played a game all that morning. I would spot it occasionally from between buildings. It was as though we were playing hide 'n seek. One of the first stops of the day was at the Louvre.



I loved these bright pink trees. They had Paris written all over them. They were just down the street from the Louvre.


The streets of Paris are tiny and lined with historical buildings. I never did get to see any 'modern' buildings.



Walking up to the Louvre. The Museum was incredible and you really could spend a few days there. I had an afternoon.




Inside the Museum. Just some of the many wonderful pieces of Art.


A typical European bike. This type of bike and this type of scene will forever be on my mind.


One of the many cobbled streets that I would cross.


Eiffel Tower. I really wish I knew during this trip how to use my camera, the photos would have come out with a bit more colour to them.


Me at the Eiffel Tower.


Yes, it is Dior. I never made it into any of the high end stores. I doubt if they would have let me in the door dressed the way I was. But I did see a number of them at night. Speaking of night. I spent a lot of time wandering around Paris at night and never felt unsafe. Sure, I probably was never out past 11pm, but still. Safe.


The doorway was incredible. It was in a quiet little neighbourhood and from what I could tell...was simple an incredible entrance. Imagine the work that went into this.

The next day I am off on a bus trip to Mont St Michel. Here's some text from their website:Le Mont-Saint-Michel (English: St Michael's Mount) is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometer off the country's north coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The (Abby) Mount consecrated to St Michel in 708 was one of the first place of cult for the Archangel Michel with the Gargan’s Mount. The abbey presents a big panorama of the medieval architecture from the XI to the XVI century.

This isn't my pic...but isn't this amazing? Mont St Michel



Fields on one side of the Abby.


I went on some kind of door knob kick during this trip. These hinges were equally impressive.


Almost our entire tour group standing in one of the many fireplaces.


Part of the narrow street leading up to the Abby. Well worth the walk.


Nortre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I took the audio tour. Well worth the price of admission. Construction began in 1163. Isn't that amazing?!


Moulin Rouge. Never made it inside to see the show. But thanks to Nicole Kidman everyone has likely seen the movie. One of the few musical movies that I like.


Cemetery. All the tombs are above ground. Very much a tourist attraction now. Some amazing architectural design can be seen here. Some of these tombs likely took more work than some modern homes.


One of the many open air markets that can be found around this wonderful city. I bought a scarf for myself here. It is a woven scarf and had a strip of fur on each edge. I still have and wear the scarf. In fact, just the week before Christmas this year I pulled out the rest of the fur (it has a habit of shedding) and now it looks as good as new.


Teeny, tiny elevator at my hotel. The backpack in the photo is a small backpack...not a full size one.


Terrible pictures. Wonderful man who made crepes. I enjoyed many a fresh crepe for supper while in Paris. Croissants for breakfast and crepes for supper...yep, healthy eating is alive and well in Paris.


Champagne in Paris. Seemed like the perfect way to enjoy myself. You could buy a coke of a glass of champagne or cotton candy or a corn dog at this wonderful indoor fair. I can't remember the name of it...I do remember spending at least an hour in line to get in.


And that ends the Paris portion of the trip. Next weekend...Amsterdam.