5C's Que Pasa

DROPKO, Laurette Evelina nee D’Aoust December 15, 1931 – July 10, 2013

It is with great sadness our family must announce the passing of Laurette, age 81 on July 10, 2013. Although diagnosed with crippling fibromyalgia (F.M.S.), myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.), chronic fatigue syndrome (C.F.S.), and numerous internal problems she continued living her life fully right to the very end. Her intelligence, friendly manner and caring nature will be greatly missed and remembered by her husband Albert, one son Andre, three daughters, Contessa (Colin Jewall – Kelowna, B.C.), Denise, Lise and grandchildren Nigel, Nathan, Dana, Ayla, Kisa and Cezanne, one brother Dr. Bernard D’Aoust (Norma) and many other relatives and friends. She attended St. Mary’s High School (an all girls school) where she excelled in all studies, dancing, singing, acting and C.Y.O. outdoor activities. After graduating in 1949/1950 she took time off to travel, marry and raise her family, sing with the church choir and act and sing with the Edmonton Opera chorus. While her children attended grade school, she attended classes at the University of Alberta and graduated in May 1975 with a Bachelor of Education degree – with Distinction. Her successful English teaching career at O’Leary High School came to an unwanted end in 1988 when her illness was the direct cause for a disability forced retirement. From 1988 to 2002, with assistance and guidance from peers, school board, medical professionals, legal professionals and Edmonton East M.P. (Ross Harvey) she fought a long battle with Insurance Companies (Group Disability) and Canada Pension Plan Disability Agency. She exercised all her options for appeal and in doing so won the right to entitled benefits and at the same time brought about change in their definition and change in their application for short term – long term disability. A win-win situation for all paid productive members in our society who may become disabled. During the same time period and with guidance from Dr. Hyde (F.M., C.F.S. illness – Toronto) and local family physicians and specialists she became involved in the initial development of the Edmonton C.F.S. group and the C.F.S., F.M., M.E. library at the Grey Nun’s Hospital. When alive she always gave to the needy and to her favorite charities and now in death she continues to give. It is her request that her body be donated to the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine for study and research and her wish that no service be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to the needy or charity of your choice.

The newspaper obituary can be viewed here.  There is also a guest book that can be signed or viewed as well as a few photos I have added.

Tags: Mom

The bionic woman. The left hip is on the right of the photo.

~saw my surgeon yesterday and he feels it is best to just let the hematoma be, it will drain itself eventually.  I just have to keep watch for infection.  I also have to get back to my 3 times per day exercise session.

I was lucky that Dr. Oliver saw me between his surgeries.

~had a lovely chat yesterday with Mom’s social worker, thanked her for all she did for Mom in the hospital.  She called herself Mom’s advocate, standing up for Mom’s rights, making sure that everything that was done was what Mom wanted.  I found out that the official cause of death was respiratory failure.

~thanks to you all for your comments and support.

~because of your comments and calls and a conversation with my Dad, I have let go of  the thoughts I expressed yesterday.  I am now at peace with how everything transpired.

~my sister Denise who was at Mom’s bedside that night called me late last night.  Poor thing, she is so worn out but she wanted to talk and share those last moments.  We had a long and special conversation.  As some of you know Mom was French and we went to a school run by nuns.  Denise told me how she was praying in French and trying to translate the words of the prayers into English for her son.  A special bonding time for them.  They knew Mom had passed but they still kept talking about birthdays and Christmases and other special memories.

~Mom’s final wish was to donate her body to the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine for study and research and her wish that no service be held.  Yesterday morning her body was official accepted for research which made Dad very happy.

~Dad and I have had a few good chats over the past day.  He is a bit overwhelmed with all the paperwork.  He even has to go somewhere ( he can’t remember where ) to pick up the death certificate.  Are these things not given out at the hospital?  I asked him to get one of the kids to drive him around to get this done.  Wish I was there.

~a friend of the family, Guy, passed ( at another hospital ) just a few days before Mom.  Dad called with his condolences and memories popped up.  It seems that Mom and Dad were attending a wedding at Guy’s wife’s family ranch when I was just 2 years old.  I had to go potty and there was only an outhouse.  I refused to use the toilet at home but had my first successful toilet experience in the outhouse. What makes this memory so special is that the ranch belonged to k.d. lang.

She is about eight years older than me. Thanks for sharing that memory Dad. My potting training is now famous.

~I am starting to feel more settled and will take things poco a poco.  The initial shock has worn off.  My heart remains heavy which is to be expected and small things make me cry.  I am my mother’s daughter and I will be strong.

If I have to carry something I use the crutches as the walker has no baskets.

Tags: emergency, Family, friends, health, Mom

….I spent close to 5 hours at Emergency Monday, mostly waiting to see a Doctor and then another hour waiting for blood results.  Shortly after the Home Care Nurse visit,  my wound started bleeding bright blood and the lump returned and everything was hot and throbbing.  So off to the ER about 4PM. By the time we got home at 9 PM the dogs were frantic and I was numb.

I was triaged into minor trauma.

The diagnosis was a huge hematoma but not sure how deep it goes. My blood work showed my hemoglobin had risen to 98 and I had no infection, yet.  But I was still very weak.  The ER Doctor made a call to the orthopod on call who suggested I see my surgeon within 48 hours. So I am off to the hospital shortly to check in at ambulatory care where I will sit and wait and wait to see Dr. Oliver between his surgeries today.

Very sadly I got a call last evening by my youngest sister that Mom has passed!!!  I was fairly upset, naturally.  My middle sister was there with her oldest son and Dad, the younger sister and her two girls and my brother arrived about 5 minutes after Mom had died.  I was able to talk to almost everyone who was there in the room and later spoke with with my brother and Dad from their homes. Mom died peacefully with family at her side.  My nephew says that just with her last breathe a single tear rolled down her face.  Dad said that Mom looked beautiful in death.  My brother claimed that he saw 3 rainbows in the sky just as he got to the the hospital.

Still I am upset, perhaps angry.  Why was I not called as everyone headed to the hospital?  Why was I only called after she had passed?  I have been called every time these past 2 months when the family has been called to Mom’s bedside, except this past Monday night when they once again rushed to her bedside and of course last night.  I have felt out of the loop these past few days so I called my Dad Tuesday ( it could have been Wednesday ) morning.  He told he that things were about the same but that he had had a wonderful 2 hour conversation with her the day before.  That made me feel so good.  Then suddenly I get the phone call after….

Had I received a call ( one of my nieces or even the hospital could have called ) I would have been able to be there in the room with my Mom at the end by speaker phone.  It sure would have meant a lot to me.  Actually it would have helped a huge amount.  So this is what is mulling around my head this morning.

…off to see my surgeon about my bleeding wound.

Tags: emergency, Family, Mom

Perhaps I did do too much but the Home Care physio was pushing me to get up and about.  Sunday evening I started having major pain in the left hip and leg.  By 1AM we were talking ambulance and Emergency but I decided to dope myself up with morphine and stay put.  I really had eased back on my meds on Sunday, probably not a good thing but I hate taking drugs.

Colin was suppose to leave here Sunday about 8PM and drive to Vancouver where he would sleep in his car for a few hours and start 12 hours of photography.  He has been working on this for close to 2 months, coordinating the weather, renting a helicopter and renting a plane plus having the right ships berthed in certain terminals.  He did not want to leave me so soon after surgery but I thought I would be okay.  In the end the weather changed for the worse ( has to be perfect conditions ) and he cancelled the job.  Thank goodness.

So about 10AM Monday the Home Care physio came by and decided to take out my staples.

This is looking good compared to post surgery.

However when the 3rd from the left staple was removed there was a gusher of old dark blood.  I had felt a lump the size of a golf ball under my skin and it was constantly sore.  The oozing has still not stopped and I am now concerned about loss of blood, infection and just how much stuff is hidden under my skin. I spoke to an online nurse last night and she agreed with me about things not looking good plus I do have pain in that particular area non stop.

So I am now awaiting the visit of a Home Care nurse consultant.  I also have a call into my surgeon but no reply yet.  Their voice message says to go to ER in case of an emergency or go see my family Dr.  The latter takes 2 weeks to get in to see and ER is about a 7 hour wait.  So now I wait and we shall see what transpires next.

Thanks for all your comments and emails. I am not replying as I really just have not been able to sit at the computer comfortably.  Marty I am so sorry for all your health issues.  Wish I could be there there to lend you a hand.  Hang in there, at least they found the cause which is something.

A few of you are having issues with leaving a comment.  After 2 attempts, just leaving the site for a minute or two and then bring the site up once more and try again.  If it still doesn’t work please send me a message.

Tags: emergency, health, hip

It has been a long week but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am taking less morphine and more Extra Strength Tylenol and find I am not sleeping quite so much.  I still wake up every few hours during the night to reposition as I can only lay on my back with my legs straight out or on my right side with two pillows between my slightly bent knees.  Those are my sleep positions for the next three months minimum.  This too shall pass.  I am also using ice packs fairly often to reduce the swelling.

I still can’t sit for more that 30 minutes at a time for fear of blood clots.  I am on a daily blood thinner for a month.  The big thing is that when I sit I can’t break 90 degrees.  I can’t lean too far forward, my knees have to be lower than my hips and so on making for very uncomfortable computer sitting.  I use a walker to get around the house.  Thank goodness we designed this place so well.  The walker fits perfectly anywhere I want to go as would a wheelchair.

We really didn't plan on using a walker at the sink but it works.

I also have a bath seat that we borrowed from the Red Cross which allows me to sit on the edge and pull myself over the tub edge and use the hand held shower.

The girls have seldom left my side since I got back from hospital staying close on the bed but kept their physical distance for several days.  They are finally warming up to give me hugs.  The other night as I turned over I gave a wee yip of pain and Carmeh who was laying beside me moved her paw on top of my arm in comfort.

As I am spending less time in bed they are slowly venturing outside again but prefer to stay close.

This new house is perfect for recovering in, as there is always something to watch on the lake, be it wild ducks or canoes or water skiers.  Yesterday afternoon I just felt the need to get out so I gingerly came down those stairs and somehow hopped onto the golf cart and Colin took me on a 10 minute tour.  He was extra careful on the speed bumps.  It was good to get out and see what a great place we live in.  He dropped me at our neighbours ( just here for 3 days ) for a small visit and small glass of wine.  I couldn’t stay out for long,  just had to get back to my nest to relax.  I even managed to use my crutches from next door to my door and up the steps.  Colin drove the golf cart.  That was it for me.  No more energy.  By now I was verging on cranky and had no dinner plans so….

...we settled for comfort food and mine was even gluten free with rice noodles.

Colin tasted them both and found them to be very similar in taste.  I even managed to stay awake for a 90 minute movie and indulged in some chocolate cravings.  Hey I’m sick so I am allowed treats 🙂

Tags: Duck Lake, food, friends, health, medical