Solstice Arrival

For those of you that missed my Facebook update yesterday, we have a new arrival at The Farm.  She's yet to be named but is a bundle of sweet love.  Mum and baby are doing great.

We had NO IDEA this mare was even pregnant.  HOW, you say, HOW can you not know your mare is pregant?  First of all, she isn't our mare...so a few weeks ago, my Mum and I said to Deb (her owner) that maybe she needed worming or something because her belly was quite large.  She told us that Misty is always like this, and a bit of a "belly breather".  This, combined with the thought that her stallion was a "dud stud" (and ironically was gelded 2 weeks ago because of this...) no one even suspected there would be a winter surprise.  Until 4 days ago when Deb came rushing into the farmhouse kitchen panting that "Misty gots boobs!  They're FULL of milk!!! OMG, I think we're having a baby!!!!"  So, we had time to bring her into the barn.  Just as well, temperatures have plummeted to -27 or so the past 4 nights, not exactly baby-friendly weather.

Anyway, here she is...just an hour old.

Fundraising Effort for Mastocytosis Society of Canada

We are pleased to announce our kickoff fundraiser for the officially incorporated Mastocytosis Society of Canada.  IF you have magazines to renew, would like to give any magazines as gifts (especially for Christmas) please consider going to this site:
http://www.magfundraising.ca/grouppage.aspx?gredirection=1&e=1198356

The site is secure. From the purchase of your magazines, funds will go to support research for a cure, education and support for those with Mastocytosis (and its various incarnations) and their families, accurate information and access to forums & discussions which path the road to hope.  Join us.

What is extra cool about getting your magazines here, is that you'll save up to 80% off the cover price.  There are over 800 magazines to choose from.  Incredible selection.

Just click on the link above, and you'll go right to the page.  Thanks.

Life In The Bloglane

In light of some recent negative blogdom, I had promised not to blog ever again. It turns out that this forum is useful and informative and as such comes with great responsibility...I've been asked NOT to cease blogging by some folks...so I think the focus of this blog will be what it has become...about this journey with Mastocytosis/Mast Cell Disease.

So here we go....

I'm wondering if anyone else with Masto./Mast Cell Disease experiences the following: getting really cold (even if the heat is on), hand shaking or blue nails/fingertips...not necessarily all at the same time. Another Masto. person and I were talking about this today. Turns out neither one of us are sure if it's Masto. related or something else. We've both had our thyroid's checked and they are fine. So...IF you experience, or have ever experienced this, perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing through the COMMENTS button? Thank you.

I'm having to moderate the comments only because this blog was being inundated by ads for penis enlargement products and the like, and apparently moderating comments ceases said such ads. Not even blogdom is safe from spamming.

Mastocytosis Society of Canada

It's official!!!! The Mastocytosis Society of Canada is up, running and officially non-profit. If I'm permitted, or it's doable, will post a link on the side for anyone wanting to donate to helping us find a cure for this disease. Watch for our website in the coming months...we will be providing support, information, forums for discussion, Q. & A.'s, and helping you to know that you are not alone with this illness.

We will be instigating some fundraising endeavours for this worthy cause in the near future. IF you have any ideas yourself, please post a comment or email me with your ideas. We need to find a cure. This disease is real; it's debilitating and doesn't go away with positive thinking (despite my personal best efforts.)

There is important work to be done in this regard. Together, we can find a cure. We need to fund research and educate our world about this disease. I can't wait for our website to be up and running. Sharing our information, resources and ways to manage our lives is vital to our well being and for those that love us.

Feeling Groovy

Well, ventured out on a small outing this past weekend, to a WalMart south of here in a more urban setting, with my Mum and the girls. My oldest daughter had a special birthday party to go to. I medicated before I went in...just in case & wore a mask. However, less than 10 minutes in the superstore and my tongue was tingling and I felt suddenly weak and light headed.

So, I told Mum to carry on with what the girls needed (and our small list) and I would head out to the car. Got that wonderful little pain in my right lung, that usually indicates my respiratory system is about to get involved. Then, I suddenly had to go poo and pee all at the same time...but needed to exit the building too. So, I raced out to the car. Just in time to chirp in the parking lot. Aren't I special to go shopping with?

It's amazing HOW quickly all these body systems are activated. I epi sprayed and took prednisone, and additional dose of benadryl, reactine, Gastrocom and ranitidine...as directed by my Immunologist. Epi spray is the bomb, but it stings on the tongue. Prednisone makes me fat and bitchy. Benadryl zones me right out.

Mum and the girls came out to the car. I realized, at this point, the dangers in wanting to 'run away' and handle these reactions on my own. I do this. Run away. Or try to. Mum got to the car and said, "oh my God, look how red and blotchy you are!"...oh right, I was itchy too. I told her I needed a bathroom asap. So, we buckled and drove over to Tim Horton's, which is a mostly harmless place for me. God help the poor person who needed the loo after I was done in there. Post-surgical constipation alleviated in one small reaction....amazing.

My poor body. Recovering from this hysterectomy and having a flare up like this. So, I spent the rest of my weekend, recovering from this little outing. In some respects, it was good to 'activate' my digestive system as I'd been having post-surgery, normal, blocked bowels. Feeling all regular now. And was pretty much back to normal Sunday night....just tired.

I want to feel ridiculous for thinking I'd be ok for this outting...but as some good friends reminded me, it's normal to test your limits...especially when they are so limiting so much of the time. It's normal to hope that after a surgery of this magnitude that you'll be ALL better. Especially when you've been feeling so much lighter, so much more 'whole' and feeling like a bowling ball has been removed from your gut. It's just a bit of downer to realize that environments are still dangerous and hurtful to this body. Obviously, I still need to be careful, take my medications regularly and be smart about where and when to go places. Sigh...