Friday, May 5, 2017

The Jive Bunny: I made it to 65 but now have Breast Cancer

The Jive Bunny: I made it to 65 but now have Breast Cancer: Happy 65th Birthday you have the big C...I am very familiar with Cancer. My boyfriend from 1978 had Penis cancer and passed away in his 30&#...

I made it to 65 but now have Breast Cancer

Happy 65th Birthday you have the big C...I am very familiar with Cancer. My boyfriend from 1978 had Penis cancer and passed away in his 30's; another boyfriend died of Melanoma before the age of 50.

My Sister passed away in five months of lung cancer in 1995 and my poor Mother passed away of liver cancer in 2004 at the age of 81. The most amazing person with Ovarian cancer survived for 10 years was my best friend who passed away in 2011. Well now after a breast cancer scare in 2000 and endometrial cancer in 2015, I was told I had breast cancer called IDC after a mammogram showed cancer cells in the ducts of my left breast. I had the biopsy right away to make sure this would be caught fast.

We all have visions of living a healthy, wealthy and carefree life with a wonderful retirement at 65.
Well my 65th birthday was a series of Women's College Hospital appointments for Pre-operation,
starting on April 13th and a Rapid Genetic Test for BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes for newly diagnosed breast cancer women with Jewish decent. If I tested positive for either of these genes I would have to have both breasts and ovaries removed and my sisters would be told as well. I did find out I was part Ashkenazi Jewish/ Russian/Polish on my Jewish Father's side of the family and British/ Irish/Polish on my Mother's side. The same Jewish genes as Albert Einstein. I always knew my Father was a genius. There was no cancer on my Father's side and no Breast Cancer on my Mother's side.

On Thursday, April 20th I had an MRI at 8:30 in the morning and this was the most uncomfortable procedure ever with breasts hanging down and ear phones on to block out the banging of this machine, also I had metallic pins in my hair and this could have caused big damage to me and the machine.

I missed my Pre-admission at 9:00 am because I was not told it was on the 8th floor, got home and the nurses were on the phone asking me where I was. I was there!

On Monday April 24th, the race was on. Breast Imaging with Ultra Sound and special procedure and Tuesday at 1:30pm was the Pre-Admission finally where they explained all the ways of blocking the pain with injections and filling out more forms. A fire alarm went off at 2:00 pm, my next appointment was at 2:30 and I was able to go to get my Nuclear injection in the breast so they could take pictures of my body in another machine. I could light up the dark with my breasts.

On the morning of my Breast Cancer operation, I was told not to drink after 7:00 am and I drank the last of my pineapple juice at 6:30 am...when I got to the hospital at 8:00 am. I was told I had pineapple juice with pulp and my 11:00 am operation would be moved to 2:00 pm. There I was with a backless nightgown and paper slippers in the waiting room until my MRI and wires into the breast procedure.
What is it about bad nurses that cause pain and seem to love it? I was marked up like I was having plastic surgery all over my left boob with 2 wires hanging out where the tumour was.

I did have my cell phone and at 10:00 am I received a call saying that I tested normal for the Rapid BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, annually affecting more the one million women worldwide. Identifying women who carry mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is important for cancer prevention of breast, ovarian, fallopian tube and pancreatic cancer. I was relieved for myself and my family that my results were negative or normal.

So the time had come for my operation and block injection and when I was all wired up, I had to pee.
I had never used a bedpan before and it was like peeing the bed. I think I made it all in the bedpan as the nurse said," Yes you really did have to go!" I was rolled into the operating room and the oxygen went over my face." Where would I like to be right now asked the nurse. Scotland I moaned."
I was in my happy place until I woke up at 5:30 pm in the recovery room. My throat was sour from the breathing tube that had been down my throat and I felt no pain as I was on pain killers.

My son Josh had been waiting for me all day and had a sunburn from waiting outside in the sunshine.

The Women's College Hospital is now only a clinic and closes at 7:00 pm and I was the last patient to be rolled out that Wednesday in a wheelchair.
I was glad it was over and must go back for a post-operative appointment on May 15th. I will find out if I am cancer free or not.

There are risk factors that we can't change, such as family history, genetics, being a women and getting older.  You are either lucky or unlucky in my opinion. Maintain a healthier body weight, eat well, be active, quit smoking, learn about harmful chemicals at home and at work, and learn about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Living well helps reduce the risk.

Never think you are fine and don't need to be tested annually for a mammogram because that is where cancer rears it's ugly head when you least expect it. Get the tests needed for peace of mind, it could save your life.











Monday, October 29, 2012

Storm, flood damage plunge much of Manhattan into darkness | CTV News

Storm, flood damage plunge much of Manhattan into darkness | CTV News
Tonight Sandy does Toronto and the Jive Bunny reports 24/7 from the eighth floor of her apartment on the Esplanade with high winds and rain. The firetrucks sound in the night and one woman was killed by flying debris at 7:20 pm at St Clair and Keele St in the west end of Toronto. The night is one of the worse since Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

TCHC Evicts Poor Tenants to cover the cost of a 751 million repair bill

Toronto mayor moves to privatize public housing

Over the past 10 years since TCHC was formed in 2001, there has been a witch hunt to evict subsidized
tenants so that Market rent could cover the cost of a 751 millions of dollars worth of repairs needed for the homes and apartment buildings to over 164,000 tenants in Toronto. It seems as of February 2012, 700 houses will be sold off and over 2,000 tenants will be homeless. Over housed housing units will pay market rent if 3 offers are not taken to move to a smaller unit. The condition of the units offered are appalling. For example, I have lived in Cityhome since 1982 as an abused single mother, moving from a Jr.one bedroom that I had with my son till the age of 5 years, and then I was offered a two bedroom in 1985 and have lived there for 26 years. Just lately, from 2001 when TCHC was formed from Cityhome, Metro and Ontario Housing, a witch hunt has been formed to evict low income subsidized tenants if they are over housed,with three offers for units that would be more suitable for the size of the family No mention is for under housed tenants!
If no lease is signed Market rent is automatically charged, on the date specified even if the tenant is on Ontario Works, Social Assistance or Disability it does not matter! Forcing the tenant onto the street like the La sage Report in 2009. Where the elderly tenant did not fill out his subsidy forms and was evicted. The 82 year old man died homeless because of TCHC tactics of eviction.
In effect to avoid market rent, a new lease must be signed. The condition of the offered units are in ill repair and there are line ups to see these places.
My rent was raised from $386.00 to $1,299.00 Market Rent as of May 1, 2012. I am devastated.
The average person would have to clear over $60,000 a year to cover that rent. Social Services pays $362.00 a month to cover a rent of $155.00. What is a poor person to do who cannot support the market rent, but face eviction for non-payment of rent.  Social Housing has gone down the drain I am afraid due to my own experiences with TCHC and the Housing Tribunal from 2002-2012.
We are facing a situation where there will be no more subsidized housing or rent geared to income,
due to the high repair bill that TCHC has...keeping your subsidy TCHC wants every tenancy to know:
You will lose your RGI:
 If they do not submit their Household income and Assets review form on time or  if it is incomplete.
 Failing to obtain income that they are intitled to or not reporting an increase in income within 30 days
Not making payments to a repayment plan for rent or damage.
Being convicted of RGI fraud or misrepresentation of household income.
For more information on TCHC call 416 981-5500 or www.toronto.ca/housing/social_housing/rgi_guide_complete.pdf

 Being away from their unit for more than 120 days. Being over-housed and not selecting 5 other housing providers while on the central waiting list...or being over-housed and refusing 3 offers.
The later being my loss of RGI. I have also been on the waiting list for Toronto Housing Connections for 12 years with no calls.
TCHC is a bully and ruthless.



Monday, March 12, 2012

The Hospice at Perram House

My best friend Barb Pratt passed away in Perram House Hospice on a full moon on November 10th,
2011, at 10:10 am in the morning,after 12 long years of suffering from ovarian cancer. Barb was always a free spirit who believed in giving to the needy and she had many friends from all walks of life. When she entered Perram House in May, I hadn't seen her in awhile and I was shocked to see her so thin and fragile.
The last time I was in the area of Perram House it was the house next door at # 2 Wellesley Place where the Rolling Stone Museum used to be that was operated by Jerry Stone who owned the largest collection of Rolling Stone Memorabilia. In the year 2001, the house was sold to a private developer, as well as the house and the property on which #4 Wellesley Place is located. Frank McCrea purchased the two older homes and renovated both locations and supported the Hospice and it's programs at #4 Wellesley Place. The original owner of #4 Wellesley Place was Mary Ann Perram in 1878 a widow and Mother of five children. Prior to it's ownership by the Ontario Cancer Institute in 1968, #4 Wellesley was owned by the Sisters of Service of Canada, The Congregation of The Most Holy Redeemer and after that by several private owners until 1997 when it offered services for palliative care.
I met the most interesting people when I was there at Perram House with my best friend, Barbara, she had so many friends of every type who would bring her food and she would pay them. She would call and ask for different things like herring and bagels, beet borsch, that I learned how to make from scratch; and anything she desired I would go on a quest and find it like books, The Help. My last quest was watercolour pencils and a Husky sketch pad not made in China. That's when I got the call that she had made a turn for the worse. I had been with my favourite Sister, Patsy when she passed away of lung cancer in 1995 and stayed with my Mother at the hospital when she passed away of liver cancer in December of 2004, and my Father had just recently passed away the year before on March 20th, 2010 at the age of 99 by a mophine injection by a stupid nurse.
This was going to be the most difficult time of my life to be with my best friend on her death bed!
She and I had been friends since high school over 45 years and now she was leaving this earth the day before 11/11/11. There is another Angel in heaven now looking after all the ones that need guidence.
Barbara Pratt was given an Indian burial by a lake on Manitolin Island without her family and friends.
And I do know that she watches over the sick and dieing at Perram House along with Mary Ann Perram and her 5 children in the big house at #4 Wellesley Place..We all miss you Barb Pratt, you were called to serve others and I still have your cards and gifts that you gave me all these years but the greatest gift was having you as my best friend and my Son Josh's God Mother. I will always love you.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Niagara Fallsview 35th floor

The Jive Bunny spends Christmas on the top of the Fallsview Casino

Hi,I am the Real Jive Bunny,

I was born on Easter and came home from the hospital dancing as a 13 pound bouncing baby Jive Bunny.
I started up Jive Gallery 10 years ago in a dumpy neighbourhood on Queen Street East and have not stopped representing the Arts, Music, Painting and Dance. I have been an Artist all my life as well...
While on Vacation in beautiful Niagara Falls, I had the wonderful opportunity of staying in the Fallsview Hotel on the 35th floor; In my awe of the fabulous view, I took my trusty Sony Camera and video taped
the best view in the world and played the radio. Well, lo and behold, when I put this video on Youtube,
they banned the soundtrack, which just happened to be my favourite version of Lady Marmalade by Patti
Labelle and the Pointer Sisters from 1976. I love You More today than Yesterday, by a 60's group, that I totally love to dance to. I have never been so humiliated in all my life by the Youtube team, taking a creative moment and banning the sound. Since I started on Youtube in June, 2010..The Jive Bunny reports on Music and Art in the Big City, I have never put anything obscene or of suggestive nature on Youtube. I made videos of bands and Singers that are legends and should  be recorded. My little trusted Sony has served me well since June.
Starting with the June 23rd Earthquake, the G20 Riots on June 25th, 26th and 27th. The Stars of American
Bandstand on July 1st. at the Fallsview Avelon Theatre. I have fulfilled my dreams recording these bands.
The Jive Bunny," Swing the Mood "was published in 1991,by a group in England;and my Sister Patsy, who used to blast this Album, and who has now left us from Cancer in 1995 is dedicated to her love of music..

Back to Niagara Falls, the Security has been so strict, as when Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits told the Security to Get Out.. I really do love Fallsview Casino concerts and have loved every one of them, the last being Leanne Rimes who I have seen about four times. I have stayed at the Fallsview Hotel since it opened,
and the view is amazing. This time I was able to record it to wonderful music that was on the radio.
Some things are just meant to be. I was meant to be the Jive Bunny. So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 2011. Keep dancing and singing and love to love you baby. Keep those wonderful concerts coming.

LOL The Jive Bunny 09