A Whole New Day! May 2025

 Where to start. 13 years later, I am restarting my blog. Welcome back, and welcome in. 

A quick review of 2012 to 2025:

Chris had his transplant April 1, 2011. He was in ICU 3 months, hospital and rehab in Vancouver 11 months in total. It was a rough ride. Bottom line we came home November 4, 2011. In October Tom and Dianne moved us into a different house in Quesnel. I came home to everything unpacked.

In December 2011, I sold my business to Samantha (daughter) and Linnea (friend). I was officially retired. I had been teaching at the College of New Caledonia (accounting and microsoft office and bookkeeping courses). After a year of trying, I had to resign due to burnout.

Chris was in chronic rejection from the day he came home until his next liver failure in 2021. January he was airvac'd to Vancouver. Being post 2020 Covid, the hospital was struggling. He was put in Critical Care rather than ICU. Visits were limited to 1 person/day and only one visit. No food, water, or bathroom breaks were allowed. We struggled.

February 9th, 2021 Chris lost the battle. Many factors were involved, including number 1 - once a donor liver was found there was a 48 hr testing period for Covid, but it was only viable for 24 hours. Not a chance. We found out about that restriction months later. No one advised us. So our hopes and prayers were for naught.

I was devastated. After all the losses we all experienced during 2020 quarantines and fears, this was my last straw. I shut down. For the first year I sank deeper into grief/depression. Near the end of year two, I found a grief counsellor. I had gradually started going out for groceries and appointments, and visiting with my daughter and family. Samantha was my rock. Dianne and Tara supported my by calling regularly. 

In 2023 I met with a phsychiatrist. I started taking a sleeping pill that worked wonders. With adequate sleep and fresh air, I was actually functioning in my life.  

Chris' loss was devastating. This year we are actually talking of finding a long term home for his ashes. It was impossible to even think about it until this year. My family, including Tom my husband, have been so strong. They supported me with no judgement. There is still a huge hole in our hearts for Chris. His quiet support and smile are missed daily. The biggest gifts I have received are from friends we meet on the street who hug me and tell me that they think of Chris, remembering events and things he said or did. I no longer fear he will be forgotten.

So all done the reminiscing. Tom and I are 77 and 72 respectively. Retired, broke, surviving on CPP and OAS. Our savings were lost during Covid when we got scammed by an investment. (Yes, another loss). We are healthy, happy and doing well. Quesnel has been kind to our families. I have no complaints.

From now on my posts will be much shorter and definitely easier to read. May you return, I promise to express joy! God winks! self analysis ideas! and more.

In memory of Chris Sinkinson (1978 - 2021)

You may not see them but the ships are out in the harbor and the bay looks great!

This is the view from Chris' penthouse room at the Vancouver General Hospital 9th floor.  His bathroom has 2 windows, floor to ceiling. He can sit on the toilet and admire False Creek!

Yes, I wish I could have a room view like that. But, I have managed to secure rooms at either the Best Western Uptown on Kingsway, or the Holiday Inn on Broadway.  Both have super rooms, great facilities and familiar surroundings.

If we have to be scared, and I know I am, then being scared in Vancouver is better than being in scared in Quesnel.  Here the transplant team is on top of every test, every decision.  We may have to wait for tests, but the tests take 24 hours not the 7 to 10 days of Quesnel labs.  Dr. Noel Alnahdi (sorry for bad spelling has been very helpful/informative and supportive.  She reviewed the biopsy results within 24 hours and identified the start of rejection in Chris.  We have been watching Chris' "numbers", and along with the new biopsy, everything confirms that his liver is under "attack".  Hence, the solumedrol (steroid) iv that Chris has had to have for the last 3 days (1 hr by iv).  Unfortunately that means that Chris will start all over again with the diabetes treatments, poor eyesight, bad sleep patterns, etc.  We hope he can hang in there until we get home for his insulin.

Worried - not really. So why the stress? Why am I feeling so overwhelmed and under attack? The fight or flight reaction is fully charged! I am ready to explode. This is ridiculous. I really need to get my head/heart/emotions back on track.

Prayers! That is what I need to refocus on. Prayers!

Normally, it's easy for you to narrow your concentration. Now, however, your imagination widens your vision as rational Mercury harmonizes with surreal Neptune. This heightened awareness enables you to see yourself in new ways, especially with respect to your job or daily routine. Choose your destination wisely and dream up a path that takes you there.

This was my horoscope for today. No wonder I am so “out there”. I cannot focus on what needs to be done. At least I did the necessary stuff – ie. Go to office and work on financial statement styles with Robyn.

 Now I just see creativity – mini scrap albums from scratch – art journaling – fancy cards etc. So where is my energy to make my scrap room look better? Hmm – at the bottom of the wine bottle? That is a scary image for me. I love my wine, but it must not take the place of the things I love.

So water plants, enjoy outside and music and wine - but, get inside to my scrap room and start to organize the bags of goodies I have collected. I can do it!

I have been following this blogger for months and love her insight.  I am a procrastinor and never do the writing I so want to do. That is going to change - and now I want to get my blog going for my business too. No problems - right?

Step 1: Identify What You’re Good At
Think about your line of products or services. Some realize better profits, take less time to complete and are more fun to work with. These are the ones you want to zero in on.

Step 2: Admit What’s Dragging You Down
It can be scary to turn down business, especially when you’re not making a lot of money. But as soon as you do, you start to attract more of the types of customers you really want more of.

Step 3: Keep Focused
As any small business owner knows, it can be scary to swing from project to project. You may not know what’s around the corner financially, and that can make you more inclined to take on work that you shouldn’t. But trust me; I speak from experience. It’s best to get really good at the handful of things you enjoy working on and let someone else handle the rest. The added perk is that you beef up your experience in this field, and start getting word-of-mouth referrals for your great work!
Now…what will you let go of?

Susan Payton is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, an internet marketing firm specializing in marketing communications, copywriting and blog posts. She’s written two books: 101 Entrepreneur Tips and Internet Marketing Strategies for Entrepreneurs, and has blogged for several sites, including The Marketing Eggspert Blog, as well as Mashable, Small Business Trends, FutureSimple, and Lead411. Follow her on Twitter @eggmarketing.