Visit to the SW Coast

I love it when I can get over to the SW Coast of the island where I grew up. I especially love it when my boat makes it over there with me. In early September we went over to Burnt Islands to visit my family, and we took full advantage of having grandparents to pawn the kids off on for a few hours, haha (not that they minded of course).

We went out around BI for a few hours one morning, which was great. I love seeing my hometown from the water. Here are some pics from that lovely morning.

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Heidi's First Paddle

Before the summer was over, I had to get Heidi in a kayak for the first time. I wanted kayaking to be a part of her life from the get go, and basically to never remember her first time in a kayak. So last week we got out for a short paddle around Little Goose Pond. Mommy and Daniel came to watch the maiden voyage as well.

Dragging the boat down the hill to the pond

All smiles as we get ready to paddle away

The start of what will hopefully be a lifetime of paddling!

Life has been pretty hectic, between work and family life, so there hasn't been much time for paddling. That said we've been having a blast all summer every day that I wasn't working. Lots to see and do around our beautiful province. When I get a rainy afternoon I'll post some pics of some of the paddling Angie and I did on the SW coast while we were visiting my family.

Arthritis update. My knee has been doing pretty good. Simponi has been nothing short of a miracle. Still experience some pain from time to time, and there is some permanent damage done in there, but nothing that I can't live with. Just have to do what are within my limits and take it easy when I have to. More details on all that at a later date...Its early morning and I have to get to work.

It's A Boy!

Say hello to Daniel Newhook, born May 19 at 3:48am. He came into the world very fast! Him and Momma are doing well, and Heidi is very proud to be a big sister. Exciting times!

Iceberg!

After one of the roughest winters in recent memory it was so nice to get back on the water yesterday evening. A week of Northeast winds have pushed some mighty icebergs into our waters, and one was pretty close to where I work, so after punching in some OT I rewarded myself with an evening paddle. The first one since September. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Seal Cove slipway. Amazing berg off in the distance

Life this past winter has had its challenges. A malfunctioning washing machine led to a flood on the main floor of our house that put us at the in-laws for 26 days. Angie is due with our new baby in 13 days, and Heidi, 3 yrs old now is not sleeping at night. Not to mention 50 hr work weeks. One of the best (or worst, depending on your perspective) winters in recent memory I had to spend staring out the window, wishing I was on ski's, or on my snow machine. My knee just was not up to it. So yeah,

Things like that make short paddles like I had yesterday that much more rewarding. Sitting on the water, breathing the air and witnessing one of natures great spectacles is good for the soul. 

We are getting closer!

A little update on my arthritis situation. For 18 months I have massive inflammation in my left knee that did not respond to any treatment. Very frustrating and disheartening, but not the end of the world if you keep things in perspective. I was very, very close to have a synovectomy performed by an orthopedic surgeon, when I found out I'd been approved for Simponi, and once a month injection (biologic). This is basically the last hope for people in my situation. My rhuemotologist informed me that it was very rare for someone with just one joint issue to be prescribed this medication, so it let me know how serious the situation was. Got an injection March 25, and the difference has been nothing short of miraculous. While I'm still not 100%, still don't have the full range of motion back, the improvement is very encouraging. I no longer have a limp! So I'm keeping at it, and hopefully it just keeps getting better and better until all the ROM is back, and all the strength is back. Long road, but its the road I'm on :-)

Amazing features on this berg. Massive pinnacle and lots of deep blue colours. Reminds me of a similar berg we paddled around near Keels several years ago, only this one is a little smaller.

A quick scoot around the berg (without getting to close), some photo taking, and foraging for a small chunk of ice for the freezer and we were back at the launch. 1.5 hrs of bliss.


So I'm back on the water, and soon to be a dad for the second time.  The adventure continues....and life is good.......

Plans Gone Astray

I haven't done any blog worthy paddles, just a couple short trips so I can remember what it feels like to be on the water. With my knee the way it is, I can't carry and load my boat onto my car myself, and I find it really difficult to slide in and out of my cockpit, so I'm nervous about going out into any conditions that may require a quick exit from my boat. I also find it difficult to have my thighs braced in the proper position to have good control of my kayak at all times. It sucks!

I'm going to be starting new medication in a few weeks. I'm really hoping I see some positive results. Nothing has worked thus far. Fingers crossed I guess.

One thing I enjoy as much as kayaking is traveling. Angie and I usually take a trip or two (or three) each year. The thought of staying around my house while on vacation gives me shudders! Life is short, vacation time is limited, and its a big ol' world, so I'd like to see as much of it as I can. Angie and I, along with our friends Chad and Kathy had been planning a trip to Nepal for the past 2 years. We planned to hike to the base camp of Mount Everest, a lifelong dream of mine. Everything was going as planned until last spring I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, and my knee grew to the size of a cantaloupe, and still remains that way. With a heavy heart I had to pull the plug on that trip of a lifetime.

So, to combat the blues, we decided to book a trip else where. Do something a bit more relaxing and suitable to someone with my  mobility issues. We came across a really good deal on an 11 day Baltic Cruise with Princess Cruises. It was a fantastic trip, and was just what I needed.

Hope all is well in everyone else's world. Thought I'd share a few photos from our trip, just to let everyone know I'm still alive.

Church On Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

Brandenberg Gate, Berlin, Germany

Peterhof Palace, St Petersburg, Russia

Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg

Gamla Stan (Old Town), Stockholm, Sweden

Humbolt University, Berlin, Germany
This is where Einstein went, and was also the site of the Nazi book burning incident

Icebar in Oslo, Norway
Nothing like walking into a room thats -5C when its +28C outside and having a cold drink in a glass made of ice!

Little Mermaid, Copenhagen, Denmark
The symbol of this amazing city

Lutheran Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland

Old Town Tallinn, Estonia

Viru Gate, Old Town Tallinn, Estonia

Remains of the Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany

Site of the Fuhrer bunker, aka where Hitler killed himself, Berlin, Germany

Stonehenge, United Kingdom

 

Viking Ship Museum, Oslo, Norway

The Arthritis Chronicles Vol. 2

I spent most of last week at St Claires Hospital, in the rheumatology department getting my knee looked into. I met with a rheumatologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, etc.. Turns out I do indeed have psoriatic arthritis. Bummer.....but glad to finally have a diagnosis and a plan deal with it.

My knee was really swollen, so an orthopedic surgeon drained some fluid off of it. The normal human knee has 5-6ml of fluid on it. He took over 70ml off mine. Said it was the most fluid hes taken off a joint.

Thats a lot of knee juice!

The following day I had a steroid injection in my knee. I felt just like Lance Armstrong, I wanted to pedal a bike the 90kms home :-) I had to stay off it for 48 hrs, which wasn't easy, but now, 5 days later, it is amazing the difference in my knee. I'm slowly gaining back my full range of motion. Hopefully in 2 weeks I can start swimming and doing water exercises. 

I'm off to Jamaica on Sunday for a wedding. Should be nice and relaxing. When I get back on the 14th....the ol' Seaknife is going back into the water again and I can't wait! Angie and I started watching This is the Sea Vol. 5 last night, and its really really making me miss kayaking. I'll be back on the water soon. Maybe then I can actually have a blog post about kayaking.

Brian

The Arthritis Chronicles

Been a while since my last post, and a fair bit has happened.....but nothing really paddling related unfortunately. Heidi is getting bigger every day, and keeping us busy as parents, and very entertained to say the least.

I had some news during that fall that kind of put a damper on my lifestyle. I woke up one sunday morning back in November, and my knee felt a little tight. Better layoff the fitness for a day or two, I thought, let it rest up. But it only got worse. Went to see my doctor. He thought it may be an injury, so it was off to get an X-ray, which turned out ok, so then it was on to get bloodwork. Positive rheumatoid factor, plus I've have psoriasis most of my life. So it looks like either rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis in my left knee. I've been limping around since November and it sucks! Next is an a appointment with a rheumatologist in late March to finally get a proper diagnosis and start a proper treatment. Its been a bummer to say the least, but I know things could always be a lot worse, so I'm trying to stay positive about everything. At least it shouldn't affect my paddling right?

On a much brighter note, we bought a cabin 2 weeks ago in the Traytown area. It is exactly what we were looking for. Under a 2 hour drive from home, in a sheltered cove on the saltwater, with access only by boat or atv/ski-doo (and on foot of course). We weren't actively looking for a cabin, but sometimes when something like this comes up, you just have to go for it. Hoping to get out there this weekend to check a few things out. Its an amazing area for paddling, can't wait to get out and explore the area this spring.

Hope everyone is enjoying the winter. And if your knees work properly...love and cherish them :-)

A few pics of our cabin. Bit of work to do on it here and there, but thats part of the fun.

Brian