My Blog - Page 2 of 10 - N. J. Lindquist

LoveChild 14a: Our Sherritt / Baird Heritage Pt. 1

My desire to understand my parents led me all the way back to Ireland during the famine of the 1840s.

Breast Cancer: A Caregiver’s Perspective

When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, Les Lindquist had no choice but to become her primary caregiver. That led to his battling depression.

My One-Year Breast Cancer Anniversary

Me in the Maritimes September, 2018.One year ago today, Les and I were driving a sturdy rental car through a barren stretch on the north shore of Newfoundland when my cell phone rang. First, I was surprised that there was any cell coverage—for much of this trip there wasn’t. Second, since I rarely give out my number, […]

10 Months After Learning I Might Have Cancer, I’m Almost Back to Being “Normal Me”

This is going to be short, but I wanted to let everyone know that I’m more or less back after an unexpected hiatus due to a routine mammogram that found a small breast tumour that turned out to be cancer.10 months ago, my life went on an unexpected detour…After the phone call indicating a possible […]

Growing Up Adopted: An Interview with N. J. Lindquist

Last October, my daughter-in-law Elle Lindquist interviewed me about growing up as an adopted child in the years before open adoption and how that has impacted my life—which is related to the memoir I’m blogging here. This interview was planned in the summer before I had the routine mammogram that indicated I might have cancer. And […]

Chemotherapy, Breast Cancer, and Me – Part 5

After discovering that my oncologist wanted me to have chemotherapy, I had two weeks to decide what to do and get ready.

Pathology Reports, Breast Cancer, and Me – Part 4

If you missed part 1 of this story, you can read it here. Part 2 of this story. Part 3 of this story. “The goal is to live a full, productive life even with all that ambiguity. No matter what happens, whether the cancer never flares up again or whether you die, the important thing is that […]

LoveChild 13: Our Shaw / Brown Heritage

“No journey is too great if you find what you seek.”Anonymous Since Dad rarely spoke about his background, almost everything I know about it was told to me by my mother (and inevitably coloured by her perspective), picked up through my own observations, or overheard when members of Dad’s family were talking. In addition, the Shaw […]

LoveChild 12: My Mother’s Story

“I’m just kind of taking whatever life gives me and hoping that I make the right decision.”Amy Smart Margaret MacDonald left home when she was 16 to go to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and start a new life. On the surface, her story is a simple one. Eldest child of a 17-year-old mother and a […]

LoveChild 11: My Mother’s Parents, Bruce and Alice MacDonald

“You don’t stumble upon your heritage. It’s there, just waiting to be explored and shared.”Robbie Robertson Read my post about Bruce’s family – Our MacDonald / Casselman Heritage.Read my post about Alice’s family – Our Agnew / Shaw Heritage.Wapella, SaskatchewanAs I indicated in the two previous posts, Alice was born in Wapella, Saskatchewan, and had […]

Surgery, Breast Cancer, and Me – Part 3

If you missed part 1 of this story, you can read it here. If you missed part 2 of this story, you can read it here. “With all due respect to my surgeon, in a perfect world he would be out of a job.” Russ Ramsey, Struck: One Christian’s Reflections on Encountering Death So Much to […]

LoveChild 10: Our Agnew / Shaw Heritage

“Do not diminish who you are. Your gender, your heritage, your identity. That’s what makes you unique.” Strong by Kailin Gow The Agnew FamilyI realize this part of my story might be of interest to only a small number of people, so feel free to skip it. My focus isn’t on finding out all the details […]

Biopsies, Breast Cancer, and Me – Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this story, you can read it here. “Breast cancer is being detected at an earlier, more treatable stage these days, largely because women are taking more preventive measures, like self-exams and regular mammograms. And treatment is getting better too.”Elizabeth Hurley We were driving across the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, […]

Mammograms, Breast Cancer, and Me – Part 1

“With over 3 million women battling breast cancer today, everywhere you turn there is a mother, daughter, sister, or friend who has been affected by breast cancer.”Betsey Johnson Winner of The 2019 Word Award for an individual blog post.When the unexpected happens…I’d been feeling the odd mild stab of pain for a couple of months, […]

LoveChild 9: Our MacDonald / Casselman Heritage

“All of our ancestors live within each one of us whether we are aware of it or not.” Laurence Overmire My mother’s heritage/ancestry was very important to her. She often reminisced about the few stories she’d heard. Especially her father’s side of the family.So, before we go further, I’m going to share with you some […]

LoveChild 8: My Extended Family

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”Jane Howard, “Families” Of course, my parents weren’t all alone in the world. So I also gained two new extended families. While none of them lived near us during my first year, […]

LoveChild 7: My Adoption Is Complete

“My life has been shaped by the decision two people made over 24 years ago. They decided to adopt a child. They got me, and I got a chance at the kind of life all children deserve.”Karen Fowler, Reflections on Motherhood The wait was almost overAs I mentioned last week, I’m sure waiting for my […]

LoveChild 6: My First Year Is a Happy One

“A baby is a little bit of heaven on earth.”Author Unknown Me at six/seven months As you can see, I’m bundled up in my carriage with a sweater, hat, and blanket because I might get cold. It’s either June or July. Me at eight/nine monthsMom is in a short sleeved dress and I’m wearing […]

« Previous 1 2 3 4 … 10 Next »