Posts
I’ve got a lot to be thankful
for these past few weeks. You see, we
managed to finally make a trip to the East Coast. A trip delayed by over two years since the
last time it was planned we had just gotten the “C diagnosis” and had to cancel. Ironically, the last time we cancelled it was
even before we’d met the oncologist and he told us that it probably wasn’t a
good idea because of the pain. Back then
there was no pain, no symptoms, no nothing!
Two years and a few months
later - - now there is some pain. Yet we
were able to make this vacation happen (trust me, there were a few moments in
the days leading up to it that I wasn’t all that sure).
Our flights both directions
were pretty dull (thank goodness).
Although we’d reserved first class seats in order to be near restrooms,
they weren’t needed except for normal usage.
(And only then because the flight was 6 ½ hours long and we had expected
no time on landing to make a pit stop at the airport.)
The East Coast bore very, very
cold temperatures ranging from 21F to about 36F, most of the time hovering in the
high twenties. Brrrrr! We spent the majority of time at my sisters
place, venturing out perhaps once a day to do something else. The rest of the time was at our hotel.
We were able to spend precious
time with all my siblings and their spouses and even some good time with
cousins that are still in the area. We
had dinner with some of my high school classmates and another evening with my
college roommates and their spouses. Other
than the visits the only other thing we did was a trip to see a whole bunch of
gingerbread houses on display at a library.
Yes, it is Christmas time in New England for sure!
We are grateful for this vast
support system as each and every one of those have been following our
journey. They all welcomed George warmly
and let him know that he was in their prayers.
George held up fairly well but
by days end he was more than ready to go sit quietly in the hotel and
rest. He experienced his normal pain
and/or discomfort but nothing ever escalated.
We were prepared with all the medications but fortunately did not need
to use them. Yes, we were grateful for
that as well.
The holidays are fast upon us
with Christmas just ten days away. Am I
ready? As ready as I can be. Just more gifts to wrap and a few things to
bake or make to give to neighbors. I
have found that I am making only the easiest of things this year. No breads, no homemade pumpkin pie…. One cookie
and one bar recipe and then easy Chex Mix and Crispix Puppy Chow (a yummy
combination of peanut butter, chocolate chips and confectioner sugar).
Simple is better these
days. Even my decorations have taken on
a more simplistic feature, just enough to let us know it is the holidays.
It is more important to
surround ourselves with our loved ones and our support system of friends these
days. All the rest is “the gravy” as
they say.
We are grateful that we had a
quiet yet enjoyable vacation (the first plane ride in over 3 years for
George). We are grateful for the
opportunity to relax and enjoy the Christmas tree lights… to spend time with
friends and with family… and, for the first time in years, not be held back by
anyone’s schedule but our own as Mom is being well cared for elsewhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment