Taking a break from cancer to celebrate our 8th Anniversary!
Happy 8th Anniversary, Bruce! I treasure every day with you and I hope there are many, many more. I'm holding you to that trip to Antarctica for our 10th anniversary. And now everybody else knows about it, so there is no taking it back. Thank you to Anne-Catherine for the wonderful massages and Rosa and Peter for the yummy salmon dinner.
Just like on our first date (see photo) 10 years ago, Satie was here with us for our anniversary weekend. And, once again, she is in the middle! We visited the Ashmolean Art and Archaeology Museum, had a great Lebanese lunch, went to see a fascinating movie, "Marguerite" (https://youtu.be/Jnr78V0se3s), and had a lovely dinner at Branca. Thank you, Sally and Bob, for funding the Cancer Warrior Treasure Chest, which sponsored all this fun. It was such a relief to get out of the house and almost feel normal. Bruce had the fantastic idea to rent a wheelchair, so I can stay out longer. My tummy is still so weak that my back is doing more of the work to hold me up, so I get tired standing.
The medical news: I have finished my course of antibiotics. I had a quick visit to my GP this morning: no elevated temperature and my belly button is finally healing. We made a plan to reduce my tramadol dosage, but after just one day of taking one pill instead of two every 5 hours I think I will go back to the full dose. I could feel all my insides and every movement hurt: dull aches, sharp pains, and generally not comfortable. It made me not want to move much, and that is not good. I am kidding myself if I think I am getting back to normal; I'm only functional with pharmacological help.
I just realized I forgot to answer the quiz. For the few of you who did the "quiz," the answer is 4! I had to sign a one page surgery consent form which detailed, in a long list of "ectomies," what body parts might need removing. My discharge sheet was three pages, detailing my initial admission to A&E, all the tests I had, my diagnosis, details of my surgery, and an inventory of the huge pack of drugs and dressings they sent me home with. That's it. And not ONE mention of money. No bills, invoices, price sheets, insurance forms, nothing. As "temporary residents" (as opposed to visitors) we are covered by the NHS, for which I feel SO grateful. Can you imagine the paperwork if we had to process this care through our "out of network" policy we have for this sabbatical year? That would be a nightmare even worse than cancer.
As always, I am so grateful for all of your messages. They really do keep me going in my dark moments. More about ovaries soon~MK
Comments (6)
Those lupines were amazing! Where WAS your first date? That could be San Miguel Island. Sounds like you had a great anniversary.
You are really getting around. Thank goodness for the war chest! The diversions I'm sure are greatly appreciated Happy anniversary Bruce and Michelle Love Mom
Really only 8 yrs? I'd have sworn it was a loooooooong time ago!
Ovaries schmoveries. Who needs the little bitter tarts anyway. Hey miss traveling girl, that frame you two are standing in front of is a knock out, the bees knees, die wunderkind and worthy of an anniversary celebration. They are called the bees knees because the girls have an extra knee joint in their legs. They do a mean can-can in the hive. I digress and wish you a happy week. Love Nan hugs.
Nan, I told you about that frame, you will see it, next week! So glad you are coming. Gordon, have I done my math wrong? Maybe its 9? whatever it is it isn't long enough. I need more Bruce! Jessie, our first date was in Carizzo Plain, during another year that was touted as "bloom of the century"
Grand anniversary! Feeling almost normal is a big plus... Loving the photos, cannot believe the time that has passed. Continued strength passed across the miles for your journey!