A week in Bardo...
We spent the past four days sheltering from the Thomas Fire flames and smoke at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara on the Gaviota coast. Don't be too jealous: the air was so poor we were rarely outside, but were very grateful for the stay and thanks to Bacara for the hefty "evacuee discount" rate. The good news -- Cooper is an amazing traveller. We came back into town yesterday (Dec 12th) for my pre-chemo blood work. In an hour I am off to CC for my round 3 (or 9 depending on how I'm counting) of chemo. It certainly feels like the world is ending -- not just my life, but everything! It was a surreal experience to leave the house, emotionless, taking only our wedding album and important papers. To Our Oxford friends who have been asking, our house is just over a mile from the mandatory evacuation zone and not in any real danger. But the air quality is horrible. Last Thursday it topped 400 on the AQI, off the charts! off I go to CC and after chemo we hope to leave town to find more healthful air for a few days.
Hugs to all and a huge thank you to the 7,000+ firefighters who worked so hard to save life and property.
Comments (17)
Thinking of you, Michelle!
Love you so much😘 Mom
We have fresh air up in Half Moon Bay! Come on up here....we have a Ritz too! Sending you love today xoxo
I have been thinking of you guys so much every day. I want to pop on FB to look for posts from Bruce, but things here are so jam-packed busy with work, life, kids, sickness, holiday planning, moving the damn Elf on the Shelf to a new place before the kids wake up, new house renovations (fired our contractor and hired a new one), that I don't have a free moment and just can't wait to crawl into bed to get a few winks before starting it all over again. A stark contrast to your life and the issues you face in health and home and safety. But please know I think of you every day and pray for your safety, both health and home. Much love to you both - and to Cooper too! XOXO
Thinking of you and sending a big hug!
Jordan, thank you for the big hug. MK
Thank you for continuing to blog Michelle, we think of you daily and send warm thoughts for a speedy recovery. You said you need some distraction, so your wild fire escape sounds like it fit the bill...argh! Wish you all the best with your next round of chemotherapy, and enjoy that beautiful Christmas tree of yours this season with Bruce and Cooper. 🎄Anne Marie
AM, thank you for all the good wishes, I was getting pre chemo bloodwork when you called, and have not even listened to your message yet!! oxo MK
Give those cancer cells HELL my dearest Meeeshellllll!
Funny, I was going to send you a "howdy" email and here you do a post! You two are in our thoughts. And definitely take some time to recharge following chemo! Love you two!
We have been seeing the fires on the news Michele. They look terrible. We are now just coming into our fire season so we are hoping they are not as bad. We're expecting temperatures over 40 deg C so it's not looking good. We are also very pleased that your house has been spared. We are thinking of you and Bruce often and wish you well with the treatment. Love Wendy and Barry (from Down Under)
Wendy and Barry, thank you for the New Years card! We have fond memories of fireworks for the Queens Birthday above the Kangaroo Point Bridge in Brissy. We may actually be in QLD in August. Bruce's Oxford sponsor, Tim Coulson, is celebrating his 50th birthday on his wife, Sonja's, childhood farm was out in central Queensland. My travel is limited to three weeks or less away from home due to my Avastin infusions, but we are hoping to make a go if it and get down there. I really hope we an also get up to the Kimberly for a week long cruise.......but many of the boast are already full we shall see. If you have any suggestions email me.
Oops, missed an 'l' in Michelle. Enjoy your break after the chemo Michelle. Love Wendy and Barry
Thinking of you. And so glad you're safe!
The air pollution sounds, and now I’ve seen you both, looks horrid. Glad the house is safe. Keep out of the way. Good luck and lots of love.
Hi Michelle! Only for you dear did I finally sign up for this social media, because how could I refuse your request to communicate via your blog? It might seem strange for a gal whose profession is IT to be shy about social media, but there you have it. I stopped by your blog to say stay safe and be strong! As far as I can tell from the news reports, your house is still not in the evacuation zone and I hope it stays that way. I wish I could send you some of our rain and snow and frigid temps--those would help wouldn't they? Also, more soup donations. Call it an early Christmas present. I hope you enjoy some soup on my behalf--it's one of my favorite things but not on my diet unless I make it myself to avoid certain common ingredients, and that doesn't happen very often. I just remembered that despite that I consider you a good friend, we've never actually met in person. How odd. If you ever find yourself out here I hope you will stop by to say hello. Give Bruce a big hug from me and tell him I am proud of him for all he is doing. I wouldn't have expected anything less--he is a good soul. Miss you both and wish you a Merry Christmas. I'm going to make an exception and email you our card this year, to be sure you get it no matter where you are. I had a lot of fun with my drawing and hope you enjoy it. Here's some entertainment I ran across yesterday. Keep the translator on, and enjoy this geeky uplifting look at the power of letters: https://www.ted.com/talks/martina_flor_the_secret_language_of_letter_design#t-237867 Design matters! She did wonders with Alice's book cover. Hugs, Maria
Maria, thank you for breaking your no social media rule for me!! And thank you for sending the rain, we got a tiny sprinkle last night and more on the way next week. If we do get 2 inches in 2 days it will likely lead to flooding in the burned hills, just can't win. Bruce IS the worlds best Husband!! He is so supportive and accommodating to my crazy cancer whims. You should visit, please, anytime!! Well, maybe not the month we plan to tear up our bathrooms. We would love it. Last two weeks in March? When is Harvard's spring break? Or maybe your not tied to the academic calendar to closely. And, lastly...thank you for making a soup donation on my behalf. If really is the best present in the week post chemo, when I do feel very old, all I think about is food a toileting. hugs from Santa Barbara, Michelle