Day 200 - Headache & EVIC

No, the thought of work didn't give me a headache... I woke up with the same one I went to bed with last night (gee, one could terribly misinterpret that statement!) only now my headache was worse! 


Joe had told me that both he & Shauna would be at EVIC this morning & it would be my only chance to see the two of them until the chaos of the summer kicked in. Shauna has filled my position at EVIC & I'm thrilled, as now I can see them both a lot more this summer! :o)


I hauled my butt out of bed & dragged the new puppy (quite literally, as she didn't want to walk) & Valentina to EVIC. Of course, everyone loved them upon first sight. In our short hour there, we made several new friends, although Valentina has a new thing about her voice. Hmm... I hope I don't see barking in her future...


As my headache worsened, I thought I should boogie home. I had called the Fertility Clinic before I left & ensured my referral had made it there safe & sound. It had. I was now waiting for the Doctor to call with my appointment. I walked into the house & they had called! Could I come for an appointment at 1300? My heart sunk. It was 1320 & I'm 1/2 an hour out of town! Oh no! I was so sad! I called back right away & they squeezed me in for tomorrow afternoon. Perfect, as I had my MUGA scan just before. I was nervous & excited for everything to finally fall into place!


The rest of the day was spent between napping & unpacking. I think more napping than unpacking was accomplished! My neck is still quite sore & enlarged. I'm not excited about that. These headaches are kind of freaking me out too. But, why am I telling you that?! Worrying does none of us any good! 


Okay, I'm taking a painkiller & slathering my face with peppermint oil... When I say I'm going to cry myself to sleep... now you'll know why! Yes, of course, it's because I miss Jaco!!! That much!!! :o) But I do, really!!


Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxx

The girls find a sunny spot to rest

These girls find a sunny spot to hike!

Day 198 - Unpacking

Well, here I am, home again. My Mom has really outdone herself this time. I arrived home to find that her & Roxy had spent an entire day swapping Mom & I’s rooms around. Yes, my Mother is that caring. She is so concerned that I will need the room while I am in treatment. My previous room was very small. I feel quite guilty when I see her dressers & things crammed into it. She doesn’t even have a bed in there yet! She slept on the futon last night.

She thinks it will work out fine, as the room is close to her office, she can get up & work, use the treadmill, kitchen, etc, etc & I will be able to sleep in peace & quiet, with a bathroom 4’ from the bed. I don’t know how my body will react to the chemo, but Lord help me, I hope I’m not that bad!

In any case, I slept until 1145, with wakeups at 0500, 0700, 0900 & then finally out of bed at 1145. I woke up with a splitting headache. I haven’t had one like this in a long time! Every time I stand up, my head throbs. I finally took a pill about 2000 & went to bed at 2100 with peppermint oil all over my face.

I spent the majority of the afternoon unpacking. I had a mountain of things to put away & arrange. I’ve made a big dent in it, but I’m nowhere near finished! Most items survived the flights & no leaking bottles this time! Thank goodness! Valentina enjoyed bringing me toys & rolling in the piles I was trying to put away. She’s such good help! :o)

I hung up my butterflies above the bed. I love them. They are so beautiful. One of God’s most magnificent creations! From a lowly caterpillar to cocoon to a floating rainbow, they are incredible! I picked up another frame in Aruba, so my collection has grown again!

About 1500 I decided to take Valentina for a walk. We went to EVIC, where I worked last summer. It was a Saturday, so Joe was working until 1600. We had a great chat & of course, Valentina was excited to see him! Although she did bark at every person who came through the door! Looks like we need to work on our ‘Silenzio!’ Joe’s birthday is in a few weeks, so I’ll be sure to stop in again to see him! He’s a really wonderful guy. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think my job would have been near as enjoyable as it was. He has to be one of the funniest & quickest witted people I have ever met. I was in stitches for most of the summer!

Valentina & I walked back home. On the way we saw 2 Canada geese strutting around the old kill pile site. After we crossed the cattle guard, I let her off the leash to run. She was hilarious! She’d burn past me, stop, smell & wait until I caught up. Then she’d burn past me again… I practiced making her sit & come off leash. At first she didn’t want to listen, but after that, she was great! Atta girl!

Jaco phoned & he was exhausted! Poor fella! He’s had a few long days & nights since I left & is in dire need of sleep. He was fading away on the phone! We spoke for an hour & then he went to bed. And so did I! It was 2100 & I was crawling in to bed. Of course, I woke up at 2200 & then 0100. It’s now 0258 & I’m going to try falling asleep again. I spotted Dad on Skype as I was messaging Petro, Jaco’s Mom, so I messaged Dad to ask why he couldn’t sleep either! He had heartburn. A quick phone call & then he was off to bed again.

Valentina is snoring now, so I guess it’s my turn to try & do the same… Lekker slaap!

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

'doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my front door'

Who wants snow in May? Not I.

But I am happy it's melting!

En route to EVIC

Mud puddles & puppy dog tails

Passed out cold!

Do you mind? I'm trying to sleep here!

Day 163 - Short Day!

This morning I was ready for the shuttle & waiting. Valentina was charming the other people waiting. Mama is proud! The Hotel Manager came out to tell us that the shuttle would be about 1/2 an hour late. There was a bus in front of them that was filled with drugs! Needless to say, they were on 'super search' mode after that! 


We arrived at the clinic at 1000, instead of our usual 0900. I was finally at the top of the list, so I didn't have to wait long! By 1130, we were all finished & heading towards the border. Unbelievably there wasn't a line! We were back at the hotel by 1159! That's a world record! It usually takes at the least, one hour! Awesome! 


I did get my 3/4 eaten apple confiscated by the Customs official. He was a real jerk. The previous 2 officials said it wouldn't be an issue - nobody would want my mostly eaten apple. In fact, the official who checked my passport, I could hardly speak to him & I looked like a chipmunk with my cheeks stuffed! I had maybe 3 big bites left & when I approached the conveyor belt to scan my bag, the official called me over. I thought he wanted the dog bag on the table.
'Put you apple on the table.'
I take another bite & ask him, 'Did you want to see the dog?'
'Put your apple on the table.'
'Sure, can I just have one more bite? I'm almost finished it.'
'Lady, you're not listening to me! Put the apple on the table!'
'No problem, just one more...'
He grabs the apple right out of my hand! 


Are you kidding me???!!! I can't even have the last few bites of an apple I bought in the USA???!!! This guy is a jerk! What a fruit Nazi! Never mind the kilo of cocaine in the bottom of my dog's bag - take the apple! ARGH! The Customs guys & girls get me fired up! Every time I get worked up & I've left the situation, I remember the sign they have in the building - something about treating you with respect & courtesy. HA! Joke!


Anyhow, I forgot about the Apple Nazi when I realized I was back to the hotel by 1200! I had switched rooms this morning, so I spent the afternoon unpacking & settling in. I was happy to be on the 2nd floor & away from the stairs. It was too noisy! I was a little disgruntled when they wouldn't let me change last night. I went in at 1400 & they were going to charge me for 2 rooms because they'd already cleaned my room! Then they wanted me to pack up & switch before I went to the clinic at 0900! I'd be nice & sweaty after carrying all the luggage up the stairs. In the end, I packed up most of my things, put them in storage overnight & in the morning, I took the bits & pieces up to the new room. 


I decided not to go anywhere. I thought I'd spend some time just relaxing & not running around. I ended up watching a few episodes of CSI, which was lovely & gory, but I do love that show! 


Sweet dreams!
Valentina & Maria
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Mama's Helper while Mama unpacks!

This looks like a great place to rest!

Roses in front of the hotel

They smell so wonderful!

Bees like them too!