I proclaim today as the beginning of my summer holidays!
Back when I mentioned my need to take some Time Out there were still several matters to attend to and get organised before I felt I could really relax and focus on taking some quality healing time. So most of June was spent “taking care of business” and getting through some pretty rough chemo. To wit, I have also decided that I’m done with the infusions and won’t be taking the sixth one. If they let me I’ll still do the sixth round of chemo mid-July, but only taking the dreaded Xeloda, which has a slightly less toxic effect on me. After the last infusion I got a very clear message from my body that it was DONE with that shit and really couldn’t take any more. And since my last PET scan was clear, I think I can take my body’s advice on that.
So for the next two months it’s going to be all about healing, yoga, long walks, healthy diet, cats, friends and – most importantly – taking time to breathe. I also have a few projects to work on, but just poco á poco when I feel up to it. And Nog & I want to get casa az de-cluttered and set up so we can both work here in comfort come September.
What will you be doing this summer?
casa azahar 
In 2 weeks time I’ll be en route to China for an amazing tour, including the solar eclipse. I’ll be putting details on my shiny new blog, and over the summer I’ll be continuing to archive old photos and videos. We’ll have a big family party in August for my parents’ golden wedding, and daughter J turns 16, and will be taking part in a production of Godspell. There’s a motorbike weekend in Skye at the end of August, but no doubt I’ll be out and about on Zucchero a few more times.
Happy holidays everyone!
LikeLike
Workin’.
No annual leave left so work through to September. Which is OK as I’m saving for next April when we go back to Vegas to renew our vows.
But I’m sure we had something booked for September…Seems to have slipped my mind.
LikeLike
Decluttering, geocaching, cleaning, geocaching, sorting, geocaching, cleaning, camping (I hope), geocaching.
LikeLike
Pretty soon I’m going to have to break down and wash my windows. I’ll be spending the summer gardening, gardening, doing massage, gardening, processing the vegetables from the garden, floating, weeding the garden, reading, and eating healthy, and walking my beautiful dog.
I’m glad that you have time to take care of yourself and heal.
LikeLike
Well, today got off to a good start by going to yoga – the first one I’ve managed to get to since the last chemo infusion. There were only three of us there (plus Ana) and somehow it was an extra special “vibe”.
Later on Nog & I went for a walk and got new shower curtains for next door at the euro shop, did a bit of food shopping and then came home to … tenant problems! So that kind of stressed me out until I remembered I wasn’t supposed to get stressed out. Boy, it takes some getting used to being on holiday.
Linda, you have an amazing summer lined up. Can’t wait to read about the China trip on your blog.
That place in September, Steve … would it be Seville???
All sounds good, SS, except for the camping bit.
Way ahead of you, hmh. Washed windows and curtains a couple of weeks ago. Well, Nog did most of it and I supervised. Had forgotten how white the curtains actually are when not covered in dust and small insect carcasses.
Anyhow, am determined to get the hang of this no-stress holiday thing. And I also want to learn how to make the perfect frozen margarita. Any suggestions?
LikeLike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-MvkF1hgRA
LikeLike
Too bad I’m not a retard … 🙂
LikeLike
A perfect frozen margarita requires a powerful blender. At The Havens we tend to drink our margaritas on the rocks. However, our recipe is: Per Margarita: Juice of one fresh lime, one jigger of triple sec, one and half jiggers of tequila.
Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide gives these directions for making a frozen drink: Combine the ingredients for the one drink with one cup of crushed ice in a blender at low speed for five seconds. Then blend at high speed until firm. Pour into cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime.
I would imagine that you could probably make three or four at once depending on the capacity of your blender.
LikeLike
You WASHED the curtains? I’m just aiming for the windows at this point. That would require taking time off from the weeding and other garden chores. I can still see through them. Sort of.
LikeLike
Yep, we washed the curtains. Hint. It’s not so bad with two people doing it, because you don’t have to keep climbing up and down the ladder.
LikeLike
Going to Canada. 🙂
LikeLike
Better you than me, ian. 😉
Unfortunately I don’t have a powerful blender, hmh. Just one of those hand-held ones. Maybe Maria Paz will let me practice over at her bar.
LikeLike
So far this summer I’ve finished my diploma and am now on the last day of my holiday. When I get back I’ll be in and out of hospitals, with surgery scheduled in 3 weeks.
Few days after that my parents are coming over (perfect timing, but can’t be helped) and then after they leave I have no idea what the plan is. Probably starting to work out to be healthier and getting a head start on my required reading for next school year. If I could get a temp job for a month I might do that instead.
LikeLike
Just back from 10 days in Jamaica – lovely!
Then in just over 3 weeks – a week in Portugal.
Mrs. BBJP and I have treated ourselves on account of a BIG wedding anniversary.
LikeLike
I’m going to be stressing out for most of the summer, at least the next 5 weeks of it. I’ve got to continue getting doctors’ statements, as my disability hearing is on Aug 18! Soooo, that’s a big Yay! with added Yikes! AND I’ve gotta be outta here after the hearing, no matter what they decide.
As of now, nowhere to go, and no way to afford the ride without a decision in my favor! I’ll be okay, though, because I’ll be moving on. Probably sans the kitties, but can’t be helped right now. Maybe later, I can get someplace to move them to, in Los Angleles.
LikeLike
THEN, I’ll get my vacation!
LikeLike
Aaack, that sounds perfectly awful, SC. I’m so sorry that it’s come to this. Leaving the kittehs? I’d rather go through ten more rounds of chemo than leave my boys. I wish there was some way I could help. *hugs*
LikeLike
Pingback: do-it-yourself doctor « casa az