

13 Sunday Jul 2008
Posted in cancer, friends, health & happiness, life stuff


09 Wednesday Jul 2008

Yesterday evening around 8.00 I was just hanging around watching some tv when someone came to the door downstairs. I almost didn’t answer it because I wasn’t expecting anybody, but I’m very glad I did as it turned out to be one of those ‘blast from my past’ moments.
It was Kristin at the door, an American historian who was my flatmate back in 2002 when I was still living in the apartment next door – what a lovely surprise that was! She’d just got into town and is only going to be here until Saturday doing research at the Archivos de Indios, but she was passing by my place and decided to take a chance and see if I was still here. Anyhow, she came up and we visited for awhile and today we’re going to meet for lunch. I told her I do better at staying vertical at midday than in the evening. In fact, we had to cut our visit a bit short yesterday because I was suddenly needing to lie down.
So it looks like it’s going to be a rather nice day. I have to leave in a few minutes to go to the hospital for my pre-op tests. Happily ‘La J’ is coming with me and we’re planning on taking the rental bikes through the park to get there and back, which will help make the experience more pleasant.
See y’all later! 🙂
08 Tuesday Jul 2008
Posted in cancer, friends, health & happiness, home, life stuff

I went to the supermarket with my friend (and new next door neighbour) ‘La J’ yesterday evening. As I was really missing Nog I thought about how strange it felt not to be there with him, about the countless times we’d been shopping at the supermarket together. Those little life routines.
And I was suddenly hit with the deepest sadness I’d ever known, far too deep for tears. Because I found myself wishing beyond reason, beyond hope, that I could ‘go back’ and have my old life back again. The one where I was healthy, before all this started. The one I had never appreciated enough.
I hope that you’re appreciating your today…
30 Monday Jun 2008
Posted in cancer, friends, health & happiness, hospitals

Because Pipocas was occupied with family obligations today, nursemyra & daisy very generously offered to go with me to my first chemo session, scheduled for 12 pm today. The one my oncologist told me would last for about an hour or so. I was supposed to arrive 15 minutes early for the appointment but got there even earlier, at 11.30.
Well, ha! I finally got put into the comfy chair around 2pm and was told the procedure would take about two and a half hours (wtf???) … but what could I do? I mostly felt bad for the chicas spending most of one of their holiday days in the hospital with me. And the procedure itself was no picnic as my hand and arm hurt like hell almost the whole time, and still does now some six hours later.
What I am mostly worried about now is how I’m going to react to the chemo and also the pills I have to take for the next two weeks, as these are apparently the ones that cause all the problems with nausea and vomiting. To wit, nursemyra is staying over tonight, mostly so I don’t have to go to sleep feeling afraid and alone – isn’t that lovely? I don’t know what’s going to happen, so until I start having symptoms that I can find a way of coping with it’s like being back in limbo once again.
Anyhow, just back from a lovely evening of tapas & wine with the chicas (tastebuds are already going wonky). And I’ve just finished chatting to Nog on the phone – he’s settling into his new job but really wishes he could be here. And now it’s time for bed. I honestly have no idea what tomorrow will bring but it feels safe knowing there’s someone just down the hall if I need anything. Even just knowing someone is there will probably be enough.
Going to try and be not so wimpy & needy tomorrow.
Hasta mañana . . .
29 Sunday Jun 2008

As this was my last chemo-free day for who-knows-when it was a very self-indulgent one. After my usual morning routine and dreaded Bike Ride (whilst watching a chick flick on tv) I spent the afternoon just relaxing at home in very pleasant company and later on in the evening the girls and I went out for tapas. As the European Cup final was being played (Spain vs Germany) there was no problem getting a table at Bar Giralda. Afterwards we took a stroll and went for a nightcap on the rooftop terrace at the Hotel Doña Maria. Above you can see the view from our table.
Then Sevilla won the final 3-0 and all hell broke loose.
On our way out of the hotel I received a text message on my mobile phone from Blues Shark & Sara in London, who had been watching the match there. I hope they won’t mind me quoting it here but it made me laugh and also cry just a little…
Hiya! Just a quickie through the noise to let you know we’re thinking of you and wishing you all the best for tomorrow. Viva España! Viva az!! 🙂
Luckily I have something for them too! This pic was taken from the rooftop terrace. Click to enlarge.