Back to beddy! Here's himself waving as he settles into our own bed. Tonight we're going "whole hog" - an attempt to see if we can sleep in our own 'beddy' together for the first time in a month! Hopefully I won't roll over on the precious lymph wound drain detaching it! Friday evening, October 26, 2007.
My sister-in-law Irma and the boys watching a Wallace and Gromit flick this afternoon at our home.
Brother-in-law Janus and Martijn chat easily today.
Family and friends rallied around us today. First, we began with a trial snuggle in our own bed this morning, followed by a nice breakfast together and time out to listen to our Thich Nhat Hanh cd. By the time the morning Home Nurse arrived I was out the door to walk two short blocks to shop for ample supplies at our local grocery, Albert Hein. I stocked up more than usual as I now fear disruptions that could keep me from my otherwise 'daily' shopping trips. I picked up two nice DVDs - Wallace and Gromit meet the Werewolf and Old Yeller, as little gifts for our nephews, 'Tjeu [Chauw] and Leiven [Lee-va]. Jan and Irma and the boys stayed for lunch and a film. Then, Irma headed back to Amersfoort and Jan stayed on to watch a Russian opera with Martijn. Thankfully I fled this racket to shop for stainless steel pans - no more teflon or aluminum as they are considered counter indicative for cancer in some circles.
Later in the day I cooked up a tofu/turkey stir fry with baked yams - pretty yummy. One of our favorite Home Care nurses, Sylvie, came to empty the drain and change Martijn's colostomy bag. He has a slight irritation around that wound, but Sylvie said it wasn't too serious. Martijn has changed his own bag a few times now and seems to have easily adapted to life with his fancy, soft, flesh colored bags. They are so different from the bad old days of bulky plastic. Our "stoma" nurse explained there are over 200 varieties here in the Netherlands. Martijn is using a rather small size which is very discreet and he says entirely comfortable.
We managed another cozy evening alone after dinner and the nurse. I enjoyed two long conversations today with old dear friends. I rang up Leslie Mogul in Escondido, California to learn, thankfully, that she and her family survived the terrible fires. She gave a rather grim report of conditions in her neighborhood and I enquired after the animals in the famous Safari Park, a place where Leslie, her hubby Bill, Martijn and I enjoyed many times together. Only two animals perished, she reported. Her mother, Elaine, another dear friend, also fared okay during this horrifying period. We wish all our friends in that region good luck as the drought continues.
Sally Eves and I also had one of our frequent great, long conversations. Shown here with my other good buddy, Barbara Craig (at her Philly home in May 2006), Sally and I go way, way back. We've been friends since about 1969, so you can do the math. There's really nothing like the ease of talking to such old friends. We share so much history. Sally lives in her childhood family homestead in the mountains of Pennsylvania near Bloomsburg with her menagerie of three kitties, Midnight, Buttercup and Sam, plus Dusty the Dog. Sam is famous for writing a 12-page letter to humor Martijn during his hospital recovery. It was truly amazing how his ‘pawwriting’ resembled Sally's! Barbara also has been calling a few times a week to check in and send loads of support as well. Davy Fey and Michael Putman called too, but we missed them. Bob Ingram has been sharing some particularly touching insights with me via email, and Kate Tasch has recently shared her invaluable perspective regarding being the caretaker. When her partner Michelle valiantly battled leukemia Kate was there every step of the way, so she knows these ropes very well. David Meyers has been in constant touch and the notes from his wife, Roberta are soothing and welcomed. Allan Crimm and his wife Sara, as always, continue to help us with medical and emotional intelligence. So, I got a good "American" fix today to sit nicely next to our European support. Time to join the frog and see if we can make our bed a dreamy lily pad. Good night and ribbit, ribbit, ribbit to you. Suze
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