A little more of an update on our trip shortly. I've been trying to provide the medical update at the beginning of each post for those who are interested in the facts and just the facts without wading through the musings of my mind and heart.
Through March and April my back took exception to the workout we were engaged in and reacted with an acute flare up in the lower right sacral area. It was so severe, I went to the doctor, thankfully had a routine follow up with both my orthopedic surgeon and my oncologist at the beginning of April to do a thorough review. My new friend Debbie, as you may have read, prayed over me at the silent retreat we attended in Pickering and the next day I no longer needed my cane and that specific, deep acute pain was gone and has not since returned like an unwanted houseguest. Still lots of work to do but major improvement.
Dr. B. viewed the X-ray, confirmed it showed nothing wrong with my back, but since that's what happened last year, after which the L1 vertebrae in my spine burst, he thought a cat scan was in order so we had that done on May 9th including from chest to abdomen. Within 3 hours Dr. B. was able to advise that the cat scan on my back was clear - no spots, no lesions - what great news prior to our trip! The results of the rest will be available on June 10th when I next visit my oncologist unless they phone with results.
I continue to feel well, my walking has improved dramatically since starting hydratherapy and being just plain stubborn. This despite the growing child that insists on traveling about with me wherever I go. In the next short while I think I need to give a name to this imaginary companion who can readily cause me to be out of breath or boost my blood pressure to levels my body didn't know existed. You realize I'm sure that I am referring to the medically induced weight gain through fluid retention.
With my new very short hair cut and relatively recent roly poly look, I don't have to wear sunglasses to go incognito, people pass me everyday, many of whom I've known for years, without a second look! It's quite an interesting experience.
The weather has been cool and often rainy since arriving here in one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world. Mike is such a good sport without a word of the language, but such an inherent gift of a sense of direction compared to his sometimes frenetic wife who can at least cobble together a sentence or two! We decided not to book activities into every day as we didn't want to miss the opportunities that would arise by happenstance or, as I believe, the Holy Spirit's guidance. We have a general sense of what we'd like to do but remain open to what's really in store for us. I somehow thought I would arrive and have an epiphany of sorts, like a long lost traveller returning home and perhaps that is yet to come but so far it's been interesting and entertaining. Like when a sort of distant relative took us on a short car ride around the local neighborhoods. The streets are barely wide enough for one car, there are no stop signs and if you know Hungarians they speak as much or more with their hands while the mouth remains fully engaged as well. Here we were tearing around streets, making sharp turns without notice while he's explaining what's ahead, behind and to the left and right, all of course in rapid fire Hungarian. If that didn't suit, a quick u-turn or three point turn, fully engaging sidewalks as needed in seemingly no space at all with cars coming at us, got us going in a new direction. I could only make out words here and there while my aunt was trying to translate ending up speaking English to him and Hungarian to us! Mike just kept repeating 'car coming, car coming' which received no attention at all. Welcome to Budapest. It was a most entertaining and fun
start to our adventure.
I've mentioned that this was a bucket list trip and, coincidentally, after a very full day yesterday, we relaxed to watch the only English speaking tv station and what movie would be playing, but The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman! Mike was concerned it might hit too close to home but not at all! In fact I could relate so much more with the story that, in the end, it has encouraged me to keep living my life, doing whatever seems fun and appealing and take the rest in
stride.
In the first couple of days here we met up with the son and daughter in law of a Kingston friend, both of whom happened to be here on a last minute vacation destination. We met for lunch, got first hand tutoring on the ease of the public transit system and a few tips on what to see and where to go. Some people wonder why one would take the time to make such connections. We view it as part of the natural fabric of our lives as we weave together various relationships in seemingly unrelated little squares of the patchwork of Liz and Mike. On our way to meet we had the learning opportunity of getting on a subway that was artistically designed, less than a five minute ride depositing us on the other side of the city with ease and comfort. We were early we had a chance to walk around and discover a tiny little church that was reconstructed in the 1700's. Wouldn't you know two statues in a row included two saints through whom I've been praying for well over a year now, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Ignatius. Coincidence? I think not! I'd far rather believe it's God's way of showing me I'm on the right path in my life. Aahh, a conversation for another post, some of the coincidences and symbols in my life that have brought peace and comfort.
Just before I sign off, I'd like to send all of you a very deep, heartfelt thanks for your support of the Relay for Life! I kept increasing the goal thanks to your generosity and then decided we would leave
it $10,000. Well at last count we are closing in on $13,000 which is well past our expectations. After I had sent out my requests for support, I came up with what you might think is a very morbid, grim reaping marketing strategy. Let's face it, it's the way you ask that brings results. When I mentioned it
to Mike he thought it was quite funny and a friend said, 'Only you could get away with it'. So here goes:
' If you would consider making a memorial donation upon my demise, why not consider doing it now, while I'm alive'.
I'm taking a chance here of offending people but as someone close reminded me, this is my space to share my thoughts and feelings and even I chuckle at the thought! I'm thinking if I'm around next year and doing well, the strategy may have a fighting chance for wider publication!
I tried downloading pictures and saving them to my iPad but alas, haven't the vaguest idea how to get them where I'd like on my post so for this time, we will have to go sans photos. If you've enjoyed this message, I'm pleased, and next time I will provide a more comprehensive overview of our experience without boring you with a slide show!!!! What was very moving today was to hear my uncle's story of being present during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, as we were standing in the courtyard of the Parliament Buildings where much of the tragedy took place. In fact the damage from machine gunfire is still visible on the upper external walls of buildings as 100,000 people jammed into the square. More on that next time. For now, God Bless...
Hugs,
Liz
dobbsjones@gmail.com
"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive!"
P.s. If you'd like to comment, feel free to email me as I understand the feedback option doesn't seem to work even though it's turned on.
Liz, it was great to meet with you and Mike in Budapest. Brian and I were delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the rest of your time in that beautiful city.
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