A Time For Recovery

Chris asked me the other day if this is who I still see when I look at her. I answered "No, the woman I see is even more beautiful and much more wise". I certainly appreciate her more now than the self-centered kid I was then.
The chemotherapy has taken it's toll, but not near as drastically as treatments some other cancer patients have had to go through. She lost about 2/3 of her hair, but that looks like it has already started to come back. Of more concern to me, is the nerve damage she has suffered in her extremities. (hands and feet are numb) hopefully that should improve in about 6-12 months. She's concerned about the weight she's put on with the anti nausea medication that she's had to take. (you're supposed to keep nibbling) The problem that affected her the most was probably the fatigue. She has slept a lot, but that's something that will correct itself soonest.
Now she goes into the "monitoring" phase of her treatment. We expect a clean slate because we will be working to keep ourselves healthy.

("Why?" you ask, and I answer "Read below!")

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Well, hopefully, we are through the worst of it.

Christine has completed her chemotherapy regimen and is ready to get on with her life. While I have hated seeing what the poison has done to her, we both hope and pray that the treatment has lifted her into the "cured" column when we add up the pluses and minuses.

Here's what we've learned:

1- Cancer is mostly preventable. There are foods that help prevent cancer, and when we ignore that fact, we are being stupid! Our diets should be high fiber (and must include flax seed) and we should limit our intake of red meats and processed foods. This is not hard to do. It doesn't cost any more, and in most cases will cost less than eating what's bad for us.

2- Early diagnosis is critical. The longer you bury your head in the sand, the worse your prognosis is going to be. Do not ignore your body! If you have symptoms, find out what they mean. (Our medical system is rated at 39th in the world and slipping. You must take control of your treatment options!)

3- Don't allow yourself to be sold or bullied into treatment you don't need. (This includes being "assigned" to a doctor you don't know or trust.) This is part of "taking control" Don't be lazy. Do your homework and insist on being in on all decisions.

4- Push yourself to do as much as you can. Life doesn't go on hold during chemotherapy. Do as much as you can, it helps keep up your attitude and that is critical to healing.

The "Eilean" Highlands

Gini was scolding me this morning, telling me it was time for an update. These are all pictures from the Highlands of Scotland, and I hope it satisfies her for a few days.

Click on the photos to see them full sized.

The adventure begins

Ron and Chris, Terrill and Margie,

outside Rosslyn Chapel

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I just want to take a minute to thank Lisa Deneen of Travel Pros for all the work she did to make this such a perfect vacation. All of the places she booked for us were magnificent and we are greatful for all her efforts on our behalf.

There are a million warm sunny beaches in the world, but there is only one Scotland! Gun cuireadh do chupa thairis le slainte agus sonus, h-uile latha, na chi 'snach fhaic! (May your cup overflow with health and happiness, every day, whether I see you or not!)

Cathedrals Churches Tombs and Graves

Breaking Dawn at Eilean Iarmain, Isle of Skye, Scotland

How did they know?

How did they know we were coming, and why did they want to warn people?

The Joy that is Edinburgh!

Fighting the English with William Wallace!

Scotland's Magnificent Capital - Edinburgh

Scottish Castles

Castle Eilean Donan

As we parked our car and walked toward the Castle, a sudden and intense rain squall

slammed us. If you look at the bridge you can see the rain sweeping

up and over the side of the bridge right where the MacCleods

beat Christopher Lambert and drove him out of the

clan, in the movie "The Highlander"

The views of these castles as we came around that last bend in the road, were absolutely visceral. The beauty and history combined to hit me in the gut every time. We knew we would see alot of castles, but we were unprepared for the shear number of them. They were literally everywhere. Sometimes only a mile apart. It was a real eye opener as to what the neighborhood was like in those days.

Hogworts and Hogsmead but no Harry

The Hogsmead Railway Station

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The famous Hogwarts Express Trestle

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Yes, this is where they film the "Harry Potter" movies. If you remove the Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument in the foreground, and computer generate the Castle, this is where Hogwarts is filmed.

The Food of Scotland

I'm going to start out with the most negative thing about Scottish food and that is It is very expensive! That being said, we can move on to how good everything was! Did I say good? I meant GREAT! The "haggis" was wonderful. I had it four different ways, each with a unique sauce, and I loved it. The traditional way is to serve it with "neeps"(mashed turnips) and "tatties"(mashed potatoes) and all covered with a whiskey sauce, Yum! The traditional Scottish breakfast or "Fry UP" is something to be experienced before you die, but then eating it is consuming enough cholesterol to kill you anyway, but it is so good.

As you might guess, Scotland does seafood really well. to try and stay with in our budget, we feasted on fish and chips frequently. It was never a hardship! Most of the time it was battered haddock (about a 10 inch slab) or cod. We did eat venison (It's farmed in Scotland) and some mutton as well, but there were several evenings that we dressed up and had just elegant dinners. We had a wonderful banquet in Borthwick Castle, but by far, the most memorable Meal was in Oban. We were staying at the Manor House Hotel (Amazing place) and we asked the owner about seafood restaurants close by. She told us about a small one, just two minutes walk away, but she wasn't certain we could get in since they only have two seatings a night (one at 6:30 and one at 8:30). This didn't make a lot of since to us but it was only two minutes to find out so we walked up the lane and into history!

This little restaurant is called "The Seafood Temple" but locals just call it the "Temple". It only has 6 tables (Mom says that they had 8 tables) and the menu is hand written to reflect what they are serving that night, and it all looked wonderful. They fill up the tables twice each night and when we got there about 8:00 pm, the waitress said they were just finishing the first seating and wouldn't be ready for the second seating for half an hour , but we could come in and sit at a vacant table and wait.

We came in and set down but we didn't wait. They started bring food to our table with the drinks. (Keep in mind, we haven't ordered anything yet) Suddenly there is a plate of calamari and and smoked salmon to keep us occupied. Then, the Chef/owner, sent us giant scallop shells full of scallop chowder because he said it was cold and blustery outside and he wanted to warm us up. Finally we looked at the menu and at the bottom was the item labeled "Seafood Platter Magnifique for two" It sounded really good, so Margie and Terrill ordered one and so did we.

Terrill was heartbroken that we couldn't eat it all, but no two people could! four people would have had trouble finishing it. First they brought the oysters, then the platter with every kind of seafood you could imagine. Mussels, giant crab claws, smoked salmon, and steamed salmon, clams, scallops, calamari, herring, langastinos (some with roe), and on top of it all, a giant whole lobster with roe. then came the mashed potatoes with a scallop sauce for gravy. The owner came out of the kitchen and visited each table but he spent the most time with us. ( he really likes Americans, but thinks we try to eat to fast!)

The Middle Part II

Last Third of Scotland

Wow! The best vacation in our lives!

I'm fairly sure it wasn't pink in the year 1625

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In the gardens of The Roman Camp Hotel

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One of the "parlers" at the beautiful Roman Camp Hotel.

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Nine hour flight home is easier in first class!

Thanks to our friend Peggy Platt, we were able to get "buddy passes" for our flights. What is even more amazing is that she hooked us up so we were able to fly "business ellite" on the long flight from Edinburgh to JFK. Another first for us and boy, are we ever spoiled now! Thanks Peggy, it was wonderful.

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-Of all the things we were able to experience on our trip to Scotland, the most enjoyable memories that we will take away with us are those of the Scottish People.

Near the top of that list was our last evening in Scotland when we were sitting with Margie and Terrill in one of the magnificent parlors of the Roman Camp Hotel (It was built in 1625 on the remains of what had been an old Roman Camp, and used as a hunting lodge.) We had been talking with several other couples, when this wonderful older couple engaged us in conversation. It turned out that she had visited the states and sang gaelic (pronounced gaw-lic in Scotland) songs at a Celtic festival. The conversation ran it's course and after a pause this white-haired lady announced "I think I'll sing you a song now." And to our surprise, in a clear and lovely voice, she began to sing. It was such a strange moment, and yet so appropriate, since we were leaving Scotland the next morning, and the song she chose to sing us was a farewell to Scotland, sung by the Scots as they were forced to leave their homes and immigrate to the new world.

-When she was done, we were all moved. I asked her if she would sing it for us one more time so I could record it. She answered simply "Of course." and you can share the moment with us below. I'm sorry that the lighting wasn't better so you could see how beautiful she is. You'll need to pause the background music and then play this video