Happy New Year 2009!
We wish you a very happy and healthy 2009!!
Doreese y Bince
Tuesday 30 December 2008
Sunday 28 December 2008
Tuesday 23 December 2008
/Merry Christmas Daddy!
Well, it’s been a VERY long 4 weeks! As I write this, my Dad is finally on his way home…something that we thought wasn’t going to happen. It’s the best Christmas present!
First of all, my family and I send a heartfelt thank you to all of you who were so kind and supportive…the emails and postings meant more to us than you will ever know. We are forever grateful to all of you!
Dad has a long history with cancer…..one testicle removed in 1968…surgery, chemo and radiation….one kidney removed in 1991…surgery only. In October 2008 he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer…very early stage. The surgery is very difficult but radiation alone was not an option due to Dad’s previous radiation therapy in 1968.
Dad had surgery for esophageal cancer on Wednesday Nov.26. During the operation, they remove the esophagus and ‘stretch’ the stomach up to attach to the remaining part of the esophagus. When they did this in Dad’s case, his spleen began to bleed….scar tissue from radiation treatments for testicular cancer in 1968. He required 8 pints of blood. The spleen is very important in helping to fight infections…something that Dad would experience in the days to come.
After a very long wait (8+ hours) we saw Dad in the SCCU (Surgical Cardiac Care Unit). He was coherent but in a lot of pain. He can’t tolerate morphine so we made sure they were giving him other meds. On Friday, his one kidney began going into renal failure and his blood pressure was too high. There was also fluid in the lungs. We had a few moments with him and said things that we all wanted to say and then let the doctors take over to put in the central line. I think Dad knew he was in trouble. When they put in the ‘central line’ (one intravenous line to administer all meds and take blood etc), Dad’s lungs filled with fluid, and he panicked when he couldn’t breathe and they ended up putting him on a ventilator. During this, he also suffered a heart attack and they had to shock it into rhythm. He was transferred to ICU where he remained for the next 11 days.
There are far too many details to post of what happened over the next week and longer….another heart attack, E-Coli infection, C-Difficil infection, renal failure, lung failure, unstable blood pressure and heart rates…either too low or too high, chest drains for chest cavity fluid etc etc. Dad was on every machine that you can imagine. He slept through it all while Mom and I sat by his bedside for hours every day. It was emotionally and mentally draining. It was also something that we knew Dad did not want and we informed the doctors that we wanted no heroic efforts…although I think we were already in that territory.
On Saturday, Dec.6, the ventilator was removed and Dad spoke to us for the first time. Daddy was back! He told us how much he loved us and how he could never thank us for all that we had done for him. That would be the last coherent statement that we would hear from him in quite a few days. Since Dad had been resting for so long, he was well-recovered from his surgery. This was a good thing, but it also meant that he was anxious to get up and move around. Not possible with all the things that were still connected to him. The ICU nurses had to sedate him and this is where the next week of trouble began. Dad can’t tolerate morphine or any other kind of drug that affects the central nervous system. The nurses were giving him anti-psychotics and anti-depressants (often used for elderly patients with age-related confusion) as well as sleeping pills….he slipped into a drug-induced dementia. This was more difficult for us to go through than him being on a ventilator. It was like someone had taken all of his thoughts and experiences of the last 77 years, thrown them in a blender and now it was all coming out, all mixed up. We couldn’t convince the doctors that he wouldn’t come out of this fog until they stopped the meds. They agreed, but they couldn’t keep him under control at night when we weren’t there.
On Tuesday, Dec.16, Dad was transferred via ambulance to our local hospital. He was in a private room with 1 to 1 monitoring. His last med was on Monday night. He was still very confused. We needed at least 72 hours with no meds to see if he would improve mentally. The next week passed with Mom spending most of her days and all of her evenings and nights at the hospital. There was not enough staff to offer the 1 to 1 every night, so Mom slept in his room to help him. We knew that we had to keep him off the meds or he would never get back to ‘himself’. It’s been so hard on my Mom. They grew up together in Copenhagen and have been married for 54 years...there's nothing that they won't do for each other.
Today, Tuesday, Dec.23, Dad is on his way home. Yes, he is still a little more confused than what he was pre-surgery, but he has a lot more coherence each day. More forgetful than he was before, as well. He is still on a feeding tube at night but is starting to eat more regular food. Mom has said that she doesn’t need home care assistance, but I think she may find that it is more than she can handle, long term. Time will tell. During the holidays, all of us will be helping out…thank goodness we only live 5 minutes apart.
I’m not sure how much turkey Dad will have tomorrow on Christmas Eve and I know he can’t dance around the candle-lit Christmas tree in our Danish tradition, but he’s alive and he’s home with his family. That’s what Christmas is all about!
Monday 24 November 2008
Isla Chicas 2008
Now that we have the beginnings of Isla Chicas 2008....the room and a Roca Mar update....it's time to get on with the FUN stuff! During a wonderful day at the new and improved Zama's, I coerced the chicas into joining me in a long tradition....the beach back photo! They were a willing bunch, so it was easy to get them settled in a secluded spot while I ran back and forth, setting the camera timer and running back into the line-up. Lots of giggles! So, here they are....Isla Chicas 2008!!
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Roca Mar Update as of Nov.1/08
Roca Mar Update as of Nov.1/08 -- Update Jan 09--see bottom of post....
I took a morning walk past our first favourite place to stay….the Roca Mar. We began staying here in 2003….loved the funkiness of the place and the fact that ‘Ino’ was there to watch over it all. Miss him….we have a lot of wonderful memories from the Roca Mar.
I took a morning walk past our first favourite place to stay….the Roca Mar. We began staying here in 2003….loved the funkiness of the place and the fact that ‘Ino’ was there to watch over it all. Miss him….we have a lot of wonderful memories from the Roca Mar.
Anyway, Roca Mar was sold earlier this year and has been undergoing a major renovation. One that was sorely needed. It is a beautiful location and I am so happy to see the restoration taking place instead of it being bulldozed for some 6 story condo building! Once the work is done, it will be a prime location to stay….although much pricier than in the past I’m sure!
Here are some photos that I took on November 1st…there were a lot of workers there so I’m sure a lot of progress has been made since then. Tentative opening date is for some time in December. We shall see! M & J's is currently located on Hidalgo....search them out for a delicious breakfast.
T
It will be exciting to see the finished project!
UPDATE--Jan 2009
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Isla Mujeres Chicas Only October 2008 -- The Room
What a crazy FUN holiday this was!!! Somehow, a bunch of little pieces fell together and a group of chicas ended up on Isla Mujeres at the same time. No hubbies or boyfriends in sight...woohoo! Let the 'Sisterhood of the Travelling Bra' begin!
So, where to stay? Girls travelling alone need a safe, secure place to stay. Not to mention, convenient location, clean and Cheap! We needed to budget wisely so we would have more pesos for pompom margs!
Maria Leticia was quickly chosen and with help from Chris on Isla Mujeres, the reservations were made. I was very happy with my room, and for the price it couldn't be beat. I would definitely recommend this location for anyone. It's a very popular place and has many regulars that stay there for long holidays. We were lucky to get in as it was low season. Their website is http://www.isla-mujeres.net/rentals/marialeticia/home.htm
Here is a little tour of my room and the location of Maria Leticia....
There was always lots of water pressure....the light in the bathroom was very dim though....I had to use a little flashlight in there sometimes!
Great views from the balcony!
On the second night I closed this heavy wooden door....it kept out any noise and gave added security as well.
Watch out for all the wires!
The metal security gate closes and locks at night....we had to wake up a night watchman several times...poor guy!
A little video of the room...
Dancing With The Stars!
The countdown is on!
We are big fans of Dancing with the Stars...I know, I know, it's TV fluff, but tell me....who doesn't wish that they could do some of those dances! Next time I'm on Isla and that salsa music comes on I just want to get up and shake it like Brooke or Julianne....I'm shaking twice as much stuff so it should be twice as good, right?! :)
Today was the semi-final and it's down to Lance, Cody, Warren and Brooke. So who is going to take home the coveted disco ball trophy?
My thoughts.....
Cody---cute kid but doesn't have a lot of flexibility...love Julianne....think he might be going home tomorrow
Warren---not a big fan of this guy....I think his dancing is sloppy, but he is light on his feet. I'm not sure that he deserves to be in the final as his content is seriously lacking, compared to the others
Lance---talk about coming from behind! He has been doing great on the last few dances! I've really enjoyed their originality. The judges were tough on them from the start, but they have worked so hard. I really like Lacey too. I'm leaning towards the trophy for them...depends on what they do next week
Brooke---kind of like Kristi of last year....front runner from the start. Derek creates some very tough choreography. Their routines are more difficult than the rest of the dancers, but maybe they should tone it down a bit and be a little more perfect in their technique instead. She's definitely a natural talent.
If you're watching...make sure you vote for your favourite! Who do you think will win?
Saturday 15 November 2008
Bond is Back!
We went to see the new Bond movie last night...Quantum of Solace...what an action packed movie that was! I still find the plots a little confusing...the usual bad guy doing bad stuff and the good guy doing bad stuff for a good reason.... but there was definitely a lot of on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments to make up for it. It was interesting that it was a continuation of the last Bond....I don't remember Bond movies being like that before.
Daniel Craig is a superb Bond....I can't believe that I was so upset the day that they said Pierce wouldn't be back again as Bond...uh, Pierce who?
The fluff is gone, even the martinis are different in this one...just 2 hours of action!
Who is your favourite Bond?
Thursday 13 November 2008
Holiday Smiles!
Have you ever noticed if you smile more when you're on a holiday? Or laugh a LOT? I know I do! My recent holiday to Isla Mujeres was an all-girls holiday. What a FANTASTIC holiday it was! Of course it was different not sharing Isla time with hubby, but how often do you get a group of women together like this.....most of us have met on Isla Mujeres or have only met on message boards. We were together for hours every day and night...and never tired of each others' company. My cheeks were sore for days after I came home from all the laughing! This photo was taken at Casa Sirena...we were lucky enough to be invited to a happy hour get-together there. The margaritas were awesome and the company even greater. Just look at all the smiles!! That's what holidays are all about.....
Wednesday 12 November 2008
A sunrise goodbye....
I enjoyed the most beautiful sunrise when I had to leave Isla Mujeres on the 6am ferry on Nov.2. Seeing that made me smile, but it certainly didn't make it any easier to leave!
Twilight is finished
I started reading Twilight during the girls only Isla Mujeres holiday in late October. I just finished it....enjoyed it. It may be a 'teen' book, but for light reading on the beach, it was great. I'm looking forward to the movie....bought tickets for the show on Nov.21, and I'm also starting the second book in the series, New Moon.
What book have you recently read and enjoyed?
Monday 10 November 2008
A little more about us.....
Vince and I both have busy full-time jobs that we enjoy....Vince with the Ministry of Health as an Environmental Health Officer and I am an Office Manager at a private company. Our youngest son is in grade 9, middle son is in second year university striving for a degree in Physics and our oldest is out on his own and working hard. Each day is filled from start to finish so.....
....We love our Mexico holidays......it all started back in 1999, when we took our first holiday to Mexico and stayed for 2 wonderful weeks at the all-inclusive Iberostar Tucan resort, just south of Playa del Carmen. One look at that gorgeous blue ocean and we were in love!
We had already been on several holidays to California and loved relaxing and wine-tasting in Santa Barbara, but Mexico was a whole new adventure. We had no sooner returned from our 1st Iberostar visit when we began planning the next holiday. We returned to the Iberostar Tucan again in 2000 and then tried a new Iberostar in 2001, the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar. It was during a visit to the Iberostar in 2002 that we took a day trip to Isla Mujeres, a small island just off the mainland near Cancun. Wow....now this is a relaxing place! We added Isla Mujeres to our holiday list!
Over the next few years, our holidays were shared between the Iberostar and Isla Mujeres. In some ways they are the complete opposite of each other, but they both offer us the relaxation and fun that we look for on our holidays. We've also enjoyed sharing these special places with our sons.
We are lucky to be able to go to Mexico for 3-4 weeks each February and then we also try to go again in August for our wedding anniversary. Mexico holidays are cheaper and way more fun than marriage counselling!
So, this blog will be a lot about...planning for Mexico and being in Mexico....our favourite home away from home!
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