After the last chemo therapy session on Wednesday we left for Glen Mills on Thursday to visit many of the friends we left behind in the westward trek. Our good friends, Pat and Harry, hosted our visit inviting friends and neighbors for dinner and taking very good care of us. Anne and Martin hosted a wonderful evening with friends and former colleges It was marvelous to see everyone again and catch up on everyones changes and progressions.
Unfortunately, all the infectious risks associated with travel caught Barend on our way home. It began with a viral throat infection which created a racking cough. Narcotic cough syrup and pills were the only help the doctors could offer until it mutated into a bacterial lung infection. This just in time for Thanksgiving and the arrival of Jacqueline, Adam, Naomi and Julia for the holiday.
Sara and Josh hosted the Thanksgiving meal and Mike (my brother), Lee (his wife) and his youngest daughter Abby, joined us Wednesday and Thanksgiving day. It was an exceptional feast and wonderful party. Four of the five grandchildren returned to the lake house with us for more fun and games until the California family left for home on Saturday. My afternoon with the wee ones was going to the cinema to see Frozen.
Frozen was an applicable theme as the weather turned to deep freeze soon afterward. The lake was frozen over then came snow on top of that.
This made the start of Christmas preparations somewhat difficult except for the Elving (shopping) which is mostly my entertainment along with interior decor. With the help of Sara the tree was cut and brought home and the exterior lighting was begun and later completed. We are now more or less prepared for the grandkids from California and their parents too, of course.
The most recent chemo was this past Wednesday due to the delay caused by the recovery from infections. Back on schedule now. The same day our Ithaca family began their arrivals with Aafke. Tammo and Jelmer will arrive tonight from California and NYC respectively.
The next chemo at the end of the month will include the results of a CT scan so there will later be a better picture :) of the status of the cancer.
