I truly can’t believe that it is fall, but I know that it is in full swing when I see the coloured leaves falling and awaken to cold, crisp mornings. Almost too cold to convince me to get up and go for a walk.
Summer ended with a trip to Paris, France, with my sisters Terry and Cathy and my niece, Katie. It was actually part of Katie’s graduation present and fulfilling a long made promise to her that I had made several years ago when she finished her French education! Originally we had planned to go during March break, but that didn’t quite work out with my surgery. However, the good news is that we were all able to get away at the end of August, before Katie headed off to the University of Toronto to begin her University studies (now that does make me feel old!).
Upon arrival in Paris we were met with a little bit of rain, but it quickly turned to sunshine and after checking in at the Hotel and a bit of lunch we went out to explore our surroundings. Our hotel was very close to the “Jardin des Tuileries” which is a garden that runs between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, so we walked up to the Place de la Concorde for some fresh air.
Cathy quickly struck up conversations in French with the concierge at the hotel and found some amazing restaurants for us to dine at each night. The first night we stayed close to the hotel and walked around the corner to our first evening of delicious French cuisine.
On our second day in Paris, we all went to the Eiffel Tower for lunch. Yes, for lunch. I had decided that a celebration was in order for Katie’s graduation and first visit to Paris, so I had pre booked lunch in the famous Jules Verne restaurant 125 m in the sky. The food was amazing and it was fun to relax and enjoy ourselves while sitting in the Eiffel Tower structure.
Since I had suggested that we all get dressed up for lunch a quick trip back to the hotel was in order so we could change before walking up the Champs Elysees, the prestigious avenue that leads to the Arc de Triomphe. And although my French was a bit rusty at first, and I truly believe that I was driving Katie a bit crazy with my translation questions, it only took one cab ride where the driver overcharged us to push me to use my own knowledge of the French language – mistakes and all!
The next day Cathy and I spent a quiet day walking in the area adjacent to the Notre Dame while Katie and Terry visited the famous museum, the Louvre. Cathy and I walked back from Notre Dame through some quaint old streets and we found ourselves at the oldest pub in Paris, where instead of a glass of wine I had ice cream. It was summer after all and the days were still quite warm!
We all met up for a drink before heading to dinner at one of the oldest restaurants in Paris. It was tiny and the food was very traditional, but delicious!
We found ourselves at the famous Gallerie Lafayette, the world’s largest department store, for the better part of Thursday afternoon. Although I walked around the entire store I didn’t buy much because I found the prices truly expensive – but that’s Paris!
Thursday, August 26, 2010, also happened to be my one year anniversary from my official diagnosis of breast cancer. Sometimes it is hard to believe and even comprehend the year that I have had – but it was very calming and appropriate to spend this anniversary in Paris with my sisters and my niece. We went to an amazing restaurant, Les Ombres, which means the shadows, as it has an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and its shadow falls over the restaurant in the evening. The name was quite appropriate as I now think of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation as in my past. So we had an amazing dinner and celebrated my successful battle with cancer.
And although this may sound strange, when the waiter dripped hot water from my tea on my back, after the initial shock I was actually quite content and not upset. Why? Because it didn’t blister and I knew that my immune system was much stronger now. Twice I burned myself ever so slightly while I was going through chemo and I remember the challenges I had waiting for the healing process. So dripping green tea on me seemed almost a sign of wellness or good luck!
Although I have never been a star gazer, it was also quite lovely to have a glass of wine at Le Meurice Hotel – Cathy advised me that is usually where Tom Cruise stays. We only had drinks there because it was definitely out of our price range!
There was also a lovely coffee and macaroon shop close to our hotel called Angelina’s, and although a bit overpriced, we did enjoy the hot chocolate, cappuccino and the macaroons!
Terry and Katie also went to visit the Yves St Laurent exhibit while Cathy and I went in search of a pet store to buy Harley a French gift! In hindsight I wish we had planned things a little differently and that I had gone with them as well because it sounded truly amazing! They kept teasing me that the clothes on display looked like my old wardrobe – and yes, once upon a time, I used to splurge on fancy clothes for work and play.
Cathy found another great restaurant, Café Les Hommes, with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower and amazing food as well. We were able to take pictures from the outdoor patio with the Eiffel Tower in the background; truly lovely.
And although there were lots of great meals and fine red wine; there was also plenty of exercise walking the streets of Paris and along the Jardin des Tuileries. I even made it to the hotel gym a couple times to use the weights!
Cathy had to depart a day early, so Terry, Katie and I headed off to visit Notre Dame. It was completely overwhelming to light a candle and offer gratitude to God for helping me through this past year; and also to offer thanks for my family and friends as I wouldn’t have made it without them!
After we walked back from Notre Dame, I went and had a glass of wine in a café in the Jardin des Tuileries. It was peaceful to just sit and watch Paris happening around me.
On our last evening in Paris we found a great little Italian restaurant around the corner from the hotel. Ok, the concierge and Cathy recommended it, but Terry, Katie and I still had to find it! And yes, I know this is a bit strange, Italian food in Paris, but I absolutely love good Italian food and it was fantastic. They made Katie’s pasta sauce on a huge piece of cheese that looked like a bowl and I am not kidding.
After dinner for our last night in Paris, Katie and Terry joined me on a river cruise. And although it was nice to see the sites from a different view and all lit up in the dark, it was a little chilly! A night cap of hot chocolate and tea, and maybe some grand marnier, was definitely in order before we turned in!
Coming back from Paris brought many changes to my life and September and October have truly flown by. I found myself involved in a Tribunal hearing up in Manitoulin the first few days of September before relaxing at a Labor Day barbecue with friends on the Saturday and a surprise 50th birthday party for a friend on the Sunday. Labor Day itself was actually a day of rest!
One week mixed into the next with Tribunal work and a couple of doctor appointments. Even though they are just check ups, they certainly can take up a lot of time! The good news was I also was able to meet up with Katie the second and third week of September to see how she is settling in at University.
September 18th was my cousin Tina’s 40th birthday, and she had an amazing party at a bar/restaurant in Windsor. Tina loves country music so the theme was country western; and let’s just say that my dad could wear his famous green Stetson without looking out of place!
That same evening a friend of mine had helped to organize a fundraiser for breast cancer out in Lakeshore at the Knights of Columbus hall, so off we went. It was a lot of fun, and one of my friends even won the grand prize large screen television. Mike was definitely pleased that he had purchased a ticket for the event!
I also had an invitation to speak to some students at the law school about Pro Bono work and why they should get involved in their community. Although I was a bit nervous, it turned out to be a lot of fun with the other members of the panel and the questions were great.
September was a bit of a struggle to keep my regular exercise routine with travel back and forth for the tribunal and doctor’s appointments, but I was determined to get in as much exercise as possible. I continued to try to start each day with exercise and if it didn’t happen in the morning, I would try to fit it in at night when I got home.
During the third week of September, my friends, Mike and Cathy, hosted a dinner party mid week. It felt like a beautiful summer evening as we enjoyed cocktails outside at Doug and Jeff’s before dinner back at their place. There were a few friends from the US at dinner and the conversation was truly interesting as we discussed both Canada’s and the United States economic recovery. I am still reflecting on the discussion about the time it has taken Japan to recover from their economic fallout and wondering what may happen in the short term and the long term in North America.
Aside from attending dinner parties mid week, not working full time has other advantages. I was able to help my friend Sylvia out by giving her son Eric and his friend a lift to hockey practice in Leamington. It was almost like going back in time for me when I realized how close the arena was to my grandparents’ old house; literally across the street. I was just about to head back to Amherstburg when I realized that I was also close to the cemetery where they are buried, so I drove over and walked over to their headstone. Their pictures are still clear and easy to see, and I truly felt like I was a young girl again when I looked at them. My mother’s parents were truly special people who overcame hardship and war and celebrated more than 50 years of marriage. I drove back towards Windsor thinking about all of the wonderful times I had spent with them while growing up.
Between decision writing and visiting Terry at the hospital (she had gall bladder issues), September ended quickly and before I knew it October had begun.
On the first Sunday in October I attended the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Run for the Cure event in Windsor. The Athletic Club in Amherstburg, which is my local gym, had entered a team and I joined to help raise some money. My good friend Babs came with me for the 5km, however, we didn’t run, we walked. I have never been much of a runner and don’t think I will start now with the lingering stiffness I have in my bones sometimes as a result of chemo.
It was incredible to see more than two thousand people gathered to raise money, and although it was a windy and cool Sunday morning, the sun was shining and the crowd was truly enthusiastic. Babs and I kept up a rather quick pace, 10 minutes per kilometer, and we were excited to see our team win the top corporate fundraising prize.
The first week of October also found me in Toronto for another doctor’s appointment because I am going to start taking a new medication, Zometa, to help strengthen my bones and prevent osteoporosis down the road. Chemotherapy also has a tendency to reduce your bone density, so I am definitely in favour of anything that makes them stronger.
The timing of my oncologist appointment worked out that I could have lunch with Katie, before doing a little bit of work and then attending the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s reception at Queen’s Park where they were launching their report, “Earlier Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer” from the “It’s About Time Conference”. I am participating as a member in a committee that they have and have offered to help in any way to change the legislation so that women 40 to 49 have better access to the best quality screening available in Ontario. That’s why my story appeared in the Women and Cancer section of the Toronto Star on September 23, 2010. Although some may be getting tired of my story or don’t like to hear it anymore, I will continue to tell my story until things change. And hopefully it helps others to be proactive about getting screened.
I did feel a little badly about not buying my niece Katie dinner after the reception, but I had to drive back to Amherstburg and get home before my company arrived for Thanksgiving weekend. Traffic was light and I even had time to pick up a few groceries for breakfast before my cousin Ann and her husband Jim showed up in my driveway shortly after midnight.
Yes, they had come all the way from Arizona to spend Thanksgiving with us, for two reasons. First, Ann and Jim wanted to see the rest of the family, especially my parents, and secondly, Jim absolutely loves turkey dinners.
And let’s just say that Jim was truly in heaven by the time they left. Ann and I (yes, moi) made the turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes on Friday for dinner. Joe of course helped with the mashed potatoes and gravy. And I cheated a bit with store made pies. But all in all, it was a great meal at my parents and Cathy, Brian and Harley, also were able to join us.
And as you may recall the weather on Thanksgiving weekend was incredible in southwestern Ontario. It was so nice, that there was time for swimming, yes, swimming in my parents’ outdoor pool. I do have to admit that my dad had the heater turned up to about 90 degrees though!
It was a busy weekend, but truly a lot of fun. After turkey sandwiches for lunch on Saturday we decided we needed a break and we all went out for dinner at Riccardo’s on Saturday night. Tina and Verna joined us in our Italian outing, and we convinced my dad that it was his turn to cook, so he picked up the bill!
On Sunday, Joe made homemade quiche for brunch, and we had another invited guest, Fr. Ted Johnson, who once was priest in our parish. It was a very spirited breakfast discussion and left me with a lot to think about, especially the role of women in the church. It turned out that Fr. Ted’s birthday was the next day, so Joe made a pumpkin cheesecake to mark the event. Breakfast was barely over when Joe had the turkey in the oven for dinner. Jim was definitely enjoying his stay in Canada!
Now they say it is something in the turkey that makes you sleepy, but in this case it may have been the cheesecake at breakfast, because Ann and Jim decided to take a nap before dinner instead. I think the time change was a bit difficult for them and perhaps I was keeping them a bit too busy. They did get up in time to make it to the pool again for another afternoon of swimming. To be truthful though, Ann doesn’t usually swim, so she visited with Terry poolside while the rest of us pretended to get some exercise.
My brother-in-law Joe is a fabulous cook, and Thanksgiving dinner was no exception. He made it look truly effortless as he put the entire dinner on the table with little help. I had offered, but I think he thought it was more helpful if I stayed out of his way!
Thanksgiving was truly a weekend to be grateful for all of our blessings. My cousin Ann survived and has almost fully recovered from the auto accident in which she broke her neck and I have survived breast cancer. Terry made it through her gall bladder surgery and is on the road to recovery. And in addition my parents remain in good health and were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage this year. Yes, Thanksgiving was truly a time to show our gratitude for all of the good things in life.
Ann and Jim had to head back to Arizona on Tuesday, so it was a short but great visit. Everyone talked about going to visit them in Arizona this winter, so we shall see what happens….
The last few weeks of October have been busy with work again for the Tribunal and I found myself at a hearing in Guelph for ten days. Although I had all good intentions of exercising every day, I must admit it was more like every other day. The good news is that I have recognized the importance of enough sleep every night and I am keeping my commitment to make my health a priority in my life!
The last weekend of October involved a quick visit to London to catch up with some friends. Jo-Anne and I headed up to do a little shopping and to meet up with Sylvia after her hockey game in Kitchener. We were also able to meet up with Cathy and Wendy in London and have a girls dinner out on Saturday! Did we ever feel old walking by all of the young people dressed up for Hallowe’en standing in line to get into some of the local establishments. I should be careful how I use the words dressed up, because some didn’t have many clothes on at all and it was pretty chilly out! To be young and somewhat foolish…it seems like a very long time ago…
Hard to believe that October is over, but I guess it is, so Happy Hallowe’en!
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