Sunny Saturday Morning

It’s a resurrection, that moment when you accept that you will completely recover no matter the severity of the illness or the pain you’ve suffered.

I still get spasms but they are infrequent and I feel improvement every day. Faith and good health are blessings never to be taken for granted.

It’s Saturday morning and it’s sunny and it will be quite warm this afternoon—I have to leave my windows open at night to sleep comfortably. Normally I would go on at least a four-hour walk on a day like today but I am inclined to only take a short one until I am even more secure in my recovery.

First I will go to the Farmers’ market to get even more Mutsu apples.

A Great Friday

I did all my shopping and prep yesterday for tonight’s dinner, so today was relaxed and spent mostly tidying and cleaning my condo. After a week of sciatic pain, I had not bent over or lifted anything, but today I walked all day without a cane and even went downhill and up stairs. A miracle, to my mind!

Tonight I am having three people I really like over for dinner, but I hardly know any of them. Mel, I met through a friend of a friend but I always really enjoy his company and wit whenever we find ourselves together.

Neil is a true kindred spirit and prince. I adore every minute in his company; for my personality, he is the ideal companion. He is a true gem, as is Tim. Tim is as sweet as Neil and both have a certain cynicism that delights me.

I am really excited about tonight: Excellent people, lots of champagne, great food (even it it’s me saying so) and a fine, fine dessert.

It’s been cloudy and misty, a true Fall day. But it is warm. And as of tomorrow, we are expecting four days of sunshine and almost 20° temperatures. With my day today, sans canne, I expect to go for a walk tomorrow in ecstasy.

Here is my place…. all tidy and ready for favoured guests.

Hallway sans dustballs finally.

My aquarium is really, really pleasing me. It is in great
shape thanks to all the technology and Costin.

The entertainment altar.

All new cutlery, dishes, chairs champagne glasses
and napkins.

My counter is like an airport runway. I love it.

My spirit spice rack is on the right.

My paradise. Note the Hoja growing. It is my pride
and joy. All you see grew this year.

Thursday: Cooking Day

It was Farmers’ Market Day yesterday! I made gazpacho because it is warm and sunny and I love the gazpacho I make—especially with fresh organic ingredients. Few things can beat the smell of freshly cut cucumber.

I also made a nice pastry shell and then, without thinking, turned it upside down and ruined it. So I had to make a second one and had to go shopping for more ingredients—all done slowly avec ma canne. But I don’t care; I am rich with time.

I also made one of my favourite dishes. I tear up a ton of basil, mint, scallions and parsley—heavy on the basil and mint. I serve the greens on rice noodles, lightly sprinkle it all with a salt/lime juice/honey sauce and top that with seared spicy ahi tuna. I’m serving it with fresh organic peaches and cream corn on the cob.

And for dessert: Blackberry lime curd tart (see above). I will serve it with whipping cream in which I have soaked vanilla seeds.

Miku Waterfront

Nicola took me to Miku Restaurant. OH MY GOD!!! I can hardly wait to go back. We have so many absolutely fabulous restaurants in this city and Nicola is a culinary explorer. I am lucky to have her acting like a guide for me. Here are some shots of Miku.

This was our view. We ate outside in October on the balcony.

Chris 6.8

In two months, I will be 68. In two days, I will be sciatica pain free.

Late on Tuesday my sciatica seemed to be improving. But Wednesday morning felt like a major setback; it had a lot of spasm in the morning but not in the afternoon. And now on Wednesday morning, I feel confident I will not use my cane today. I feel very strong.

A couple of years ago, I had my DNA mapped so that I could join an elite cohort of patients who get their medicine individually dosed according to our genotype. In the past, people getting medications took standard doses regardless of their age, weight, diet, state of health and even altitude (And other environmental factors). I am given exactly measured amounts of medication for my lung treatments.

And yesterday I began a transfer process that will move me out of the outpatient program of the Pacific Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital. I am transferring to a new program at Vancouver General Hospital where I will get an App for my phone and some diagnostic tools to bring home. Going forward, I will use my diagnostic tools to obtain information that I will upload into the app to receive diagnostic and treatment directions. I am Chris 6.8.

A photo dump to celebrate a return to walking!

Look at those hands!