Wednesday 3 September 2008

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

This time last year I had just returned from spending the summer in Switzerland where my two great granddaughters went to summer school and I was preparing for my Orient Express trip to Istanbul to be followed by a trip to New England in the fall.

OG and I had also been to Stockholm and Northern Ireland in the spring peppered with the odd visit to Scotland and several trips to Switzerland. In the middle of this manic travel schedule June 2007 saw the start of our house renovation project.

OG’s troubles started in July last year. He felt unwell and had a low groin pain. It was diagnosed as prostatitus and treated unsuccessfully with anti-biotic. By the time we went to America he was feeling gruesome and we had to return early.

One year later. OG was eventually diagnosed as having bladder cancer and is now several organs lighter and being treated with chemo, (well, he did say that he wanted to lose weight), travel is temporarily not an option, we are in the process of selling the Swiss apartment, and Phase I of our amazing renovation is nearing completion just as house prices slide.

Moral of the story? Be careful what you wish for and Carpe diem. Have a good day y'll.

And finally ... it's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal your neighbour's newspaper, that's the time to do it.………….

13 comments:

marymaryquitecontrary said...

I do hope that this next year will bring only good things. The most important the return of good health to your husband.

Wayne Ashford said...

Your Swiss apartment is amazing - i still have the view from the balcony on my phone as a background, just stunning!
A real shame you're selling it.
I hope you are well, I emailed you earlier.
A very busy couple of years you've had, retired? I dont think so!

Love to yourself and OG.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

RAC - can only wish you and OG all the very best for the forthcoming twelve months and thereafter, to make up for what seems to have been a lousy year. In spite of it all you appear to have retained a great sense of humour! That can only be good for both of you.

A x

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

hanks Mary, I'm sure he is on the right track.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I know Wayne, it was really gut wrenching, but the time is right to sell. Retired? I don't think so either!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I know that it appears to have been a crap year, but there have been a lot of laughs along the way Anne.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I meant to say "thanks" Mary, not "hanks" Typo!!

aims said...

I'm always thankful that my bladder cancer just stayed in my bladder and they were able after a number of operations to get it all.

We just don't know what life is going to throw at us. I wonder if we did know what was coming if we'd just run then!

Now - something else will come up and things will be great. You watch!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

You are surely right aims, we don't know what life is going to throw at us. We can only live only one day at a time.

Anonymous said...

I wish OG all the very best for a complete recovery. It must be a very uncomfortable and debilitating thing to have to go through.

And remember - carpe diem is a great maxim to live by, but if the docs and nurses don't treat him right, he could try 'carpe jugulum' instead.

Just kidding... ;)

Gill - That British Woman said...

wow what a lot of things have happened to you.....here's hoping 2009 is a much quieter year for you and your family.

Thanks for popping by my blog.

Gill in Canada

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Hi Jay, carpe jugulum indeed. You may be interested to know that my colleague sat beside Terry Pratchette on a plane headed for Chicago. They were both on the way to a convention in Chicago. He as a visitor, my colleague as an exhibitor. They became bestest friends.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks Gill. I don't know if I am actually capable of handling a quiet year!