volare

So my mom has been wondering when I'm going to write my blog about 'spending time with' her. I find it funny that I started this blog so that she could keep up to date with my doings and so that I wouldn't have to write out a trillion emails and so that it would be easier to share things like photos for example. a blog to fill her in, that was what this was about.

how am i supposed to fill you in, mom, if you were there?

granted, my mom isn't the only one reading, but I just found her whole 'so when you writing your blog about me' request rather hillarious. and cute.

so as always, where to start.

Well first of all, the whole purpose for the trip.... I guess I'm not entirely sure what it was. When I was home last, in December/January, I came home at a pretty unfortunate time, stayed during an incredibly tense time and left at even more intense time. It didn't feel right leaving and I even had extended my already extended stay an extra week. But mom told me I had to go, because if I missed seeing the Spice Girls in London she would be 'so pissed'. So I left, a little reluctantly, and a little with my tail between my legs because I was too scared to stay and too scared not to go back and finish my job.

Needless to say, after mom's surgery, my first thought was 'when the hell can I get home'. My dad wanted me to wait, wanted me to consider maybe coming home earlier and not just jumping on a plane for a week. After everyone had calmed down and mom had started getting on the mend and the chemo, and after I talked to and was encouraged by my cancer counselor to follow through with my initial idea (made even before the surgery results) that I would come home in March for a bit just to asses and hang out with chemo-head, I just started telling everyone I was going home in March, and it stuck and tickets were bought.

Because I had a couple of days off around Easter, my director and I chose a series of days that would allow me a good amount of time at home and somewhat save me from paying too much money back to the organization. I was pretty grateful how sympathetic everyone was in letting me take the days off (provided I followed suit with having my pay cheque deducted for the extra time - fine by me).

And so, come march 14, I was off on a jet plane back to Canada and the Herlihey clan for 10 days. Now it should be noted also, that I was delayed on my plane in London for 1.5 hours because a panel near the engine was broken - ugh, terrifying to hear that before a 7 hour flight. And there was also a bout really bad turbulence on the way over - so much so the couple beside me starting holding hands and I was thisclose to asking the guy to hold my hand too. Needless to say I was extremely happy to get off that damned plane (though I do like flying B.A very much) to see my mum and dad waiting for me.

The first couple of days back I spent mostly lazing about with my mom, trying to get over some serious jet /travel lag. We grocery shopped, watched television, went to visit Frankie on Sunday to get the scoop on the stripper she ordered, and pretty much just hung around for the weekend. At one point the three of us (mom dad and i) had dinner and mum and dad sat on the same side of the table and declared they were ammer'can - because thats what they do. It was terribly adorable and almost make me puke at how cute they could be.

On Monday we traveled down to Toronto to stay at my Aunt Tina's house for a couple of days. My mom was pretty proud because it was the first time she had driven the trip to the Russell house since her diagnosis. But it was either she drives, or little miss 'i don't have a license anymore because i let it expire over a year ago' drives and runs the risk of being arrested and not going back to Geneva because I'd be in jail. My Aunt and I tried to encourage my mum to eat fattening things and drink a lot of water, because her chemo was Tuesday and water helps open the veins. Speaking of chemo-head, Aunt Tina and I went to chemo with her on Tuesday which was, at times, a bit hard to do.

The thing about going to chemo that upset me was seeing how many people were there and knowing that they were all in for cancer treatment and thinking about what a bullshit disease it is. And then my mom decided that this time when I was just sitting there looking at these people having to brave their treatments, to tell me about her surgery and such and then get up and leave right as I'm on the brink to have her blood taken. Seriously. Then Aunt Tina came in after a half hour wait in the parking lot and told me that we were going to make funny faces at my mom while she had her tests done - my aunt tina is pretty awesome. Luckily we got there early, so mom was rushed through the chemo (not without a near fist fight between my aunt and the nurse that couldn't find a damned vein in moms hand) and we were out of the hospital in time for lunch.

Aunt Tina and Uncle Derek treated us to some pretty fancy-shmancy meals (I've been using that phrase a lot since Heidelburg, interesting) while I visited, all of which certainly beat the crap out of the...crap that we eat here. Though, Steph and I have become quite the masters of the foyer kitchen recently - just the other day someone said to us that they liked seeing what we were making because its always different, but, I digress.

For the ride back home I made my mom a cd. She decided at some point that 'what a wonderful world' was her favourite song of all time and played it on repeat to the extent that I get 'shania-syndrome' whenever I hear it. You know, the fit of rage I get when I hear Shania play because of the two months at Sunrise Records where that was all we were allowed to play and I wanted to punch a hole in the wall, rip out the speakers, and burn the cd player. But, mom was also partial to 'don't cha' by the pussycat dolls, and so for every eye twitching play of louis armstrong, came a fun sing along.

The rest of the week went by pretty quietly - my mom and I went to church like fifteen times because of easter and special masses, and I stayed a day in Hamilton to play catch up and see my second family - all of whom are doing well and make me miss them lots. A couple of days later they came to visit me at home and we had tea and Trish said some incredible Trishisms that had us laughing - and my mom (who insists she wasn't laughing AT Trisha, but that she was laughing at us laughing....sure thing chemo-head).

Easter was held at my Aunt's house where we had an easter egg hunt between 5 girls, the youngest one being 19 and one who is finishing up med school - because what's more fun than easter egg hunting? NOTHING. photo blog:

Kristina finding one of the last eggs.

Frankie and Lisa searching

Mom declaring Kris the winner of the hunt...sorry Alexa, i think that makes you 0 for 25

Aunt Tina cooking easter dinner - see above.

All in all, the time at home was well spent. It was good to spend some time with the family - and reflecting on that week has me incredibly pumped for when Mom and Dad come to visit me in May. HUZZAH!