My Holiday!

An accurate account of my latest trip!

       My Holiday

It's that time again! I call it a holiday for two reasons:

1. To see my children ( at least two of them).

2. To get away from my home.

But the main reason is to have a special test done. And although I could have it done where I live, I want my doctor who gave me a special procedure. In which the tumor cells are killed off. Its called stereotactic radiation, and where the tumor is blasted with high frequency radio waves. ( in my previous story I gave a link for the site that talks about it)

So I make this necessary trip- a fun one! Also this will be great for my daughter since she is in school to become a Doctor. It will give her a chance to see another field of medicine, and also to see for herself the progress of the tumor. I am hoping it has shrunk more too.

Yet I have a fear, a trepidation of leaving....... of packing, of going. I'm not quite sure why, but it lurks inside of my psyche. Maybe it has something to do with one of my previous surgeries, and the fact I had a stroke. Which caused me to lose the use of my legs, among other few minor things. After a short stay at a Rehab Facility ( not the drug kind of place) everything soon came back to me. Although my one son had a great time popping wheelie's with my wheelchair. I must admit I enjoyed being pushed around, but couldn't wait to stand on my two feet and walk on my own. It's something I treasure deep down in my heart.

You never really appreciate something until its gone!

Now to get where I am going I have to ride in a bus, then take a train to my daughters. The bus is always a bumpy ride- jingle, jangle, bumpity bump going over the hill, and down into the metropolis city of angels- Los Angeles! Although we do pass a few cities along the way, the train ride is much smoother and a lot roomier too. The ride is always cooler on the train, so I wore a long sleeved shirt. I also brought a sweater, because my daughter lives near the Pacific Ocean. When I left my city it was a wonderful 50º, so I can only imagine it would be a little cooler down there. And its not supposed to rain until I am home again.

There are wispy clouds in the sky, and look lovely with the blue background. I can even see the mountains, which is amazing since its usually smoggy. I always wonder if anyones at home in the Hollywood Hills? Thats where the movie stars live at. Are the maids or houseboys cleaning up for the rich people? Hmmm.......

Now I have arrived at the train station, in which I have an hour wait. This place is always a hustling, bustling place as people come and go. ( like ants from an ant hole) Traveling from one city to another in a hurried manner. Always wanting to get there quicker, never in a slow leisurely way.

I often wonder what its like to travel by caravan, going where the wind blew them to. Or like my grandma and grandpa heading west, not in a covered wagon but in a truck and utility cart. But on the way the utility cart got a flat, and during those days a new tire wasn't readily available. So they unhitched the cart and took what they could, leaving the rest( my grandma had to leave her sewing machine). Going from Oklahoma to California, just like in the movie “ Grapes of Wrath!”

Life was harsh for any new comers back then. And despite how much time has passed it really hasn't changed. We as a so-called civilized society still treat newcomers

to our land with suspicion. Instead of treating people equally some are looked down upon, as if they have a contagious disease. My mother keeps telling me �" its “ this system of things, everything is going downhill”. Much like the speeding train I am waiting for.

Its semi-quiet now with only a few people coming and going. And the train people are gracious, and help those who ask or need it. I have a whole hour to wait, so besides writing this- I people watch! Different nationalities, colors, males & females; yet we all have one commonality- being human! No matter where we live on this planet �" we are all human beings!

And contrary to some beliefs we did not evolve from apes, nor did we climb out of the primordial soup. We are far more intelligent for that to have happened, otherwise it would still be happening today. I guess some are just to narrow-minded to believe we are created from a higher intelligence than we could ever imagine.

Now I am on the train and ready for a nap. I sure hope its a quiet ride too.

Day Two

My daughter and I went to my appointment. I went into the tube for the MRI, and I had another short nap( lol) If you have ever been in one, its not easy to sleep in with the noise of the machine. Yet I try anyway!

After a nice lunch, we went back to the doctors office to find out the results of my nap, mmmm MRI test. And it was good news, the tumor is still shrinking. From a whopping 5.0 cm down to a mere 3.8 cm! My doctor is very happy with the results, and I told him if he wants to ever use me for an example that I could be available. ( He also assured me- no alien implants inside my head) Although he said he didn't know what one would look like.

See even after all the waiting and fretting, I had nothing to worry about. And I do take my condition very seriously, but at the same time I keep a positive outlook on life. I think life can only get better after this short visit. And I wont need to come back to see my doctor for another year. But I may come down to see my daughter and son before that.

We went back to her place, played with the puppy and watched some tv. Then went out to eat for a good shrimp meal, back to her place and more of the attack of the new puppy....... then to bed.

Day three

While my daughter went to work, I did my best to try and sleep in. Yet not being in my own bed �" I couldn't. So I got up to start my day, and enjoy the time by the coast. It was going to be a cold day so going to the beach, was out of the question. So I turned on Channel 6, for the local San Diego news! It was my favorite news to watch when I was down there! So while I ate breakfast, and had a cup of coffee I sat and watched the news.

Then I tried to crochet, but her puppy wanted the yarn- so that was out. I ate, then got cleaned up and dressed. Then went to watch a movie, or something else. I finally decided trying to finish the story I brought with me- giving it a happy ending. Still the dog wouldn't let me concentrate on anything but her. She climbed on my lap, behind my back and tried to eat my hair,lol. She bit or nipped at my ear, so I spanked her saying “no cassie” and put her on the floor. She bounded away, then came back and tried doing the same thing again. She is such a cute puppy and I miss her already.

Another day has passed and I could hear the puppy trying to get into the room. I tried to ignore the scratching from her, along with the rain that pelted the dry ground outside. I finally rose from the bed, and got up to stretch then go out to the living room. I saw my daughter huddled under a blanket watching the news. I smiled, and said “ good morning love, beautiful day isn't it!”

I went to go look out the sliding glass door, and smell the rain. Why is it this water falling down from the sky, be so calming to the soul. Yet too much and it can wreak havoc and devastation. Sadly the rain stopped and the sky cleared as if it never came!

My train didn't leave until almost 1 pm, so my daughter and I went shopping. I picked up a cool magazine for playing the guitar. Which I will start practicing soon, as I figure an hour or two to start each week will be good to start with. Then finish some of the other things I have started.

I made it to the train just minutes before it arrived. I hugged my daughter and her boyfriend goodbye and said I would come down again. Climbed aboard and settled in for the ride home. It took 2 hours to get to the great Union Station in LA. I walked through the place, and then to the outside where I was to catch the bus home. I waited just long enough to sit down, before the bus driver said “Line up for the bus to Bakersfield!” So I stood up and got in the line to board the bus.

I found a seat and again settled in for the two hours ride home. Where I did my best to keep from sleeping like most of the other passengers began doing I pulled out the guitar magazine. I turned to read an article about Steve Vai, and how he got started playing. As I finished the article I looked outside the window. I saw such a beautiful sight, I knew I had to try and capture this wondrous landscape. I have a cheap old camera, but it still works- so I took it out. I tried to get as many shots while the bus was moving. But I will post the pictures I took too.

You will get to see the beautiful landscape, and the awesome sky shots I took. Also I will include a shot of the puppy, along with a view of the Pacific Ocean for those who will never get to see its beauty for real. Now that I am home I so miss being there, at my daughters. But its good to be home again.

Home Sweet Home!!!

Author's Note

I will post some pictures soon.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I have been to a Doctor office very rarely in my lifetime. In the Army. We had mandatory physicals every two year. I'm glad all came out OK. Good health is a blessing. A very good story. I like the long train rides. You are correct. I like the safety and warmth of home. A very good story. Thank you.
Coyote

[Amanda]

You are a very brave woman with a wonderful sense of perspective, greatly to be admired. Great write!

[Crowley]

That sounds like a very good trip...not go to Europe and drink beer on the steps of the Vatican good, but family is always good, and taking care of our business and bodies is good. Welcome Home!!!!!!