Author Archives: JustaBear

Today I am admitted into the hospital. In the afternoon, I have another medical appointment. My right breast is injected with a blue fluid that will enable the surgeon to identify the sentinel gland during surgery tomorrow. As a result, the area around my nipple may be blue for months to come. The armpit hasContinue reading “14/ August 11, 2020”

Just when you think that things cannot get much worse, they do. Last Friday afternoon, we comfortably floated into our last weekend before the surgery. Lise packed her bags, once again. In the evening, I drove her to my sister. On Saturday morning, they were all leaving for the south of France, where they rentedContinue reading “13/ August 10, 2020”

During the past two weeks, I have made five trips to the hospital: the gynecologist, the scan of my bones, the MRI of my breasts, the debrief of the medical exams with my surgeon, and a check of my heart condition. In addition, I had an appointment with Ana. She is a gynecologist, and aContinue reading “12/ August 7, 2020”

From time to time, Aidan’s adolescence has been a rough ride, for him, and for us as a family. He has had an auti-coach ever since he was a young boy. Back then, he enthusiastically worked along, enjoying the attention. Growing up though, less and less people pass the test of “coolness”. The same appliesContinue reading “11/ July 27, 2020”

After another week of turbulence, it is weekend again. Last Sunday, Lise left for a horse riding vacation at the beach with her friends. We made the reservations last year in November, and it’s been their talk of the town ever since. On Sunday, with tons of luggage, they set off with one of theContinue reading “10/ July 25, 2020”

Tonight we had invited Cécile, Ian’s godmother. She and I go a long way back. At the age of six, we were classmates and little friends. As we grew up though, we drifted apart. At the age of twelve, I traded our cosy village school for a high-school in a bigger city. Later on, weContinue reading “8/ July 18, 2020”

It is finally Sunday. This wasn’t the easiest week. Ian was on a four-day seminar from Monday through Thursday to become a horse riding instructor. We drove him to the seminar each day. Such avoided exposure to COVID on bus rides. Part of the drive is scenic: a winding road through nature and a beautifulContinue reading “9/ July 19, 2020”

I was back at the competition this morning when Elisabeth called. She’s returned from her trip to Italy. Adian sees me walk away on my phone and comes over to say hi to her. Elisabeth lived through a cancer treatment herself. That makes her the only person I talked to so far who really understands.Continue reading “7/ July 12, 2020”

Ian’s three-day competition is a most welcome distraction. The four of us will spend pretty much the entire weekend on the site. It is still morning when we get there. The sun is out, yet it is not too hot. The perfect weather. The site is buzzing with riders, their family and friends. Horses areContinue reading “6/ July 11, 2020”

Dawn came before five am, birds started their songs. I wake up after a couple of hours of a restless sleep, feeling wrecked. I am only a week and a half into my new job, what will my new boss say? Through my employer, I have great health coverage, I hope they won’t think IContinue reading “5/ July 9, 2020”