A Different Journey

Long time, no post. We had hoped to go to Ireland in early October and be writing from somewhere overseas. COVID had other ideas. Countries we reclosing just as we planned to leave. We decided instead to settle again in the Chicago area for one year to let COVID die down. That’s when our new journey began. Mary was diagnosed with oral cancer. November 19, she had surgery to remove her right inner cheek and palate (roof of the mouth). They reconstructed the area with tissue from her shoulder blade. I could not visit her (for COVID prevention). She had a clot develop in the vein they inserted, so she had to spend extra days in hospital. She ended up being in for 12 days. She has to be fed through a stomach feeding tube, but otherwise news is good. Doctors were very happy with her removal and reconstruction operation, and the pathology report came back showing NO cancer in the margins around the tissue taken out or in any of the 25 lymph node removed. That is excellent, and we are very hopeful for her recovery! She’ll recover at home for six weeks and then we’ll begin any other treatments they recommend (e.g., radiation). Mary already asked the doctor, and we may be able to travel again as early as this coming summer (COVID vaccine willing). So look for the blog to be about our travels again as soon as all is well. Thanks for continuing to follow the blog, and we wish you all a happy holiday season.