How I am looking these days...

Here are some recent photos. You'll see larger purpley-red scars on my left arm - that is from where I had a secondary infection. You'll see bright pink spots on my right arm - that is the light scarring I have all over my arms, torso and thighs.

For the most up-to-date photographic version of how I am doing, go to my Flickr "Sicko" Set

Little Things

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was on Cape Cod visiting family recently. During this time I finally got to spend some real time with my little 3 year old niece, Samantha. Even though I've seen her a few times before, they were when she was younger and not frequent enough for her to really know or remember me. So I was really pleased to see her for several hours over the course of 3 days - this time I think I made it onto her list of "People I know and Like"!
The relationship started off a little shaky, but began to become secured when I presented her with a little pink package of "body jewels" from the restaurant's bathroom automat. {Ah, it really is the little things that work best...remember how your parents would buy you something big but then you played mostly with the box it came in?}
A couple days later I went with Mimi (my little sister and the mom of Samantha) to see son/brother, Jonathan, play his first Ice Hockey scrimmage of the season. Sam and I went to the snack bar while Mimi went to help tie Jonathan's skates. I was worried that Sam might be freaked out that she was being left with this stranger while her mom disappeared from sight, but no, she happily clung (clinged?) to my thigh like 3 year olds are apt to do while we waited in line for a hot dog and fries (she likes ketchup A LOT).
Later, as we sat watching Jonathan skate, Samantha pointed to the still-purple scars on my arm and asked "What is that?" I thought to myself,'This is my chance to see how she feels about me!' and told her they were boo-boos from when I was sick in the hospital and asked if she wouldn't mind kissing it to help me feel better. She looked me in the eye, then looked closely at the scar and pondered the importance of her healing kisses and whether I was a deserving recipient. I had my answer when she mustered up the guts and kissed my yucky scar - finishing with an smile of accomplishment. It was wonderful.
Another Samantha story is that she was mixed up about my little brother's name: Johannes. It's pronounced "Yo-hahn-ness" but she thought people were saying "Your Hahness" and she began referring to him as "My Hahness." That is ding-darn cute, if I do say so myself (and I do). It reminded me of how when Johannes was young he called me Didi instead of Katie, so his big sisters were Mimi and Didi.
{The top pic is of Mimi and Samantha. The bottom pic is the result of when I asked Sam to "look pretty" for the camera on our way into church.}

Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. - Ambrose Bierce

That's how I've been feeling about this "presidential race"...on both sides. Anyone else left with a sour taste in their mouth?

Back from the edge...

...of Cape Cod! I just returned from a week-long trip to Chatham, MA to visit my Mom & Family. The trip up was actually pleasant. I used the wheelchair service to get to my gate, which I guess it was a bit overkill since I can walk, but it was very much appreciated at that early hour and I tipped the lady nicely. On the flight up there were mostly clear skies and I wound up getting an amazing view of Philly and Manhattan. (On the way back all I saw was the Lowe's and Home Depot up 400 at exit 14 - woo hoo!)

The weather was mostly warm with a chilly breeze, which allowed me to take a wonderful nap on the back covered porch one day. I also went to Forest Beach (http://www.capecodcharms.com/) where I finally had my engagement ring sized properly and they made a medical ID bracelet for me from scratch. I needed that because I had so much information on it, but it still had to fit my little wrist. It came out beautifully and it fits so well I can hardly feel it, which is good because it has to be something I'll enjoy wearing every day for the rest of my life!

On Saturday I was lucky to finally be able to see my nephew play at one of his Ice Hockey scrimmages. He was recently promoted to the "A" team in his age group and this new team will be a great learning lesson and challenge. I am very proud of his commitment and apparent good sportsmanship!

My "little" brother, Johannes, is over six feet tall now and he's only 16! He started his Junior year of high school on Thursday (i know - weird, huh?) and already he was asked to "write a poem about himself" - poor guy! I even thought of how to outsmart the teacher - by writing a Haiku - but the teach was one step ahead of me and had already said they weren't allowed :(

And just to make Jon jealous, I had both a Lobster Roll (a lobster salad po' boy) and Lobster Bisque while I was there. Yummy!