My apologies dear readers, I've been slacking. I just checked and it's over a month since I last wrote - where did that time go? Well, I took on a new role at work, celebrated Patrick's 10th birthday, participated in a leadership course, attended a friend's book launch (more on that in a future post), and completed two more rounds of chemotherapy. So, y'know, it's not like I've been twiddling my thumbs!
(I hope you've all been working on the basis that 'no news is good news'.)
The last round of chemo (3 of 6) was a little tougher than the couple before. I was far more nauseous and fatigued (and I believe a little less conversational!), but I bounced back fairly quickly and was back at work by the middle of the following week. I do have the feeling that I'm more fortunate than many cancer patients I've read and heard about, who are completely incapacitated during chemotherapy treatments. Anyway, we're half-way through and I'm starting to think about life post-treatment.
When I started the blog in 2009, I called it 'Notes from Here and There' to write about the weird and wonderful places I was visiting as part of my job in Audit . My fervent hope is that this space returns to that idea in the spring. (If you're not a big reader of travel blogs then I won't be offended if you don't tune in!) The last round of chemo should be in February, then my oncologist has said that my immune system will take a month or so to recover, so I hope to start travelling again in April or May. Excited doesn't even come close!
One part of my new role (one of four Team Leads - less actual risk assessment, more coaching and planning) is organising which auditors go out to which global projects. I remember the immense excitement I felt in early 2010 when my Team Lead told me I would be going to India and Australia within a couple of months of each other. Now I'm on the other side of that conversation, it's both a pleasure to see colleagues' reactions (unless they're going to Iowa!) and a source of frustration as I want to be out there with them.
We do have a little trip coming up in a few weeks time. We need to go to Vancouver to renew our US visas. I'm already thrilled about the possibilities of seeing a city that I haven't been to before and is reportedly very beautiful. It always seems to appear in those lists of 'top 5 great cities to live'.
I'll finish with a great shot of Patrick and his friends at his birthday celebration, all finding it hilarious to shout 'fart' at just the right moment!
ps. A big shout out to my two readers in Bosnia & Herzegovina this month(or my one reader who read the same post twice!). Zdravo, kako ste?
(I hope you've all been working on the basis that 'no news is good news'.)
The last round of chemo (3 of 6) was a little tougher than the couple before. I was far more nauseous and fatigued (and I believe a little less conversational!), but I bounced back fairly quickly and was back at work by the middle of the following week. I do have the feeling that I'm more fortunate than many cancer patients I've read and heard about, who are completely incapacitated during chemotherapy treatments. Anyway, we're half-way through and I'm starting to think about life post-treatment.
When I started the blog in 2009, I called it 'Notes from Here and There' to write about the weird and wonderful places I was visiting as part of my job in Audit . My fervent hope is that this space returns to that idea in the spring. (If you're not a big reader of travel blogs then I won't be offended if you don't tune in!) The last round of chemo should be in February, then my oncologist has said that my immune system will take a month or so to recover, so I hope to start travelling again in April or May. Excited doesn't even come close!
One part of my new role (one of four Team Leads - less actual risk assessment, more coaching and planning) is organising which auditors go out to which global projects. I remember the immense excitement I felt in early 2010 when my Team Lead told me I would be going to India and Australia within a couple of months of each other. Now I'm on the other side of that conversation, it's both a pleasure to see colleagues' reactions (unless they're going to Iowa!) and a source of frustration as I want to be out there with them.
We do have a little trip coming up in a few weeks time. We need to go to Vancouver to renew our US visas. I'm already thrilled about the possibilities of seeing a city that I haven't been to before and is reportedly very beautiful. It always seems to appear in those lists of 'top 5 great cities to live'.
I'll finish with a great shot of Patrick and his friends at his birthday celebration, all finding it hilarious to shout 'fart' at just the right moment!
ps. A big shout out to my two readers in Bosnia & Herzegovina this month(or my one reader who read the same post twice!). Zdravo, kako ste?
We've missed you and your updates. I'm excited for you to start traveling again - it's in your blood! I'm glad that you're my new team lead, and it's a perfect fit as you've built a lot of trust with people in the department. Although the Iowa comment might be inexcusable...! Enjoy Vancouver!!
ReplyDeleteCarla E.
Teehee - why do you think I chose Iowa? It was simply a challenge to see who I could wind up first - you or Kenk.
ReplyDelete(I'm glad I'm your team lead too!)
hey welcome back its good to hear from you again :) it sounds like you have been a busy little boy
ReplyDeletehalf way through that is great news and with little side effects even better
i was not surprised to read that you take pleasure in seeing the delight in your colleagues face when you give them news of exciting travel ahead, that is what makes you one of the "special" people I know, and just about sums you up as a person (god ive not even had a drink yet lol)
so you may be traveling as early as spring that is fantastic news, and vancouver before xmas, is that all 4 of you?
Its really fantastic to hear of your progress and that your life could start getting back to normality (if that is the right word to use, probably isnt but then i am not blessed with your talent ;-) )
right im off
Loads of luv to you Anna and the boys
carol
xx
Barry - so glad to hear you felt better this go-round, you and your family deserve it. Looking forward to hearing about your upcoming travels, another thing to look forward to with the spring. Take care!
ReplyDeleteKelly
Narry, it has been a while since I read your blog. Iphones are not the best for reading or writing more than 1 sentence, but i've heard that Ipads re a must have. Keep up the positiveness! You are an inspiration. Look forward to have you back on travel!
ReplyDeleteVera
Hi Barry,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and say hi after you've been leaving such nice comments on my Breakfast in Vancouver blog. I hope you and your family are enjoying your time here. I also appreciate you sharing your personal story on your blog. My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1991 and passed away 4 months later. I was 19. Thanks for inspiring some good memories of him. I miss him.
~ Kiley
Kiley - thanks for your comments. I'm sorry to hear about your dad.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time in Vancouver - I wrote about here:
http://bmongan.blogspot.com/2011/12/vancouver.html
Take care
Barry