Our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

[desperance]

Well, not quite: but tomorrow is our last day here, and Saturday we have an obscenely early flight back to the US.

Karen has maintained her tendency of being always on the bell curve, only more so: her numbers crashed to the lowest imaginable when they were supposed to dip, and soared in recovery after. When she needed a leucocyte count of 4K, she had 38K. So that was okay, and she was discharged from the treatment two days ago. Since when she's largely been sleeping, because she's still incredibly weak, but hey. We'll take that.

We are turning our minds to departure-type things, running laundry loads and packing medications for the next six months. She's going to be vulnerable that long at least, and there's a list of things she's not allowed: sushi and crowds and suchlike. Also wine and restaurant foods, both of which are rather more a problem. We'll deal. Well, she'll deal, largely. I'll cook.

I've finished two more chapters of the Crater School vol 2, but I haven't done much else while we were here. I was hoping for more, but this whole caregiver scenario is kind of mind-sapping. I've read a lot of books, and even more internets. That's about it, really.

Comments

[sovay]

Well, not quite: but tomorrow is our last day here, and Saturday we have an obscenely early flight back to the US.

Travel safe. I am very glad to hear about Karen's leucocytes.

[swan_tower]

Safe trip back, and much rest to you both!

[rosefox]

I'm so glad she's doing so well!

[martianmooncrab]

such good news! Small sacrifices are going to pay off in the long run, so, you can come up with some interesting and tasty meals..

[shewhomust]

Travel hopefully - and arrive safely!

[madrobins]

Hurrah for you both. Karen, as always, is an over achiever, and thank heaven for that. And you have been the Best Imaginable Chaz™, and I think the fact that you got two chapters done on Crater School is awesome. So there. Fly safe and watch out for geese.

[scarlettina]

I send my love to both of you. l wish I lived closer so I could help out when you get home. But I'm glad that Karen's numbers are good and that you are able to return home with good prospects. I'm impressed that you got two chapters done. Others, under similar stress, would not have done half as well.

[lizbennefeld]

So happy to see such positive news. Best wishes for your travels home.

[annathepiper]

Best wishes to you both! I've been following your updates and I am glad you all are heading for home, and that Karen is beginning to do better.

Don't forget to look after yourself as necessary, too! Caregiving is rough. :(

[al_zorra]

May the journey home be smooth in every way.

Often while driving through the varieties of volcanic landscapes over on the eastern side of Mexico City I thought about your Crater School project on Mars. Some of your glancing views of such where you are may well translate unconsciously into Martian landscapes, perhaps, I thought. Writing is funny in these ways . . . .

One thing I know for sure about the joys of being back in your home -- being able to drink and use water directly out of the tap! I got so tired of the protocol I had established to ensure I didn't inadvertently brush my teeth with the tap water -- also making sure there was enough bottled water to keep hydrated in such elevations.

I was so vigilent that this time down in these latitudes I didn't get sick not even once. Every time I've gone to Cuba since resuming travel there -- I gotten sick.