Dear US Postal Service: So NOT about you! PS Thanks for the flyers (I think)

Buona sera. Bonsoir. Buenas noches. 'Allo! Guten Abend (not sure if that's correct German or not - that's what freetranslation.com claims is the Deutsch translation for "good evening". For any German speakers that may be reading this: if I have mistakenly stated "good flatulence" or something equally as off-putting, my apologies; my intentions are always of the sincerest variety).  Here's hoping that everyone's Hump Day was humpily delightful. Gosh, I LOVE Wednesdays! (Honestly, every day of the week is special in its own right and has its own awesome merits). 12:01 p.m. marks the official "Attention. Attention. We Are Now Officially Over The Hump", and the countdown to the weekend has officially begun with the bulk of the week behind us (this gal's glass is half-full of cheeky, forthright Malbec!). For us folks living here in the U.S. of A., it's especially delightful with a long weekend approaching - and with hubby and I heading to Canadia, aka The Land of Maple Leafs/Maple Syrup/Polite People/Family/Friends/Good Beer, it's particularly exciting. Giddy up!!

A quick update on the whole "Dear Mr. Postman. Where the heck are my chemo drugs?" story. So, I called the folks at the Big C hospital - the spot where they drilled the hole in my head (I should probably stop saying that, but hey, there's this mildly twisted part of me that thinks that is kind of cool - from a modern medical marvel perspective) to ask about whether I had messed up and forgotten to sign one of hundreds of forms or neglected to contact my insurance company or one of dozens of folks to have them do something-or-other. Truth be told, sometimes things are a weeeeee bit complicated here on the medical/pharma/insurance/health care front. Now, having said that, the quality of the health care is absolutely, undeniably and unbelievably outstanding - it really is. Incredible. World-class. Amazing. I am truly blessed to have access to this incredible system; in fact, after my biopsy, bits of my grey/gray matter went to Sloan Kettering, one of the finest Cancro/Kreft/Cancer hospitals in this solar system (Italian/Norwegian/Plain Old English!). How awesome is that??

Part of me feels mildly guilty for saying that - partly because of the Catholic thing (bless me Father, for I have sinned. I said the word "shit" eight million times this past week and "f**k" .. ummm ....three hundred ... ummm ... thousand ...sorry), and partly because of the Canadian socialized, "we provide health care to everyone" philosophy. I firmly believe, from the top of my head (soon to be hairless - I am leaning towards the Marie Antoinette and Nicki Minaj wigs) to the tips of my toes, that everyone - EVERYONE - has a right to health care; that it is indeed a right and not a privilege. The problem with that system in my dear and beloved homeland - at a high level - is that I believe that the system is mildly overwhelmed because folks take it for granted and thus overuse it, that there just aren't the funds to purchase some of the same equipment and thus, folks have to wait for some critically important things. I could go on, but won't. Suffice to say, that a major case in point is that when I had my first MRI here in the US, I saw my doctor on a Wednesday afternoon and she set up an appointment for an MRI for the very next morning. In Canada, I've heard tell of folks waiting 3 - 6 months for an MRI.

Now, please - for my dear Canadian friends and family and especially, especially my family in the health care field (and for whom I have profound respect; a noble calling - truly) - please do not misinterpret my comments as criticism against the Canadian system or s**ting on it (eight million and one times - sorry Jesus) - it's a wonderful system, and again, the philosophy is sound. The thing that is concerning about some of the waits - and selfishly, I think of my case - is that if Mon Amour et moi were still living in Canada, perhaps I would still be waiting for an MRI, and perhaps - God forbid - by the time the Svulst/Itsnotta/Tuuumaaa was discovered ... well .... candidly, it may have been at a different stage (I think of Teddy Kennedy - God rest his soul) and this would be an entirely different story I'd be telling/rambling on about/reciting ... I think you dear beautiful folks can connect the remaining dots.

Where was I? Oh yes ... Nancy Drew and the Case of the Missing Chemo Pills. Well, turns out that So-and-So faxed in the order, but Yadda-Yadda didn't receive it, and so, yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah to the power of a quadrillion ... and the moral of the story is, that I hope to get them within the next couple of days. Now, some of you may be wondering... WTF?? (three hundred thousand and one - sorry Father) ... why is that gal in such a freakin' hurry to get on that s**t (eight million and two - mi scusa, Jesu)?? Well, the sooner I start, the sooner I can finish.... and frankly, I just want to get it over and done with at this point, especially the radiation. Hey, by the time it ends, it will be mid-July and I want to be in fun mode for Hubby's Birthday! That, and there's also this mildly twisted bit of me that can't wait to shave my head. It's true! There's a wonderful charity that helps little kids with cancer (can't think of a worthier cause) and they help raise money by having folks shave their heads. Oy, I'm starting to repeat myself, as I'm sure I told you fine folks about it; in fact, I seem to recall forewarning you that I was going to hit you up for funds. Both Canadian and US currencies welcome! And, it's the perfect foil - there's a part of me that fantasizes about waltzing into work in one of my Tahari or Anne Klein or equally corporate-y suits, heels and a glistening bald dome, and to march down the hallway, bald head held high as if nothing were different, just to see the reaction on some folks' faces. I was telling a gal at the office today and she warned me of some of those folks who would cock their heads to the side - like your dog when (s)he is wondering what up - and ask "ooooh ... how ARE you?" ... and you know? It will all be fine. Really. It's all good. Truly.

And on that happy note, I will wish each and every one of you a fantastic evening and sending you much, much love, many Estonian (i.e. bone-crushing - thank you Yak! aka HKK) hugs, and many thanks - as always - for your seemingly limitless support and love and prayers ....love you all thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much and then some.

A continuation of last night's theme - changing up the geography a bit - and again, muchas gracias to Racherella.

Stay Classy, Ottawa.

Cancerella and Bud
xoxoxoxo

PS a pic of our lilac shrub coming into bloom ...