December to remember (plus part of January) and announcement

I’ve said it before, but it’s odd to feel so completely at home in two places, and two places that are so different from one another. I think the key is that I have people I love in both of them. So I’m always happy to be at each – Catalunya and Texas.

It was very special to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with my family, especially now with the three little ones (aged 1, 2, and 3!). We had Christmas (dinner and presents) on Christmas Eve as is the tradition with my son’s family. In Galveston with all of my family present, we had our traditional fondue dinner (both cheese and beef) on New Year’s Eve, and pigs in a blanket and mimosas for breakfast on New Year’s Day, followed by a lunch of black-eyed peas (for luck) with cornbread and sausages.

It was wonderful all the way around, although chaotic in a small house with five adults, three toddlers, and a large dog. There was lots of activity, cooking, opening of presents, and most of all, for me, joy. After such a wonderful visit I was blissfully happy and at the same time ecstatic about my return to Catalunya.

I’ve already shared the following personal “announcement”with some of you, but if you haven’t heard, the day I was returning to Spain, on a layover at the Atlanta airport, I received news from my gastroenterologist that the suspect small growth in my stomach he discovered during an endoscopy was cancerous – that hated word. I’m told that this type of cancer is one of the “good” kinds. I don’t say this here in order to garner sympathy, but just as a statement and an explanation of why I am returning to the US this next week and may not write again for a while. I am scheduled for further tests and treatment as soon as I arrive. Trying to keep this diagnosis private would not be natural for me. I’ve always been open about my life and this is just one more experience I’m sharing with my friends. There is no need-to-know basis. All my peeps need to know.

If you’re medically-minded or just curious, the type of cancer is called gastric MALT (mucosa-assisted lymphoid tissue) lymphoma and it’s a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s a slow-growing lymphoma that typically affects people 65 and older. There are treatments that put it into remission, but the condition can come back. Early on, it may not cause noticeable symptoms (it hasn’t). In some cases, people receive a MALT lymphoma diagnosis while undergoing tests for unrelated medical issues (yes, that’s what happened to me). People may live for many years with MALT lymphoma (I hope so!), even if the condition recurs after treatment. The prognosis seems to be good.

I’m trying to continue my life as if nothing has changed, but it has, and I haven’t quite gotten my bearings. I feel little topsy turvy. I know some of you have experienced this type of challenge.

On a happier note, I had a proud moment in the supermarket recently. I placed the placard on the checkout counter between my products and those of the man behind me to separate them. One side of the placard had an advertisement and the other side said “Caixa Tancada” – meaning this checkout lane is closed in Catalan. Because the placard facing him said “Caixa Tancada,” I turned it around so he would not think the lane was closed. He indicated that the placard should go back the other way. I pointed out to him the word “tancada” (closed). He asked me if I spoke Catalan and I said I speak some. He asked if I was English and I replied that I was American. He called his wife over and exclaimed loudly “here is an American who speaks Catalan!!!” Made my day!!!

So, hang in there with me…I hope I’m back in the saddle again soon…I plan to return to Spain with a vengeance for languages – Spanish, Catalan, and French; exercise – walking, tai chi, yoga, pilates; eating well and drinking less (a little less).

I’ll try to post an update(s) as I learn more. Stay tuned. Hearts to all! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Going in with a smile!

An update on my visa nightmare in a future episode…