Excuses, Excuses....

My Dear Friends ~ Sorry for not writing regularly! My excuse before was that it was so uncomfortable spending any time on the computer. My excuse NOW is that, since I feel so great, I don't want to waste time in front of the computer when I can get out and see things in Brazil! Once I'm home, I will fill in lots of details about this place.

But for an update on me... I am feeling and doing really well! Today was my best day yet. We got out and shopped some more with a couple (Halcy and Perry) who are here in Curitiba for a second time. There is a cab driver, Ana, who drives us all over, translates for us, helps us find the best places to get certain things, etc. She lived in Boston for 6 years and speaks perfect English, so she is a great help. Plus, she is a hoot! Really fun to be around. I also had my first post-hospital dr. appt today with Dr. Marchesini. He says I look so great that I can start eating soft foods now instead of strictly liquid diet (which typically lasts 15 days post-op). Things like mashed potatoes, really soft meatballs that you take small bites of and chew VERY well before swallowing, soft white cheeses (cottage or ricotta cheese, for instance). So pretty much like being a baby again. Other than that, we had a really great visit and chat in his office about everything under the sun. I'm pretty confident that most of us from the states have never encountered such quality care from the medical profession in our country. That man/doctor is amazing.

So tonight I ordered something in the restaurant and ate about 2 Tablespoons full. I am being overly cautious. It's scary eating "for the first time"!! So, despite how much I am loathing chicken broth, water, jello, etc., I will probably stick to mostly liquids for as long as I can stand it. maybe eat a few bites of tonights dinner each day for the next couple days.
Oh... and my incision is healing really well (looks just like a largish cat scratch now), and I've lost 10 pounds (and who wouldn't on what I've been eating - or NOT eating!).

I'm a little homesick and miss everyone, but also am excited to see more things over the next week before it's time to go back home. On our agenda is a trip to some resort island called Honey Island over on the coast and a train trip through the rainforest. It's winter here (pitch dark at 5-5:30) and today we had rain and it was pretty freezing. We need a good, clear day for those two main excursions, so hopefully we'll get one soon. Otherwise, it won't make any sense to go since visibility will be next to nil.

More later. Thanks all for your emails and messages. I get online each evening when I check in with Nick and get them. Thanks!
Hugs ~ Cheryl