On our way!
- expatsmith10
- 14 juni 2016
- 4 min läsning
I never realized how hard it would be to update a blog. I guess it’s because I think about every word. But also because it has been a little stressful the past few weeks with finishing up the school year with the kids, all of the kid’s activities and of course thinking about everything that needed to be done before our departure. On top of that we were initially denied a Russian visa, which after everything that has happened seemed like an impossibility. Waiting for the answer on our second application was an eternity of worry and anguish. Of course it worked out though.
Anyway, we spent much of our time packing over the weekend and trying to take the advice of those who have done the treatment already – this means packing food, lotions, toiletry and quite frankly some things that you would never think of. For example, would any of you consider picking up some adult sized ‘Up & Go’ diapers for your stay in Moscow? Didn’t think so. Apparently they are useful during the chemo. And I thought we were done with diapers. Further proof that Shakespeare’s “Seven Stages of Man” just doesn’t always describe life accurately for those with MS. Although he does mention that “the sixth age shifts….With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side” which perfectly describes my glasses and urine pouch, which BTW is a modern miracle! (Just skip past this if you are not comfortable with personal details of this fantastic disease)
Anyway, once we packed the few clothes that we will bring we loaded up the rest of our 40 kg limit with …..food! Lots of canned sardines, gluten free crisp bread, nuts and coconut chips. Ahhhh the staple diet of just about any paleo health nut. Books have also taken up some space as well. I plan on doing a lot of reading during my time in isolation. The final space was taken up by my new hand-crafted meditation bench! 10 days in isolation will call for some heavy-duty meditation.
A few days before leaving, Annica’s parents came down to be with the kids while Annica is away for the week, so a huge thanks to them as well! The kids were excited to see them and they know there will be lots of 'fika' while we are gone! (FIKA = great Swedish tradition – similar to tea-time - except better). And of course a final celebration party with some champagne!
Over the past few days It feels like hundreds of people have contacted me to wish us well and we wish that we could respond personally to everyone. So once again we are so incredibly grateful for everyone’s positive thoughts and concern.
One of the obvious questions people have wondered about is how we feel with the trip looming over us. The answer is all of the above mentioned - we have not had too much time to reflect over it. Keeping busy is a good way to defer any real reflection. This was positive for me since I was dreading saying goodbye to the kids.
On Monday before we left, Christofer and I went down to the lake and sat on the dock and jumped in the 17 degree warm (63 F) crystal clear lake. It was amazing to sit there in the sun and small talk. He seems to be the one to understand the most. I am so thankful that he shares my humor and can laugh at all of the things that most children would find incredibly embarrassing when it comes to the symptoms of MS.
I try to tell the kids stories about going to hotels with my father, where Jack would be wearing sweatpants from his gymnastic team that were 2 sizes too small (the kids have learned the concept of highwaters). As if that were not enough Jack often had mismatching socks as well. Suddenly having a father with MS is not so bad. Things seem easier to accept for children when there is a rational explanation for deviant behaviour. And everything is relevant - in general my clothes fit and my socks match.
Just before we left we had some 'fika' with the whole family and we sat in
the sun and tried to enjoy my last days of summer, which has just begun. Then it was time for what I had been dreading all along – saying goodbye to the kids. After some hugs and kisses I managed to hold back the tears until we were in the car and they were all standing in the driveway waving. Suddenly all of these thoughts start flooding into your head like: “it’s a dangerous procedure, what if….? Did I do good enough?”
So once I found some paper to wipe away all of the snot, I could breath and I felt better. Annica reminded me that if I didn’t feel that way then I should be really concerned about my mental health. She also reminded me that I never have tissues with me.
We spent the night at Annica’s parent’s apartment and now we are on our way to the airport. Time to fly!
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