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Thursday, June 23, 2011

One year later...

Exactly one year from now I got my cancer diagnose. This year has passed so quickly in the way that it feels like yesterday I was sat in front of the doctor trying to understand that my body was sick. But in the same way time has gone by quite slowly when things have been rough.

I am now one year older and a little bit wiser perhaps? Yes, I must say that this year has taught me a lot about life and how precious it is. I don’t really have a whole other perspective on things (like some people get going through hard stuff), but I am trying to grasp moments to enjoy and to live life in the moment the best I can.

It is difficult to explain how very grateful I am to have got this “extra” time in life. Sometimes I think like that, if I would have lived about 20-25 (?) years ago, I probably would not have survived this cancer.
Looking back on all the treatments and side effects etc I now feel like; it was not that hard, but I do NOT want to do it again.

I guess I have been lucky in the way that I did not feel that poorly. Yes, I was tired and felt a bit sick at times, but the other side effects was OK to handle (stomach problems, mouth blisters, hair loss, travels to Linköping, horrible taste in my mouth, nerves going crazy etc) That was not difficult. The hard part came later, when everything was done. Waiting for the results was the most difficult part of it all.

I am a very positive person that has kept my spirit up during the treatments, but in the end my positive energy was running on low speed. Even though I did not feel great in my mind, I STILL went back to school and continued my studies. That is something that I am really proud for doing!

Now I am feeling great and life continues. I enjoy spending time with family, friends and our cats. I will start a new job in august and I sometimes have to pinch my arm to make sure I am not dreaming that this life is true.

Thank you.

Friday, June 17, 2011

I GOT THE JOB!!! and swedish healthcare is NOT expensive!

Last Friday: I finally finished the corrections in my thesis and sent it in. I am now officially DONE at university! Well…at least for a while. I believe that you can never get enough knowledge and it is good if you can take time off your job and study for some more if you get the opportunity to. Just to take a break from normal life and refresh, update and fill your brain with more good stuff is good.
In the afternoon I bicycled from Nybro to Örsjö (1.4km that is almost 10 miles) in the rain. At the moment I am willing to do anything to lose weight. I have actually lost 5 kilos so far, but it has taken fooooreeeever… I want to look good for summer/beach, and that is getting a lot closer by the day.
In the evening I dropped Mike off at Senais 25-year birthday party in Nybro/Kalmar. I went home to Ida. We played cards, drank coffee, went for a walk and ate cheese and crackers. At 3.00 am I had to wake up to drive to Nybro to pick Mike up because both I and he forgot that the night bus from Kalmar only goes as far as Nybro on the Fridays...Yawn!


Saturday: I started the day with a cup of coffee as always, then I super cleaned the whole house for several hours. Ida came over and we went for a walk in the forest with Atlas. In the evening I had some red wine and a lot of cat stroking.

In the forest



Sunday: Relax day.

Monday-Friday: I have been working all week. My hours are 07.15am – 16.15pm, but on Fridays I finish around 14pm. Things at work are the same as every other year. This will be my 4:th summer as a receptionist at the orthopedic department at the hospital in Kalmar. There is not much to say about my job really, I receive patients at the reception, make sure that they pay and get them to the doctor. I also answer the phone, take care of the mail and enter referrals into the computer etc.
Sometimes time is going really slow at work because there are not many patients coming in the summertime because a lot of the doctors are on holiday leave. And it is hard for me to do more things at work because I am not too familiar with all the duties there.
The thing that angers me the most at work are the patients that are complaining about how expensive Swedish healthcare is. SAY WHAAAAT??? You pay 900 SEK (75£) and then you get FREE healthcare for approx. 1 year (depending on what the first date you paid was). That is not expensive!
Another thing that angers me a bit is when patients say things like: - I don’t need a “healthcare pay stamp” in my book because I am not planning to get sicker.” (Every time you pay at the doctors you get a stamp in a little book. When you have reached 900 SEK you get free care.) And EVERY TIME I have to remind them that YOU CANNOT KNOW WHEN OR IF YOU ARE GETTING SICK, you might as well get the stamp in your little book now. NOBODY plans on getting sick. But I must say that I am very happy that I only had to pay 900 SEK. I got a lot of treatments and it cost the government a lot of money. I am very grateful that Sweden has got the kind of system they do. Thanks to you all tax payers!

On the 27: th of May I went on a job interview. On Monday the school phoned and told me that I GOT THE JOB!!!

Yesterday: After work I had a 2 hour meeting with my new boss, the principal at the Montessori school in Nybro. She explained my schedule and pay etc. I will be in charge of year 3. I will get a 50% position as class teacher (class year 3-4) and 50 % as recreation (youth worker). I will probably teach English in year 4 too. It feels great to know that I will have an income in autumn and that it seems to be a great school as well.

Today: I have been working. Finished at 14pm. Now I will have a glass of red wine and then I will clean the house. Mike just came home from work too, so I will force him to help me clean. Now when I work full time as well, that is more than fair. Music ON!

Thursday, June 09, 2011

The first 3 months check up went fine!

Today: After I had been working all day I met up with Annie, we went swimming. In the evening I went to Susan in Västrakulla to eat a lovely dinner; salmon, potatoes and sauce. Yumm! When I got home I was totally exhausted. It is sooo warm outside (and inside)now. There is thunder and lightning in the air tonight.

Yesterday: I was working in the afternoon. Then I went to Ida. We played cards (I won ) and drank coffee. In the evening I drove my cousin to the emergency because she had a blood infection in her foot. When I got home around 21.00, I went out inline skating 10km (give or take 8 miles) it was so nice!

On Tuesday: I went to the doctor for the 3 month check-up. EVERYTHING IS FINE! Happy Days! The doctor told me that he wants to remove my Port-a-Cath in the summer/autumn. Next check-up will not be until late autumn again. Great! In the afternoon I did loads of corrections and changes in my thesis, but I am still not done… In the evening Emma and I went for a walk up to the mountain with the sea view. Ozzy dog had a swim.

On Monday: I had a day of relaxation. I was sat in the sun with a good book while the cats happily ran around outside. Mike and I went for a walk in the evening and made spaghetti Bolognese for dinner.

I found theese old pics from when I went for my first operation/surgery. Look at the size of that lump/tumor on my neck.


Monday, June 06, 2011

Happy Sweden Day!



The Swedish national anthem

1.
Du gamla, Du fria, Du fjällhöga nord
Du tysta, Du glädjerika sköna!
Jag hälsar Dig, vänaste land uppå jord,
Din sol, Din himmel, Dina ängder gröna,
Din sol, Din himmel, Dina ängder gröna.

2.
Du tronar på minnen från fornstora dar,
då ärat Ditt namn flög över jorden.
Jag vet att Du är och Du blir vad du var.
Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden,
Ja, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.

3.
Jag städs vill dig tjäna mitt älskade land,
din trohet till döden vill jag svära.
Din rätt, skall jag värna, med håg och med hand,
Din fana, högt den bragderika bära,
Din fana, högt den bragderika bära.

4.
Med Gud skall jag kämpa, för hem och för härd,
för Sverige, den kära fosterjorden.
Jag byter Dig ej, mot allt i en värld
Nej, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden,
Nej, jag vill leva jag vill dö i Norden.



History
The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden.

Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, Norway's Syttende Mai (17 May).

In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, taking that honour from Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as the 6th of June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions
. (Wikipedia)

Sunday, June 05, 2011

Party Saturday

Atlas and his ball
Leo


Yesterday I was at a dinner party at my Moms.
After dinner I went to Ida´s place for some drinks and a cardgame with the girls.
We went out to Kalmar, O´Learys for more drinks and dancing. It was a great night out :)

Prawn cocktail for starter yumm!

The girls at Idas


Today I have not done much. I´ve been reading the book "The boy called It" in the sun. Mike and I made burgers for dinner and soon we will put a film on.

Tomorrow I will try to finish my thesis. I still have some corrections to make before I send the final version in.
It is Swedens National Day tomorrow.

Friday, June 03, 2011

Head start on Midsummer

Today I have been at the local clinic for some blood tests. I have my first doctors appointment (since 3 months ago) on this next Tuesday.
I went to Idas parents house afterwards to sunbathe together with Ida and Susan. The weather here in Sweden is amazing now. Today it has been 26 degrees Celsius.
After doing some food shopping with Ida, I went home.
Annie came over and we ate some "midsummer food".

Mike is out on a party with work tonight, so I am the designated driver. Before I drove Mike into town I managed to cut all the grass in the garden. It was hard work because it was so hot, but it was a good exercise.


Atlas is playing around in the sun

Midsummer food

Thursday, June 02, 2011

I am a qualified teacher!

I have finally finished my studies!!! :)

Last Monday and Tuesday we had our thesis oppositions. I had mine on the Tuesday. It went great. All I have to do now is some minor changes to my thesis and send it in again before the 14/6.

On Wednesday we graduated. We had a ceremony in church and afterwards Dad, Karin, Mom and my Grandparents had some coffee and cake.




In the evening Mike, Mattias, Emma and I went to the beautiful mountain near the lake in the forest. We drank some wine to celebrate and the dogs were playing around.




Last Sunday we celebrated Williams 1 year birthday.


Last Saturday we celebrated Mothers day, my mom cake over for a BBQ.

Last Friday I was at a job interview. It was for a job at Nybro Montessori school. They have had many people applying so I really do not know how big the chances are of me getting it. All I can say is that I believe that the interview went fine. Crossing my fingers and my toes on this one.

Today Mike and I have enjoyed a lovely bank holiday day. We drove to Björnasjö (lake). We brought a small BBQ and some sausages etc. The weather has been sunny and warm all day long. After we ate we drove along the small narrow roads in the woods and found beautiful cottages near the lake. One day we might buy one of them. It looked to peaceful to live in that kind of area. Nice and quiet.





Friday, May 27, 2011

Mjauu, and party on!

Simon´s cat! I never get tired of watching it.



Manu TJ use to work as a DJ in Scandic, Gran Canaria when I worked there 2001-2003. It is nice to see that he is doing well now :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

10.000 visitors :)

We have passed 10.000 visits on my blog!!! That is amazing :) I am so glad that you read it!

Not much has happened here though. I have kept on studying. I did a test opposition on another student´s thesis last Wednesday. It went ok even though I was so nervous.

I was working on Thursday and all day Friday. It was fun, even though I was sick. I had a bad tummy and a bit of a fever. In the evening I wrote my CV and send it out. Emma and I went for a long walk (1hr 15 min)


This weekend has been a quiet one. I have been feeling poorly. I have been half feverish with a sore throat etc.
Annie came over for a coffee on Saturday. I managed to clean of all the pollen from the garden furniture and Mike and I put the BBQ on for dinner.
Today (Sunday) has been a day of relaxation. I slept until 13 pm, believe it or not. I think my body needed it. After a shower I went down to the Örsjö market. Emma and Mattias were at the stalls.




Thanks to all you readers. I will keep up :)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Got some work!

It has been a while now since I last wrote. Sorry, here is a sum up on what’s been going on in my life the past few days.
I have been studying a lot. I “finished” my thesis last week.
Emma and I have gone rollerblading. It is a great exercise. We have also been walking as usual.
Last Thursday we found the way to a lovely place, you can see the whole Örsjö lake from a mountain in the forest. We brought some wine with us and I enjoyed/celebrated the fact that I just sent in my thesis.


Cheers! My thesis has been sent in :)



I have been swimming with Annie last Tuesday.
Ida came over for a visit on Wednesday.

I have got some hours work for the next 3 weeks at the school were I did my last teacher practice :) I will be teaching biology (NO) in year 5 and 6 three afternoons a week. Great! I was working two days last week and two days this week.

Now on Wednesday I have to go to university and get information on how to do the final examination; the opposition. I am nervous, I have to read 3 other students thesis and then give an opposition on one of them to practice before the proper examination that will be held on May 30-31:st.

On Friday I went to Växjö to visit Susan. We went out to Café deluxe. It was a lot of fun. We danced and drank gin and tonics.

Off to Susan in Växjö


On Saturday we celebrated my dad´s 55-year birthday. We ate BBQ chicken and more buffet food. In the evening Carl came over to help Mike fix the van. He also built our new table for the terrace. I forced the boys to watch The Eurovision Song Contest, I enjoyed it. But I do not like the Swedish contribution at all, it is pathetic. “I want to be popular”. It is a song for the brain dead people.

Happy Birthday Dad!
Family
William
Vendela and I at my dad´s party

Today I have been working and studying. Tomorrow I will study all day.
I still have not managed to lose any weight, it is so annoying. Where is my willpower?

Tequila caught a bird

Saturday, May 07, 2011

The Summer is almost here now

Wednesday: I studied for about 5 hours. For dinner I made a lovely cottage pie.

In the middle of studying

Thursday: I had a meeting with my supervisor about my thesis. She told me that I have done a great job and that I can relax, I will definitely finish it on time. Excellent! After the meeting I went to Ida´s, we ate sandwich cake and drank some coffee, Linn came over too. Before I drove home I had a hot bath at my mom´s place. In the evening Emma and I had a long walk in the forest.

In the forest

Yesteray: I studied for 5 hours. Then I bicycled from Örsjö to Nybro (1.2km, a little bit less than 1 mile) Mike picked me up after he finished work. In the evening I was sat in the sun and enjoyed a few glasses of wine. Nice! Mike made dinner; curry, chips and rice with salad.

Bicycling on Gamla Nybrovägen

Today: The weather has been fantastic today, nice and warm (around 20 degrees C). The cats have been out running around all day. Mike kept on painting the garage and I washed both the cars. I went to town and did a bit of shopping and in the evening we made a BBQ and watched a film. Mike went to bed really early because he is working an extra shift tomorrow (06 am -18 pm) long day. I will clean the house tomorrow and make him a nice Sunday roast for when he gets home. Maybe I will go for another bike ride as well, it was nice to bicycle again. Or perhaps I will go inline skating instead. As long as I do some kind of exercise because I have eaten tons of food this weekend…

Mike painting

Gypsey is enjoying the outdoors, and Tequila in the background as well

Monday, May 02, 2011

Valborg

The sky on Valborg-day (Saturday) Nice!
Thursday the 28:th of April: I kept on writing on my thesis all day. In the evening I went swimming with Linn and Annie. I got some backdated petrol money from the hospital, excellent. It was over 4000 sek! It went straight into Mikes account though…I owed him money for my new brakes on my car that he got for me months ago. It is good of the hospital to pay out petrol money.

Friday the 29:th of April: Study, study, study…I was out running in the forest. That was HARD work, hehe. In the evening I went to Ida’s place and ate sandwich cake, yummy! I watched a bit of the Royal Wedding between William and Kate. It was beautiful.

Lap Dog :)

Sandwich cake
Saturday the 30:th of April (Valborg): After a walk with Emma I went to pick up Annie. We went to Ida´s place at 14 pm for a glass of wine on the balcony. Then we spent the rest of the evening at Kim and Emelie´s place. We made a BBQ and had a great party!

BBQ
Yesterday I was a little bit tired, hehe. I spend most of the day watching the final snooker world championship. Higgins – Trump.

Today I have been at the library at the university. I got some more information and help to write my thesis. Now I am off out for a run and later tonight I will watch the end of the final in Snooker. Go Trump!

Tequila this morning

Tomorrow I will spend most of the day studying and exercising. Emmy is coming to my place around noon and we will go for a walk. In the evening I am going swimming with Linn.

End result of the roof at nr:9