Nick’s first couple of days after chemo were up and down, some nausea, some tiredness, some unsettled stomach, but between the meds that counter the side effects of the chemo and the meds that counter the side effects of the meds that counter the side effects of the chemo, and some strategically-placed sleep breaks, he’s been able to manage the symptoms and still carry on with his life. Saturday we had a lunch visit from Tim, Pamela and Andrew (Nick’s oldest friend, born nine days after him). After they left, Nick had a long snooze, then that evening he and Myles painted his new basement bedroom, played video games, watched part of a movie, fell asleep, then the next morning added a second coat of paint, took the neighbour’s dogs for a walk and finished the movie. After Myles headed home, Nick had another long snooze, then helped Ray hang blinds in the freshly-painted room.
We were invited to a neighbour’s place on Christmas Eve and to join friends for dinner on Christmas day, but reluctantly turned down both offers to minimize the risk that Nick might pick up an infection and also because his symptoms come and go without warning so we thought it better to stay close to home.
It’s certainly a very different Christmas this year…the first one since we lost my dad and Ray’s sister, the first Christmas without my family home to go to…and the first time Christmas has been preceded by chemo treatments. Â It’s also the first Christmas Nick has spent in Ottawa (if you don’t count 1998 when he tried to arrive in time for Christmas and I ended up consigned to bedrest for the next couple of months).
One of my gifts this year was The Little Book of Hygge. If you haven’t heard of hygge, it’s a Danish term that roughly translates to hominess. It’s about “an atmosphere and an experience rather than about things. It is about being with people we love. A feeling of home.” And despite being away from many of our friends and family this Christmas, the three of us are together in our cozy home, surrounded by love from near and far.
Merry Christmas, Carolyn, Ray and Nicholas!
Rich and I went to see your mom yesterday and let her read the latest blog.
We will all miss you tomorrow but we’ll be thinking about you. All our best for 2018.
Thanks Janet. We’ll miss seeing everyone at the annual Boxing Day get together, but it’s nice to know that Barbara will have family with her. Merry Christmas to you and the family. xo
Been thinking of you all! Merry Christmas. Nice to see you hyggeing in your space together, managing all that is coming your way with treatment and a Christmas of firsts.
Sending all of you love from near and far.
Xo Jennifer
Lovely to read…and lovely to see…family together. Sometimes we just have to enjoy the simple life at hand…and we are so fortunate to have it. It gives us the strength that, once in a while, we forget is there for us.
Nick…Christopher Robin (of Winnie the Pooh) says “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think”. When the going gets tough, Nick gets goin’…all the best, you three. Hugs from Auntie Rose and Uncle Peter xo
Merry Christmas Rose & Peter. Hugs to you and the rest of the family. Will miss seeing you all on Boxing Day. xo
Merry Christmas, guys–we will miss you tonight.
All the best from the whole Smith household.
Love Mike and Michelle, Kai and Logan
Merry Christmas to all of you. Wish we could join you tonight. See you all soon. xo
Thank you for the update we do mis you .Myself and the family are. Wishing you strength for the road ahead.We are in Wasaga beach atGeorge’ place.Lots of snow,bad driving. lots of love to all 3 of you !!!Josephine(. what does hygge mean ?? Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Josephine. Not many Christmases in my life that I haven’t had Christmas dinner with you. Love to you and all the family. Hygge = Gezelligheid in Dutch (apparently). Coziness is probably the closest word in English. xo
A relief to hear the 1 st treatment went relatively well. Some going to decorate at the same time! As Seb would say ” fair play!!” .
Love the chaise lounge; tres chic xxxxx
1 treatment down and the first blow against the great Big Shite ( Irish colloquialism, you understand)
“great Big Shite”…I may use that one. A Happy Cranham Christmas to you, Jonathan, Josh & Seb. xo
Had a hard time wrapping my brain around “the first Christmas Nick has spent in Ottawa”… now I get it. Extraordinary circumstances for sure. We are very glad you found your hygge. Lovely Christmas tree by the way and that is one heck of a chaise!
Wishing you all the best holiday and we are sending positive vibes and love your way… Hygge-on!!!
Rob&Traci
Thanks for sharing your experiences Nick, Carolyn & Ray. Tons-o positive vibes from Ogilvie Rd. Kick some azz Chachi!
Carolyn I get your letter a long time ago and been thinking about you and your son since.
Of course I noticed that you disappear but I thought was vacation.I hope everything is going well with yours son since I haven’t see any new updates.
My thoughts are with you every singe day .
Thank you for gift and thinking of me ,but you need it more than me.Thank you again.
Be strong
I can not wait to make you earl grey and Chai latte.
Jasminka
Thanks Jasminka. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure I get to Le Nordik too. 🙂