Category Archives: Love

Footsteps in the sand

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Love, Treatment by

It’s 8.45 am and I’ve been lying here in bed as Zsolt prepares his breakfast, thinking about how fortunate we’ve been.

We met randomly while travelling. Two different countries, two different languages – yet here we are today, married. Circumstance suited us, and we made the most of it.

We needed to compromise. Where to live and how to survive? As with any big problem, we turned to the internet for answers. Zsolt sent out a few emails and met his supervisor, with tuition and scholarship to boot.

We got cancer, followed by a summer of mastectomy, recovery, and chemotherapy, all away from home and family.  But Zsolt is writing his thesis (no ten hour days at the office) he is here with me and helping. I work at the library, a job that has been so flexible and supportive. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better situation in which to have had cancer, since – apparently – that was what I had to have.

God – however you want to define God – works in incredible ways. It’s like that poem, Footsteps in the sand.  Someone, something, somehow is carrying us; it’s wonderful to remember.

My dad and his cake

Posted in Bumpboobs, Life, Love, Treatment by

My dad has a rightly earned spot of pride for his caramel cake. And on special occasions, occasions so special they celebrate the sweet tooth, he whips out this secret family recipe and struts his culinary skills.


And I mean secret. Only one person knows the recipe . . . guess who.

I can’t even remember if he’s offered to teach us. My father and I hold a rivalry in the kitchen. He claims to be the better cook. I – obviously – disagree. We had a cook off one year, and because he went first (it was a nice roast, granted) I was able to step up the game with a meal of buttered potatoes and I can’t remember what else (these potatoes were so good, that the rest of the night draws blank).

But when it comes to dessert I just can’t whip him. Sure, he always pulls out the caramel cake, but I’ve never countered with a better option.

So today Dad, for your birthday, I will concede this point: you make the better cake.

Happy birthday 🙂 Love you.

Long-distance Lunching

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Love, Treatment by

Today we celebrated my grandmother’s 19th birthday. That’s right – not 91, but 19. My aunt made lunch, my dad made cake, and everyone gathered in the backyard to enjoy the weather. The family passed around food and we chatted about upcoming weddings, jobs, friends, pickles . . . it was an easy-going Saturday afternoon.

We celebrated, despite my being 5,378 km away. And though I couldn’t smell the barbequed quail, and  didn’t run indoors when the bees came, and couldn’t help extinguish any candles – I did talk with my grandmother, and sing happy birthday, and enjoy the company of my whole family.

Being away from home becomes easier with video chat. It isn’t the same as really being there, but it’s the next best thing.  Long distance relationships (couples, families, friends) have had a hand up since the arrival of email, then icq, then msn, and now skype.  I cannot imagine living this far from my family without being able to still see, talk and relax with them.

Next we need virtual hugs. Maybe the creators of google can get on that. Until then Zsolt can step in with a squeeze and a kiss. (not that I snog my parents, but you know I mean . . . besides, who wouldn’t want a big kiss from Zsolt? Except maybe his parents . . .)

Joyeux anniversaire, Lulu! Il était bon de vous revoir.