The holiday started out good, but didn't end so well

We were up and out early on our big adventure to Warm Springs, VA on Wednesday morning, with a cooler full of roast turkey, stuffing and a fresh loaf of Bert's home made bread on board! We stopped in Saunton, VA, home of Woodrow Wilson, and went for a little walking tour on the way. Then, not much farther along, we stopped for a turkey sandwich picnic, nice, but pretty chilly at 39 degrees. Arrived at our little cabin about 3 and jumped into our fishing gear and hit the river.

I am pretty sure that it was too cold for the little fishies, cause we didn't see any that day.

We went into town and had a nice dinner, (it was cold there too!) and we really enjoyed our little cabin, which was called Swiggle. Here is a picture of the cabin, and the view we had out the window. As you see, threats of rain and snow never materialized. The farm was great and we are ready to go back in summer and swim in the swimming hole and play in a canoe.

Thursday am Bert got up and headed down to the river, but came back not too much later, since he found that the river was frozen over! So we jumped in the car and drove to the dam on the river where the water was much warmer. By the time we got back to the cabin, unfortunately, I was starting to not feel too sharp, and the dreaded surgical drain had gone and fallen out! But, we kept on with our plan to have our nice holiday dinner at the Homestead. The place was unbelievable, built in 1766, is so large, we had trouble finding the ballroom where our buffet was scheduled. Check out the web site: http://www.thehomestead.com/. All their holiday decorations were up, many many lights in trees down the drive and in the front and back of the property. Very old Virginia. The buffet was unbelievable, and while I went for traditional choices (turkey and corn bread stuffing) Bert enjoyed roast duck, venison stew, prime rib, etc etc. The dessert table was the hardest choice! Here is a recreation of the hotel in gingerbread!

So, then the bad part. After dinner, instead of going back to our cabin, I decided that we had to go home becausee I wasn't feeling too sharp. So we drove all the way back, arriving about 1 AM. Friday and Saturday I felt crappy, and didn't get off the coach, sleeping off and on. By Saturday night, I had developed a fever, and the rule for all chemo patients means that a fever means a trip to the ER. So, at 11 PM Saturday, we jumped in the car and drove to the Fairfax Hospital ER, scene of a previous HORRIBLE visit where poor Bert, Rachel and Marianne sat with me for 6 hours. That visit was 4 years ago, but I was still mad about it. This time, I didn't even get a chance to sit down, before I was whisked back and plopped on a gurney. And, right now it is 6 PM on Monday, and I am still here, in a room, not still in the ER!, watching antibiotic drip into the IV and hoping my infection goes away! And now I have been here longer than I was here for the original surgery! Dang.

Tomorrow I think they will decide if I am either well enough to go home or if the implant has to come out. I give it 50/50 right now! So cross your fingers, say your prayers, rub your crystals, kneel in front of your pyramid, you choose, but send me good thoughts that this infection is going, going gone by tomorrow.

Was supposed to go to NOLA today, so that was the final insult, having to cancel my ticket at the last minute, after missing so many other meetings and trips. And I was so ready for warm weather and Cafe du Monde!

So, screwed up our holiday, screwed up my trip to NOLA, and am trapped in a hospital that feeds you fried chicken and collard greens for dinner! Egads.

My last photo is from the spot that Bert and I fished on Thanksgiving Day. And remember, this was the warm spot.

Hope everyone had an uneventful holiday weekend, compared to us! That kind of excitement nobody needs.