North to Alaska!

Back in March, the week before I found my latest lump, I had just put down a $100 deposit on a cruise to the Alaska Inside Passage with my sister and her husband. As I went through the initial rounds of tests and evaluations, I told one and all that I NEEDED to take this cruise. After all, I didn’t want to lose my deposit! Or something like that.

Lo and behold, as treatment progressed, it looked like the trip might be able to go forward despite all the things. Once I recovered from my initial surgery at the end of April, we worked with the travel agent to solidify our plans. I still held my breath just a little (and made sure I had good travel insurance), but was thrilled to find, as the launch date drew near, that I’d be able to go!

I was uncharacteristically nervous last week as I procrastinated yet another day on packing, but Saturday came and I had run no obstacles which would stop me from going, so I decided the Universe was probably going to let me make the trip, got out my suitcase and threw in some clothes.

The last few days have been beautiful. We flew into Seattle and met up with friends there to share food and see just a few of the sights. Yesterday, we took the train up to Vancouver - it follows the coastline, and we enjoyed watching the beauty unfold outside the windows. Safely in Canada, we got to the hotel to find our travel agent had done an amazing job. Our hotel here is both luxuriously lovely and right across the street from the dock.

We board in another hour or so; I’m beginning to think this trip might actually work. (I mean, I hate to jump to conclusions, but the signs are good…)

I am so grateful to be here. To be well enough to travel. To get to spend time with Julia and Ed. To, for the first time in too long, be able see new beautiful places. 

To Stop. Breathe. Relax.