we were lost in a maskerade....

but, now it's over. He completed six weeks of radiation and chemo. They asked him today if he wanted to keep the mask that he was wearing during radiation. And ofcourse he wanted to take it home.

I do believe that he is getting a bit better. Especially for what concerns his participation in conversation, his interest in the news, politics etc.etc. He lives less in his own world as he did over the last few weeks. We have had some very good talks over the last few days and he surprised me a lot. Because a few weeks ago he did not showed much interest in anything, he is coming back. Only physical he is not doing as I hoped. His left arm does not seem to do what he wants it to do, his muscles are in pain and he is extremely tired.The tiredness is ofcourse not surprising after this "attack" of radiation and chemo!! I have called a masseur to massage him from time to time, she comes to our appartment, which is very convenient. Now he can recover a bit and I hope that I will be able to keep him interesting in undertaking little "trips" with the car and getting outside from time to time. Just driving to the seaside and sitting on a bench at the boulevard is good enough, I think. Siga, siga, as the Greeks say.

Again I would like to thank all the family, friends, people we know and not even know, for their loving support, care, attention, cards, telephone calls, skyping time, emails, reaction on his blog etc.etc.

And Rania, ..... we got Lydia's pictures today and both Panormitis and me are convinced that this little beauty is exactly like her mom!!!!

for today ....
pola filia

11 august 2010

This was yesterday at a gorgeous lake near Amsterdam where a friend of us has her "woonboot" where she stays as much as she can. I do not blame her, it is so peacefull and beautiful..What a day, what a view, what a friend!! Thanks, for a loveley time in where both you and Panormitis recalled the old days of Patmos. Talking about Willem Nijholt, Mattheo,Tom Stone, Dolly, Kafkalidis house, Panormitis fatherTheologos, the taverna etc.etc. It did him very good. He mentioned while getting into the taxi home that he would love to see you back soon. We will contact you, big kisses.

playing with words

Yesterday when Panormitis walked out of the VU hospital he said :" tumor, only tumor." What he meant was two more, only two more. And he gave me a big smile!!! Is'nt he great???? My hero!!

Jasas,

Just came back from the VU hospital. This morning I brought the grils to the airport , they will arrive in Athens at 18.30 this afternoon.
Departing from their father was very hard and emotional this morning, you can imagine. We were all in tears, he gave them some good advices and courage, I am sure for that.
Despite what some other people think, I am sure it was the right decision to have the girls here at this period and also to let them go again back to Patmos. After all, here they had spend such a difficult and hard time, most of it taking care for Panormitis ( and me). They also felt very supportive to be here and offering us their help, but to spend their whole summer on the 11th floor of a boring appartment building, with none of their friends around, is also not necessary. Life goes on, we have to build up energy to be able to face what will come to us in the near future as well.

Ofcourse we are still hoping that Panormitis will get better as he is today and to be able to enjoy as much he can of life. He is trying very hard. Towards the end of the radiation therapy ( 8 more to go) he gets more and more tired, starts loosing his hear as well. After he came out of the hospital where they kept him for three nights to be able to observe him and to try and find out where the fever had came from, the fever came back twice. But we are really allert to it and try to keep him as calm and relaxed as possible. I think it has to do with his swollen left (!) eye, it is a bit infected and we treat it with camomille baths.

Last sunday two wonderful friends came to see us, Rebecca and Sarai. The former Dutch au-pairs of our girls, the best one can wish for their childeren. They gave them soooo much in the time ( 2000-2001) they were in Patmos. Love for handcraft, love for nature, reading books etc. Their whole family is very dear and special to us. We had a coffee in our house and after we took them to a very small pittoresk village called "Schipluiden" near Delft, 10 minutes by car from our appartment. We walked around a bit and ended up having a nice coffee. I serve lousy coffee in my appartment !! The pictures are from that afternoon.

In the evening my brother Freek, his wife and daughter came to our appartment for an "Indonesian meal". I think they liked it better then most people do my coffee!! ( that is for you Alex, when you come again I promise to cook for you too!!) It all felt a bit like "normal" again. I noticed that it is very good for Panormitis and me to meet up with friends and keep in touch with the outside world. He is watching a lot of television and like this he sets his mind of the TV set a bit as well. Something that pleases me especially!!

Yesterday night we went out to have a meal together with Daphne and Sophia. We went to another small village nearby and had a loveley Italian meal. While eating we were all remembering the wonderful time we spent in Italy and as we walked back to the car, Panormitis mentioned that it was such a privelege to have had these fantastic family holidays together. Something so true. People should not think so much of their work, making more money, but spend some time off with their families, it is of such a great importance to life in general. To be able to look back into good and loveley memories, gives you a lot of strenght to carry misfortunes in life. At least that is what I feel it's doing for me.

I will sure miss the girls, but am so happy to know that they will spend some time with their friends and relaxing. They are so understanding, brave and loving girls. They gave me a lot of support and energy. Also their realistic and logic way of dealing with our situation learned me a lot. Enjoy your time in Patmos and we will see you again soon ( hopefully in about one month from now) Kisses for all,