Icing on the Cake!

Those were the words my sister Deborah used to describe the news of another clean MRI scan of my brain today after returning from a two-week trip to Italy with her, her husband Jim, and Doug.  We just got back on Friday night.

First, the doctor's visit:
Had an MRI with and without contrast this morning and then blood work followed.  All results came in normal and everything looks fine.  They want me to work on trying to gain a couple pounds - that's a first!  Next check up at Rush is on November 30, when I will have a chest CAT scan, blood work and doctor visit.  This coming Thursday, I will have a check up with the neurologist, Dr. Angelopoulos, but don't expect much to come from that appointment.

Now, for Italy:
My eldest sister Deborah and her husband Jim gave Doug and I a most generous and incredible gift - taking us on a trip to central and northern Italy for two weeks and two days in grand style.  We started in the Tuscan wine country, staying in Cortona; next going to Siena; then to Florence; followed by the Italian Riviera, staying at Santa Margherita Ligure and including a trip to Cinque Terre; and wrapping up in Lake Como in a town called Blevio.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  One place more spectacular than the next.  We had exceptionally warm, sunny weather and we all had an absolutely fabulous time.  What a huge reward to celebrate a good outcome to a trying year.  I am eternally grateful to Deborah and Jim for making such great memories for all of us.