In a muddle

A very short entry today as it is extremely late! I will be in the hospital as of tomorrow for my next Iodine treatment. Coming back from Jamaica was very hectic with Kiara's baptism on Saturday and Capoeira exam on Sunday.

Monday I was back into radiation therapy for my shoulders which seems to be catching on, and the rest of the week was spent preparing for tomorrow when I have my next Iodine treatment. It has been crazily busy, but next week I will have time to catch up on all kinds of details in my blog section.

Most importantly, I am back, linked up with technology again as I had to change my account, receive a new modem and hook up again. It is incredible how much we do with the internet. That alone was a huge handicap.

Some great news today, I will be getting an extention for the period in which I am granted a parking pass for the disabled, offering me another 4 years at least of actually leading an active social life.

I feel pretty sick with all these pre-admittance hormones, but am trying to think of Sunday when all is over. This time around I am taking the Iodine free diet very seriously. I hope it helps. As far as further treatment, I have made plans with Dr. Van Triest to actively target the remainder of the tumors. I feel like I am doing quite well. I have also had a meeting with the Rehabilitation Doctor, Ten Hengel and am welcome to come back to train my shoulders when we get this round of treatment behind us. Anyway, I sound erratic, so it is time to get some shut-eye. I will try to catch up with information on here by writing an entry every day next week.

For now, my admittance in the VU hospital is from tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday.

While at the VU hospital I can be reached at the following number:

+31 (0)20 795 51 90

Jamaica Part V

Well, our trip to beautiful Jamaica is coming to an end. Jocelyn came and saw us for the last 6 days, but she had to go back today. We spent a good time on the beach and doing things in town. An additional trip to Dr. Scott had her see the country a little more. Jocelyn, it was awfully great for you to come and see us.

After sending her off at 5 AM Kiara, Anna and I started working on closing up the place and the cleaning. We had half the day left to do our last shopping. Will be back home on Thursday. I am not blogging under ideal conditions so I will be writing more later.

Back in Jamaica Part IV

Bird went to the Birds again. One of my favorite stops in Jamaica is the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary. An old lady that had lived in the UK settled back in Jamaica when she was pensioned. She used to talk to the bird and fed them sugared water and seeds. The birds, including the national bird (the doctor bird humming bird) gradually became tame enough to sit on her finger and drink. When the old lady passed away the estate was handed down to the Rockland Bird Sanctuary foundation. Jamaican school kids go there and learn about the nature in their country. It is also open to tourists. This is one of those places on Earth where I feel totally at home. It is as revealing (or releiving, as you wish) as the dolphin swim for many. We headed back afterwards and passed by the Rasta restaurant for food. That was really quite and experience, walking down an alley way to God knows where. To ensure our safety I meandered through there paying my respect to anyone who want to be respected. Dinner was great and we also tried some natural juices.

Back in Jamaica part III

We have reached the halfway mark of our trip. How time flies. On Tuesday there was a big bash for the Olympic winners from Jamaica. During their tour around the island they made a stop in Montego Bay. We attended it in the steaming heat. Much to my suprise it was an organised crowd. Each and every one of them proud to be a Jamaican. Of course the crowd cheered the loudest when Usain Bolt made his appearance.

It is amazing how organized this beautiful country is. The merchandise was available all over the place.

The Bushman stopped to make conversation with us. It was sensational. A day that ended at Mobay Proper, a local restaurant to send off Marc who, unfortunately was leaving the next day.

They were out of the steamed fish which was the whole point of us eating out. So later that evening Marcus and I had a romantic dinner at The Native, a restaurant with an exquisite cuisine. Wednesday was not so nice. We brought Marcus to the Airport and Kiara and I went to see a doctor.

Kiara for an inner ear infection, and myself for tendonitis. The medics are fine here, either educated here, in England or in Cuba. It was interesting to hear that the hospital here in Montego Bay also has a nuclear department. Very handy indeed.

The medicine kicked in quickly..but we are still missing Marcus a lot.

Back in Jamaica Part II

How time flies. A second week has started in Jamaica. Even the locals have gotten used to us. A trip to the craft market is a lot less strenuous as the people know that they have sold just about everything they can sell us.

On Thursday we made a trip with the whole family to the YS Falls and the Black River. We picknicked in the lush lawn of the falls and after a refreshing swim, we headed to the Black River to see the crocodiles. It was a great journey and all of us enjoyed it!

Unfortunately, Mom, Dad and my Auntie Tirza had to leave yesterday.
Marcus and I have moved into my sister's home now and are staying there with her and Anna, my friend and travelling companion. We are taking it easy now as the last week was truely action packed. As far as my health goes, I can almost forget about it here, which is a great thing after 2 years, almost of ailment. I have shaven my hair way down, and my bald patch is slowly growing again. With the hair Sinaéd `O'Connor style, you can hardly tell that I am bald. 0' Connor turned Rasta you know. More news from me later.

Back in Jamaica

Being back in Jamaica is wonderful. It seems like yesterday that we were here. Kiara instantly felt like she was at home and it did not take long for my pain to deminish. The heat soaks into your muscles gradually relaxing them from all the tension we carry around with us in the modern World.

Marcus has called me a mountain goat because I run up and down the hills-side and the stairs all day like I had never been operated at all. Being sick in Jamaica does not feel as bad as being sick in Holland. We have had busy days since we are here, visiting Ocho Rios to swim with the Dolphins, Savannah- la-Mar to visit the caves at Roaring River, and the Dunn's River Falls. The food is great as well and vitamins and minerals grow in the wild.

It especially nice seeing that Kiara is stress-free here. She has deserved this, really. 

Jamaica is a spiritual experience, I could go on about that for hours. However, that is a thing that everybody should experience for him or herself.

More later!