Feel like I have been grounded! Haven't been able to travel anywhere as I have been healing and attending follow up appointments from my surgery.
This whole experience has shown me that I am far from a patient person! Was told how long the healing process would be and what to expect, and it has been pretty much as described, and yet I find myself frustrated - did I expect that I would be special?! Have been living with the mantra of "4-7 weeks, 4-7 weeks, 4-7 weeks" - this is the time period that I was told it would take before I really started to see results with my vision. Trying not to get ahead of the healing and not be frustrated or feel regret for getting it done... I'm sure in a few months I will be gushing that this was the best thing I have ever done :)
Had the surgery on June 1st, follow up appointment the next day, and then 3 days later to remove the protective contacts - that was a bit of a shock as my vision went really cloudy and it felt like I had sand dumped in my eyes. Eye drops have been my friend, to keep my eyes moist and help the healing process. The cornea is loaded with nerve endings and they control the amount of tears produced to keep your eyes moist (separate from your tear ducts), and because these are damaged during the surgery, your eyes end of very dry as they heal.
For the first few weeks it took awhile to open my eyes in the morning as they were very sensitive to the light and if I opened them too quickly it felt like I had ripped cells off my eye (which I pretty much had - is this getting too graphic for some?!). So it took a 10-15 minutes and lots of drops to get them going in the AM. Usually had to rest mid day. Not sure how somebody working would go back on a computer as it was too bright and very tiring trying to read. Print is still not clear and I have to take time to write things. I use the zoom in function a lot.
Have some good days where things seem more clear, and then the next day could be worse - all par for the course I am told (ARGH!). Still can't drive a car.
Have my next appointment on July 10th, and am interested to see the changes over the next couple of weeks. Reading is still tough so am borrowing large print books from the library! Initially I was listening to audio books, and had found a fabulous site online with old radio shows - love the old mystery shows! They were perfect to keep me busy.
Got to spend one of the longest visits with my parents that I have had in years, and helped them move into their cottage for the summer. It's on Hamilton Island between Cornwall and Lancaster - with a gorgeous view west up the St. Lawrence. It's great to sit and watch storms blow in, or the sun set and turn the clouds brilliant colours. And enjoying some time at Scott's cottage in Ipperwash on Lake Huron - we often don't get up here much in the summer, so this is a treat. Love walking the beach and getting to visit with the Bergey clan. Felt a little stressed, and perhaps "guilty" that I wasn't running off to some exotic place, but moving at a slower pace for awhile and being at the cottages has been a treat, so maybe good that I have been grounded.
Hoping to head off somewhere in late July or August...

My latest "adventure" may not seem as exotic as I am still in Toronto, but it is certainly exciting for me... I had laser eye surgery on Monday June 1st.

I had started thinking about this some years back, but was always too scared to get it done - who goes in for elective surgery on their eyes?! But over the past few years I have been meeting more and more people who have had it done, and have been thrilled with the results. I seriously started asking questions, and then began to research online. I chose 3 clinics to visit in Toronto and completed the initial assessment at all of them (very thorough eye exams), asking my list of questions (I can see my friends smiling who know I like to do my research and know the details). All of these clinics had been recommended by people who had had the procedure done. I decided on the Herzig Eye Institute - certainly not the cheapest (I'm not shopping for a bargain on my eyes after all!) but was most impressed with their service and care, and follow up. As well, I found out that many hospitals and doctors refer their patients to Herzig for cataract and other eye surgeries. Several months went by, and I finally decided i just had to book the appointment and go for it... There were several days in the previous week that I was ready to call up and cancel! The Internet can be a good thing for research, but it also can provide "too much" information - depending on what I read each day, my mood and resolve would change. Scott kept me committed (though he had his doubts as well).

My uncorrected vision was -7.25 and -6.75, plus an additional correction for an astigmatism in both eyes. For people who don't have poor vision - without my glasses and contacts all I saw was blurs of colour, no distinct shapes of any sort - in other words I couldn't do anything without my glasses.

Due to the shape of my eyes, prescription and corneal thickness I could not have the typical Lasik surgery that involves the corneal flap, but was a candidate for PRK (photorefractive keractectomy). The results will likely give me sharper vision then somebody doing Lasik, but will require a much longer and more "uncomfortable" healing process (nobody uses the word painful :)

Monday arrived and I was much calmer then I expected. The whole time at the clinic took about 2 hours, but the actual procedure was about 15-20 minutes. I arrived and read the release forms (of course!) and then sat down with somebody to go over any questions I still had. Then I was offered a massage to help relax a bit - that was a nice touch. There were several tests carried out prior to the surgery to update the initial assessment - these tests included a repeat of the Pentacam maps of my corneas, measurements of pupil size and corneal thickness, and a Wavescan measurement to allow for a more precise laser surgery. I was then offered Valium, which I took - not big on drugs but taking the edge off would help. I then sat in a waiting room - not realizing that they had sat me across from the surgery where I could watch on a monitor the current surgeries. There were 2 people ahead of me, they were both Lasik - it was actually fascinating to watch and not at all gruesome. Somebody came to explain the post-op kit to me that includes all sorts of drops and medication, etc.

Once in the room they get you settled and wrap you in a warm blanket, the room is kept chilled for a controlled environment for the laser. They wash your eye with several drops - a series of about 4 or 5, dousing your eyes. The procedure was completely painless. They operate on one eye at a time, holding the eye open with a device (ever seen Clockwork Orange?!). They tell you to stare at the red dot all the time. For PRK a thin layer of epithelium cells on the cornea are removed (you can see them scraping them off, but can't feel it) so the laser can reshape your cornea. It too 39 seconds on one eye, 41 seconds on the other. The procedure finished with my eyes being washed with a very cold liquid. Some people say they can smell burning during the procedure - I did not as they had a small fan and suction. I was then lead to a waiting room to sit for a few minutes.

Scott came in at that time and was standing across the room and asked how many fingers he was holding up - I said 4, and started to cry! Guess it was all the anxiety of the day, but it was also being able to see it, really see it! Now the problem with PRK recovery is that is gets worse before it gets better...

The doctor checked me out and I was free to go. I now live in 2 hour increments as I have to put lots of different drops in my eyes (5 different types) at different times. I had a follow up appointment the next day (Tuesday) and am to go back in on Thursday, to hopefully have the protective contact removed (part of PRK). They give you very dark sunglasses which I wear most of the time (picture Yoko Ono or Posh Spice), and at night you have to wear these stick on bubbles that make you look like an alien - it's all pretty glamorous!

The first 2 days I wasn't allowed to read, watch TV or go on the computer - still can't do any of it today as my vision isn't clear enough and I am very sensitive to light (I am typing this in 2-3 minute increments, and can't look at the screen!). The first 2 days were OK, eyes felt mild burning sensation (like you've been in a pool too long) and felt like there was sand in them which was irritating. Also felt very tired to have them open - would put the pain at 3 to 4 out of 10. Knowing it was going to get worse... but still surprised when I woke up last night in the middle of the night with severe burning and irritation (up to a 7 out of 10) - had to take my first pain killer to get through the night. Today my eyes are even more sensitive to light and I am sitting mostly in the dark doing nothing...boring! I can see (which is still bloody amazing) but nothing is sharp - it's like looking through a haze or underwater. Know this is part of the process but hoping to see improvements each day...

We're home safe and sound from Portugal and Spain - after cycling about 600 km. We did have quite a challenge getting our bikes on the train from Beja to Lisbon - finally confirming that Portugal is not set up for cycling. We have been spoiled in other countries, particularly France and Germany. We had checked the web site and been told that if we disassembled and bagged up our bikes we could put them on the train - the day we showed up the ticket agent tried to tell us the bikes couldn't go on! Thankfully the guys on the train were much more accommodating. But the whole process was challenging. We had a last day in Lisbon - went back to a Napalese place for food, we are so spoiled in Canada with the ethnic diversity we enjoy, particularly in food - we needed something else for our tastebuds! The temperatures were so different - Beja was 30 degrees, Lisbon was only 22 on the coast. We had definitely cycled into the hotzone. Up on Friday at 4:45 to get to the airport. Flew from Lisbon to Portugal to Frankfurt, then decided to chance the flight to Ottawa as it looked better then Toronto - we just squeezed on. Then jogged for the 5pm flight out to Toronto. Home and doing laundry by 7pm.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money, then take half the cloths and twice the money. - Susan Heller

This couldn't be more true - especially when you're on a bike! BUT never travel without a book - I hadn't brought one, to save on space and weight and was regretting it - we picked up some at a used book store.

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow - Lin Yutang.

So true!! Going to stay in town for a bit (at least long enough to do some research for my next adventure...). Scott is off to the cottage to do some art.

Here's the link for the pictures from our cycling through Portugal and Spain - enjoy!

Pictures Cycling Portugal & Spain

The internet cafe is a dying breed in Europe... most people have their own computers here so places provide wi-fi access, but very few places have computers to use - which explains long gaps in my writing. Not that we would want to be lugging a computer with us on the bikes. We have been averaging about 60 km per day, with one long day of over 80 km as we pulled into a little town made over by the 198th anniversary (reenactment) of a famous battle, which caused us to push on (into a headwind no less).
Our route has taken us from Lisbon - Setubal - Vendas Novas - Evora - (Arraiolos) Estremoz - Elvas - (crossed into Spain) Badajoz - Merida - Valverde de Leganes - (back into Portugal) Mourao - Moura (where we are today). We plan to go onto to Serpa and then Beja (nice easy 30km days to wrap up), and take a train back to Libon to end our trip and fly out by the 22nd.
Cycling has been much nicer as we got away from the busy areas and onto nice country roads. Friendly people in little villages want to find out where we are from and what we are doing cycling - not seen here a lot. Lots of good coffee on the way (gellau in Portugal, cafe con leche in Spain) in little cafes and bars. Vineyards and olive groves for miles and miles with rolling hills beyond (and we have made peace with many of those hills! There is no flat area in this area of Portugal). Golden wheat fields, silvery olives, dark green grape vines, fields of purple wild flowers, white daisies, fragrant yellow bushes, purple lilac, and fields of bright red poppies (one of my favourites). Lots of song birds. People honking and waving to cheer us on - which surprisingly does help (just dont do it close behind!). Very hot sun at times, but still breezy and very cool nights - this area is arrid and on the edge of desert - weve seen very few rivers. Enjoying good food, cheap red wine and strong coffee - one good thing about cycling so much we enjoy the consuming and yet seem to be losing lots of weight! We have stayed in everything from roadside truck stop type accomodations to grand old hotels with high ceilings and tiled walls - its pretty quiet here right now so we have seen few other tourists - may be why we are geting lots of attention. People have helped us all over find places to stay.
We have been in bars watching football (soccer games) and lots of bullfighting going on right now - it is the kick off to the season and it is huge here - while I do not like the brutality of the fighting, and the Spanish fights show the kill - I can appreciate it for its grace and bravado - and I love it when the bull gets his due...several of the fighters have been gored and sent to hospital - one for the bulls! Very dramatic and exciting - without any injury the evening just doesnt seem complete for the audiences. Portuguese fights are very different and involve more action on horseback and men throwing themselves on the bull - not the traditional style we would moist be familiar with - most fights are braodcasting from Madrid.
Off to explore Moura - its castles and and cafes!

A ship is safe in harbour, but
thats not what ships are for. - William Shed

Buenos Dias - we crossed the border into Spain today and found out where all the sunshine is kept! Suddenly there are cycling paths everywhere, cafes, etc. And the fashion savvy picks up dramatically! Amazing the difference between cultures. We went from Evora to Elvas, which was another lovely walled city. We stayed in a cozy hotel by the aquaduct, and spent time wandering the cobbled city and castles. Elvas has the most well preserved military developments from the Moors (8th century) and the early europeans (through the 15th C) - it is less then 15 km from the Spanish border, so it has seen some action. The people in the little villages we cycle thorugh are so friendly and helpful and like to try and find out about us as we pass through. We are really liking being in Spain and will ikely spend some days cycling through the countryside here. Have to run, tapas to eat, museums to see!

Day late, but hard to keep track of a calendar... HAPPY MOTHERs DAY - to my mum (love you lots), and Joanne, and all my friends and family reading this who are mothers... I have the greatest admiration for all of you (and awe for what you do everyday when I can barely manage myself... and a bit of happy-felt envy)
Another grey day, but we will be staying in Evora to take a break and explore the town, hope to get out to ride along the aqquaduct if the weather cooperates.
Cycling hasnt been all bad (OK Im mellowing or just forgetting...) - people regularly honked and waved to gave us encouragement... we did see some very pretty countryside... and people have certainly tried to be helpful getting us back on track - but you can tell they arent used to cyclists when they give you directions onto a major highway (think 401 around Kingston!).
Last evening was lovely, though cold. We saw some beautiful churches and roman ruins. One had peacocks sitting all over it which really added to the overall impression of grandeur (though for birds that arent supposed to fly Im still not sure how they got up to the top arches).