butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:55 am
I would imagine there will be internet access in Montreal...I'd really like to stay in contact with you during your stay there...Brushing up on your French?
Hi dragonfly,
For the first time, earlier this week I called the folks in Montreal to be certain that the convalescence residence has wireless internet connectivity. It does.
It was very cool to speak with the woman who answered the phone in French. She quickly switched to nearly flawless English after I responded in English.
Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 04, 2011 7:20 pm
I've been to Montreal twice and
both times I was surprised at how much French I was picking up by reading signs, menus and hearing people speak it. It helps that signs and menus usually use both French and English.
Although I will have internet access, I will not post here until I return home. As the home page of EA warns, if this site is not legal in your jurisdiction DO NOT ENTER. I am unfamiliar with the legal situation in Quebec and Montreal. Furthermore, I've read on the US State Deptartment site that Canadian Customs randomly check electronic devices for evidence of child pornorgraphy. Of course, what they view as child pornography is entirely up to them and their decision can result in your arrest.
Since I will be taking a new Netbook with me, there will be no telltale signs of EA on the machine when I pass through Canadian customs. I still want to be careful. Montreal police might also randomly check computers, too, if you are involved in a traffic stop, an accident and so on.
I realize that, even if I access EA in Canada, the chance of my having a problem is likely extremely low. It's still not low enough to justify the risk, even though I know how to rid my computer of most, if not all, references to web sites I have visited.
After I saw how expensive it was to call Montreal with my cell phone, I realized why the Montreal office recommended having a calling card.
I will pick one up tomorrow.
I will email, and call, Erica Ann and perhaps a few other friends within a day or two of surgery. At a minimum, I will ask her to update this thread. I may write something I will ask her to post on this thread, so it will almost be like I entered it here myself.
Note that I will not log in at all here while I am in Canada, although I will be very tempted to do so.
This also
butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:55 am
means I will not reply to PMs while I am in Montreal.
My few little daffys are trying to bud...The weather is warming here..I love this time of year..
A new awakening...for you too...smooches dragonfly
I love Spring, too. At the Chicago Botanic Garden there are many more flowers blooming now. The extensive series of fountains and flowing pools of water that are almost always within hearing range are all back on.
Unfortunately, temperatures are st
Caith721 (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:06 am
ill trending to mid to late March levels. I hope temperatures are near average by the time I return home.
I do view this period as a transition to a new time in my life.
I'm really glad t
o hear you're taking your SSRI again. It just didn't make sense why they asked you to stop it, until you mentioned the older tri-phasic antihistamine-based anti-depressants.
Hi Caith721,
I am sticking with generic Zoloft (an SSRI). This is definitely the safest thing for me now. After I have been back on estrogen for awhile, I may try to gradually stop taking Zoloft. Of course, I will disucss this with my psychiatrist first. A few months ago, he suggested I might no longer
Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:08 pm
need an antidepressant after surgery
and when my life is more settled. Both of these things are about to happen.
Although I have felt sedated from the prescription muscle relaxant I continue to take for back pain, I'm not at all sure I have been depressed. Even during the several week period after I stopped the MAOI antidepressant I'd been taking and before I started Zoloft. I continued to do things I enjoy then and continue to now. When I awake
Caith721 (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:06 am
in the morning, I am already 'hearing' music and feel happy. Zoloft can itself cause drowsiness, too, especially in the first few weeks.
My back has improved a lot and I am gradually cutting back on
the dose of muscle relaxant.
I hope you have a very good, relaxing, and productive week before you travel. I was going to suggest a netbook, but it looks like you're all set!
Good luck, godspeed, hea
Danya (imported) wrote: Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:42 pm
heal quickly!
The week has gone very wel
as always, for your very thoughtful words.
Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:08 pm
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Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:12 pm
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Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:32 pm
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Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:03 pm
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this point. While I had some normal anxiety about surgery ov
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er the last month or two, I am now [quote="Danya (imported)"
Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:21 pm
time=1295602740]
very calm.
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__________________________________________________
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________
My flight leaves O'Hare late Sun[quote="Danya (imported)" t
Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:58 pm
ime=1295517480]
day morning. Erica Ann will pick me up. We'll
have breakfast and the
[/quote]
n she will take me to the airport.
Sunday and Monday I will stay at the convalescence resi[quote="Danya (imported)" t
Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:21 pm
ime=1295182380]
dence near the hospital. This is part
of the service
[/quote]
so I will not need to pay for a hotel.
I meet with the handsome Dr. Brassard on Monday for a consultatio[quote="Danya (imported)" ti
Danya (imported) wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 pm
me=1294649040]
n. I heard his voice on a YouTube vide
o and it is, well....quite
[/quote]
pleasant.
Surgery will be Tuesday morning.
When I return late in the afternoon on Wednesd[quote="Danya (imported)" ti
Danya (imported) wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:58 pm
me=1294472940]
ay April 27, Erica Ann will be waiting at the
airport.
[/quote]
This is important, because I will need to avoid lifting heavy things like my suitcase. I am thankful to h[quote="Danya (imported)" t
Danya (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:53 pm
ime=1294139640]
ave a great friend like Erica Ann to
help with things like this.
[/quote]
She has been very helpful, and fun to be with, since the first time we met over two years ago.
[quote="Danya (imported
Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:44 pm
)" time=1292968260]
___________________________________________
_______
[/quote]
__________
The hospital has a driver who will pick me up at the Montreal airport. With the first deposit I sent last year, I includ
Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 08, 2011 6:49 pm
ed the photo they required. I was blonde then. I am no
longer.
To make it easier for the driver to recognize me, I will wear the dress I wore for the picture. It's one of my favorites.
This afternoon, I exchan
Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:14 pm
ged some US dollars for Canadian dollars. I want to be able t
o tip the driver. The Montreal office also said to bring money for restaurants and shopping. My intent is to spend as little of this money as possible.
Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:51 am
__________________________________________________
________
Wednesday evening, I had my first ever appointment as Danya with a hair stylist. I have always used a wig but would rather go with my own hair. Wearing a wig rarely is a bother. When it is hot and humid, though, it can get uncomfortable. So for the last 6 months or more I have been letting my hair grow. It still has a way to go. I am not bald but the hair on my forehead has receded quite a bit further than I'd prefer.
The stylist dyed my hair and then proceeded to perform an apparent miracle. My colored and styled hair looked very feminine. For the first time, I had proof that down the road I can stop using a wig.