Conversation Between Gwen and pebitpeb
Showing Visitor Messages 1 to 7 of 7
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Una Nuova Vita, Sono Felice-
"A New Life, I am HAPPY!!!!!
Dear Family and Friends,
I wanted to send you a short not this afternoon to tell you about my morning.
After an hour of physical therapy this morning that showed me in a week I have added some muscle to my new hip and leg. The therapist gave me a good work out and stretching, the leg hasn't been moved this way in at least four years, it is truely amazing, I am very grateful.....
Afterward I being Monday there is a large street market around Central Historic Carrara near our flat. So I got my self dressed, including putting on my own shoes and even tied them, first time since operation. The morning was crisp with many people out enjoying the street market. I stopped to see people along the way that like a Dr who had treated my hematoma and my back throught the summer months after the initial gastric bypass and he was so happy to see me, also was amazed at my appearance as he had not seen me since the abdominoplasty .
Then a bit further down the street popped in to say buon giorno to a sweet woman(Franca) who operates a pizzaria/sandwich which Bernardo has frequented for 30 years or more, she was excited to see me, warning to go slowly. Then I went shopping looking at many of the vender stands around the city, some good deals and some junk, but I got a few things.
I ran into friends, who I hadn't seen for months and some more recently, got to use the Italian I know and did well with it. Walked through the park where there were more venders and then to another little pasticeria(has been operating for 120 years in the same family) where we often go to visit or have a bite or something to drink at breakfast and la seniora(Trudy) was thrilled to see me come in alone. Had some grapefruit juice and bought a pastry for Bernardo's lunch, she wouldn't let me pay.(too kind)
Then I set off to make my return home and ran into more people I knew who had not seen me for a while, Sarah a young woman(student in Pisa) who worked at La Cava for several months when Bernardo and I were still working there in the evening, a couple who were frequest customer's of the restaurant who we befriended and he has lived in England so knows English and his GF who has learned it a little too, we used a mixture of both languages, it was good practice for me, then I saw one of the Pizza makers and one of the kitchen helpers from the restaurant and chatted in Italian with them.
My next stop was a vendor selling dishes, really nice heavy stonewear and I commented to a lady and her daughter on what they were buying, telling them the bowls were bello(beautiful), they spoke to me and the Mothers(AnnaMaria) told me her daughter(Jana) had been born in NYC, she was curious of where I was from in the States and what I was doing in Carrara and ended up asking for my telephone number to get together sometime for caffe.
Loving plants I found the plant vendors, but realized I had already spent some money and had my hands full as it was, also then realized I had been out walking around for 2 hours and it was time I get home as Bernardo was coming home for lunch, so I stopped at one more vendor and bought a roasted chicken for lunch(was range grown and grilled fresh on the fire there at the stand-delicious!!!.
Afterward I made my way home.
It was all wonderful, I cant explain the feeling I had inside to be able to walk by myself(with my crutches), see people, realize that I am in Carrara, Italy and that I dont have pain in my hip or a heavy load on my body. I felt like someone who had been set free and was in a wonderful new place.
I still have therapy ahead of me starting next week at an official rehab center, however I believe I have had a good start with doing the exercises the therapists in the hospital and the private therapist here at home have given me to do daily. I am also working on toning up the areas where I still have loose skin and in the past week have lost another 8 lbs, so I am very near my goal, with about 13 lbs to go.
I wanted to share these good feelings with you all and let you know that things continue to go forward. Looking forward to May and June when we will get to see each other again.
Speriamo tutti é posti e tanti auguri per una buona Pasqua. (We hope everyone is well and many wishes for a nice Easter).
Hugs and much Love.
Paul and Bernardo.
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This weekend I will get a new headset as I think the old one got moved around between the hospital rooms and the house one too many times and the wires went out. It was el-chepo anyway. It is wonderful to stay in touch, what are your thoughts about the cruise? You are going? Did you think my putting my campaign for the cruise choice was too pushy? I am just too excited......
Ok shut me up now.
Ci sentiamo presto.(we'll talk soon)
Abbracci tesoro.(Hugs dear)
Paul (Paolo)
trying to teach everyone a little Italian so when you meet Bernardo you can say something to him, he will be impressed, but he speaks good english.
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Oh WOW Paul - thank you so much for the update!
Your message reminded me of "the old days" when we use to send letters to our friends, in far off places, with an update - yes I can remember those days ;-)
Thanks Paul and keep them coming
Hope to speak to you for real one of these days :-)
Hugs and kisses
XXX
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Buona Giornata Amici,
Good Day Friends,
Just wanted to send a little update and let you know the current status. Had my first private physical therapy yesterday, it was good to add some new exercises for the hip and the therapist said that I was doing good for 2 weeks after the surgery. We decided to higher a private therapist as we await our call to start at the rehab center, they told us we would get our start date tomorrow, I want to be able to walk perfectly when I come to the States in May.
Today the sun was shining and felt warm, so I took a little sun and went for a short walk in my neighborhood, wearing my pajamas and a hoody jacket and my Nikes.
We have not yet moved into Daylight Saving time here and wont until March 29, but I like the days to be longer.
Have been doing a little gardening this week with some Spring flowers to brighten up the our corte/patio and soon it'll be bright and full of our favorite flowers and colors, hopefully I can keep our cats out of the plants a little better this year.
Bernardo's Papa and Mamma visited this afternoon, his Papa is always working on our remodeling projects and his Mamma looking for laundry to take away to wash, hang out and iron. They are really the sweet Italian old world Papa and Mamma. I feel so fortunate that they have made me part of their family.
I have started working on toning my new body a little this past week and for now taking it slowly. I still have problems with eating and exiting, mostly due to the ferro I must take to strengthen my blood, however, the Dr. has a new calcium pill I am trying so for now have stopped the medication for building up the hemoglobin level. I also think I might add to the problem as I usually have something like water or acqua tonic to drink while I eat, I'll take any suggestions about that. hint hint......
I know I have done alot in the 10 months since having the lap. gastr bypass and my body is a little bit tired and slow to get back to normal energy level.
I am anxiously awaiting to hear some news about the cruise as right now is the best time for us to by our airline tickets for flying in December before the airlines go into the summer pricing.
Well its a long read, but wanted to greet you all and update you.
Take good care.
Abbracci
Paul
pebitpeb
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My dearest Paul
Thanks for the message on my profile.
I really enjoyed our chat last night and can't wait to catch up with you once you've got yourself a new headset.
Hope you got home safely and early today.
XXX
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You are a funcuola rock star my dear, tonight was really fun and I loved hearing the two of your with your great whit. I called Bernardo and told him I got to SKYPE with you and Mike and that we must get a new headset so I can talk too. I think my accent could be a little Western US with a tiny bit of Italian, Bernardo thinks Americans from the west sound like howling dogs. I forgive for anything he does. He really is someone special, I hope we all can cruise together or even better its not so hard for a trip from the UK on EasyJet they are so cheap also RyanAir, you and yours could come for weekend maybe sometime down the road. Hugs
PAUL
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Hi Paul
I've just sent you a message via Skype - let me know if you are up for a chat (voice if you like)?
I'll be around for the next hour or so
XXX
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