Last summer was WILD! After my double mastectomy, I had restrictions and limitations. My doctors expedited the process so my husband Danny and I could fly to Barcelona, Spain. We picked up our daughter Courtney from her Study Abroad program and drove to France.
While in Paris, we took a bike tour through the heart of the city. Courtney had traveled there with her friends a few weekends earlier and found the tour to be the highlight of her visit.
The fact that I took these photographs outside the Louvre weeks after major surgery reflects the power each body has to heal itself. They also remind me of the courage and strength of my daughter.
While studying in Spain, Courtney contracted tonsillitis. That weekend, the rest of the students in her apartment traveled to the South of France. She stayed home with a high fever, a painful sore throat and wasn’t able to keep any food down. Of course, I was freaking out from thousands of miles away. She dressed and hailed a taxi to the nearest doctor’s office. Without speaking Catalon, the doctor examined her and wrote a prescription. She found a pharmacy, taxied back home and took care of herself.
She recovered and went on trips to Amsterdam, Prague, and Paris. The bike tour was the highlight of her trip to France. Through her experience abroad, she matured into a very responsible young woman and became the ultimate tour guide. I was in a pretty hazy state and could not have navigated out of a paper bag.
She’s scheduled to have a tonsillectomy next Wednesday during her spring break.
That night in Paris was special. Watching this incredible city transform from day to the City of Lights is something I’ll treasure always. This trip gave me the hope, strength and courage to prepare for my final reconstructive surgery.
We all go through transformations in our lives. The hardest times can bring about the most wonderful changes and can be reflected in the people we become.
Do you find vacations change your outlook?
Click on photos to enlarge.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Reflections
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Gorgeous!! I don’t think vacations change us, but I do think our life lens changes our view. So when we see this new, it shines exceptionally bright .
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What a beautiful place. I can see why you would feel hopeful looking at those pictures. I think vacations, like anything, can change our outlook if we’re open to it – as you clearly are. Otherwise, for most people, its just an escape from the norm. I’m a bit of both camps, but if I travelled how I want to…definitely. And I wouldn’t look back!
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We won’t be taking another vacation until the end of May, but I’m really looking forward to exploring. I always come back with renewed vigor. That trip was a little different since I had surgery again in a month. I went into hyper nesting mode knowing how limited I would be. Thanks Alarna!
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The reflections generated by the Louvre always result in amazing pictures. Beautiful photos!
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Thank you so much! We had just hopped off our bikes and caught the last bit of light. I love Paris. It sounds cliche, but it speaks to my soul…..
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You are right… There’s something really special in Paris
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Never found the Louvres’ Pyramid beautiful before!
Keep the health!
On one side, biking through Paris was maybe as dangerous as the rest, as French Parisian doesn’t know how to mind bikers!
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Thanks so much!
It was risky, but I lived to tell the tale. We stuck together as a group like a school of fish. Safety in numbers worked!
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Good to hear! Wishing you good health and happy time
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And the very best to you! 🙂
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Traveling for me is about adventuring with my partner and having those moments together that make memories that last a lifetime:)
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I just love traveling for that reason! Discovering and exploring are my favorite past times! Thanks Renee!
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Paris–the perfect destination for healing both body and soul. Congratulations on your successful journey back to good health, Susie.
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Thanks for being there with me every step of the way VB!
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Vacations kept simple are totally healing. After my chemotherapy I caught a cheap flight to Portugual with Ryan Air. It was wonderful. That was the first time I’d travelled, and it felt like I was coming back alive. ~Catherine
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That is so cool! I agree that the timing of a vacation can really reset my life. I snapped out of my haze!
Thanks for sharing Catherine!
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Your night certainly was special. Thanks for sharing it with us. My first trip after finishing up with my cancer was to Western Canada. I had not been to British Columbia or Alberta. I was able to spend some time in the Canadian Rockies, in Banff, Lake Louise and the Badlands. It was an amazing time for me. Being surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, just witnessing their majesty you realize how small and fragile we are and what a wonderful thing life is.
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That sounds like a trip to remember! That’s why I love Colorado. I think a trip after going through illness is so refreshing and exactly what I needed to jump start my batteries!!
Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!
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Love traveling and vacations. They always change my attitude and outlook on life. Such a big world to explore. Barcelona and France are on our list!
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I had my tonsils out at 28? Rough surgery when older.
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