Brazil 2009 Journal – Chapter 14

I arrived home safely and without any peculiar incidents. The trip home was long and tiring, but it is long and tiring to travel 24 hours even when you feel great. I was glad to get home, and even though I was very tired, I was so wired I could not stretch out and take a nap. Instead, I went to the grocery store and picked up a few items I knew I would need right away.

It seems bizarre that I was right on the Praia da Costa beach for six weeks and had to be satisfied with looking at it, walking along it, and letting the waves lap over my toes as I walked along the beach. This is the nicest beach in the area, and swimming and body surfing are popular on this stretch of water. Those playing in the water have to keep an eye on the horizon, as the many ships pop up very quickly and come in quite close to the beach area.

I have been glad to get back to my own bed, and to see Fred and Fancy, and to eat some American food. The day I got home I had fried chicken, green beans, and corn on the cob. The next day I had my homemade spaghetti. On the Fourth of July I grilled baby-back riblets and had potato salad and a big relish tray with home grown cucumbers, zuchinni, and tomatoes. The Holiday was very quiet….just Fred, Fancy, and me, but I was delighted to sing Happy Birthday America, and it felt wonderful to be home. (Last year I was in Brazil on July 4). As night fell, my neighbors on the lake set off colorful fireworks in celebration, and I enjoyed the show from the deck of my boathouse.

The day I came home, Thais picked me up at the hotel and took me to the airport to arrive approximately two hours prior to flight time as requested for international travelers. She helped me get my bags checked in and my boarding passes all taken care of, and then she sat with me in the lobby until it was time to load my plane. It was not necessary for Thais to stay through that time, but I really enjoyed chatting with her, and it made the time pass much faster.

On Monday I will see my primary care physician to give her a copy of my medical report, show her my results to date, and seek her support in follow-up wound care of the open wound I still have.

I was anxious to come home, but was sad to say goodbye to all my Brazilian friends. The day I left the sun was shining, and I wished there had been time to sit and enjoy its rays, but that was not to be. At least I had good weather to fly home in.

I will continue to take photos of the open wound area and transmit them to Dr. Fabio until the healing is complete. I am using the Kelo-Cote on all my scars and Saf-Gel on the open wound.

As I continue to heal, I will consider returning to Brazil next year to finish up the couple of items I would still like to fix.

Judy Stanley
July 5, 2009