A week from today we embark on our long-awaited trip. It has been fifteen months since the "C" diagnosis changed our life into one of biopsies, surgeries, scans, chemo, radiation, and continual medical appointments. In July 2013, when I was first misdiagnosed as needing a simple procedure, we were looking forward to a two-month journey to Asia and Australia. Even after major surgery in October, I had hoped we could go, and was disappointed that further surgery and treatments forced us to cancel. Thanks, though, to Swiss Air for refunding our ticket purchase - which they had no obligation to do.

Over the months, the fear sometimes crept into my mind that I might not be able to travel again. We are thankful I am well enough for a new "adventure", We are anxious to take a break from medical issues, and rejuvenate from the physical and mental stress. We will spend several weeks living in some favorite areas of Europe, relaxing, exploring, sauntering, and experiencing the local markets and foods . I say "living", as we will be staying in apartments and homes, not hotels, shopping and cooking, eating in neighborhood restaurants, and wandering the cities at a leisurely pace. We will try to decompress from a very stressful time.

The reservations are finalized. We fly Air France from Atlanta to Paris on the evening of October 14, and from there to Munich the next morning. Pick up the rental car and head to the mountains of Bavaria, a place that calms the soul, and brings back so many memories.