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Third time's the charm (we didn't mention the second attempt to return home - just too frustrating!)! Yes, we are happily ensconced in our home with the pooches. Linda is watching the Australian Open (with a fire blazing - thanks, Stew!!) stretched out on our very own couch.

Yesterday was scary and wonderful and weird. Scary because of the two previous attempts - I pestered Linda all day about how she was feeling, I think she was ready to 'bop' me by the time we got on the plane; wonderful to see Lucille and Cath and Lynne at the airport and to climb into our own bed with the girls; and weird to know that the first part of the recovery journey is finally over - it did seem to take forever - 4 1/2 months since we've been here. We were remembering yesterday how we were stunned when Dr Temple told us in last June that Linda would be in the hospital for 4 - 8 weeks and we thought that was really a long time. We are sooo looking forward to new routines.

The Recovery: Part Two starts next week; we still have to get her INR up to the recommended rate and Linda will be having blood tests regularly to monitor that. And she'll also be having another CT scan within the next couple of weeks to check on the 'collection' and the fistula. My job (she said happily rubbing her hands together) is to ensure she doesn't lose any more weight so I'm looking forward to cooking and baking!! And Linda will be starting a chemo regime in about a month once her strength and endurance improves. I'm kind of used to doing the blog so I'm thinking I'll just keep it going - maybe not as often, but will keep you all up to date about Part Two.

We're taking the weekend to regain our 'mountain legs' and we're looking forward to seeing new/old faces sometime next week.