About Me

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Antwerp, Belgium
Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!

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Heaven is in Belgium

Monday, July 26, 2010

It’s good to be back!

 

It’s been a while since I posted on a regular basis, blogging has not been a top priority these past few weeks. Life has been a little bit hectic, both physically and emotionally since we got back from our holiday in France.
We had a wonderful time in France, Provence feels like a second home to us. The weather did not really cooperate in the first week, - we’ve had a lot of wind and some rain – but the second half of the second week it felt like the real Provence again with nice temperatures and lots and lots of sunshine. We met up with friends, made a couple of very nice excursions, took pictures, had some good food and good wine …
all in all it was a very relaxing holiday.

When we got home I called my parents and this was when my mother told me the doctors had found a tumor in her bowel. She had kept it a secret from us while we were in France because she did not want to ruin our vacation. Cancer sounded like such a horrible disease, it scared the hell out of me. The good news was it was well contained, it had not spread and she was very courageous about it and very determined to beat this monster! She was scheduled for surgery less than a week later.
In the mean time the tumor has been removed and she is recuperating amazingly well. In just one week she was up and about and back home again!
I have visited my parents three times a week to cook and help out a little and I spent hours on the phone on days I was not visiting. Needless to say this took most of my time and mental energy and that’s why I haven’t felt like blogging much.
It was kind of a mixed feeling, one part of me missed it but the other half of me could not be bothered. I read some posts, but did not get to commenting much because it felt as if I was standing on the outside looking in. I hardly touched my camera, as we did not go out to look for photo opportunities either.
Everything seemed to be put on hold there for a while.

mama
My Mom is doing great now and that’s a big relief to all of us. The oncologist still needs to determine whether she will need chemo or not, but still, the worst is behind us now with her recuperating so well. Life is slowly getting back to normal again.

Time spent with my friends and my hubby made me grab that camera again and the new pictures made me realize that I do miss blogging. Your comments on yesterdays post have made me feel loved and welcomed. After all this time I really thought I would not have any readers left, but look at you, you’re all still there!
I’m so grateful to have this great bunch of internet friends, thank you all!!

12 comments:

Korie said...

That's scary to have to go through. I'm glad your mother is doing well.

Robin said...

This must have been a very difficult and frightening time for you, I'm glad to hear that your mother is fighting hard and doing so well.

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>96 said...

I am glad to hear your mom is doing well, and fighting this.

Niki said...

I've been reading for a little while now, and just wanted to say I'm so pleased by this post, I can feel your relief.
Have a wonderful day
Niki

Avril said...

So very pleased your mom is doing well. Blessings and prayers to her, and you for keeping so strong and being such a wonderful daughter.
I know how you felt - not bothering with the camera or blogging (I was like that for while (I've had a tough time with anxiety/panic attack issues - but I am on the mend now, thank goodness!)
Big hugs to you

Wanda..... said...

Jientje...
Welcome back! While on your holiday, I missed you greatly and apparently your first post on returning as well. Best wishes for your mom's health, Jientje. Viewing the photos of your family was like seeing old friends. Your header is extremely nice, happy you are back!
...Wanda

Unknown said...

It's good to have you back - and great that your Mom is doing okay. That is the best news of all.

United Studies said...

Oh I am so sorry that your mom...and you and the rest of the family....have to go through this! I hope and pray she continues to recover, and doesn't need to have chemotherapy!

Hugs to you...

maryt/theteach said...

So glad for your Mom and you, jientje! :)

Loree said...

I am so sorry to hear that but it's great that your mother is doing so much better. Hope things continue to be positive.

Colleen said...

Your mother is beautiful. I'm glad she's doing better and I'm glad that you are back to blogging. Have a wonderful week!

BioniKat said...

Your mom is a very brave, positive and determined woman not to let this health scare get her down. Glad to have you back again.

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