The Great Cancer Escape a.k.a.Two Weeks of Being my Old Self

storytotellya ♦ November 24, 2014 ♦ 4 Comments

For over two years now, my world revolved around cancer.

Eye cancer, breast cancer, re-occurrence, treatments and the fall-out of those.

When one counselor asked me what I did for fun, at first I couldn’t think of anything and then I found myself stuttering something about cooking and taking walks with my dog. Even I knew how pathetic it sounded.

That’s why I decided to do the biggest compartmentalizing feat of my life so far and forget about cancer for two weeks during our vacation in Prague.

It worked.

I forgot about all the diets, articles about what causes cancer, prevention tips, prognoses, everything.

Instead:

We drank zazvorak and sahleb in a hookah lounge located in a cellar of a building from the Middle Ages.

We took shots of homemade slivovice from my 90 year old Grandma who claimed it was good for health.

I met up with all my cousins and aunts and uncles whom I have not seen in more than 20 years.

I met up with friends from Elementary School, Middle School and High School.

I felt cobblestones under my feet and weaved my way through narrow streets.

My husband and I stayed in a nightclub, dancing to the 80’s music till 4AM.

I ate all the fresh pastries and buns and rolls I could find in the bakeries.

I re-connected with my father to whom I have not spoken for 18 years.

Instead of wearing an extra sweater, we warmed up with mulled wine.

I imagined being the baroness in the castle we visited.

We drank shots of pear moonshine one night.

I ate dumplings – and many of them.

I visited my grandparents’ grave.

I drank Plzen almost every day.

I ate a whole cake by myself.

I spoke French on the plane.

I had beer with lunch.

I petted strange dogs.

I didn’t worry.

I lived my life.