Monday, October 15, 2012

Through the looking glass

Hello sweets!!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, I know I sure did :). I want to tell you guys all about it and also a little history on me and my journey called life.

Over a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a rare brain malformation (I was in utter shock since we were looking at torn shoulder ligaments) called Arnold Chiari malformation type one.  It's not life threatening but it definitely affected my quality of life, to the point were I slowed down my love and passion for food :(. Six months after that I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and at that point I was taken off of work, and life as I had known it, had ceased to exist.  Being that I'm from Canada, going through the health care system was long and trying, that is until I found a doctor in Toronto who had experience with my malformation! Needless to say, I was on board with meeting him and to explore other options than mere medication treatments :s.  Since my progression was in a "grey" area he wanted me to come back in six months (this was back in April), so I made a follow up for October to return and hopefully get some direction on how to overcome it.

Nathan purposely made this special trip to attend my appointment with me for moral support.  I had been going alone on this journey since the beginning, so it was greatly appreciated.  We decided to go to Toronto on Sunday afternoon to stay overnight in a hotel, since my appointment was in the morning.  Adding to the evening, was a nice dinner to take both my mind and nerves off the impending appointment.
Being silly on the drive into Toronto

Once we arrived in Toronto we checked into the hotel and decided we need food, stat!  Nathan, being from Texas and all, LOVES his steak, and since he had never been to The Keg, I insisted we dine there :)  We went to the Keg Mansion in downtown Toronto, and I'm glad we did because it had a very romantic ambiance, which is just what we wanted <3   
 Vino for me and a beer for my love

We both had a delicious meal.  I had the prime rib, and he had the rib eye, and since we were both starving, lol, of course I forgot to take a picture before they were half demolished.  To end our lovely night of delicious food and wonderful company, we shared a piece of cheesecake (I think Nathan spoiled my cheesecake pallet after taking me to The Cheesecake Factory *drool*), and a Baileys coffee, yum!
The romantic lighting made the sweets sinful delights

After an evening spent with Nathan, doing nothing but enjoying each other's company, my appointment time crept up quickly.  We trekked our way down to Toronto Western University hospital this morning after a wonderful breakfast in bed.  The closer we got, the worse my nerves were.  Once inside the consultation room, I was on the brink of tears.  The one trying thing about this whole process, was having doctors look at me like I was either crazy, or lying, so part of me was expecting the same.  Thankfully, since my symptoms had progressed more, and had further impeded my quality of life, Dr.Gentili gave the green light for surgery.  Needless to say, I cried happy tears while walking back to the car.  It's crazy to think that in just six short months, I'll be on the road to recovery!!

With happy news in tow, we headed to the airport to depart for my surrogate home of Texas :)
Sadly this is 75% mine lol

After a very quick run through customs, security, and a quick stop a TGI Fridays to pick up our sky luncheon, we were off flying high over Toronto, headed to Dallas Fort Worth airport.
See ya soon Canada!

We thought the novelty of having our lunch date in the sky was fun :)  It was that, or we wait five more hours until the next flight (not going to happen!).

Ginger ale w/ chicken fingers, french fries, and BBQ sauce

Before long we were cruising at an altitude of about 30,000 feet, soaring through the clouds.  Dating a pilot (in a pilot family), definitely has its advantages, and the views never get old.  We were even on the American Airlines "Dream liner 737" with a fancy blue interior :)

Best view in the world(space might top it, but until I've seen it...)

Both tired, but happy about good news

Before we knew it we had landed in Texas, and were back to familiar faces, furry that is!!  Nothing is better than coming home to puppy kisses after a busy weekend :)  Which also means that baking blogs are back, I always spoil Nathan and his family, so check back for some new and yummy recipes!

Meet Bear!! (or Berries to us!)

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for letting us know how much you enjoyed your evening at our Keg Mansion. We wish you all the best and thank you again for sharing your experience with us. If you have more feedback, we would love to hear it at kegcommunity@kegrestaurants.com.

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    1. Thank you so much :) It will now be our go to place every time we're in Toronto. Him being from Texas and all he loves a good steak house and The Keg is it in Canada!

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