Day 110: Florentine Jacaranda Drops

I'm not sure, but I doubt there's a jacaranda tree anywhere in or near the vicinity of Florence. However, given today's earrings are the exact purple of a jacaranda flower, so I'm going to stick with the description even if it isn't entirely accurate. I bought this pair in a tiny shop in a winding backstreet when we were staying in Florence in 2011. I remember Mum was with me at the time and joined me in making a purchase.

I needed something simple today, and it was nice to have another pair to connect me to Mum. On day 110 I'm in the depths of the pit when all the side effects hit at once and I can do nothing but just sit back and let it all do its thing - stab, stab, stab. I'm not sure if its because I started this round physically reduced, or I've just had enough of holding it altogether, but I'm finding this round crushing. The cumulative effects have made me so puffed and swollen I feel (and look) like an alien . I have to keep reminding myself, as every other kind person does, that it's just a phase and I'll be back to my old self soon, but today that still seems far away.

But no matter how miserable I feel, I'm so conscious how loved and well cared for I am. Although I can't get much past grunting and nodding, Robbie has been amazing, attempting to pre-empt my every need even though I don't know even know what I want! And, when I returned home from a trip across to have a lymphedema massage, these stunning flowers were on the doorstep from my wonderful family. The colours are all my favourites and even match today's earrings; they really brightened and lifted my day.


 

To stop me from any further wallowing this afternoon I received a wonderful email from my soon to be boss, Law Dean George Williams, informing me and the Law Faculty that the University has committed and confirmed funding for me to move to Law and become the new Director of UNSW's Australian Human Rights Institute. Taking over from Andy (Day 16) I've got huge shoes to fill, and am incredibly grateful for all her support to make this dream a reality. Steph's (Day 28) hard work has been invaluable too. It's such an exciting opportunity and something to look forward to...I'm definitely keeping track of all the glasses of champagne I've missed out on over the last 5 months to celebrate various things, and preparing a catch up when I can!