The Honest Courtesan

We intentionally did a little “smaller” Christmas celebration this year, because I knew Grace might not have the energy for a lot of noise and bustle.  On top of that, the radiation is taking its toll on her throat, which often hurts her too much to swallow; her oncologist prescribed a viscous solution of lidocaine that she can swallow a few minutes before eating to make swallowing anything rougher than liquid bearable.  But she did just fine; after she had a little breakfast we gathered beside the tree and fire and exchanged presents with the friends who usually gather with us on holidays.  My friend Sophie helped out quite a bit, bringing a couple of dishes and helping me with logistics just in case I needed to attend to Grace, and though I had to puree her turkey and gravy she was able to eat, and she didn’t even get too tired to socialize.  Everyone seemed to like their presents, and in addition to the nice ones Grace got a very important one: Sophie took up a collection from her usual donors and presented me with $1000 toward her dentures, which means we now have enough!  As soon as her doctors declare her in remission, we’ll get the impressions taken and her dentures ordered, and by the time they arrive she should be getting over the throat pain; that’s a good thing, because although she loves soup I’m sure she’ll be ready for something more substantial by then!