I’m sitting in the Toronto airport waiting for a connecting flight home to Halifax in about 2 hours, three days sooner than planned.
Gate 44 Toronto Pearson
What I haven’t mentioned was that I travelled with my “mystery” cough hoping the change in climate and location might actually reduce the tightness and congestion. In fact the reverse happened – I reacted to the alpaca, lots of vegetation was in bloom so lots of pollen, the old house, formerly a barn for animals and hay made the cough slowly worse. I woke up Tuesday morning (yesterday) and said to Linda I thought it prudent to get back home as quickly as I could.
To make a long story short, Gianni drove me to Tarontino to catch the train to Florence. Linda called ahead and reserved a hotel room for overnight. I was able to upgrade my return flights through Air Canada (don’t ask about the cost – as my late father would have said “it’s only money!”)
This morning I departed Florence at 6:40am to Frankfurt, connected to Toronto and am now waiting to fly the last leg of the journey shortly.
I’m not sick, but the chest congestion and the coughing are dreadful. My usual maintenance rituals aren’t working so it’ll be off to the doctor tomorrow to see what’s possible to settle my airway down.
I was afraid to stay till Saturday concerned the situation would deteriorate to the point that I couldn’t travel. Figured it a good idea to get home while I was able.
I had a great time for the 10 days I was in Tuscany/Umbria. Loved all the shmoozing and eating we did.
And that’s more than you wanted to know!
jmn 
Judith, sorry to hear that you are not well. Hopefully by now you will have been prescribed an inhaler to help you. I loved following your adventures in Italy. May healing come quickly.
Saw the doctor last evening – started 5 days of prednisone (an oral steroid) – we’ll find out if that helps…
I’m sorry that you had such a reaction to the pollen and animals that you had to (wisely) cut your trip short. I hope you feel better soon. I just recently found your blog and enjoyed your trip, photos and writing. I just got back to Fredericton from Toronto last night–taxi from the airport to the bottom of our flooded out street where my husband met me in hip waders and my kayak. Our house and part of the street is dry, but sadly some of my neighbours have the St. John River flowing through their basement. Get well, soon!
Donna, life is full of complications
I’m glad you’re nearly home and will get some help soon. It’s so too bad that you had to cut your trip short. But I certainly understand the decision! Get well soon!
Thanks – I dropped everything when I walked in the door and went to the walk-in Clinic – I head back in a half hour to see the doctor – in the meantime I’ve heated a bowl of soup!
So very sorry to hear you had to cut your trip short. I just came through a (hopefully temporary) bout of something similar. Here on the West Coast pollen has been flying for a while.
Loved your posts of your adventure, the picture of the poppies in bloom is delightful.
I hope your doc can get you on the right path again.
Teri
I’ll find out if the doctor can help in an hour or so…
I hope you feel better soon:)
Me, too!
Damn cough!! We are leaving today.
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Have a great trip. Call when you get back.