Hey there!
I had my surgery on Tuesday and I’m home now recuperating. The HH has been the best home nurse anyone could ask for. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow {how the surgery went, the meds, what I’m eating and my cool new scar} but first, I want to tell you about the hotel we stayed at in Portland, Maine the night before they cut me open and stole my parts.
I had an early morning surgery {thank goodness} and so the thought of getting up in the middle of the night to drive to Portland had zero appeal to me for many reasons. Lack of sleep, empty stomach, nothing good happens at 3 am on the side of the road, etc.
So I cashed in some credit card points for a free stay at the swanky Press Hotel in downtown Portland.
The Press Hotel is located in Portland’s historic Old Port District in the old Gannett Building which previously housed the offices and printing plant of the Portland Press Herald.
The building is nearly 100 years old {built in 1923!} and the newspaper operated there until 2010 so there were all sorts of reminders everywhere that this place used to be the home of an old newspaper publisher.
The hotel is modern yet classic and if I lived in a tiny apartment in the city The Press Hotel is exactly the kind of place I’d want to call home.
We had actually booked a standard room!
But upon check in were surprised with an upgrade to an executive king corner room with a small balcony. The room also had a nice sitting area as well.
This was the first time I had stayed at a hotel in over a year. One of things I noticed was the lack of magazines, drinking glasses and a coffee maker. There wasn’t even a pen or paper to right on!
Probably because of all the new recent health codes or something. It was kind of weird, but hey, what are you going to do?
You know what they had though? A lobby bar with food. And so really, that’s all that mattered because we were super hungry. By the time we arrived we didn’t want to go out walking around town in the dark in search of food. Plus it was 30 degrees out!
I ordered a Shirley Temple and the bartender used Tillen Farms Bada Bing Cherries and it was so good, I ordered a second one. đ
The last supper: cheeseburgers with the works on brioche buns with and a side of fries. What more could you ask for?
How about a slice of chocolate torte with more cherries and two forks to share?
Our stay at the Press Hotel was short and sweet, and I’m so glad we took the time to do something calm and special before my surgery. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.
Wishing you the best of Mondays,
~Mavis
Robin in WI says
What a cool place! I was a journalist so this is definitely something I’m going to bookmark. đ
Wishing you the best, Mavis.
Joely says
I am glad to hear you are up and about. I hope you are getting some of your strength and energy back. Thanks for the very fun review of a great looking hotel. It is like a virtual vacation from my couch!
Lynne says
I’m so glad to hear that you are on the mend – when you did not post yesterday, I was concerned. Your comment about what was not in the hotel room, probably because of COVID protocols, was very interesting. I have not traveled for almost a year now (it’s been Zoom meetings since March) and hadn’t really thought about hotels and their amenities and housekeeping practices. The room looked beautiful without all the “stuff.”
Martine says
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I have what is probably the same cool scar. My scars keloid though so it was much more noticable than it needed to be for a very long time, now its the fine line its supposed to be and it only took about 30 years!! I should add, don’t ask the surgeon how they do the surgery! I did and wished I didn’t lol. Get well soon and also, great review of what looks like a lovely hotel, one to bookmark for future when we can visit USA again. xx
Ilene says
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Stay strong and healthy.
Grear review…putting the hotel on my list for when things open up. I’m to order some Tillen Farms stuff today from Stonewall.
Hubs is obsessed with their store In York.
Heather Bartlett says
Good luck with your recovery. I am a thyroid cancer survivor. Recovery can be rough, but in the end, you will feel good. RAI will prolong recovery, but it’s all worth it in the end. BTW, the brownie recipe in the low iodine cookbook is amazing.
Thel says
Sending healing thoughts and wishing you a speedy recovery! Loved your review and pictures of this hotel! Take good care..
Barbara from Oregon says
Mavis, I am so glad that you are home and recouping from your surgery. My one piece of advice to you is to really take it easy for the first week or two and let your wonderful HH wait on you. I know that you will want to get busy,but, in the long run you will be better for listening to this piece of advice from someone who has gone through surgeries. Your recovery will be much faster because of not rushing things. Please take care of yourself..
Tammy says
That looks like a nice place to stay before a surgery! I am praying you are recovering well.
Karen R. says
Sending you love and light Mavis.
Kristina says
Sending healing vibes, Mavis. It’s always nice to get to the other side of such a procedure. Take it slowly, and enjoy the pampering.
Mary G says
That looks very nice–including the food! Best wishes for a super speedy recovery!! đ
Pam Favorite says
Nice hotel but I’ll bet you’re glad to be home and having the surgery behind you. Hoping for smoother days ahead.
Jules says
Nice upgrade!! I have worked at a couple of newspapers so if I ever get to Maine I’m looking at this place!
Cathy says
Glad you are home and it went well. Yes you could tell one whopper if a story about your scar lol. The hotel looks great we have not been to the old port in some time.
Linda says
I am so glad you have surgery behind you. Interesting hotel.
Elle says
Yea you for caring for yourself before as well as after surgery. The lower your stress level when you admit, the better your surgical experience is, as you now know. (Retired OR RN).
May you have an uneventful recovery and a smooth transition to thyroid medication.
Hugs to you as well as your HH.
RebekahU says
So happy the surgery is behind you!!!
Sheri says
âStole my partsâ…hehe. Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Beth says
Mavis,
I hope youâre feeling better. I had my first thyroid surgery when I was 7 ( in the 70s) and the incision was 28 stitches across my neck. I wrote a story and illustrated it- my teacher shared it with the class since I wasnât able to return to school for awhile. I wrote a pretty wild story about how I saved my school against a pirate attack which led to the pirate cutting me with a sword….pretty wild imagination for a child residing in Idaho…
Carol says
Just wanted to add my best wishes for a speedy recovery. You seem to be such a high energy person. I hope you can put that energy towards rest and recovery. Iâve been reading your blog for years, so Iâm hoping you are feeling free to take a day or two off from even your online obligations. Take the best care!
Debi says
Take your time and recover nicely from your thyroid surgery. You have plenty of time later to make up for lost time.
Kay Bowles says
Mavis: You and your family have been in my daily prayers since learning of your pending surgery. Best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery!
Chris M says
Iâm glad youâre on this side of the surgery. Heal well! Sending positive thoughts your way …
Christine O says
I really like your attitude toward all that you’re going through. A wonderful idea to stay close and pamper yourself the night before. What a delightful surprise to have an upgraded room! Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery and kudos to HH for being an attentive nurse!
Jim says
That is an awesome story, and thanks for sharing the hotel pics! Here’s to a speedy recovery!
Kris R says
Mavis – I am so happy you booked that room and had a wonderful experience pre surgery. You are so worth it.
Christine says
Prayers that all goes well.
Lynda says
Heal quickly! So glad you had a calm evening and morning instead of that crack of dawn rush to get to the hospital..
Good time of the year to be inside recovering.
Wendy says
M, Sending hugs and love for a quick recovery! How do I find the beginning of your blog? I would love to read it all from the beginning…
W
sandra says
So glad the surgery is over for you! Praying for your quick and healthy recovery Mavis.
Pat says
Mavis and HH – sending virtual hugs and warm wishes to both of you as you travel through this adventure. Stay strong!
Cari says
Wishing you all the best for your recovery and outcome. From here in Ontario, Canada. xocf
Sue says
You take care and heal quickly! Youâve got this!
Dawn says
I picked up some the cherries on a clearance rack. Couldn’t recall how I heard about them, just knew I had to have them. Thanks-now i know where I read about them. Be sure to let the hubby take good care of you.
Pj Truman says
So good to hear the surgery is complete and youâre on the mend. Praying for total healing and smooth sailing ahead with your health. The hotel was cool.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
What a lovely place for your brief landing. So glad you’re on the other side of your surgery. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Michelle M Wright says
Hi Mavis: I was so sorry to hear you had thyroid cancer. I wish you the very best for a full and speedy recovery. I have been praying for you. I met you once, long time ago now, at Panera Bread during the fun big savings coupon days. I’ve been following the blog for pretty close to the beginning. Just wanted to say it has been great following you all this time and I wish you the very best.
Ashley says
Praying for your fast recovery.
Lisa R says
Glad you enjoyed your stay and that your surgery went well. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you!
LauraArnett says
Prayers and hugs heading your way!
Get better soon- canât wait for all your stories you have to tell us about everything from the photos in your phone
Lisa says
Wishing you a speedy recovery full of rest, relaxation and lots of care by HH!
andrea d says
What a nice looking room/hotel. We don’t travel much (not easy to find hotels that can accommodate a family with 5 kids and still be affordable) but when we have in the past I’ve discovered – learned the hard way- if you are going to stay at a hotel/motel it is definitely worth splurging on. Continued prayers for a smooth recovery and restored health.
Ellen says
That place is really nice! Iâve had drinks and food there a few times ( prior to COVID). I bet the room was lovely.
Good thoughts coming your way- youâve got this!
Nancy Braithwaite says
Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery!
Sean says
Wishing you a fast recovery.
Carol and William says
Thinking of you both. Stay strong. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Don’t worry about us. We will be waiting to hear from you in Oregon when the
time is right for you.
Sherry in Sumner says
Go glad your surgery went well, Mavis. Your followers in your old stomping grounds in Washington are wishing you a speedy recovery. Love the cool scar remark.
Renee says
Sending you well wishes for a speedy recovery!
Dana Robinson says
Hey I am so glad you are doing good after your surgery!!! I got you a get well gift . Do you have a p.o.box I can send it to ! I love your blog. I have been reading it for a number of years., Since before you got Lucy Pug
NeeNee says
Hey Mavis
Glad all went well for you now let those house projects wait until you feel 100 percent!! Enjoy being spoiled not often we get that chance!! I wish I was closer so I could bring over a meal!!
I got a good laugh at the meal you had before the surgery. Before my surgery they said eat a small bland meal the night before
Sending you get best wishes
Laura says
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!