Thanks for the tip about the credit card flags; it's been years since I've been outside of North America but I'm hoping to get to St. Petersburg (cue up "back in the USSR" though I've never been there before) this fall and it's good to know that I should let my bank know about my travel plans.

I'm not going to jinx anything by talking about the cancer worries. Fingers crossed and live your life. But I have an LJ friend (webcowgirl also Life in the Cheap Seats (http://webcowgirl.wordpress.com/)) who lives in London but is actually from Seattle (she's even visiting this week!) who is big into theatre. Do you want me to attempt to connect you? She might be helpful about tricks for tickets and/or know some other show you'd want to see. Hell, she may be up for tea. (Claridges was fabulous back in 1994.) Regardless, it'll be a great trip. -em.