Getting Stronger

I am here to tell you that it takes a long time to recover from chemo, the last of which was seven weeks ago.

The major impact that I feel constantly is neuropathy in my fingers. At times it drives we crazy. Feelings are magnified. This has gotten me thinking. If the neuropathy never goes away (which is possible) and I were to go blind ( a remote possibility with my macular edema). reading braille with my ultra sensitive fingers would be like someone shouting at me!

I still have chemo brain. I forget things like taking my phone with me when I go out. Two weeks ago, I received a gift of a red head band and red wristband and forgot to say thank you for them. When I was asked if I had received them or was there a chance that they had been lost by the post office, I took action immediately. I took them to the post office and asked the clerk if I could take her picture wearing the head band. She was reluctant, but finally agreed. I then wrote the gift giver a note indicating that I had discovered the clerk in possession of the head band and that I had bought it from her for $10. She also threw in the wrist band for $5. Ultimately, I did confess to chemo brain, however.

The other day, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few dozen eggs. I decided that I did not need a cart. Then I saw a nice poinsettia and picked that up. This was followed by two avocadoes, two coffee Chobani yoghurts and the two dozen eggs. I suddenly remembered that I had two prescriptions to pick up and so I struggled toward the pharmacy, precariously balancing the items, looking like Steve Martin in "The Jerk" when he kept picking up things as he was leaving Bernadette Peters. (Who would ever want to leave her?) To my dismay, the Driver found me in this hapless situation. I did feel like a jerk!,

There is a lot of interest in me and my condition, which I appreciate. The other day, I was standing with my left arm behind my back. Someone asked me if I had had my left arm amputated. I told her "yes" because that way my right hand did not have to worry about what my left hand was doing.

I still have some shingles pain, but it is getting better. I had a mouth sore this week, but it is getting better also. And many nights, including this one, I get really tired early.

 And so, I will not likely make it to Cash Cab tonight.

Notwithstanding all of this, red shirts are still the order of the day. I feel I am getting stronger each day and every once in a while I can actually hit the tennis ball over the net. I do play two sets each morning.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all the support and interest that I have received and for the results to date. Of course, I am most grateful for the research manager who has helped me achieve such great results.