1 year check-up - Good results!

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I had my one-year MRI and a spot mammogram, and results were good! The mammogram said "Probably benign", which they expect after surgery, and there were no changes since 6 months ago. And the MRI showed no issues. So I remain in the status of "No evidence of Disease" and am thrilled. My feet and hands look and feel good again, which is exciting! My fingerprints are back and I'm delighted to be able to open my own jars and bottles! My main remaining symptoms are inability to focus and accomplish complicated tasks, low endurance, low arm strength, and lower breathing ability. They mostly don't bother me much and are all improving. Frank came back from a FIRST Robotics convention and tested positive for Covid a couple days later, and although we'd stayed apart since he got home, I tested positive the next day. We isolated a lot, but didn't have terrible symptoms. Mostly sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and fever for a couple of days. I'm thankful th...
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Trying more things!

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I've been doing more physical activity as I gain my strength back. I feel like I'm getting a lot stronger, but then I'll do something that makes me realize I still need to rest!

Monday, my friend Mary came over and weeded my raised garden beds - they were so full of weeds! Thanks, Mary! Before she got there, I decided I should weed whack around the raised beds to make it more pleasant for her. So I spent maybe 20 minutes going around all the garden beds, put my tools away, and made a snack. By the time I started eating, I couldn't lift my sandwich or my glass of water to my mouth - my arms were shaking! The next two days, my biceps were so sore! It's obvious I haven't been doing as much to keep my arms strong during chemo!

Thursday I went on a 3 1/2 mile hike in Beaver Brook with Mary and Gudrun, up and down hills. They were kind enough to let me stop in the middle of climbing up big hills! I got back and rested, then went to the local store and bought 24 cubic yards of composted manure and raised bed mix, which I let the worker load into my car, then I moved the bags to the garden beds. I rested in the hammock and read a book, then I spread the bags in the beds, made dinner, collapsed on the couch, and had some ice cream! We'll see how I feel tomorrow!

I have also been doing lots of firings in my kilns, and I ran an errand to Lowe's to buy the materials to finish up a very late Christmas present to Jon and Jenny - some glass flowers to put in their yard.

Have done more in a couple days than I was doing in a few weeks, and it feels wonderful, even if I do overdo it!

In world news, I am horrified by the school shooting in Texas, and horrified by the lack of action on the part of our elected officials. I am also horrified by the continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine. And by climate change and our refusal to take it seriously. And by the Supreme Court apparently planning to overturn Roe v Wade, and allow states to take control of women's bodies. It's all so overwhelming. I'm going to do my part to try to vote out the republicans (and a few democrats) who refuse to act on these issues, as well as many others. 

Good thing I am mostly focusing on putting one foot in front of the other for many of my days.

Some wildflowers seen on recent walks. Left is phlox, I think, and right is a lady slipper.

A little fairy house and a charming stream in Beaver Brook.

My beautiful garden, weeded, topped off with compost, and ready to plant!








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1 year check-up - Good results!

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I had my one-year MRI and a spot mammogram, and results were good! The mammogram said "Probably benign", which they expect after surgery, and there were no changes since 6 months ago. And the MRI showed no issues. So I remain in the status of "No evidence of Disease" and am thrilled. My feet and hands look and feel good again, which is exciting! My fingerprints are back and I'm delighted to be able to open my own jars and bottles! My main remaining symptoms are inability to focus and accomplish complicated tasks, low endurance, low arm strength, and lower breathing ability. They mostly don't bother me much and are all improving. Frank came back from a FIRST Robotics convention and tested positive for Covid a couple days later, and although we'd stayed apart since he got home, I tested positive the next day. We isolated a lot, but didn't have terrible symptoms. Mostly sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, and fever for a couple of days. I'm thankful th...
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