Feeling good!

Since my last chemo dose (on St Patrick's Day!), I've been focused on getting my feet healthier, getting stronger, and getting back to some of the activities I'd been unable to do. I continued my blood thinners for a month, then finally had the OK to stop that. 

I kept mostly off my feet and stuck to my bike for the first month, and that helped. My feet have improved to the point where I can walk 3 miles with all my regular walking buddies, play volleyball and pickle ball and frisbee, and I walked over 12,000 steps each day I was in Houston last month, but after that, they got little itchy bumps and blisters, especially between and on the toes, so I slowed back down quite a bit. The feet still get very red and shiny after I use them a lot, but they settle back down. The doctor expects it will take maybe 3 months before they start seeming back to normal, but it's already a huge improvement, usefulness wise! My hands are improving faster, and I can now grab things and use tools better. I can even see a bit of fingerprints beginning to return!

I was giddy when I could open my own water bottle, wash the dishes in somewhat warm water, and sweep the gym with a push broom at volleyball! It's the little things that delight!

At the end of March, we went to our first concert in a long time, to go with Suzi to hear Sweet Honey in the Rock. Great concert, and small venue, and we sat in the uncrowded balcony so I felt comfortable. I went to our town meeting and sat away from all the people, and we continue to mask indoors.

In April, I had a meeting with the oncologist and she declared me "disease-free"! This week (end of May), I had my port removed from my chest, after having it for 13 months. It was easier to have it removed than put in, but it has definitely tired me out! Next visit back will be in July to see the oncologist for a checkup - I'll get an MRI, blood tests, and apparently a calcium boosting drug, since cancer treatments can do a number on the bones. I didn't remember agreeing to that, so I still have to look it up. 

In April, we took our first trip since I was diagnosed, and went to Texas. Frank had a FIRST robotics competition in Houston from Wednesday through Sunday, followed by visiting 10 Texas relatives, and I decided I would tag along, especially since my Dad turned 95 in April. My siblings Ruth and Eric decided to come meet us and celebrate Dad's birthday at Janet & Kevin's house, so we were going to have a great party! When I made the decision, I still couldn't walk, so I planned all sorts of levels of activity from a massage to pickle ball, depending on my feet and energy. I figured I could always use a wheelchair as needed in the airport, but I did well, only needing to ask Frank to slow down a couple times.

While Frank attended the competition events and meetings in Houston, I walked around the area, found a place to play pickle ball, went for a swim in the lazy river shaped like Texas at our hotel, and got a massage at the hotel. I also chatted for half an hour with two nice Jehovah's Witnesses who let me take their photo for a future portrait painting. I also sat outside and read or worked on a portrait of my dad or worked on potholders for gifts for my dad and siblings. Frank and I also joined our nephew Bobby and his wife for dinner one night and we enjoyed seeing them. 

Then my sister Janet let us know that on Friday night, Dad fell and broke his hip and would be having surgery. We cut our stay in Houston one day short, skipped visiting my brother and his wife in Austin, and went to help Janet and Kevin with my dad. Dad had surgery Sunday, and Janet, Keven, and Frank took turns staying each night, and napping in the day, while the rest of us stayed with Dad in the hospital. He has had a pretty wild ride so far. He joined our family zoom call that Sunday night and was still loopy on the drugs, saying how amazing it was that he broke his hip and was already done with surgery. It made us all laugh with relief! The next day was a different story - he hallucinated for nearly 2 days, believing he had to fix a factory sized kiln that would explode, and he was telling us we had to push buttons, bring him tape and wire, and we had to hurry! He kept pulling at all of his tubes and dressings until Frank had the bright idea to give him a long phone charging cable, and he spent many many hours measuring that, putting tape on it, pulling it, and just generally fidgeting. He got through that, beat an infection, got past constant hiccups for days, got rid of a cough, and generally is improving, but it's a very long process.

We basically spent the rest of the trip in the hospital or rehab with him except to sleep. He was in great spirits for his birthday party while Eric, Michelle, Ruth, and Bill were there to join us, and we were able to play some games in his room, tell some stories, and have some laughs. I was glad we were able to be there and help out, but felt bad leaving it all to Janet and Kevin. He has since left rehab and is settling in with Janet and Kevin at their house. Lots of exhausting work for them all until he is finally recovered.

I started the LiveStrong cancer survivor program at the YMCA, and will be going to that for 12 weeks. So far, we took baseline fitness measurements to see how far we progress during the program, learned to use all the cardio machines and the weight circuit machines, and took an exercise class. The woman leading it is great, and we're all starting to warm up to each other. Some of them are still in the middle of cancer treatments, and some have been done for a long time, so it's a wide range of energy and abilities.

Our kids came up April 1st to celebrate my birthday and the end of my chemo, and we celebrated Suzi's birthday and Mother's Day in May. Lots to celebrate!

I've sung a couple of solos and small group songs in church, taken a local art class and an online fused glass class, and started working on glass again, now that I have energy, fingerprints, and a bit more focus. I will be teaching a workshop to my sisters in late June, so I started making a plan, gathering supplies, and testing everything we'll be making.

Celebrating my birthday and the end of chemo!

Celebrating with family and Chinese food!

Some of my fabulous new small friends meeting some I already had! Jenny crocheted the pink pig, and had given me the orange fox before. Suzi made the 3-D printed items, including a stack of blue whales and brown capybaras!

    

I'm weaving on a jet plane!    Frank found some FIRST Robotics teams in the airport!

The lazy river shaped like Texas at our hotel. This is the view from our window.

I got lost in the stairways that reminded me of an Esher drawing!  Some friendly folks I chatted with.

Hanging out together in the waiting room during Dad's hip surgery.

  

Here's where we spent a lot of time - luckily Dad's room was large.

We decorated Dad's room with drawings & photos of him through the years.

Out for an excursion in the hallways!

  

Bill and Kevin giving Dad a shave and a haircut.  All spiffed up for his birthday party!

  

Dad with all of his kids and their spouses who traveled to celebrate his 95th birthday!  

           Some of the yummy birthday treats!

Dad ready to go to PT.         

A digital ipad portrait of Dad I made for his birthday.

I gave Dad and each of my siblings a potholder I'd made during the trip.

Visiting a fused glass internet friend in her studio while I was in Texas.

Back in NH and celebrating Suzi's birthday!

And some art made by Suzi for me!

We attended Suzi's open studio this year, and really enjoyed seeing all the art from this year!

Warning - weird feet and hand pictures following! This should be the last ones, as at 11 weeks out, they are looking more normal all the time! My fingerprints are starting to come back, and the hands are much less red. My feet get red after exercising, but revert quickly to sort of normal looking.

    

Toe peeling two weeks after done with chemo.      Toe blisters 6 weeks after done with chemo. 

Puffy fingers with long lines - 6 weeks out. I said the fingertips looked a bit like engorged ticks.