I thought that I would reflect on a couple of good things that have been going on and/or happening in or around my life. They are in no sort of order - sort of rambling thoughts, but here goes:
Today, I met a friend in Little Italy for lunch. I had forgotten just how good Chipparelli's salad could be! There was a nice crowd and happy atmosphere - most people were festive and in the holiday spirit. My ravioli were delicious and the home made bread was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside - just the way it should be. A good meal and good conversation. Well worth the effort of getting downtown!
I was given an early Christmas present of tickets to see The Lion King at the Hippodrome. I took Hannah and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I have always like the musical and this production lived up to my expectations - good singing, good dancing and the puppetry was wonderful. It was nice to spend the one-on-one time with Hannah. She is growing up so quickly. She loved the animals - especially the giraffes "on stilts" and the hyenas. She also loved that our seats were in the front row of the balcony and that we were able to go into the private Lexus lounge during intermission. It was a great night and hopefully, a memory that Hannah will always cherish.
I had a really good day yesterday - it really put me in the Christmas spirit (even if the temperatures around her are in the 50's!). Early in the day, my dad, Bonnie and I met at St. Michael's to see Hannah play a lamb in the story of the birth of Jesus. It was just a bunch of school kids, but hearing the story and singing the Christmas hymns really made it feel like the holidays. Afterwards, Bonnie, Hannah and I had a quiet lunch at Friday's and then went to take cookies to Joyce and Brian's house. Joyce's house is so warm and inviting, we just chilled and chatted. Her grandbaby, Hunter, was there and we all enjoyed visiting with him - such a beautiful and happy baby. The house was decorated beautifullyand the Christmas tree was perfect. We munched on some delicious cookies - Joyce made Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheece Ising - I had never heard of them, nor had them before, but they were really good. Bonnie and I had planned to do so many things that day, but what we did was the best - we visited with Joyce and Brian and Hunter and each other. We relaxed and enjoyed the company and conversation. It really was a great way to spend the day. I realized something important today, sometimes you just have to stop and enjoy the moment and the company of others - that really is what the holidays are supposed to be about!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Another Glitch In The Road To Recovery
I have had a lot of stuff on my mind lately and have almost blogged a bunch of times, but I just couldn't seem to get my thoughts onto the computer. Not sure why, maybe for good reasons - been sort of busy living my life. Yes, that is a good reason. Not that my life has been all that interesting, but I have been living it! I am living in my own house and I am finally done with physical therapy (for now that is) and I am trying to regain some sort of normalcy and routine.
For the most part, I am doing very well. Still no signs of cancer. Yeah - I smile every time I think of it. I have come a long way since October, 2009. A long, long way! The hips have healed fairly well - I still have a lot of groin pain in the left leg/hip, but I am walking and going up and down stairs (although slowly), so I really can't complain. The orthopedic surgeon thinks that the groin pain is "normal" and that my body is still getting used to the foreign object - namely the fake hip. I'm not sure if I believe or trust his judgment on this one, but for now, I am giving it more time and trying not to complain about the pain too much.
Other good things that have been going on - some personal successes - I walked in the Race for the Cure in October - I only walked one mile, but I was pleased with myself for participating. I only went on a bus trip to New York City. That was a great accomplishment - something that I have wanted to do for a long time and was not sure if I had the strength and stamina for New York, but I did just fine. Of course, I had to take things a bit slower and I did run out of energy more quickly, but it didn't stop me and I was able to keep up with my friends. I saw a Broadway play - another accomplishment - I have been wanting to see a Broadway play since before I got sick. The best part about the trip is that I felt like I was doing something "normal" - something that I would have done in my pre-brain cancer life. It was a great feeling. I had a wonderful time and it made me long to go back. I can't wait to go to NYC again.
As for the shoulders, well, they are what is giving me sleepless nights these days! The 8 weeks of physical therapy really helped with getting me some more range of motion and strength - I can now pick up a full coffee cup with one hand! But, the pain is still there and sometimes it is pretty intense - especially when I sleep. Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, my arms (usually the right one, but sometimes the left one as well) are completely locked and each movement is jarring pain. Once I get them moving, the pain eases up, but those first few minutes are not at all pleasant. The good news on the shoulders is that the joint bones have not had any "significant deterioration" since the last x-rays and those were more than two months ago - so that is good. The bad news is that the problem will only get worse and that I need to have the surgery, it is the when to have it that is the problem. The orthopedic surgeon is leaving the timing up to me - his feeling is that I will know when the pain is too much to handle. The bigger problem is me - I don't want to have the surgery - not now, not next month and really not ever. I guess that is the glitch! I hate it when I really don't have any options. This whole illness (or series of illnesses, has been that way. I never seem to have any options - well, I guess I do have options - I can fight each issue or I can just stop fighting them. For the most part, I know that I will take the practical route and have the surgery sooner than later - it really will be best. The more I put it off, the worse my shoulders will get and the more I will dread it!
On that note, I am going to bed. I will think about the surgery more tomorrow. I promise to blog about something interesting or fun next time. I have had a lot of interesting stuff swimming through my head - I just need to jot them down.
For the most part, I am doing very well. Still no signs of cancer. Yeah - I smile every time I think of it. I have come a long way since October, 2009. A long, long way! The hips have healed fairly well - I still have a lot of groin pain in the left leg/hip, but I am walking and going up and down stairs (although slowly), so I really can't complain. The orthopedic surgeon thinks that the groin pain is "normal" and that my body is still getting used to the foreign object - namely the fake hip. I'm not sure if I believe or trust his judgment on this one, but for now, I am giving it more time and trying not to complain about the pain too much.
Other good things that have been going on - some personal successes - I walked in the Race for the Cure in October - I only walked one mile, but I was pleased with myself for participating. I only went on a bus trip to New York City. That was a great accomplishment - something that I have wanted to do for a long time and was not sure if I had the strength and stamina for New York, but I did just fine. Of course, I had to take things a bit slower and I did run out of energy more quickly, but it didn't stop me and I was able to keep up with my friends. I saw a Broadway play - another accomplishment - I have been wanting to see a Broadway play since before I got sick. The best part about the trip is that I felt like I was doing something "normal" - something that I would have done in my pre-brain cancer life. It was a great feeling. I had a wonderful time and it made me long to go back. I can't wait to go to NYC again.
As for the shoulders, well, they are what is giving me sleepless nights these days! The 8 weeks of physical therapy really helped with getting me some more range of motion and strength - I can now pick up a full coffee cup with one hand! But, the pain is still there and sometimes it is pretty intense - especially when I sleep. Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, my arms (usually the right one, but sometimes the left one as well) are completely locked and each movement is jarring pain. Once I get them moving, the pain eases up, but those first few minutes are not at all pleasant. The good news on the shoulders is that the joint bones have not had any "significant deterioration" since the last x-rays and those were more than two months ago - so that is good. The bad news is that the problem will only get worse and that I need to have the surgery, it is the when to have it that is the problem. The orthopedic surgeon is leaving the timing up to me - his feeling is that I will know when the pain is too much to handle. The bigger problem is me - I don't want to have the surgery - not now, not next month and really not ever. I guess that is the glitch! I hate it when I really don't have any options. This whole illness (or series of illnesses, has been that way. I never seem to have any options - well, I guess I do have options - I can fight each issue or I can just stop fighting them. For the most part, I know that I will take the practical route and have the surgery sooner than later - it really will be best. The more I put it off, the worse my shoulders will get and the more I will dread it!
On that note, I am going to bed. I will think about the surgery more tomorrow. I promise to blog about something interesting or fun next time. I have had a lot of interesting stuff swimming through my head - I just need to jot them down.
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