Month 5, Week 1

Did I just type month 5? It hardly seems possible. In some ways the months have moved by quickly. (Wasn't I just getting ready to board a plane to Atlanta?) Then there are other times that tend to take more endurance. I think the high temperatures these last few weeks took it out of me a little more than normal.

I am teaching 5 students this month to get a feeling for what I want to do in September. It has been energizing to focus my thoughts, if only for a few hours a week. When possible, I help in transporting Mom to physical therapy. Her upper arm is healing well, but her hand is still trying to recover from swelling and numbness.

My first session of chemo in August was actually very rewarding. I had the privilege of sitting next to a man who is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer which, unfortunately, does not have a promising prognosis. We visited the entire time and his outlook was uplifiting to me in many ways. I was also reminded how fortunate I am that breast cancer patients have so many options when it comes to treatment. When my nurse came to "unhook" me, I asked her if she had remembered to give me all of my drugs since I was sure I had only been there an hour or two. Of course, she knew what she was doing, and it was, in fact, time for me to leave! I can truthfully say that I look forward to my chemo days, knowing that I am receiving the best of care, and that you are all out there holding me in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,
Linda