Healing...

I am healing very well since my surgery and am back to most of my activities. I had to keep one drain in place for two weeks - so that limited activities a bit, but not much. I celebrated having the drain removed by taking a 3 mile hike with my sister :-). It was a beautiful Colorado day and we decided to make the most of it.

I have been getting things done around the house and my sisters have been helping me tremendously both mentally and physically. I managed to get me sewing machine out and help both kids make a pillow. (I am a bit challenged in this arena - so a pillow is about my limit.) I did some cooking and tried a few new recipes. I think I have played over 20 games of monopoly jr. with Natalie and about 10 games of Thomas with Andrew. I am just happy he now prefers dominoes - since that one is definitely more enjoyable for me.

I am enjoying sleeping in and I think the kids enjoy having Mom around in the morning. Andrew and I like hot breakfasts when the weather is cold - so we have fun 'cooking' in the morning. I have been exercising and doing arm stretches so my range of motion is pretty good.

My office seems to be doing well overall in my absence. The doctor who is covering for me had a family emergency so I may go back to work a week earlier than expected. I will miss reading books, afternoon naps, and relaxing - at least that was the plan next week - but it will be good to get back to work because I really love it. I might have actually started to get bored if I was home too much longer. It was more enjoyable than I had realized - at least once the drain was out and I slept at night.

We all had so much fun at the cabin in New Mexico last month that I have a long weekend planned the first of next month. I love watching the aspen turn color during this time of year so I planned for us to stay right at the edge of Rocky Mtn National Park. We are going 'camping in the mountains' as Andrew likes to say - but it is really a nice room at the YMCA. It will be warmer than a cabin and will have a full bathroom - which I will enjoy. There is a good chance of having snow - so I really did not want to try a public shower after walking in the snow and freezing. It should be a good adventure in any case.

I will probably start radiation therapy in a week or two. My appointment was supposed to be yesterday but we had to reschedule a few times. It will be a five week commitment so I hope to start in just over a week so I can finish by Thanksgiving and then officially start the AC (after cancer) phase of my life. I have not been able to give up carrying sanitizer in my purse yet - but hopefully soon I will feel okay without it and be able to trust my body and immune system. I did get my flu shot and will probably go for the H1N1 as soon as it is available just for extra protection.