10 July 2017

When we last left our heroine....

First of all, my sincere apologies for disappearing for so long. For better or worse, I am one of those people who gets flustered and freezes like a deer in headlights when life gets even marginally complicated, hectic, or physically demanding. I did fully intend to resume blogging, more times than I can count, but the more time that passed the more difficult it became to get back to it.

For the rest of 2014 -- after my May Day post -- and for nearly all of 2015 I was up to my elbows in house projects. New ceilings, painting walls and woodwork, converting my tumbling down garage into a proper garden shed, a new furnace (and removal of the old), as well as several major purchases, e.g., fridge, washer, dryer, mattress. All in all things were a bit madcap and the "To Do" list seemed relentless. So much so that I rounded off 2015 by telling my colleagues at work that I had decided to retire. Retirement, as some of you might already know, is fraught with at least 137 things one has to do. But all went smoothly and I was released into my own custody as a lady of leisure in February 2016.

I fully expected to recommence blogging, in between lots of knitting, lots of reading, and lots of gardening, but within a few months of retirement I became ill and last November I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. By December 1st I was in hospital for the first of six cycles of aggressive chemotherapy. My treatment lasted until early April of this year and various complications meant that during those five months I had to spend nearly 73 days in hospital. The upside was that I learned where they kept the popsicles ... and I lost 40 lbs. (I reworked my favorite line from The Devil Wears Prada: 'I'm just one chemo cycle from my goal weight.')

As a fellow blogger wisely said, one doesn't battle cancer, one battles the treatment. (Which really is like being carpet-bombed with pesticides.) But despite the challenges and setbacks, I'm relieved to say my latest two PET scans show that I am in remission. I can only attribute this to the love and support of my family and friends, the brilliance of my remarkable doctors, and the combined power of prayer and magical thinking. God and Science may seem like strange bedfellows to some, but as far as I'm concerned they work together very well.

So... here I am, back again, hoping to be able to check in now and then to jot down, as I said long ago, some 'quirky and inconsequential musings'... scattered though those musings might be for awhile. Oh, and if I don't make sense please just be patient and ignore me. Like they say: 'This is chemo. This is your brain on chemo.'

Carry on.

6 comments:

  1. I Ionly have one thing to say...so glad you are back. You have been missed.

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  2. Hello again! I am so sorry to have neglected you so long. Congratulations on retirement! I am so happy to hear that you have had a successful treatment. What a fearful year you have had!

    Blogging has changed so much while you have been away. But I am one of the few still plugging away. Though at a much slower pace. I am back into the shop keeping business and traveling a lot. Summer is so full and far from over.

    I felt that your absence was not such a good thing, and I'm so glad that you have good news to share. Thanks so much for your visits and good words. You are a big part of the best that is still there in the blogging community! Take care! J.

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  3. You are indeed a heroine! I am so happy to add you to my list of heroes and heroines!

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  4. I swear I left a comment here from your last visit to me, but I don't see it. I am so glad you have returned in good health! Thank you for all your lovely comments. It's wonderful hearing from you again!

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  5. A bit late but just checked in on you blog. Sorry, that had to have been scary and just plain awful but glad you are better. You seem like a very strong woman and it shows in your writing Keep blogging I do love to find out what is happening.

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  6. Hello my dear friend
    Goodness me you have been through the mill, I am so happy to read you are in remission😘
    One of my friends had NHL and had surgery to remove lymph glands - she is now clear. With annual checks she is grateful to be in remission too.
    If you have visited my blog Haworth, you will know it is neglected. This has been because my laptop died and I couldn’t write blog posts via my iPad.
    I’ve just had my laptop repaired and intend putting up a post this weekend - please pop in to say hello or email me with your address as I have something to send you!
    Looking forward to catching up !
    Take care
    Shane💕😘

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