People often want to know how I am and if I’m okay. The answer is surprisingly simple. For the most part, I’m good.
Most days, I choose to not think about my diagnosis and live in the here and now. I recently read a quote that hit home. Worrying about tomorrow’s issues will only ruin today. The doctors are doing everything they can to treat my cancer. My worrying about it will not help anyone, so I am choosing not to let it ruin today.
Early on in my treatments, my oldest son asked incredulously, “So you’re going to be a stay-at-home mom???” In essence that’s what I am. I get up, make my children’s lunches, and drive my two boys to school. I then while away the hours before I need to pick them up at the end of the school day.
On days that are not chemotherapy days, life continues as normal; except for the obvious, I cannot go to work. I love teaching and miss it. Pining for what used to be, will not change today. So instead, I spend my days puttering around the house, running errands, taking on small projects, helping friends, reading books, and working on my goal to master social media.
Most days, I exercise or go for a 5km walk with a friend. Keeping fit was important when I was diagnosed and now that the treatment and recovery will likely last another year, keeping physically active is paramount.
I continue to try and make a new vegan recipe or two a week. Visiting with friends usually adds a little spice to each week. Visits with people are usually outside and masked. Covid taught us a lot about how to visit safely with immunocompromised people.
My days are a little less busy than they used to be, but that leaves me time for an afternoon siesta.
Of course, once I pick the kids up from school, the routine changes. We try to have dinner as a family, when the kids schedule permits. Some nights, I’m the chauffeur driving my wee man to his gymnastics training. Other nights, I spend time cooking a meal with my oldest son in the hopes that he’ll be able to make a meal or two when he leaves home in five years. The night flies by and in a blink, it is 9:00 pm and there is the shuffle to get everyone, myself included, into bed.
And that is how I am. How are you?
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