Now we wait. But what is it that we’re waiting for? Mostly we’re waiting for my body to recover from the 6 consecutive days of chemotherapy and the stem cell transplant.
For now, I feel like I am living in limbo waiting for my life to begin again. Each day is one day further from the transplant and one day closer to having my strong and healthy body back. My blood work continues to show promising results and my doctors are happy with the numbers.
As much as I would like to do things, I can’t. Sometimes it’s due to my physical limitations, and at other times it’s due to the potential risk it will cause me.
I used to be a runner. For now, I physically am not able to do that. So, for now, I will be a walker. During each stage and day of the transplant, I made a point of going for a walk. Now, I’m able to walk without becoming too winded. As time goes by, I am able to go farther and farther.
Staying healthy is one of the priorities on my list. My doctor has given me the go ahead to venture out a little more into the world. I’m still cautious about heading out and I will not be heading to any packed concert halls anytime soon. However, going to get the groceries in a nearly empty store is an activity I feel safe doing.
Sometimes I feel like I'm the kid sitting inside the house watching everyone else playing outside. My wish for each of you is that you continue to play as much as you possibly can. My motto used to be and still is work hard, play hard.
I cannot believe how my life has changed in a year. I found a lump in my groin a little over a year ago. More importantly, I am astounded at how powerless I have felt. There is little I could have done to stop myself from getting cancer. However, there are things I can do to speed up my recovery. My priorities are eating well, sleeping well, staying active, and keeping a positive mindset.
I take inspiration from a friend who in her 75th year set herself a challenge to do 75 new things. That is my current goal. To find new activities to do each week. Novel tasks and projects help me to stay upbeat and motivated. Next up on my list is a bread making workshop and taking a pottery spinning wheel class.
For now, I have learned that I need to take life at a slightly slower speed than everyone else. The reality is I am not waiting, I am living - just at a different pace.
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