LIFE AT 61 - 4 WEEKS POST RADIATION

Well it has been just one day shy of 4 weeks since the last radiation treatment!  I WISH I had known that the "worst" was yet to come!  LOL  I really had not much bad going on until AFTER the last radiation treatment.  No really bad sore throat, was still able to eat some things, some dry mouth but not horrible.  THEN it all hit.  Sore throat was not unbelievable, but was bad.  Dry mouth got a whole lot worse, and taste buds just gone.  I was bummed.

HOWEVER, I decided to try some acupuncture, and believe it or not, it seems to be working.  I dont really know what prompted me to try it, but I believe that God pushed me a bit.  I was a bit down because I could not really eat, I was having to drink protein shakes, which while NOT horrible, but not totally pleasant either.  I finally decided to "try" some savory type foods, and discovered that I could eat them.  That being said, Ive been trying to expand on that a bit, and it seems to be working.  Im convinced that the acupuncture is working.  A very nice Chinese Dr is taking care of me, and really knows her stuff about sticking people with tiny needles.  Im eating a lot of things again.  Some things work, some dont.  Anything dairy not so much, most things savory are good.  I find that a bit interesting.   You would think it would be the other way around, but OH WELL, at least Im eating something.  I had lost about 53 pounds, and was below the 200 mark for the 1st time since my basic training days, way back in the early 70's.  Im back above that line now and really would like to pretty much stay where I am weight wise.

Now the issue is I really need to gain back the muscle I've lost.  On the very high plus side, I have started riding my bike again.  The first ride "post" radiation was a couple of evenings ago,  WOW it was fantastic getting on the bike again.  It was only 5.2 miles, but it was great feeling the wind and the muscle burn.  I would have been very happy with maybe 3 miles, but 5 was fantastic.  This weekend will be really nice weather and I plan on taking full advantage of it.  You really dont realize how much you miss something till you are not able to do it.  I had not really been able to ride, or really any other exercise since all this started back in February.  Of course I could not ride when it is freezing, but honestly had NO energy to even go to the Y.  I was able to do one spin class just before I started treatments, and so for 5 months nothing.

Im hopeful that I can catch up on my riding and get up to 20 miles or more quickly.  Im going to push for 10 or more this weekend.  I know for some riders that does not sound like much, but not have been riding all season, I have no "bike" legs, or butt!  LOL  All of this should come back quickly, at least I am counting on that.

This particular blog has been a bit different than most I have written.  I guess at this point, Im just feeling that I needed to maybe encouraging some that might be going thru some trials, or some treatments that are getting you down.  I know, I have been there, and in some ways, am STILL there.  Chemo and radiation literally suck the life right out of you.  They both affect every area of your body.  I did not know this about radiation.  Dr said it would only be the area they were aiming at.  BOY was that a fib.  :)  I noticed that I was bruising very easy, and come to find out it was from the radiation affecting my whole body.  Im still getting tired pretty easy, but Im hoping that getting out and doing more exercise that will change and I wont tire as easy.

If you happen to be reading this, and you are suffering from cancer, or any other disease, and it has you down, and you are feeling that you are alone.  Look UP.  You are not alone.  God is just a whisper away.  His healing power is yours for the taking.  God is the best friend you will ever have, and really someone you can call on 24/7.  I know several of you reading this, either have a disease or know someone who does.  I just hope and pray that some of these blogs are helpful.

Stay tuned, there is more to come.  One other note about bike riding, I thinking of doing a charity ride on October 6, all the monies raised go directly to cancer research here in St. Louis.  I think that is a very worthy cause.  How about you?