Returning To Normal

My body is gradually returning to normal.

During my chemotherapy I noticed that instead of needing a second shave by early evening I barely needed one by next morning and the charge in my shaver’s stand lasted nearly a month rather than just over a week. This last few days I have noticed a “late afternoon” stubble appearing again. Mind you, I am still losing hair so I’m treating my scalp very gently.

Yesterday I worked hard hoovering the house and towing a heavy trolly of shopping home during the morning then spending nearly four hours on my feet cooking and cleaning the kitchen during the afternoon and early evening. I may have overdone it a bit as Ann had to wake me this morning … at nine o’clock.

Also I’ve noticed that I’m up to the toilet only twice or three times during the night. I suspect that if I didn’t have an alcoholic drink immediately before bed time it would be only once.

As far as I can tell the sensations of urinating are normal now though I have to admit that after two years of discomfort and pain I can’t be sure any more what “normal” feels like.

Even my brain and energy levels are much better. This week I finally addressed the long-standing shortage of storage space on my computer system and bought a Western Digital “My Book” mirror edition and installed it myself. I also cleaned up a lot of unwanted software that was cluttering my machine. A few weeks ago I really wouldn’t have had the drive and energy to tackle those problems.

What I want now is for the radiotherapy to start as soon as possible so it is complete and I have recovered from it before Christmas. Tomorrow I have my “marking up” appointment and I should find out when the treatment will start.

I heard from Stephen this morning. Sadly the results of his MRI scan were not too good. The cancer has not shrunk much since the first cycle of chemotherapy and the various consultants will need to get their heads together to see what is likely to be the best way forward for him now. I fear that the outlook for him is not good though he is facing the future with his usual courage and positive attitude.