Saturday, May 19, 2007

Wow! Over a week since I last posted. I started back to work this past week and it has been a very busy week. Once I get settled back into the workplace I will be able to post more often. It was nice to be back at work, another big piece of normalcy. It does help to get back into the swing of things. A lot has changed in the 3 months I was out and getting caught back up on the status of things and the things that have changed provides a good mental work out which I truly do enjoy. Andrea wasn't to sure about this, she has been taking care of me and we have done practically everything together for a good while.

I have had some other firsts this past week that are definitely worth mentioning. Last Sunday I had my first beer since January this year! It wasn't up to full taste but it was pretty damn good! I eat more and try more things to eat every day. I had my first Chipolte this week, a barbacoa burrito bowl - the mouth is like a baby right now as it lit me on fire! Before cancer treatment I didn't think it was spicy at all! I also had some chicken this week as well. For those of you who know my eating preferences, this is quite a shock as I have sworn off chicken for many, many years. My Mom made it in a chili sort of crock pot dish and since I said that I would try some things that I haven't liked in the past - being a survivor changes you thoughts on a lot of things - so...much to my Mom's and Andrea's delight I ate chicken. It was actually really good.

During the dark times of treatment that I don't remember too much, my Son had ordered me a Livestrong book from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I barely remember looking at it then and have this week picked it back up and looked through it. There is a lot of good information in there touching on just about everything from first learning that you have cancer, treatment and post treatment. There are forms to fill out to help you track what you have done and where you have been and a large amount of good information for surviving the process.

Last Wednesday was Livestong Day and we had plans to attend a vigil down at the capitol building in the evening. Unfortunately, after not getting much sleep the night before because of a sick dog and needing to get used to the work day again, I was to damn tired for us to go do a lot of walking and standing. Next year I will be in much better shape for attending those type of functions. The Livestrong organization is an excellent resource for cancer survivors, their care givers, family, and friends to find information, help, and hope in the fight against cancer.