I've been re-reading my blogs from last year at this time. Those memories are still fresh in my mind, but I'm so glad they are all behind me. Last summer, I was content (well forced) to remain inside while I did my four sessions of chemo. This summer, I'm making an effort to get out and enjoy - when situations arise or of my own making. It's mind boggling to think that it's already the middle of July and the virtual middle of summer. Time goes so fast.
Just a few updates on my condition and dealings with side effects;
- Neuropathy - I'm still dealing with that weirdness in my finger and thumb. Sometimes it appears to dissipate, but comes back again. There's no pain, but there's a strange sensation when I play guitar. I've joined a card group (we play 45's on Mondays) and I noticed a real problem with shuffling and dealing the cards. I've been having so many mis-deals due to giving too many cards that it was suggested that I deal one card at a time. So far so good, but the shuffling is still a challenge. I still have neuropathy on the balls of my feet and it appears to be spreading to my big toe. This doesn't prevent my standing or ability to take my daily walks. But it does feel weird when my feet are under the sheets and I can't feel the material.
- Charlie Horse(s) - I'm still plagued with these horrendous muscle spasms despite my walking some 20-25 miles a week. I'm always trying to vary my sitting, standing and walking periods hoping this will help. Bananas seem to ripen too fast (or not fast enough), so I'm leaning more to dark green vegetables.Last week I had a spasm in my back and had to lie on the floor. Not sure if that was related. Like everything I'll have to monitor.
- Cataract - I'm finally adjusting to my new lens. As the doctor said, the brain is adjusting. So my vision seems to be fine. I am still seeing some anomalies when it gets dark, but my brains seems to be getting used to those too. I have noticed that my new lens (which is great for distance) is not that great for reading. Luckily, my left eye is still good, so I may wait until reading is more difficult before getting cheaters or real reading glasses.
- Chemo Brain - Still dealing with the occasional grasping of the right word or trying to recall certain information. For example, I came across a picture of some co-workers at a regional meeting. Picture was taken in 1994. I could name everyone, but I had trouble remembering the last names of two. Luckily one name came to me within a few hours, but the other alluded me for a few days. It wasn't until I was telling someone about this lapse when all of a sudden the name came to me. I know for most people, they may not even remember most of the names, not to mention the last names, but for me - it's a big deal. I'm fortunate that these are minor lapses and not important things like, finding my way home or various account passwords. Not THAT would be concerning.
More to come.
