Nearly Half Way

It’s 31st July today, and I have just returned home after completing treatment number three. Three down, three to go. Nearly half way, but in truth, the half way point will be just before my fourth treatment which will be on the 20th August.
So, what has happened during these last three weeks? At the end of my last blog I wrote that I was hoping to go for a walk with Colin, and we did. I am finding that I am not getting enough exercise, and my body is craving exercise. Colin and I go for two or three walks a week, which is not enough for me. To compensate, I walk to the shops a couple of times a day, and go for a walk occasionally with friends. I need to start playing badminton again! The treatment doesn’t seem to bother me at all. Perhaps the only side effect I notice is a slight weariness during the first week, but it isn’t bad enough for it to affect me greatly. Physically I am really well. Mentally, the whole business is a strain. It is a long journey and the deeper you get into it, the longer it seems to get. Most of my friends say how quickly it is passing, but for me, it is slow. I feel low, I feel sad and I get depressed often, especially if I’m home alone. There are many tears. I would not wish this on anyone. It is a long hard road.
Last weekend was a happy release from my sadness. Graham, Nicole and the children came and stayed with us. It was lovely to see them. We met them in the city on Saturday afternoon and had some lunch. We then decided a trip up the river was a good idea—and it was. At home we ate the best seafood marinara I’ve ever tasted. The seafood was fresh from Victoria Market that morning. I made the sauce, and Nicole prepared the seafood. On Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa took Lachy and Jessica to the park just around the corner from home. They loved it. At lunch time, we all went down to Ricketts Point and walked along the beach, then had lunch in the cafe. They left from there and it was sad to see them go. They live so far away, and I don’t think we’ll see them again until Christmas.
On the Tuesday following, my friends Audrey, Margaret and Wyn, went to our local library where they were showing the original version of “To Kill A Mocking Bird” starring the gorgeous Gregory Peck. It was a great movie, and Gregory was just wonderful. The following evening, Colin and I went to watch “The Merchant of Venice”. Al Pacino was great as Shylock. It was another good movie.
I have to keep finding things like this to do. This is what helps me over the bad days, otherwise I would go crazy.
On Monday I go and see about my radiotherapy. I have to go every day for six weeks once I have finished my Chemo. I envisage having to wait the obligatory three weeks following my final Chemo treatment before they start on the radiotherapy treatment. It’s a long long road!!!