Wow! It has been Jan since I posted. That should tell you I am doing fairly well. I was encouraged by a nephew to update. Today I played 18 holes of golf. I am very tired but excited to be out on the course. I am still taking pain medication. Actually it is for pain that still exists from radiation and also my arthritis in my knees and back.
I have an appt in April with my radiation oncologist and a colonoscopy in May. (I scheduled the prep on our 35th wedding aniversary. How stupid was that).
I have started attending a cancer support group. I am trying to be a supporter rather than supportee. However, in this group it works both ways. In April I will be attending a camp for adult cancer survivors. I am excited the weather has started getting better. We have had so much snow and cold this year with no breaks. Usually we have a day or two that is warm enough to get outside and/or play golf. But this winter there was nothing. Today we were in the 60's although windy and tomorrow is supposed to be 73. I hope everyone is doing well. I am continually getting a little stronger. I am still healing. Take care.

Another 3 weeks have passed since my last blog. So I thought I would catch you up. My port was taken out on Monday. It was done in the doc office but it took close to an hour. My upper chest feels like someone cut it open. Wait, they did! I can't lift anything heavy for a week so between the snow we have had and that I haven't been to the gym in about a week. We are supposed to get more snow tonight and tomorrow so that will keep me in for another couple of days. The good news is my "new " car does great in the snow whether fresh or packed down.
Let's talk about residual effects. I am still having nasty secretions coming out of everywhere. I am still having pain although it has let up a lot. I can finally sit square on my rear which made me think maybe I could continue back with my sit ups that I haven't done in 7 months but the pressure is too much. Some days I can cut back on the pain med other days I can't. But I need to cut back more because I don't think they will be renewing any of my prescriptions. I have a check up with the oncologist in Feb a check up with the radiation oncologist in April and a colonoscopy in May.
I am getting ready to send resumes into our 2 local hospitals to do volunteer work. The thing is I don't want to sit at a desk or open doors. I want to act as a liaison between cancer patients and doctors. Doing things for the patients the doctors can't. For example, my radiation oncologist has said they have patients calling in wondering if they have a list of good comedy films. Lists of things to do to keep their minds active and off the disease. We will see what happens.
In the meantime my hair is growing back. It is slow. I still don't have any bangs.
Keep the faith and I will check in sooner. Love to all