I'm now approaching 10 weeks since I was first admitted to hospital. I've completed two rounds of chemotherapy with two more to go and I'm looking forward to the future, while reflecting on what I've been through so far. I'm extremely grateful for what I have right now and it's not lost on me that things could be a lot worse.
You took away from me Cyril, but you may have given me a lot more.
In terms of my treatment, the last 5 days or so have been fairly uneventful. Round 2 of chemo has been much kinder to me. The main side effect I had this time was fatigue which has been a blessed relief after Round 1. My blood test results have been good and I've so far avoided the significant drops that compromise my immune system so much. This has give me a little bit more freedom, within reason.
I've felt pretty upbeat this week but it did occur to me recently that, even with the most positive outcome, it's likely my life expectancy has been reduced and I'll be at risk of battling cancer for a third time. But there's no point dwelling on that. Better to use it as fuel to live life and cherish what I've already got.
After spending most of the day in the hospital with tests and examinations on Friday the 14th, I went to my Daughter's swimming lesson. She continues to make excellent progress. Her little friend whispered to her: "What's happened to your Dad's hair?" She turned to him, shrugged her shoulders and said: "He shaved it off." They both laughed. She remains pretty much unfazed.
On Saturday I helped my Mum with some house move stuff. I then enjoyed my first beer in 65 days while England destroyed Wales in the 6 Nations. Watching any kind of sport reminds me I've not been able to do as much, but hopefully I won't have lost too much ground by the time I start training properly again. I've been doing bits but I can't wait to get stuck into it when the treatment is done.
On Sunday the 16th I hosted Sunday dinner for me, my Daughter, her partner and her Daughter. It went really well, nobody got food poisoning and the kids had a great time playing together. I did have a near death experience on the local playground though, when a seesaw was prematurely released and I was almost launched into orbit. We raced down the street on the way home and, although I lost and was out of breath, it was a reminder that I'd been dreaming of being able to do that when Cyril had been standing in front of my as an intimidating and formidable opponent. He's now on his knees.
"The longest and shortest life amount to the same, for the present moment lasts the same for all of us and is all anyone possesses. No one cane lose either the past or the future, for how can someone be deprived of what's not theirs?"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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