New normal
Demi keeps watch over me. |
1) walk one mile - it's okay to break it up into sections and grab a dog, especially Brix who thinks he is my boyfriend
2) I need to read at least 50 pages a day - should be no problem now that I have so few activities on my schedule
3) I need to draw or make something every day
4) I definitely need to do some kind of housecleaning project to keep on top of things
5) and it would be good to do some 15 minutes of gardening - inside or out - to maintain a sense of growth and color and life around here and
6) I need to write one letter or postcard to keep my mailbox happy. I have so many thank you notes and snails to write so one a day would at least keep me in motion.
There are hundreds of other things that need doing and I'm still working a few hours each week, but those are the ones that tend to get neglected and then I feel like I can't manage, I'm falling apart, I'm too sick to live without a caretaker, and woe is me. It helps to have a discrete list to keep me focused.
There are only six items, I can manage six, can't I? I mean, it's only chemotherapy....
Reality check: The day began early and well. I grabbed Brix at 7:30 this morning and we got the first seven minutes of walking done, the first third of our mile. The plan was to do more later.
I worked a couple hours.
Then something weird happened -- maybe it's the new meds I'm on because I haven't even started chemo yet, but I was so sick I was sobbing. Near bedtime Steve cooked me a perfect five-minute egg served in an egg cup I brought home from Ireland. He clipped the top, toasted a single slice of bread, and brought it in on a tray with a tiny egg spoon. It was the only thing I could eat all day.
Demi kept watch over me -- not so much as a caretaker as hopeful for a bite -- and I propped up to read.
So my list of six dwindled to one and a third. Tomorrow has to be better!
I like your plan, and some days are going to be better than others. I wish you felt better, but keeping as active as you can will help your energy level overall.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for lots of good days.
P.S. I am absolutely charmed by your art.
I love reading your posts, I need to figure out exactly how to subscribe. I think the list of 6 should be an ideal and can vary from day to day. I mean, even with out chemo we all have off and on days. I was glad to read so far you seem to be tolerating it "ok". And I am excited to read about you becoming an empty nester!!!
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