Day 33 – I’m Still Alive: Decided to move out of house; trying a Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure. Too much house to manage on a lot of levels.
Day 36 – I’m Still Alive: Had Medi-Port installed in chest. Looks like a 3rd nipple.
Day 40 – I’m Still Alive: First chemo treatment… let the side effects begin.
Day 49 – I’m Still Alive: Unable to work very much; decide to live life… got a fishing license. Schedule to take grandson fishing at Diamond Lake.
Day 52 – I’m Still Alive: First fall; tripped in parking lot and landed face-first on pavement. Feeling pretty weak. Two more will follow, all on fishing trips with grandson. Didn’t know fishing could be so dangerous. Realized a Yin & Yang to life… that first fall was painful, embarrassing, a reminder of my current frailty. But it also seemed to straighten out a previously broken nose from college days. “Something good always comes from something bad.”
Day 65 – I’m Still Alive: Side effects expanding… very swollen lower legs, cold sensitivity in hands & feet, runny nose, hair thinning, no appetite except for very bland foods (Raman soup), taste buds completely screwed up. Realize I’ve begun to lower my standards for “quality of life”.
Day 67 – I’m Still Alive: Decided to do a trip to Hatch, New Mexico, for a chili pepper festival… if not now, when?
Day 76 – I’m Still Alive: Officially lost 100 pounds from lifetime high of 265 pounds.
Day 83 – I’m Still Alive: Looked in the mirror and saw Steve Urkel looking back. Went out and bought new (smaller) glasses.
Day 90 – I’m Still Alive: Original life expectancy surpassed... take that Jack!
