Thankgiving

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and there is little doubt I have much to be Thankful for. Unfortunately 5FU decided it was time to rear it's ugly head and hit me with it's best shot.

Overall my response to the last treatment had been better even though some of the side effects had intensified. The sensitivity to the cold was worse and lasted longer but the “first taste” blast was not. At the O'Grady household, on Thanksgiving Day, to have taste and smell is a blessing, Susan and her sister Beverly go all out to provide a feast unmatched by most mere mortals.

I had hoped to run a five mile turkey trot Thursday morning but as the week went on my hands and feet have gotten progressively worse. 5FU causes hand and foot syndrome potentially leading to blistered skin, I'm not there yet but I am very uncomfortable. To make an analogy, my hands feel like I've handled cement blocks, all day log without gloves. I addition to soreness there is the feeling of burning, one which cannot be relived especially the first week after Oxaliplatin has been administered.

My daughter has been a blessing, providing daily foot rubs of Udderly Smooth moisturizing cream but yesterday afternoon even this provided little relief.

Thanksgiving morning perfect and though I had missed the run I decided around lunch time to head out for my three and a half mile trail loop. My feet hurt but even so knew I could run “gently” over the rocks and roots populating the trail.

It was a good run and I returned home better than I left. As I opened the door to the house I was greeted with the smells of Thanksgiving, that wonderful mixture of aromas signifying a feast, soon to come.

Our Thanksgiving routine is the indulgence of at least two separate feasts, the feast of appetizers and dinner itself. I'm mad at myself for not taking a photograph of our appetizer table as it was an all out affair. I am sure I will leave something out but here is a listing

Onion Dip and chips

Duck Rillettes with French Baguette
Mousse Truffee Pate with Cornichons (small pickles) and crackers
Veggie Tray with spinach dip
Spanakopita
Crab Dip and crackers
Mango Salsa and Chips
Imported Cheeses with French Baguette (Epoisses, Brie, Blue Cheese, one other)
Salmon with crème fraiche capers red onion and pumpernickel bread
Sweet and Sour Meatballs

In years past I have made the mistake of indulging too much in the feast of appetizers to an extent that later, at dinner, I would realize that the turkey wasn't the only thing stuffed on Thanksgiving.

Needless to say I sampled all that was to be had at the “Feast of Appetizers” but I did not go overboard. As I sat down to watch Thanksgiving football I got really cold and started going downhill pretty quickly. My hands appeared speckled, looking quite red and bone white at the same time, they burned and ached along with my feet.

By dinner time I felt pretty lousy and by seven thirty, having sampled only some of the dinner fare I was “done in” excusing myself to head for bed. Susan as always was understanding and gracious as I attempted to apologize for departing prior to the completion of dinner.

It will be a Thanksgiving to remember, not the negatives, no, I will remember that as hard as it may be I am truly blessed.

Mike