Six Weeks Ago

I sit here and wonder how it's just been six weeks since I was reacquainted with my large intestine.

The progress I've made astounds me yet I am constantly reminded of how far I still have to go. In my last post I failed to mention that I had to beat a hasty retreat from the American Cancer Society “Relay For Life” held at Mount Saint Mary’s Friday Evening. Susan and I started the relay walking the opening lap for the caregivers and survivors. A pleasant reception followed but as one of the speakers went on I could feel the rumblings from the “never regions” begin to talk to me. “Mike, Oh Mike you silly lad did you forget about us ?“

Panic didn't set in, I trusted all those Kegel exercises I had done months before. I was more concerned I would look like a butt clenched duck waddling along as I searched for a men's room. As the speaker finished I was up and moving; luck was on my side as perhaps the reception room was built with us “ole folk” in mind, a comfort station was just a couple dozen steps away. Ah........

Relieved, Sue and I headed back to the Gym to find our Nephew, Zac, who is a student at Mount Saint Mary's. My relief didn't last too long and before I wanted, “We need to go home”, were the words that left my lips as I spoke with Susan.

So anyway, as you already may know from my previous post, Saturday went well. Sunday morning I returned to my running group and ran eleven more miles ! Running was followed with re-hydrating with a couple of recover-rites, followed with lunch (lentil soup), warm bath and a nap. When I awoke blue skies and sun enticed me to throw some weight in a pack and take Molly out on a hike. Once again I felt wonderfully tired, but then at eight thirty.......

Why the Battalions of Intestinal Duress feel they need to punish me after such a fine day is a wonder to me. Jumping up from the couch I would not return for almost thirty minutes and when I did I must have looked white as a ghost.

The stress in the bathroom amplified the neuropathy in my hands and feet to an extent that I decided it was time to go to bed. Three hours later I was still awake, it was only when Sue came to bed and rubbed my back could I finally get some sleep.

So for all the progress I'm making I am reminded of ships, super tankers which require miles to perform a change of course.

It will come in time..... Mike