Hi Friends,
I'm pleased to introduce my new eyebrows, which now accompany tiny eyelashes, and really soft baby hair on my head (Catherine calls it my "down"). However, in the category of "more information about chemo than you ever thought you'd know," I find it quite curious that it's spring in my body from the waist up, winter from the waist down. Go figure.
I'm eleven, again.
Here's another reality I never saw coming: when I drink something cold, it feels like it's going down across my entire chest and it actually hurts. Like a "brain freeze" in my rib cage. Any thoughts on why? Is it possible that Tito and Blanket provided some sort of insulation and now I'm more exposed? I will get used to this, of course, but it's another one of those curious bodily changes.
Catherine is feeling better, at home, and now seems to have turned the corner on her flu. This is fantastic. My nerve pain continues to fluctuate and my mobility is improving, although I'm not yet ready to put my arm in the radiation machine without strain. I've put in a call to a physiotherapist whose office is not far from my house and is on the PMH list of recognized practitioners. I hope to start working with her soon.
Much love to all of you,
Kip
Is that chill part of the nerve damage? I'm betting that it will disappear with time.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of chill... it's -29 in Camden East. But I am glad we are having winter weather.
I envy your lovely brows!! And no doubt your eyes will feel much more comfortable with those nice new eyelashes!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that Catherine is feeling better and back home. Yikes! that must have been a dreadful flu. It will take her a while to get her full strength back.
I often get an esophageal "freeze" when eating or drinking cold food. It is quite painful, so maybe, since the nerves in your chest have been messed with during surgery, you are getting referred pain from the esophagus. Just a guess. Maybe it's not actually a new reality, but will disappear as the nerves regenerate. Hoping so.
Good luck with physio! Thanks for keeping all of us informed!
Love, CLR
Interestingly, Sean and I just saw the movie 127 Hours yesterday and at one point, when the poor fellow is down in his rock crevice on about day 4, he comments rather matter-of-factly that his body is doing some strange things. The body is a wonderful and mysterious thing and perhaps the cold aching feeling is just that – an inexplicable thing that happens when yet another ordeal meets it.
ReplyDeleteLovely eyes by the way Kip; with or without accompanying hair. We are glad to know Cath is back home with you. Love Ruth
Hi Kip:
ReplyDeleteBeautiful eyes! And so, the "eyes" have it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tK6aQS_H0
Love,
Abbie
Yay Catherine!
ReplyDeleteHi Kip, Hi Catherine!
ReplyDeleteNice to see your eyes sportin' brows again. Nice to see your eyes. When does radiation start? I have been reflecting some on your journey and wrote this little thing,
Plucked out of life,
the straining flow.
This will be your
particular trial.
Not a numbing or deadening down,
nor terror known.
A foreign chemistry thrust perforce,
a tarry bolus through silver sliver.
Writhe alive with sculpted pain
searing pulse from vein to vein.
Boddy's skin cannot contain
the immolating fire.
Flaming drops from lashless lids
burn again again again.
Over the chemistry,
under the knife
cocoon yourself as best you can,
silk to separate
the world from you.
Til an entourage of fireflies
that glow a little
each time they touch you
eases you from purgatory
lifting lightly, you emerge
wholly holy, a heavenly creature
tenderly embracing change.
Love, Walter