Rolling Through Half-Way

I've made it to the mid-point of treatment. Either my energy has improved a good deal or I've gotten used to "the new normal". There are signs of change. At work, the annual gauntlet of January grant deadlines reminds me that last year I was putting in 50 & 60 hour weeks. Not this year - not even possible. I've come to think of this as God's way to help me not overwork -- a blessing if I choose to see it as such.

I'm still in negotiation with the blastocytes over Who Really Owns the real estate of my intestines, which has meant a fairly restricted diet since November: no sugar, alcohol, potatoes, milk products, flour, etc. We're depriving them of things they might like to eat, making it easier for caustic herbs to scrub 'em out. Last week I got to add parsnips & quinoa into the menu. I never imagined that parsnips would seem exciting, but lemme tell you, mashed parsnips with garlic and olive oil casts a bright light in a world without potatoes.

Here's what supporting my healing these days:

• Bicycling - pretty much every day. We just tricked out my cycle with more equipment. I think it looks like a reindeer. James proposes wildebeast. See pic above & suggest your own antlered critter.
• Silent retreats - once a month at a Benedictine convent in Lacey. Spaciousness to remember what my source really is, to put my little list of worries into a bigger context.
• Physical therapy - a juicy blend of yoga & pt, Miss Adrienne is addressing several long-term movement problems in addition to recovering from the mastectomy. It's Fabulous!
• The wonderful warm wishes of friends and family - yup. You help.

Here's sending wishes for a healthy and rich 2010 to you all.