Sorry for that last post… I think just writing it depressed me more. But I’m back to being me again. A little sore from exercise, and in good spirits: that’s a pretty great combo for me. 
Just recently, Patti and Charles invited me to join them on a ‘training hike’ in prep for our 4 day hike through the eastern Sierras at the end of the month. I hadn’t been up Cowle’s Mountain in… um… a year? Let’s just say forever. But if I was going to tackle the Sierras for 4 days, I’d better be able to handle a morning hour or two up and down Cowle’s. So off we went. One steep climb from the top, Patti commented on her 20 lb pack starting to seem heavy. “I’ll take it” I heard myself say, shortly followed by “Wow, my calves feel the hill so much more with the weight on.” We reached summit, and took a water break. I squatted down to give the dogs a bowl of water and pressed to get up, thinking, “Wow, my quads really feel that with the extra 20 lbs.” On the way down, Charles and I commiserated over bad knees, but secretly I felt a bit stronger having the age and surgery advantage. I be-bopped down the hill silently telling myself “Wow, my knees do actually feel a bit tired.” And like I said at the start of the post, I’m still a bit sore. Three days later.
Medically, I’m still looking into other options but am currently acting along with the plan of my oncologist… try a new drug. It’s an antibody (like the Herceptin), as opposed to an actual chemo drug so the side effects shouldn’t be terrible. Hair and nails and skin should all be unaffected, energy should even be pretty good.
A visit from Modus and a breakfast with Dechard and Davis reminded me that life is good, being happy is way better than being stressed, and friendship bracelets are still cool.
Now I’m going to go work in the back yard
It was great seeing you! I only wish I’d had more time
my toes are rwminding me of you.