This round has been gentler, and my recovery week filled with more movement. The haze lifted again; the brain fog and fatigue were the biggest side effects this round leading to more napping and some frustration. I am grateful for the frustration, as my other said,”Frustration is good, it means your mind and body want to get better”. The fog makes it hard to keep up in conversation, hard to find words, and makes reading super exhausting. I also had my first ostomy gear “failure” but speedy recovery; the real of colon cancer.

To ward off ”chemo brain” I am spending time re-learning an old skill that allows me to work with my hands, bond with the oldest of our two, and stretch my creativity.

With a little more tolerance this round I was able to be around the boys and in the living room more than my room. In recovery week, more walks and more snuggles. We also had visitors from near and far which fills the house with warmth, conversation, and life.

Glimmers this round continue to come in all forms. Well wishes from all over the world making an immense impact on my heart. Personal touches and care packages from the “motherland “, NH. Time with kindred spirits in our home; those willing to love on (and listen to) our boys. Learning new skills between treatments in hopes of warding off the haze and fog. Evenings of our littlest honing his wrestling skills against a foam roller. And memes that make me laugh via text.

Mantras: Trust the Universe. Go straight for the liver. Keep moving.

Music this week that brings some light:

Xavier Rudd, “Follow the Sun”