Bringing in the New Year 2022
New Years Eve 2021! I, for one, am very happy to be turning the page on this year!
It started out dreary, with some highlights and then took a major downward tumble towards the end.
But despite the horrors and upheavals of Covid and the scary diagnosis I was handed in November, I think that overall, the good stuff outweighs the bad.
Looking back to January 2021 and through this crazy year, there have been some wonderful times, with lots of local trips (when lockdowns allowed) exploring locally. A trip back to the States to see family and friends there.
And developing new friendships here in South Africa.
Perhaps the most important part of this year has been those developing friendships that are growing every day. I’ve always been pretty much a loner, with a few close friends, and have learned over the years (through many hard knocks and heartbreaks) not to rely on anyone. This year, especially during this medical crisis, I’ve had to drop my independence and rely on others to help me, and I’ve discovered that even without asking, my growing circle of friends have stepped up to help and support me. With support I didn’t know I needed! And didn’t really know how to ask for!
And the support comes in a variety of ways! Sometimes, it’s just a text or a call to find out how I’m feeling, when they know the treatment has wiped me out. Or it could be Sue coming by with some frozen meals, so I don’t have to think about going to the store. And June stopping in with a cute hate she decided I need! School friends (yes, from 60+ years ago) who rallied round with multiple scarfs and hats so I can cover up my now-bald head! (Thanks, YouTube for the instructionals, as we weren’t able to have our scarf workshop due to Omicrom). Of course, there are Steffi’s mini outings to lunch or coffee or breakfast. Mini outings, because I get very tired, so these are get-out-of-the-house outings and I go home afterwards and often spend the rest of the day lying on the bed!
Underlying all this local support is Jules, my amazing sister-in-law! And what I have most enjoyed is getting to know her. Up until now, we’ve spent very little time together, with me living out of the country so much and Jules working in England. We seemed to miss connecting so many times. But we’re making up for lost time now!
Besides all the support here, I have 24/7 support from around the world. Texts and calls from Ryan in California (when he’s not galivanting around the world. That boy got my itchy feet!) Skyping Betsy in Dana Point, FaceTime with Mardelle and Susan in Washington State, Messengering Zoze in Australia! I have to have my world clock accessible constantly to get the times right!
A big part, too is having my secure little cottage here, that I can come back to any time and have Zoey the Ridgeback and Ping the kitty as company. Adele and Lonnie are great, as I come and go and I know they are there at the big house, if I need anything.
2022 is going to be a good year.
I had the second chemo treatment last week, and it was a completely different experience. I was expecting to experience the miserable days immediately following, much like I had after the first treatment. But I have been very pleasantly surprised. As a preemptive measure, I went to Jules and Biff (up from the Cape) two days after, anticipating being knocked down. But have been pleasantly surprised with very few side effects! The most definitive change has been the dissipation of the ascites which has led to rather extreme weight loss. But it also means that I am way more comfortable without all the added fluid weight I was carrying around.
Not that I have much energy, the tiredness is pervasive, but I can live with that! My stamina has disappeared much like my hair. But I have noticed in the last couple of day, I am feeling more energetic and am looking forward to starting to go for short walks to start building up muscle and stamina again.
Losing my hair is…I don’t know how to explain it! I look at myself in the mirror and see someone else! I suppose men who suffer from baldness have to deal with this, but generally their hair loss is gradual. This happened over three weeks for me, so it has been a rather harsh transition. Add the baldness to the extreme weight loss, and I look like a different person (or I think I do!) I haven’t been this skinny since I was probably 13 or 14! I never thought I would be hoping to put on weight, which I am trying to do now!
My next treatment is in a couple of weeks and am anticipating it will go pretty much like this last one. In the meantime, the new year will roll in tonight (while I am fast asleep) and tomorrow will be just another day.
Keepin’ on, movin’ on!
