Sunday, September 25
Welcome to this glorious sunny autumn afternoon in our PNW. I happily report that physically I continue to feel better and better. The metaphor seems to be climbing up a steep beach sand dune – two steps up for every one step of backsliding. My guess is that the chemo drug is slowly wearing off allowing me to exercise regularly thereby regaining some level of conditioning. Feels grand!
I also feel a little better emotionally. I don’t seem quite as frazzled nor quite as prone to breaking down. I seem to somewhat better manage anxiety and respond to unsettling situations. Admittedly, I do work extremely hard at this and appreciate the results. So, although still not 100%, I guess I’ll accept the success for now!
As a final note, I’d like to acknowledge some of the more private feedback I’ve received from friends. Some of these friends have been saddled with anxiety issues or panic attacks throughout their entire lives, while others are merely introverts who shy away from the stress producing social interactions. The message I receive is empathetic, but quite simple: Welcome to my world. Wow, that sure makes me appreciate all those years I’ve experienced almost anxiety free.