Normal

Saturday, April 15

Recently, it seems that I have been on a subconscious quest for normalcy in my life. Despite the fact that a ‘normal life’ might be extremely hard to define – I seek it nonetheless. Perhaps a normal life is when one does not feel forced to schedule an untold number of medical appointments over 100 miles away from home. Maybe it is not constantly thinking of whether your body is capable of this or that physical exertion or what the next PSA reading will be or what the next scan will show. Maybe it is a freedom from concern as to whether cancer cells really feast on sugar or alcohol or are nourished by this or that food. I suspect most people with normal lives do not think regularly about liver enzyme or TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone levels, white or red blood cell counts, yes or no on PD-1, this vitamin, that supplement, enough sleep last night, more meditation, a nap….………..

Now mind you, I don’t mean to make this out to be an obsession, but the reality for me (and Laurie) is that since I had been diagnosed these issues are usually not too far from the surface in our lives. Either this is real OR  we simply have too much time on our hands. Nonetheless, I seek normalcy.

That said, I returned from a fabulous get-away in Pendleton with brothers, nephew and uncle on Monday past. As you, the reader, must have surmised, the value of quality family time in my life simply cannot be overstated. This get-away was marvelous. We had wonderful conversation, dinners, exercise, card games and hang out time!

Before leaving for Pendleton, I had started a large yard project that Laurie and I had planned. It was a normal thing – a springtime revamping and replanting. Upon returning, we resumed this project. I suspended all climbing training and we worked four days straight together. We dug up roots, moved soil, sculpted a berm, hauled in leaves, moved some existing plants and ordered new plants. It was a gigantic amount of fun to create together. At each day’s end we cooked dinner together (well mainly Laurie cooked, as I was quite tired) and ended cozily together in front of a movie. Last night, was the best, as we shared one of our favorite bottle of Russian River Pinot Noir over a scrumptious Italian dinner. We then splurged and went out for a decadent, rich chocolate, raspberry tort from our local patisserie accompanied by my favorite chocolate ice cream from our time-honored heladería.

As I reread this post, I realize that perhaps this is not so normal –—- yet quite delicious. Still, I do not feel compelled to change the title, as life is grand so long as I can stay away from over analyzing the severity of my condition.

Thank you all for listening………….