Two in One

Posting for the weeks of Aug. 18th and 25th- Sorry about that folks. Last time I wrote I was too busy "galavanting around" to update my blog, well now, I'm so busy out and about- having a good time, that i don't even have time to check my e-mail. I know that's horrifying to those of you who check 3- 5 times a day- what can I say? e-mail is not a high priority for me- but I do want to keep the blog somewhat up-to-date so here goes:

The first round of chemoradiation ended on Aug. 15th. Though I was sorry that I wouldn't be seeing my wonderful radiation team again (that is , I hope not!) I did hand out chocolate bars as modest tokens of appreciation for their help and good cheer. Best of all it was liberating not to have to wear the 24 hour chemoinfusion pump . I really did feel "free" and that feeling persists. I can now really enjoy my showers(without the tubes and the waist pack dangling from the towel rack) enormously Had some urinary problems immediately after completing radiation that were probably due to the radiation enlarging the prostate somewhat but a visit to the urologist quickly took care of that. By the way, the urologist was an attractive woman in high heels and lots of make-up. An interesting choice of specialty for a women, methinks. I asked her (with a wink) "why urology? " and she replied "I just like it." Clearly a woman who knows what's good! I'll be seeing her again in a few weeks and maybe even ask her more lewd questions. Remember my leitmotif for this illness is to have as much fun with it as I can- what I now refer to as my "cancer chutzpah."

If I told you how many movies and plays I've seen in the last two weeks you wouldn't believe me. Even loved the recent film of "Momma Mia" with Meryl Streep camping it up shamelessly and clearly having great fun. Maybe the radiation treatments weakened my critical faculties somewhat, but on the other hand- they might have loosened me up somewhat so that I could really appreciate a good piece of "camp." Even saw and enjoyed "Vicky Christina Barcelona" film after giving up on Woody Allen movies a few years back. Yes, it must be the radiation! "Man on the Wire" was excellent in all regards (movie-making and subject)

Life continues busy and pleasant. My capacity for socializing -clearly expanded. Many pleasant dinners, lunches, snacks with friends- all warm and nurturing.

Toby started a job this weekend and so far so good. Jade started third grade at her new school. An excellent teacher who is a professional ceramicist so they'll be plenty of interesting art projects for Jade. We bike ride every morning to school (5 minutes away) and Jade hurries to get ahead so she won't be seen with her Grandpa in tow. She's so adolescent at 8, it's scary.

I've given you an extra long blog installment to do penance for my tardiness- so I'll now close with -if you told me how well I now feel, how energetic -how relaxed I've become dealing with cancer, I'd say you're crazy- not possible. But there it is !