I know it's been a long time since the last post, but I thought I'd get through radiation treatments first. And so I did... the last one of five was today. I suppose they went as expected; we won't know for a few weeks how effective they were. Meanwhile, I have felt tired, with a loss of appetite, some stomach pain, and a bit of depression. The doctor said these are normal side effects, so I'm just plodding along, dealing with them as best as I can. They are minor problems compared to the effects of chemotherapy, I use that yardstick to keep them in perspective. I should be over them completely in a week or two.
The radiation treatments were actually pretty interesting. You can read about it here; I had SBRT radiation. https://www.pancan.org/section-facing-pancreatic-cancer/learn-about-pan-cancer/treatment/radiation-therapy/
The next milestone is January 11th, when I have a CT scan to look at the tumors, and an appointment with the surgeon. I'm expecting surgery to be in February, and I'm certainly apprehensive about that. But I'm also eager to get to it, and move toward a complete recovery. Scary, but necessary.
My mental state is sort of mediocre; I'm tired of dealing with all this, in particular the continuing neuropathy from chemo. I haven't been reaching out to friends and family as much as I was, nor have I been walking as much - the numbness in my feet is a problem. I did manage to write comic strip #6 (http://rickstrailnotes.blogspot.com/), and I'm reading lots of crime novels, so I'm not a complete slug. And enjoying the amazing Washington hockey and football teams. I'm hoping to get into a better frame of mind after I recover from radiation, and see some improvement in the neuropathy.
Happy Holidays everyone! I'd love to hear from you!
I recommend you and I get into a heated, non-FB discussion of Syrian immigration into the US/ Canada to get your mind off treatment. Here is my simple thesis; the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and in the past, some Muslims have decided to terrorize the US and their people without "provocation". I believe because of this we should put a Temporary Moratorium on immigration of Syrians and others from Muslim countries. Its not a Permanent Moratorium, so don't play that stupid "you think 1,600,000,000 people are Terrorists?" nonsense. Of course I don't. But I think social media SHOULD be included in the Visa vetting process, and I think our current process is clearly, and seriously broken. Your turn......
ReplyDeleteIm not done; just read this;
ReplyDelete1) If one says get fit, it doesn't mean they hate all unfit people. If one says Islam today needs reform, it doesn't mean they hate all Muslims.
2) Criticism, satire & scrutiny of any & every idea, including religion, is an intellectual necessity. That's not an attack against you personally.
3) The current state of anti-intellectualism that shuts down scrutiny & considers it a personal attack, responding with personal abuse, is incredibly dangerous. I appeal here to fellow progressives, and my fellow Muslims especially.
4) Never has any social progress been made without questioning & scrutinising our 'sacred' norms, religion included. Galileo and Darwin were considered blasphemers. Well, thank God they blasphemed!
5) No idea is above scrutiny, just as no people should be beneath dignity.