To quote Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." Oh how this applies to my life over the last 5 months! Of course it's obvious why this has been the worst of times but there have been some actual best of times too :) My favortie being the fact that I'm still alive. My second favorite, being able to eat anything I want and I'm still thin! That was a concept that resided only in my wildest dreams before. Also, who doesn't want an extended amount of time off work? Not to mention my low-maintenance hair... saving so much time and $ with a bald head!
I was just talking to a good friend and I said one of the greatest gifts I received from this experience is the realization of just how blessed I am. I see the world through new eyes. I never realized how loved I am. My friends are simply amazing. I love my family with all my heart. I have a good life!
Speaking of eating alot, I have gained 13 pounds. To put things in perspective, most of my adult life I have weighed in the low 140's, occasionally tipping the scales in the upper 140's. Last summer I mysteriously dropped about 10 pounds and was happily residing around 135 pounds. Over the course of chemo I hit a low of 113. So with my 13 pound gain I'm now at 126. I like this weight and have been told it looks good on me. I can't imagine being 20 pounds heavier now. So I guess the feeding frenzy is going to have to be reined in a bit!
In attempting to maintain my weight I decided now would be a good time to start getting more physical activity. I went to "gentle" yoga last week. I had to modify alot of things due to my lack of abdominal strength and laying on my tummy was out of the question but I completed the class. My poor legs were shaking most of the time and I am not "bendy" at all. The woman next to me probably had 20 years on me and she was able to put her head between her knees! After class I commended her and she explained she's been a dancer all her life. She was impressive and very sweet. I was a little shocked at my limitations and the fact that "gentle" yoga didn't feel gentle to me (I was sore for 3 days!), but I guess it's to be expected after what my body has been through. Gotta start somewhere, right?!
My sister-n-law, Katie, shared a funny story with me the other day, it's still making me chuckle! She was on the computer and my niece, Natalie, asks who's Facebook Katie is looking at. Katie says Auntie Becky's (mine). Natalie looks at the page again and then back at Katie and remarks, "That's not Auntie Becky, that person is too skinny!".
Speaking of Katie, she is coming to visit! She arrives tomorrow night. She really wanted to come while I was sick to help me out but I asked her to wait until treatments were complete and I felt good so we could have some fun together. I love Katie so much and think of her as my sister, not just an in-law. I'm really looking forward to the next week.
I hope this day finds you all happy and healthy, with smiles on your faces and gratitude in your hearts.
Much love, Reba
