It has been a long few weeks. My surgery went well, and I’ve been in recovery mode ever since. I was in the hospital for less than a week and then moved to a rehab facility for further care. I then moved back to my apartment at Magnolia Springs, where I am today.

I have to say that I’ve been in much more pain than I anticipated. It’s one thing to know that you’re going to hurt; it’s another to live through it, leaning heavily on meds to get you through the day. While the pain has lessened some, I’m generally exhausted most of the time and am heavily leaning on the meds to get me through each day. I’ve also had my radiation planning session and should be starting my course of five treatments a week or so from now. I’ve had my staples removed and am able to shower with no problems. I can’t bend over very well and rely heavily on a grabbing tool to pick things up. I’m also using a walker to get around—I’m just not strong enough (yet) to go without one and be safe.

I sleep a lot. Every day is a challenge for gaining strength and energy. I know that these are the realities of my daily life right now, and it will lessen as I heal. I’m glad that I’m on this side of the surgery and that it was successful. However, this is no cake walk and I struggle every day to have some semblance of normalcy in my life. I’ve just garnered enough strength to start dining in the main dining room rather than having meals delivered to my room.

Radiation treatments will mark the end of this particular phase of my battle. I’ve had a couple of scans to plan for the treatments, and will have five treatments over a span of a week and a half or so. Hopefully, this will kill off the cancer in my spine for good. I’m still wondering if all this pain was worth it, but there’s no looking back now. I made a decision and I’m living with the consequences. All I can do is move forward.

Thanks to those of you who have reached out in support. I hope you understand that I just don’t have the energy to respond to every email or text. I’m focused on making it though each day and preserving my strength. As time passes on, I’ll be in touch again. But thank you for all the thoughts, prayers and good wishes. I am rich with friends and family who love me so much. 

Onward.