Post surgery restrctions lifted

 
Met with the surgeons and am now cleared to start working out in the gym, take baths, fly on a plane, but not to play golf.  How did they know what a bad golfer I am?   We've never even talked about it - although several of my closest friends have tried to tell me.

Arctic air is a challenge on the lungs so Deborah and I have been doing some mall walking. I went to my first bike club meeting since surgery seeing old friends who may wonder what I look like.  Answer: hair thinner but there, get out of breath and need to sit down sometimes, generally good.

Pathology of lymph nodes and other results as expected.  Chemo is described as  "a mop up" operation.  Checking back every 3 months for the first two years to make sure nothing microscopic escaped and migrated to other places.  So far so good.  Doctors optimistic but warning me that I have had two major surgeries so recovery needs a few weeks added on to be realistic beyond the 6-8 weeks they usually estimate.  

So I will keep walking and get started on a stationary bike and light weights, either at the gym or at the house.  An actual outdoor bicycle is still two months away but there may be snow flurries out there tomorrow and who wants to.....anyway!

Now driving with medical permission although I have discovered it is difficult to parallel park when you can't turn your head and body very well.  And it is difficult to drive in "ice fog" - current Portland weather conditions.

Seeing the chemo doc Dec 19th - down the hill. Once he's signed off, the way is clear for the final two rounds of chemo after Christmas and into January.

Deborah and I plan to spend a few days around Xmas at the base of Mt Hood  with Jess and Nicole, Dana and Meghan, and Jono plus friends - ....letting the skiers ski and the rest of us spa, veg, read and watch movies - and maybe snowshoe. 

Hope you are all enjoying the countdown to the holiday season!