My Unplanned Sabbatical

A day in the office

It was good to go to work today to work with the team on a project. I enjoyed it.

The 6.30 am alarm however was a rude shock to my system as I have become accustomed to one of our beautiful daughters bringing me breakfast in bed around 8.00am before they leave for school. Such an indulgence I love.

It was really only a half day at work and that was manageable. It was nice to catch up with friends and colleagues as well.

Glorious weather today and I will play some basketball with the girls when they arrive home from school.

Feeling pretty good.

A full day

Ok these blogs are starting to get a bit inane given some of the more interesting pain, suffering and mental anguish has abated for a while. It’s morphing into something akin to a public diary.

Today was a pretty good day. There was a flurry of various trades and other support people in the house during the morning. This house just consumes people!!

I exercised over lunch for a good while, read, participated in a conference call then picked up the girls from School.

Dinner was fun tonight with the girls in full swing asking questions about boys, girls, what is attractive and what is not etc, etc. All very funny and way to early for my liking! No, only joking its good to have these conversations.

I am going into work tomorrow and have a pretty full day planned. I am looking forward to this but I am also a little anxious. I will need to bring plenty of fruit, snacks and water with me and I will also need to take time outs if it gets a bit heavy for me. I may need a Nanna nap in the sick bay! Probably the only time it’s will be used for purpose. You never know what I may find in there, best to lock the door.

It will also be great to catch up with people I have not seen for a while. I am sensing a few coffees! Be warned.

I have been reading a heap of different books on diverse topics ranging from Cadel Evans to Gordon Parker on Psychiatry. Petra is on her second “Shades of Grey book” which is a little like the lord of the rings, or a ring, but different.

Any reading suggestions greatly appreciated.

Early to bed as I need to get up way earlier than I am used to. I am getting soft.

An intense day

Today has been a little intense.

I had a long and interesting appointment with my oncologist. I was pleasantly surprised to be seen by the oncologist that first assisted with my diagnosis in December. He has been off the scene after I was handed over to the clinical trial. He has been lurking in the background but I was not aware. Now that this is approaching the end with only 2 cycles to go he is back in the front office!

He is such a good Dr.

We had a very long consult. At times it was not at all easy but it’s all part of the journey. We are better for having him back as part of the team. He gets me and what I am facing and communicates in manner that is appropriate for my personality. He also has great empathy for Petra and the range of other issues we face as a family.

I then had an appointment in the afternoon with a psychologist who is part of the overall approach to care. This was also intense but worthwhile. I was feeling a little smashed by the end of the day so I booked a massage for an hour. That was perfect.

Early to bed.

Eurovision

Watching Eurovision final with the family. Bets are on Sweden although I think the Greek entry is tidy and the Spanish girl has a big voice! We have not googled the results so we are flying blind!

Today was good, started with Lily cross county run, Mika the dog 2 year old party and ended with dinner with good friends. Siena found a recipe for dog muffins and baked the dog muffins for a treat, girls sang happy birthday. So indulged, first world activity.

Feeling tired but good.

Fatigue

I planned to spend this Saturday with the girls at various sporting activities as I missed last week completely.

I am feeling really fatigued this part of the month so I did not make it to Alessia and Lily netball and basketball.

As Siena was playing in the finals I watched her team play. They did well, the game was close but in the end they lost by 2. Siena was shattered.

I spent a reasonable chunk of the day sleeping and half watching the football. My football team was thumped and played terribly so I guess it was not to bad that I slept through most of it.

We had an early family dinner at a local Greek restaurant and I have now retired to bed. It’s 7.30ish and I can hear the girls watching Eurovision downstairs. Such a tragic show!

My nausea has been replaced by waves of fatigue so intense they stop me in my tracks. Incredible really, even breathing feels like it requires conscious thought.

I wanted to train today and I promised myself I would. I was sitting and thinking to myself, next ad break I will start, come on get up, get up, don’t be a sloth, get up start moving, but I couldn’t.

Very unusual.

This feeling of intense fatigue would pass only to return a couple of hours later. A bit weird and very frustrating. It hit me again at the restaurant tonight so I thought it best to get to bed early.

Lily reminded me that our dog is 2 years old tomorrow and we need to buy her a bone and have a dog party. I guess that’s what we will do tomorrow.

Cold turkey

Have gone cold turkey on all the supporting drugs today as I was starting to feel better. Been an interesting day, feel just ok.

I pulled the pin on the dinner with the boys tonight. As the day progressed I started to feel progressively worse so I thought I best avoid it.

I will be better for the decision tomorrow.

I trained on my own for the first time today and feel ok. Plan to start to step up the training each day. It makes me feel better.

Siena is back from camp tomorrow night. I have really missed her this week and look forward to her stepping off the bus tomorrow night. The house needs her presence. I don’t think her sisters share my view, they have loved it.

Better day

Today was better.

Went for a walk with dog and managed to stay out of bed all day which was a nice change. Managed to do some work which made me feel better. Good to use the mind and importantly I will be able to contribute to a project that will run during the “good” half of my month. This makes be happy. Some trips into the city – heaven forbid..and maybe even the need to put on a suit! Now I really am asking for too much.

A friend has invited me to a “boys” dinner tomorrow night which I plan to attend. I found out my brother is also going so I am looking forward to this. It will be good to catch up with the boys and enjoy a steak and maybe a glass of red. I will be good.

Watched an interesting movie called “Shame” last night. Powerfully acted and an interesting perspective on addiction. Worth watching.

8 days out and I am hoping the worst is behind me for this month. Experience has taught me that feeling good can be a fickle thing but I will take it as long as it lasts.

Thanks for all the support during the recent black period. You make a difference.