Cinco de Mayo

The silver linings of the rollercoaster cancer ride keep showing up: my PET scan was beautifully clean; no further lymph node removal is needed! I'm still riding the high on this piece of information, spoken to me a few days ago, by the new doctor in my life.  (I wanted to pick him up and swing him around the little exam room, but his feet would've knocked Francine over.)  I kept my cool, somewhat, and only gushed about my relief over this good news, and I'm pretty sure I was jumping up and down.

Just before meeting Dr. Nuesch, I experienced white-coat syndrome.  My pulse rate was as high as you'd want it to be if you were engaging in aerobic exercise (though I felt fine, desiring to run out the door, and all the way to Terlingua).  Francine was probably close to pulling out her phone again and playing more Sanskrit chanting music to try and help me calm down.  The nurse had me deep breathing, and after a bit the pulse rate went from 130 down to 110, up again, and finally down to a more relaxed pace, under 90.  That's never happened before, and it made me realize I was more nervous than I even knew. 

All of the nervous energy from the week of limbo transformed into sheer joy however, when Dr. Neusch shared the scan results.  I'm so grateful! (And sheepish.  In my nervousness, then giddiness, I babbled to the good doctor about my past endeavors and future desires...bike riding across the USA; Ironman/commuter riding; swimming in Barton Springs...and was reminded I am my mother's daughter.)  He was gracious with me though, such a good listener and was present, down-to-earth, funny and so respectful with us such that I left there looking forward to getting to know him and beginning the radiation treatment segment of this cancer ride.  

Which was another silver lining moment.  My wounds are healing so nicely, and my range of motion is already to the point they need it to be for treatment to begin right away.  Instead of the expected four weeks to recover, next week begins the daily targeted radiation, administered each weekday, for six weeks.  During this time, I can ramp back up to normal activities and tasks, including swimming in B.S. and sensical exercise of all kinds.  I'm so excited to get back to my workout classes at Evolution Fitness.  And ramping my yoga classes back up, both the ones I teach and getting into others' classes again...I'm beyond thrilled.  I've already been able to get back to Sunday Taichi in the park, two in row now, and look forward to a training camp coming up here in Austin later this summer when Curtis Brough comes to town.  Now I need only to be wise about not doing too much too soon, and to let my re-entry process be slow and steady.  I might need help with that.

I'm off to a good start and am celebrating this cinco de mayo with renewed vigor; I hope you're having a good one too!