I am probably the only person in Western Oregon not depressed by the record low temperatures and persistent rain.
When you’re feeling crappy, sunshine just reminds you of all the fun things you could be doing if you had any energy. Crappy weather and feeling crappy go well together.
Don’t get me wrong. Things are better than during the surgery and the worst of the chemo, but recovery has not been as snappy as I had hoped.
I’m not snappy at all.
I’m having a heck of a time adjusting to the new stomach. To get in the 2400 calories a day I need to keep from losing weight I need to constantly focus on food.
I need to eat many times a day. After each meal I usually need to sit for quite awhile or my stomach rebells. Walking around too soon often has dire consequences.
It makes me feel like I am chained to a chair.
I also underestimated the impact the chemo and surgery would have on my stamina. I thought I’d bounce back quicker.
On a very good day running errands for a couple of hours pushes my limits. After that I am usually, though not always, shot for the rest of the day.
Streaming video from Netflicks keeps me sane. Netflicks now pretty much has video on demand. It’s great, assuming you’re not bothered by watching it on a small screen. Which I am not.
I’ve re-watched many of my favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis movies. I have also tried a variety of random movies I wouldn’t normally consider watching.
I’ve also been enjoying watching vintage television shows like Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone, Have Gun Will Travel, Andy Griffith, and Gunsmoke.
If you’re going to be chained to a chair you may as well be entertained.
Fortunately, I’m not distracted by thoughts that it would be better if I were out in the warm sun. The warm weather would be wasted on me.
In that regard, I am better off than my Oregon neighbors.
(This post is written in e-prime http://www.asiteaboutnothing.net/w_eprime.html)
Hi Gary,
You’ve probably thought of this already, but several years ago I read biography of Franz kafka. After I read your new post I remembered that later in his life he began the practice of chewing each bite of his food many, many times. With the help of Linda and Google, I found the technical term for this–fletcherizing. (Look up “fletcherization” on Google for a strange article on this guy Fletcher (d. 1919). Anyway, he apparently was convinced that chewing each bit of food at least 32 times was a great aid to digestion and general health. This guy even chewed his liquids, on the idea that even water needed to be mixed with saliva. My favorite quote from the article was when he said, “Nature will castigate those who don’t masticate!” Well, this is all admittedly weird, but it couldn’t hurt! Become a masticator! Speaking of Netflix, we’ve been watching all the episodes of the old series “Northern Exposure.” They are just wonderful, and we had forgotten what a great show that was. Unfortunately, they have to send you four episodes on each DVD through the mail. We just adore each episode!
Hugo
HI Gary! I was literally minutes away from emailing Anne for an update, so thanks for your post. I’m sorry things are moving so slowly for you, but thank goodness for the technology that 1) destroyed your cancer, and 2) provides netflix and online video games to help pass the time while you heal and gain strength. I’m also aware we’re all getting older, making it more difficult to rebound from invasive traumas, among other things….sigh….
Sorry about the rain, but please repeat after me: you don’t have to shovel rain!
(It’s been a long winter here, but for less traumatic reasons!)
We send continued good wishes for better tomorrows!
I’ve always suspected Franz Kafka must be pretty weird, but over-chewing food no longer classifies as weird in my book. I’ve been doing it ever since the surgery. It helps, but isn’t a solution.
.
I watched some old episodes of Northern Exposure through Netflicks. They were great. Now we’re hooked on the British series Doc Martin. You might give that a try.
We miss visiting La Grande, but I have to admit I don’t miss the snow. Rain is fine with me. I can save the sunshine until I’m feeling better.
We’re way ahead of you. We’ve seen all four seasons of “Doc Martin” and love them. By the way, we own DVDs of all four seasons of DM, so if you have any trouble getting the fourth season we can send it to you. One of my former students introduced that series to us. He aptly described it as “a cross between “House, M.D.” and “Northern Exposure.”
Hugo
Gary and Anne,
Your time will come very soon. Once you get up there your going to have a lot of stuff to do. But that should keep you busy until next year.
Best wishes to you both.
LUV
Bob iii
We are looking forward to returning to La Grande. Hopefully it won’t be too long. The worms in the worm bin are probably getting hungry.