home again, home again

We are back in snowy Cache Valley. We are unused to plowing, blading, and blowing snow every day. Turns out it is a pretty good workout. We are grateful, however, to exchange all this snow for the incredibly low temps  and horrible air that occurred in our absence. Perhaps we planned correctly? Not likely; more just lucky. However, I had a colleague/fishing partner, now long deceased, who would leave CV for Mexico each Xmas and return Feb 15. It always seemed to me that his return coincided with perceptibly longer days and ameliorating weather after the dark and cold of each January. So perhaps a vicarious lesson was osmosed. In any case, we had little choice but to return as my booster/maintenance infusions start next week and run for the month of Feb. In addition jazz band rehearsals recommenced last eve and Jan has already conducted a board meeting at Sunshine Terrace. So we stayed as long as we could. IT COULD HAVE BEEN LONGER! Alas.

I have already fallen once--fortunately into a shoveled snow bank so that only my dignity was bruised. That is to say, that getting around here is treacherous for the old. My balance is the pits. I  did put in 6 weeks of strengthening my core while in PHX and feel much better for that. I have been able to wrassle the snow-blower without ill effects. But parking lots and byways are essentially unplowed at this point and feel dangerous. We look forward to a by-week, by which I mean some time with warmer temps and no snow. I believe that is the current long-term forecast.

The time at the snow blower and plow driving has led to daily naps while  I get accustomed to the new schedule and exercise. While in PHX I would guess my naps were down to one a week.  I believe that there are additional gains in the neuropathy in my extremities. My right foot feels more alive. Still tingling in the fingers. I have started taking osteo-biflex on the recommendation of my sis-in-law's personal trainer. I believe it may be working on the joint pain. He sees about half his clients report a good effect of that stuff. The rest of my health seems good.

I did hear a rationale for the booster infusions from another non-Hodgkins sufferer: The main chemos were to attack the aggressive form of the cancer cells and the maintenance infusions are to keep the indolent variety in check. Interesting...