Saturday, November 29, 2014

Meanderings ... From Mimico

Hello friends. You know, when I first began this blog, I thought I was dying. I thought my disease would progress more quickly and that I might soon be posting from a hospital bed or invalid's home. Blogging was a way, I thought, to help me get through it, and to access the support of gentle, caring people who'd helped me through some very trying times in the past. I'm not sure what this thing is now. Should I kill it? Keep it? Change it? What will become of me? I mean honestly, guys, I feel ok. I walk to work sometimes and often walk home. That's a mile each way. I walk with Percy two or three times a day. Sometimes, he invites me to run and I do for a block or so. Colleen and I marched all over northern France and Belgium and Holland last month, uphill and down. That was the trip of a Lifetime, or at least it was planned with that possibility in mind. And I felt fine. No, I couldn't always keep up with Colleen. She's younger than I am, and in far better shape. She's lost over a hundred pounds after her gastric bypass surgery. She actually lost two pounds in Europe. I gained six. Yeah, I know. French food is amazing. And the wine ...!
 
For a guy who's been diagnosed with a fatal lung disease, I feel pretty damned good. I have an appointment on December 19th to attend Toronto General Hospital for another pulmonary function test. The last one I took showed an improvement over the first one. Remember that? Maybe I'll do better again this time. The doctor suggested I lose twenty pounds. He'll likely change that to thirty pounds this time. I wish I could take some weight off and give it to Colleen. We'd both look better, I think.
 
Anyways, that's about all I can tell you for now. Reiki once a month. I think it helps. My chest still feels tight sometimes and it still hurts a bit at night when I lie on my side. But other than that, I'm fine. Those horrible days and sleepless nights of last winter seem well behind me now. I am a worrier by nature, but I'll try not to dwell too much on my own situation. Lord knows, my parents provide enough fodder for worry. Meagan too.
 
Thanks so much, everyone, for caring enough to read my thoughts. It means more to me than you might think.
 
...