Not a lot to tell today, but for those of you that wonder how I’m doing; I’m doing well – just waiting and prepping for the next procedure. By prepping I mean that I try to get enough exercise and food to tolerate a new anesthetic and surgery. The surgery coming up is not a big one – just laparoscopy to have a peek inside, but I need to be physically fit enough to not be affected too much and recover quickly. And I’m sure physical activity helps me process out the blood clots.

Interesting and puzzling observation: the blood clots are in my right lung – and I get small bruises from I don’t know what only on my right leg and arm – and the blood thinner shots I get in my love handles are bruising only on the right side, not the left. I mentioned the small bruises to the doctors and they do not know what is causing it. Next week the surgeon will see my belly and I’ll ask if he has and idea why only my right side is bruised. 

My physique is definitely getting better every day. The side effects are almost gone; my mouth is still a bit odd and I still have hot flashes – however I can drink large gulps of fridge cold beverages – and eat ice cream – oh joy. I even organized the deep freezer today. The coming weekend I might even dare to have a dip in the pool. I am much less fatigued and – with some breaks – cleaned the backyard last weekend. It sorely needed to be washed. We really enjoy feeding birds, but birds come with bird fleas – and Benjamin and I that both spend some time in the couch outside have multiple flea bites – and oh my bird flea bites are itchy. I hope most of them little buggers are gone now.

Yesterday I was quite proud of myself; two walks with the dog, 3 km rowing and 30 min light yoga stretch and meditation. It felt good to get a light sweat and raised heart beat that did not come from stress or hot flashes. I slept pretty well last night, so I think the exercise helped me relax all night. I hope I can get in the same amount of exercise today. So far it’s only been one walk with the dog, but I will try to get a rowing in before I need to make dinner, a walk with the dog after dinner and perhaps some light yoga before bedtime.

I have not yet gone stir crazy due to the strict isolation these days, but I definitely feel the need to talk face to face with other people than nurses and doctors. This weekend I enjoyed immensely having nice chats and beverages with Carol, Deena, Julie, Anine and Daiana in the front yard. It definitely energizes me to chat about this and that, so we need to do that again.