Managing the "Stay-at-Home" Life

Illy and Munro abiding by NM's stay-at-home order

What a moment for the world!  The whole COVID 19 virus has me feeling conflicted.  How can I help?  In normal times, the (so I thought) invincible being of me would be physically involved in assisting the most vulnerable among us.  On our Unexpected Journey, that diversion is unthinkable.  Since starting chemo in September, we've avoided large crowds, let our gym membership expire and terminated travel of more than 65 miles from our home to Albuquerque -- and then only for medical appointments.  It seems we've been practicing for our Governor's stay-at-home order for half a year.

So, maybe an overview of how we have coped with relative isolation for the past eight months -- and continue to cope -- can be helpful to others.  This morning I heard Jon Bon Jovi say, "If you can't do what you do, do what you can."  This we can:

• Reading.  Since my August diagnosis, by my accounting I've read about 50 books (both digital and hardback).  People have asked for my reading list, and quite honestly I wouldn't recommend every book I've read, but I'll give you my top ten list from my reading since early August:
1. One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, Olivia Hawker  (Fiction: Set in Wyoming, late 1800s, a spirited story of two women and their children overcoming challenges and thriving in the natural world -- carries a significant message about accepting the continuum of being).
2. Chasing the Invisible, Thomas Grogan, MD (Nonfiction: The subtitle of this book is "A Doctor's Quest to Abolish the Last Unseen Cancer Cell." Truly a book that covers the spectrum of the cancer fight (from research, to business, big pharma, international coordination and the hearts of amazing doctors, researchers and techs leading the charge).  I wouldn't have read this book if (1) I didn't have my diagnosis and (2) a friend (and fellow cancer survivor) who knows Grogan hadn't recommended it.  What I understand now: According to the American Cancer Society's, Cancer Facts and Figures 2020: "A total of 1,806,590 new cancer cases and 606,520 deaths are expected in the US in 2020, which is about 4,950 new cases and more than 1,600 deaths each day."  This disease, the research and race for the cure matter TO ALL OF US -- this books helps us to understand how and why.
3. A Pilgrimage to Eternity, Timothy Egan (Nonfiction: An incredibly well researched and delightfully written book of the author's (Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and NYT Op Ed columnist) personal pilgrimage on the Via Francigena.  
4. The Starless Sea, Erin Morgenstern (Fiction for bibliophiles: A fantastical journey in a land where books are everything).
5. I'm Fine and Neither are You, Camille Pagan (Fiction: An honest, humorous look at one contemporary relationship -- tumultuous, lively and ultimately uplifting).
6. Once Night Falls, Roland Merullo (Historical fiction.  This was a hard pick for me  because my reading list is packed with many goods books on WW1 and WW2.  I am ever inspired by the bravery, selflessness and compassion of the amazing people (military and civilians) who lived (and died) during these wars.  This particular book takes a very human dive onto the Italian experience of WW2).
7. The "Tour Series" by Jean Grainger: This is a collection of five books.  (Easy reading Fiction:  Lovable characters, page-turning plots, all set in Ireland -- need an Irish gal say more?). 
8. The Salt Path, Raynor Winn (Nonfiction.  A long-distance walking chronicle of grief, determination, and healing on the path -- a book that spoke directly to my trekker heart).
9. Eat to Beat Disease, Dr. W. Li (Nonfiction.  I've written about this book before on this blog -- Get it. Read it. Live it).
10. The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes (Historical fiction. The tale of a team of five horse-riding female "librarians" who go to amazing lengths to get books in the hands of disparate readers living in remote Kentucky during the Great Depression).
• Working on puzzles.  The standard jigsaw puzzle has zoomed back into popularity as an

  

  3,000 pieces!

  American pastime since COVID19.  Our current distraction is a 3,000-piece puzzle based on the Beatles' 100 Greatest Hits (and yes, our gal Illy already found one dropped puzzle piece on the floor  -- we figure her teeth prints will add a bit of history to our finished product).
• Binge-watching a great TV series.  This is a to-each-his/her own viewer selection.  We currently are loving "Homeland."  Can anything be wrong with a high-speed, suspense series that includes actor Mandy Patinkin in its cast?
• Working out at home.  Lucky for us, in the fall of 2017, we purchased our Peloton Bike. Peloton has a fitness video library of cycling, running, walking,
  
  
  strength training, yoga, meditation, boot camp and cardiovascular workouts.  We love the system and the coaches.  Peloton -- just one of many workout-at-home offerings -- is a paid subscription.  A number of online offerings are free.  Just keep moving and stay strong (good for the body & mind).
• Staying connected with family and  friends.  From the beginning of my self-isolation, I've connected with friends and family regularly via phone, text, email, letters and FaceTime.  I never feel alone and I don't think my family and pals do either! 

 Quote of the Day:

“If we are preoccupied with the fear and despair in us, we can’t help remove the suffering of others. There is an art of suffering well. If we know how to take care of our suffering, we not only suffer much, much less, we also create more happiness around us and in the world.”

                                                              ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Progress (Week Two, Cycle 12):

• Week One remains tough.  I know people recognize my quiet during Week One.  Day Four remains the worst.  Lately I've begun describing the Week One, Day Four experience as being hurled off of Disney World's Mad Hatter Spinning Tea Cups ride into the path of a speeding eighteen wheeler (Ugh!).
• AND Week Two is always better!  This morning I did a Peloton dance cardio workout right after breakfast (I know I'm gonna feel my quads in the morning!!).
• BEST NEWS: My labs from this cycle included another CEA marker test -- and they continue to drop!  My latest labs identified my cancer marker at 0.5 ng (normal is 0.5 to 5.0).  
• Dr Rixe scheduled my next MRI (scan) for Friday, 3 April.
• Armed with information regarding my latest marker readings and the upcoming scan, we'll be discussing the way ahead on Monday, 6 April.  So far my super doc has continued with my very aggressive chemo + targeted therapy (hunting down my last, unseen cancer cell).  
• For the time being, I'm flying solo for chemo.  No "plus ones" at the Cancer Center due to COVID 19 restrictions.
• This summer's Via Francigena is postponed due to COVID 19.  Still saying Via Francigena, just dropping the "2020" for now. 
• So much still to look forward to.  Feeling positive, strong, determined and fierce -- Dance On!

Cliff and I are wishing you all health and engagement during this COVID19 crisis.  Stay safe, stay connected, and live in the present.  Know that thinking of the past and future are human nature.  Still, we live only in the present moment.  I find no good or productive energy in worry.  In this moment, we all can choose to act in the present, and to give ourselves grace along the way.  Together, we've all landed on this path -- our collective Unexpected Journey, if you will.  From here, we strike out: Heads up, shoulders back, bootlaces secured.  We are strong, resourceful and capable -- and regardless of isolation orders, we never walk alone.

 VIA FRANCIGENA!