I have 20 minutes before heading out the door for the trip to Providence and radiation so I thought I’d give you all an update.  I haven’t blogged for more than a week because this process has been really tiring.  All the doctors, nurses and technicians tell me it’s important to rest, to let the body heal from the daily onslaught of radiation, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

I haven’t had the energy to put my dirty dishes in the dishwasher or eat anything but yogurt for dinner.  I have a baby quilt to baste but no energy to thread a needle.

But…things are definitely looking up!  This past weekend my energy returned a bit and my appetite revived itself from time to time.

I even drove Saturday morning.  Let me repeat that:  I even drove my car.  Banjo Man didn’t even flinch when I announced I was heading three miles down the road to the gift shop to buy a hostess gift.  I hadn’t driven since MAY.  I even went to the ATM machine.  And then I came home and took a nap, but what the heck.  I DROVE.

Our favorite Austin musician was in town and we had tickets to his show on Friday night.  He was joined by Cindy Cashdollar, dobro and lap steel guitar queen of the universe.  I stayed home–there was no way I could go to a show that starts at 8:30 pm plus I am still leery of being in crowds and getting bumped–but Banjo Man went by himself and had a great time.

On Saturday we went to a dinner party!!!!  A dinner party!!!!  Our Thanksgiving group met at Ken and Ginny’s for a beautiful evening on their deck.  My mother, brother and sister-in-law joined us, so the evening was a very special one.  I drank half a glass of Prosecco.  It was delicious.

I tried to take a picture.

I had to try on four tops before finding one that didn’t aggravate the rash on my chest.  I spread hydrocortisone cream and Calendula salve on my chest throughout the evening and that worked.  I’m starting to itch and blister, but after today there are only seven treatments left.

And now I have to go!  Banjo Man is waiting for yet another drive north.