Recovering
Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:14 pmCategory: health
I’m three weeks past my lung surgery now, in which my right lower lobe was removed. I apparently have about a 55% five-year survival rate from this cancer.
I plan to live.
In the meantime, I eat healthy foods and take walks, even a little mild hiking. And for the first time in my adult life, I am trying to gain weight.
It’s not as easy as it sounds. Eating between meals might be enticing if you are yearning for a particular food. But when you have to eat between meals, and it has to be a high calorie food, well, that can make you not even want to look at food at all.
I lost eleven pounds after surgery and have managed to gain one pound back so far. Chemo starts in two or three weeks, and I’d like to have a more normal weight going into that. So we’ll see how it goes.
I haven’t picked up the knitting needles since my diagnosis on June 24th. The surgical scar is across my upper back, and to get to my lung, the surgeon pulled aside the same muscles I use for knitting. Since those muscles are still hurting some, I haven’t had the desire to knit.
Hopefully, that will change soon.
July 24th, 2008 05:27
I’m talking to God right now for you. You are very brave and I’m pulling for you to get back to your knitting. It’s a lot like yoga in many ways and can help us stay on track. I’m a fat person ans watching the Food Network is baaad for me, maybe good for you? Looks as though you are doing all you can with the light hiking and all. Keep up the good work. I’ll keep thinking of you.
July 24th, 2008 12:15
KayDee, thank you! I appreciate your prayers and kindness. Your support means so much to me. I’m working hard at getting well! –Barbara
July 27th, 2008 16:27
Sending positive vibes your way!! I’m sorry to hear that you are ill but very glad that you can fight this cancer. I think you should sip milkshakes all day long. They should go down easily but still add some weight. Thinking of you.
Susan
July 27th, 2008 16:41
Good advice, Susan! I blended up a milkshake today, in fact. My max is about one a day, but they’re good, especially with the weather so hot here.
Thanks so much for your support. I’m exercising and breathing deeply (to get some of that lung capacity back!). I start six months of chemo on Aug. 5th. –Barbara