Day 8 has seen more Rhodys bashed and more delightful people met. But even more exciting was the way in which I was woken this morning and more on that later.
Brain Surgery followed by Radiotherapy and then straight in to 12 months of Chemotherapy has made, for me, the last 18 months a healing journey dictated by the tides of feelings that wash over you. Feelings such as headaches, joint pains, abdominal pains, constipation, nausea, feeling generally unwell, confused and disorientated, blinded by a sort of brain fog or just hopeless.
These feelings were all compounded by the disrupted sleep patterns brought about by drugs and worry which leave you at times on your knees with tiredness drifting in and out of life with the tides. Sometimes you felt like asking please don’t ask me how I’m feeling today- instead ask how I am feeling this hour because hour by hour you would of course get a completely different answer depending on whether the tide of feelings was in or out. However I have and continue to be exceptionally lucky.
I have managed to get to the last few weeks of treatment with little drama and in fact have managed to enjoy re-engaging with life supported and encouraged by my faith, tremendous family and friends, community of Doune and just wonderful people in general. So a huge thank you to the delightful couple who stopped me while Rhody Bashing today thinking I was somebody else. Your cheerful smiles and willingness to share my story with your 3,000 friends on facebook is tremendous. I was very rude in forgetting to ask your name before I returned to the Rhododendrons so please forgive me but thank you for your great show of support.
A huge thank you to 5 year old Ciaron who I met at the bus stop on the way to the dentist in Callander. Your cheerful face,playful demeanor and joyous love of life was perfectly timed as I felt myself drifting out on the tide. It was a delight to meet you and I hope you had a fun day with your Mum.
A huge thank you to Joan at the dentist for looking after me so well and for having already joined me on my journey. My teeth feel fabulous!!
A big thank you to the kind man from Motherwell who I met at the bus stop in Callander, on the way back from the dentist, and took my flyer to show to his family to follow on facebook.
The list goes on and on and on. It is amazing what a little positivity can do for others. I feed on it like a leech as it pulls me out of whatever doldrum I might happen to be in. The best bit is that I was woken by my daughter at 7am this morning after a whole 8 hrs sleep!! Although it was broken it was sleep nonetheless and the first time in many months that I have been able to go for more than 4 hours in a stretch. As a result I feel great. Another rhododendron bush gone and no longer poisoning the beach tree it had grown alongside, 5 really great encounters with brilliant people and I am now sat in the McLaren Leisure Centre writing to you while my son has a climbing lesson. I feel another tune coming on!!!
The challenge in numbers total since the start:
Days completed: 8
Total Miles Cycled: 9
Total Miles Walked: 35
Total Miles covered under own steam: 44
Total Height Gained under own steam: 3,061 feet
Mountains Climbed: 1
Days of Conservation Activity: 3/4
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 2
People Met and Hands Shaken: 24
Pills popped: 52
Numbers continue to grow slowly!!
If you see me around do please give a cheery hello and shake my hand or toot your horn and give a cheery wave to show your support and encourage me on.
Thank you all for your incredible comments and support. Please continue to spread the word.
Thank you
Yours aye
Archie