March 14, 2011 - The "Off Week"

Well the weekend was a rough one as a blogged on Saturday. Sunday is still a fog, the aching bones and joints with a nagging headache a little nausea. Napped off and on. Went into work today, but left early as I had absolutely no strength in my legs and back.

Every Sunday I call my 80-year old mother to check in on her and see how she's doing, after all, she is 80-years old, right? Well, I turn 56 this year and my mother is as worried about me now as she did when I was 5 or 6. I didn't tell her or my brother about the cancer until I could tell them in person over Christmas. I could see she was visibly upset at the prospect of her son being sick and there wasn't anything she could do about it. She knows I am a grown man, but the "Mom factor" was in high gear. Of course I hadn't had the surgery yet and we didn't know then what we know now.

My dad passed away in 1993 with lung cancer and she spent many a long day caring for him. She saw what the disease did to him and I know she is worried about me. The difference is my age and my type of cancer. That's what I keep telling her. I am very upbeat about the prognosis and it is very important as I talk to her every week that she knows I am confident about my recovery so she can be confident as well. She is an avid golfer (did I mention she is 80?) so I make sure we talk golf when I call, after she gets my health update of course. With Donna going out of town for the week and Katherine heading to Chicago later, my mom asked if I wanted her to fly out and stay with me. She couldn't tell over the phone that made me cry. I told her she was welcome to come, but I would be alright. Travelling at 80 is a challenge. Heck, travelling at 56 is a challenge nowadays. I feel good, optimistic that the future Rounds will be like the first.

Well the upcoming 10 days is consider my 'off week' so I don't expect much happening. I'll pick up the posts next week as I head into Round 2. Thanks to all who send me well wishes, I do appreciate it.