Attempts at "normal"

A friend recently gave me a book entitled "Normal is just a setting on your dryer." I guess I should have paid attention.

This week, I decide to get back to "normal" life. It's been three weeks since I finished radiation. I should be able to do some normal things now, right? I'm feeling good...my stomach is calm...my feet don't hurt...

When I saw the oncologist on Tuesday he told me that I could go back to my regular diet now - no more special precautions. So, Tuesday night we go out for Mexican food, Wednesday I add a little bit of cheese back into my diet, I happily eat fresh fruit. Thursday my body tells me I made a mistake, it is not ready for a regular diet yet - things aren't "normal" yet.

Today I decide to start exercising again. I haven't been feeling tired. It seems like a good idea to be in good shape before surgery so that I will heal more quickly afterward. Half way into my workout routine I realize that maybe I am still a cancer patient. After I finish I feel like I am going to pass out. I have to sit for an hour on the bed to recover. So much for "normal".

Then I decide to test the chemo patient / stay out of the sun theory. It's been almost three weeks since I finished taking the pills, surely it won't still cause me to burn more quickly in the sun. I take my book outside and sit by the pool for 20 minutes. By the time I come inside I realize that what the doctors told me is true - the effects of chemo and radiation will last for 2-4 weeks after you finish treatments. Good thing I came inside when I did!

All my attempts at getting back to "normal" failed this week. I guess "normal" really is just a setting on my dryer! I think I'll go back to resting on the couch! It was safer there!