Yesterday

"All my troubles seemed so far away"...da...da...da..

Yesterday, was a good day for me because I did get down to the gym for the first time since I began treatment.  Since treatment started I have been ice-skating a couple of times but I haven't had any regular exercise structure.

My trip to the gym will be the start of plenty of exercise between now and the operation and I came through it comfortably.  I only did 15 minutes aerobic exercise (on the elliptical trainer) and at levels that I would consider to be "warm up", but it was enough to test me.  I did a little weights too.

The main benefit was pyschological.

The other significant part of the day was the meeting the ex-MD for drinks.  It was good to catch up and it was also good to spend the evening in the pub.

Apart from the fact that we all had an enjoyable evening what is worth documenting is that when someone hasn't seen you for a while and they know you have cancer it is often the case that they expect you to look ravaged by the disease.  In my case that simply isn't so.  I say this before the trials and tribulations of the op.

I lost weight in the autumn / winter in a controlled fashion and then put on some in an advised (but uncontrolled fashion), so my shape isn't how I like it, but I look healthy but just with a damned short hair cut.  My eyes and demeanour are clear and have probably benefited from my near abstinence from alchohol.

Given that I had a two  of heavy nights out in December and a few glasses of wine over Christmas, I haven't drank regularly since I started training at the beginning of last September.  This year my entire consumption of alcohol is 3 glasses of wine and 2 bottles of beer and that despite not being diagnosed until February.  The point being that it won't have done my system any harm being away from it.

I was asked whether it was difficult to sit in the pub whilst not drinking but, I have detoxed before and have good discipline.  In 1999 I did a 3 month detox without any alcohol but also including many systematic dietary changes, in 2000I did it again and in 2000 I did six months, so I have no difficulty in applying myself.  Once I decide to do something I generally see it through.

In the current situation there is no "alcohol" ban either by me or even  suggested by the hospital, I just think it makes sense to let my liver and kidneys get on with what they should be doing, which is processing the chemotherapy drugs.  If someone asked me to have a single drink to celebrate something then I would join in, but I can't see myself drinking a session either pre or post op.

Whilst it has not been suggest that I have arrived at this place because of booze or bad habits  I think that I have done enough of that in my life and will have other priorities when I come through this.

On the other hand, did someone mention a party if and when I get the all clear :-)