Pat sent the following in an email last Thursday. Life got ahead of me so I didn’t post it. Although a little late, it’s still poignant because of the insight it gives into her frame of mind on any given day.

I’m staying home today and tomorrow. Brad and I decided, if I feel well, I’ll go to work on Mondays and Tuesdays. I’ll do my blood tests on Monday and use that to determine if I should go in or not on Tuesday. I usually receive the results midday Monday.

On Wednesdays, I’ll go in for my treatments. I’ll then rest on Thursdays and Fridays.

I feel well again today, so I thought I might also work on Fridays. However I don’t want to overdo it. So I’ll see what I do.

Yesterday, I actually felt a little tired before and after going in for my treatment. After a nap, I felt slightly foggy…kinda like the meds are the kryptonite to my wannabe super power of clarity. It wasn’t so bad though that I couldn’t make dinner.

Having recently gone to Costco for more ginger juice, I had picked up a few things. So I cooked some steaks on the stove top grill, and made a salad for Brad and Ethan. Of course, I couldn’t eat the steak. Catching a few whiffs of its aroma was all I could do to satisfy my cravings for it. It worked. Mind over matter, I guess.

At least the smell of food, even when I’m cooking, doesn’t “turn my stomach.”

[Hugmamma here: In response to what I wrote…

You’re such a trooper, Pat. Keeping up your positive spirits in trying circumstances.

You inspire me to stop complaining and get on with it. Guess it only goes to show…everything is still normal.

Your life is a new normal now. And I’m here for you without question.

Love you…just as you are. Sending hugs…

………hugmamma.

Pat had this to say by way of reply…

I was thinking the same thing as far as this is just a new normal for me. So with that said, I’m going to take a shower, get dressed, have some breakfast and get started on laundry. Never thought doing laundry would be cause to celebrate, but there you go…

…normal at its best!

…talk again soon…love you always…

………pat.