Flat out like a lizard pretty well describes this last week … at least for Chris and Bengie.
There have been a few croc, snake and lizard jokes flying around, a hint to the state of Chris’ skin and her level of energy. The medicos were right, this has been the worst week to date physically: debilitating tiredness, scaly, stinging, crazy-itchy skin, which Wade describes as “wickedly red and irritated”. Actually, it’s a bit like growing your own crackling! This photo will give you a glimpse of what it looks like. It is no better under the shirt. It was taken a few days ago, it is even worse now.
The consequences of radiotherapy go further than just the area ‘treated’. The breast is obviously the worst part but the skin everywhere else on the body is also affected, feeling unusually dry and super thin. And it is rock bottom as far as stamina. As usual, Type I diabetes makes things worse. Everything aches. Every living cell is focused on fighting the assault and regenerating from the damage done. And we hope that if any cancer cell was left it is annihilated.
The immune system will take a while to rebound but mentally things are better now that the treatment is over. It was just as well the gym classes were stopped for this Easter week though as Chris had very little energy to do anything. The health club itself was still open though. So Wade kept active, doing a couple of weight training sessions with a few other keen club members. Coffee on Anui afterwards with the group was a hit. He also went surfing every morning, using the dinghy to go to the northern side of the Seaway.
Now for those who think Wade is becoming Mr Muscle 💪, no, not the case. It’s actually quite funny. The classes are attended mainly by older but very fit women who have taken Weedy Wadie under their wing. He is not the macho man, he is the poor hopeless male who is uncoordinated and lacking in balance. The studio has floor to ceiling mirrors and when you try and concentrate on your own form and see him hopping around trying to balance on one leg, it’s very distracting and the whole class erupts in laughter!
We have managed daily beach walks, Chris dressed in the loosest of clothes and keeping away from the burning sun. These short escapades were generally followed by some time lying on the yoga mat, doing breath work with the Deva Premal & Miten mantras playing – OM Namo Bhagavate in particular as well as the Gayatri Mantra. Thank you, Wendy, for recommending these beautiful healing recordings as a way to find calmness and focus. Those of you interested in this type of meditation can follow the links.
Although this week has felt as if we were going a bit backwards, we know it is the last push before the slow return to wellness. Even the stitches at the back of Chris’ neck were removed. Fingers crossed we are on the mend on all fronts soon!
Only a few nature shots to share with you today, mainly of Heriot the heron, meaning the “home ruler”. We say hello to him every day.
See you next Friday, when hopefully we might have turned the corner. Oh and nearly forgot, a few people have asked how to access past posts. All you have to do is click anywhere in the header from wherever you are on the site and you will be taken back to our landing page with all posts listed.
Sv-Anui 
That skin looks very painful, I hope it is not! I’m glad the treatments are finished. 🙏🏻😊
Yes John, as painful as it looks but hopefully it will start settling down soon.
Aww, I sure hope the pain goes away very soon, Chris. 🙏🏻😊
glad to hear you are resting and recovering Chris, all the best.
gee that looks like a very nice setup for Wade to surf. Did you fly the drone from anui to get the image?
Thanks Murray, nice to get your comment. No I didn’t fly the drone. I’m afraid I cheated and used last year’s picture.
Glad that the radiation sessions are over for you and that the stitches have been removed. Hopefully each day brings more comfortable conditions and more energy for you, Chris. Tell Wade to keep working on his balance!
Thanks Jan, we are on the right side of the treatment now and that in itself brings relief. Wade keeps hopping 😜. Just imagine what it will be like when we exercise in the cockpit next month!
Excellent move Chris, rest up and recover
Thanks Murray.
A bit of a giggle reading about Weedie Wade’s gym escapades! Fingers crossed this shitty time passes quickly for you Chris.
I’ve been so out of the loop I’m just reading about what you’ve been going through Chris (and Wade too). My heart goes out to you! Your courage and sensibilities serve you well! Should it be your cuppa tea, I’ll pass on this app to check out. It helps me. Perhaps you’ll enjoy it too: https://insighttimer.com/individuals
It offers various healing and meditation opportunities.
In the Spirit, Janis
So nice to hear from you, Janis. Thank you for the link.
I’ve been so out of the loop these days so I’m just reading about what you’re going through, Chris (and Wade too)! My heart goes out to you! Your courage and sensibilities serve you well! Should this be your cuppa tea, I’m passing on a link to a varied healing music and meditation app. It helps me. Perhaps you’ll enjoy it too.
In the Spirit, Janis
Hi Chris and Wade,
A nasty case of radiodermatitis- like your own personal Hiroshima. Hopefully a sign that the radiation is doing its job, as you have noted. I think you are very courageous putting it all out there on your blog and documenting your experience like it really is (Well that is the impression, anyway.) and I hope it settles soon.
Sorry we didn’t manage to catch up with you when we were up in Moreton Bay and provide some extra distraction. We have been home now for 3 weeks and pretty flat out closing our private practice and setting things up for working from home, which has been a larger job than we anticipated, but now mostly done. We are mostly home now until our next sojourn on Antidote, scheduled for Whitsundays at the end of June. We have a few projects planned including upgrading our rooftop solar system, and the construction of our Cygnet 20 (I think it is Hull no 48) is underway in Cardiff, Newcastle, so we will need to sell our 14ft Gannet in the interim, otherwise we will definitely have too many boats. We are looking for a name for the Cygnet, so suggestions gratefully received.
All the best and hope we are able to catch up soon.
Hi Meredith, nothing courageous about writing or talking about our cancer saga… it’s my therapy! And as you and Brian know, the mental game is often harder than the physical. The agonising wait for a treatment plan was by far the toughest part. The personal Hiroshima attack is the toughest physically but we are now on the right side of that hill!
It sounds like you are taking steps towards semi retirement – excellent move!
Hope we meet up with you on the water at some stage. It would be great to share an anchorage with Antidote!
And yes, 2 boats is a challenge, 3 boats is madness! Wade suggests ‘the duckling’ as a name for the Cygnet.
Ouch!, that skin looks nasty, hopefully it’s all upside from here. I had to smile at the description of Wade in his class, it sounds like having access to the Gym has been a real bonus for you both. ♥
Hi Maree, yes, hopefully the skin will start to heal soon. As for our gym sessions it has been really good for body and mind, even if Mr Hoppy keeps striking. We are getting to know a few local people too which very nice.
We are cringing at the redness! And feel for you. Thanks for the meditation links. ‘Standing on toes’ is a great yoga move that helps build up the balance. And interestingly I find I can do it more easily on a moving boat than on land … it is what the body gets used to I suppose…I bet you are looking forward to getting back to being used to a moving boat soon!
Hi Trish, some of the yoga poses will be a challenge when we are out in the big blue. We are giving ourselves another month before we leave the Marina. And yes, the dreams of what we then do and where we go keep us motivated to get better and stronger. Stay well, you two!
Comment from Phil& Lindy who keep trying to post without success:
just trying to post one more time
ouchy…as our granddaughter would say…booby is really really ouchy…
hopefully eases up soon & perhaps Wade has learnt a few balancing tricks from your Heriot & has method to his madness.
constant rain down here but
Easter weather was terrific
all the best to you & Wade
Lindy Phil & Ella Bleu
Yes, ouchy!
sorry the WordPress problem continues for you.
Hmmm … have had trouble posting today too. Trying again.
A giggle over weedy Wade’s gym escapades! I do hope this shitty time passes quickly for you Chris.
Hi Amanda, it sounds like those with a WP account are having hassles!
Glad you managed in the end.
The regulars at the gym classes are good value. It’s a nice supportive community and we have friends n there. Not so fun with the radiation dermatitis but are reckon the fire is starting to decrease and the burns crusting over. Here is to hoping anyway!
Hi Amanda, just found your comment in the spam folder, Amanda. Retrieved! Hopefully it won’t happen again. Glad you had a bit of a laugh over Wadie’s antics. He is getting fitter and stronger regardless!
I wish you a speady recovery.
Cancer treatment recovery is never speedy, but I get your meaning. Thanks Sherry.