Slowly but surely, like the daffodil shoots that are pushing up through the hard dirt, our life is growing back into what it used to be. It has been a tough two months, but I am really starting to feel like myself again. I have enough strength now that Fritz was able to go back to work after taking 6 weeks off. This was a good thing for him. He is such a social person, and it must have been terribly difficult to be housebound for the past month. But he stuck it out and never complained, and was always willing to help me out with every little thing. For all those meals that he cooked, all the pills he doled out, and the endless “Can you please get me…” requests, I am forever grateful. A few days ago, I heard Rod Stewart sing the old song “Mandolin Wind” on the radio, and I immediately thought of Fritz:
But you chose to stay, stay and keep me warm
through the darkest nights I've ever known
If the mandolin wind couldn't change a thing
then I know I love ya …
Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years
I couldn't believe you kept a smile
Now I can rest assured, knowing that we've seen the worst
And you know I love ya
When you go through something as difficult as a stem cell transplant, you are just like a baby, totally dependent on other people to get you through each day. I’m a very independent person, and this has been so hard for me to do. As my friend Cheryl advised, “I know it’s hard, but you need to let your friends and family spoil you for a while.” So I’m still trying to do that, but soon I will be strong enough to get more of my independence back.
I’m moving around, and doing things, and walking every day, in order to strengthen my body. I’m not athletic, so I have to use housework and other mundane things as part of my exercise regimen! My legs are still a bit wobbly for some reason, and I run out of energy pretty quickly, but I’m like those daffodil shoots, pushing upwards and growing stronger every day. Happy Spring!
Love to you all,
Fay ; )
