I’ve done a lot of long-distance cycling over the past 15 years. Today my brother helped me to surface a useful perspective on what I’m about to go through. Endurance athletes learn to recognize the difference between bad pain (neck pain or foot pain from repetitive motions and positions) from good pain (“Shut up, legs!”) via exhaustion when pushing yourself beyond normal tolerances. “Good pain” is the kind that makes you feel like you’re building your body, creating long-term health, that you just have to suck up and get through it for a larger win in the end. The trick here, I think, will be to frame the pain of radiation burns and chemo exhaustion as good pain – pain for a greater good. Something I have to just go through and get through to achieve a destination of greater health. I love that way of looking at what’s about to come.
A few nights ago, Amy and I spent some time watching YouTube videos – a combination of medical/scientific and survivor stories, trying to get a handle on things. Thought I’d share a few of those here.
A basic view of the face/shoulder harness I’ll be wearing for daily treatments, and the process:
Where I intend to be: Making all appointments, staying positive, and staying fit:
The chemo part, and the delicate balance between doing damage and doing harm to cells and tissues:
I am so glad that perspective was possibly helpful!!! I love you. You got this!!!! Love love love.