Both the cancer center, where I have my Monday chemo infusions, and the fitness center, where I do my Tuesday through Saturday cardio workouts, are close to the intersection of S. Dixie Drive and Dorothy Lane. For those of you who know Dayton geography, that's a straight shot down Patterson Boulevard from our Oregon District home.
It's really a lovely drive. Patterson, with its trees and bushes on the boulevard strip down the middle, runs along the Great Miami River, where I almost always see geese and ducks, and often gulls and a heron or two as well. Plus, just that once, an eagle catching a fish.
Just before the river curves away to the west, I go past one of my very favorite pieces of public art, the statue celebrating cycling:
Passing it never fails to stir good memories of the many hours I have spent cycling our fabulous trail system.
At this point in the drive too, the sky opens out over the wide curve of the river, and I can savor the textures of the clouds.
Just past the cycling statue is Carillon Park, against the backdrop of the Calvary Cemetery hill (actually a glacial esker)--gorgeous a week or so ago when the trees were in full color, but still beautiful in a more austere way now that they are mostly bare.
On down the road (Patterson turns into S. Dixie at about this point), I am struck by how many plantings of burning bush there are, still ablaze in deep maroon red.
It's a lovely drive, and it keeps me grounded in the rhythms of this beautiful planet of ours. A significant part of my healing journey!
UPDATE:
Lots of news! I'm officially halfway through chemo: 6 down, 6 to go. And I have dates set for radiation. Last chemo is Dec. 26, the Feast of Stephen. Jan. 5 will be the day for the scan and setup for radiation, with the daily sessions starting Jan. 15, continuing 5 days a week for 6 weeks. So I will have a three-week break from the last infusion to the first zap.
And thanks to a fortuitously timed cancellation I was able to take advantage of, my arm is now wrapped from shoulder to fingers to help clear out some swelling. It's unclear whether it is lymphedema (a known risk when lymph nodes are removed) or just post-operative swelling, but either way the therapist wants it out of there before I move on to radiation. Hence the wrapping, plus some gentle stretches to do every two hours.
It IS a lovely drive. So glad you continue to do fairly well with all of this - hope the arm is much better soon!
ReplyDeleteMargot,
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo glad that you were able to get an appointment to start treatment on your arm. I hope it is just post-op swelling, but either way, it is getting treated and that's the main thing. Hope all goes well! Prayers continue!