In the past few days, I have started wondering why I haven’t been feeling more eager to resume my almost daily routine of research into alternative treatments for myeloma, etc.
It didn’t take long to find an answer.
While we were in Northumberland, you see, I sort of turned into a “normal” person, someone who did not have a lethal form of cancer…even though my myeloma is inactive right now (as I write these words, I am knocking on wood and also, as Italians do, touching iron!). As far as I know…
For ten days I forgot that anything was wrong with me. I didn’t think about it even when I swallowed my curcumin. That gesture became part of the nightly routine: watch a BBC program, swallow my pills, read a book, go to bed.
I woke up every morning raring to go, 
regardless of the weather. We were well equipped for rainy, windy and cold weather, so nothing stopped us from setting off on our daily hikes. The day we went over the border into Scotland to visit the St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve (see photo; we were on top of a cliff there), we walked for about three hours up and down and across steep muddy hills and seaside cliffs. This was after we had been on another long hike earlier that day. I never thought I would have the energy to do anything like that.
regardless of the weather. We were well equipped for rainy, windy and cold weather, so nothing stopped us from setting off on our daily hikes. The day we went over the border into Scotland to visit the St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve (see photo; we were on top of a cliff there), we walked for about three hours up and down and across steep muddy hills and seaside cliffs. This was after we had been on another long hike earlier that day. I never thought I would have the energy to do anything like that.But by then I had become an enthusiastic and (almost!) indefatigable walker.
Now, I don’t mean to imply that I am going to start trekking around the world and abandon my research or my blog….oh no, no, no, not at all. Research is a big part of my life now. And so is my blog and so are all of you.
I just need to ease back into my regular routine slowly.
A part of me is still holding on to that wonderful feeling of being “normal.”
Of not having cancer.
Viva la normalita!
🙂
a fine understated expressive piece…excellent.
Dear Margaret!
Keep that part of you for good!
Have a nice weekend!
Robert
What a breathtaking picture! Thank you for sharing.
You write the best little blog you never wanted to have to write. Margaret, it is awful the circumstances that bring us all here, but it is wonderful that we are here. I find it incredible that your energy and wit and personality convey so easily through your blog, not to mention the best research right at our fingertips not normally available through clinical science. We are privileged to know you as blog acquaintances and friends. Thank you for you.
Linda B.
Hi Margaret,
I am glad you had a good time in Northumberland. I’m going to have to look that up…I never heard of the place. It’ sure looks nice from the picture. That’s nice that you were able to relax and feel normal…I’ve had that happen to me to…I celebrated one year with out the need for treatment not too long ago and realized that I was OK for now…so why worry. I had my email temporarily taken of the listserver for the IMFbecause I think I spent too much time reading the posts and I was getting depressed from it. …not that I don’t want to share sometimes with other’s, but I’m sure you know what I mean. Your blogs are pretty upbeat and inpiring…I enjoy checking them out. Keep up the positive attitude. I’m not a religuos person, and I only know a couple of prayers…and my favorite is the serenity prayer…, which I only know the beginning of…
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.