Hello Everyone:
Wishing all those who have celebrated and are celebrating Easter and Passover a very “hoppy” one!
We continue to get warmer than the usual seasonal weather here in Toronto. Hard to believe but on March 25th I actually went out and played my first round of golf for 2012. The local public course, the Don Valley, which I live across the street from, opened for the first time in March. I teed off around 11 a.m. It was a little chilly at first, however after the sun came out around 1 p.m. it was lovely. What was even better was just being out and about. I loaded up my golf pull-cart and hiked around the course (it is quite hilly). You have to hit over the river on the first tee box. Of course, I haven’t gone to the driving range and took two practice swings while waiting for the other golfers in my group to hit their balls. I figured I could rely on any natural talent that I had left……..slight miscalculation……my first swing of the day promptly trickled off to the side and down the path and into the water. Horror of horrors! Naturally, I smiled at my other golfers, picked up my ball and proceeded to the drop area on the other side. Ended up with a 6 on the par 4. The second and third holes were a struggle too. I just about decided to walk back to the club house. But there was a nice gentleman who wanted to offer “some advice” – – (I find that men like to do that sometimes….haha). Turns out that I was standing too far from the ball. (No wonder my ball was going to the right and not very far!!). Good advice. I made 2 pars on the front 9 and 2 pars on the back nine. Squeaked in a 96 despite the horrible start and 2 doubles to finish the round. And, best of all, after the first hole, I didn’t lose any other balls!
I had been following the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta and was inspired to golf again. I went out Saturday – at Richmond Hill Golf Club and yesterday golf only 12 holes as I wanted to watch the last bit of the Masters (what an ending!) but recorded my first birdie of the season. I got a 3 on a par 4. The wind was going in my favour……
I am being careful with my arm and wearing my compression sleeve when I golf as I do when I travel. The thought of Lymphodema scares me but there is nothing I can do about it. Even if you follow all the advice on how to avoid it, you can still get it and it could happen at any time. Sometimes I think I have a little – – my right arm seems bigger to me – – I could measure and compare – – but I don’t want to really know. Besides, I think most people are not exactly symmetrical….and in the end, does it REALLY matter?! Probably not – unless I can’t wear my clothes!
My energy level is getting better. I have taken up swimming again – just a short 20 minutes of laps in my pool. I try and swim 2 to 3 times a week. Then a nice warm bath to relax my body. Working on getting my muscles working again (building them up for that matter). They’ve been asleep for awhile.
It’s amazing sometimes when I think about things. I didn’t feel so tired and drained before while going through treatments. (Or at least I didn’t notice as much). You have so much adrenaline during that time. Focusing on getting better, going to treatments, staying upbeat and positive that maybe you don’t notice how much you’ve beaten yourself up with the “Slash, Burn and Poison” treatment schedule. Or in my case “Poison (chemo), Slash (surgery) and Burn (radiation).
All and all I feel good and welcome the warmer weather, the sunnier and longer days. It’s quite windy outside today. So much so that I had to put my hand on the top of my head….you know, in case my wig blew off…..now that would be pretty funny!! I hope you are secretly smiling at the thought of that……
Big hugs to all.
And, I still haven’t had any McDonalds even though lent is over……I’ve been sticking with the Trucker’s Special.
Take care,
your “McWinnie” xo