Zach & Zelda

Days without a serious fall: 35 Weeks since last chemo infusion: 7 Zelda : [Last night, we were in bed by 10:00 PM, and asleep by 10:15. But Zach started tossing and turning at about 2:30 AM. By 3:00 he was mostly awake. I know, ‘cause I’d been listening to his breathing change. I wasn't sleeping either. So what do you do at 3:00 AM when you can't sleep? We reminisce about the good old days.] Zach : Is it too early to get up? Zelda : Uh huh.  Zach : Dang. Those Deep Sleep CBD gummies don’t work for shit. Zelda : Too much on your mind? Zach : Uh huh. Zelda : Have you tried focusing on your breath? Zach : Screw that nonsense. Focus on your own breath. Zelda : How about distracting yourself with a happy memory. Zach : Like what? Zelda : Your favorite Valentine's day. Zach : Go on… Zelda : You surprised me with reservations for dinner at the best restaurant in town: Casa Blanca. Zach : I did. Zelda : We walked in right on time, ready for a great meal. Then they told us it woul...

Zelda : Ready to celebrate? Zach : What now? Zelda : Three good things. Zach : Hit me. Zelda : #1: It’s been 6 weeks since your last chemo infusion! Zelda : So? Zelda : You should be feeling better and better. Getting your appetite back. Less nausea. Getting over the neuropathy. Getting stronger. Zach : There you go, with your expectations again. Zelda : You are feeling better, aren’t you? Zach : Sure. Whatever you say. Zelda . Not convincing, but I’ll take it.  Zach : What’s #2? Zelda : You have physical therapy in the pool today! Zach : I get to walk on a underwater treadmill. Forwards and backwards. With Tiger yelling instructions from the deck. Yay. Zelda : You love water! Isn’t it kinda fun?  Zach : No. It’s boring as hell, actually. Zelda : What if you wore a mask and snorkel? That might put some zip in your step! It'd make me giggle. Zach : You’re always laughing at me.  Zelda : Not at you. With you! Zach : Right. You hear me laughing? Hard pass on the snorkel gear...

Zelda : It’s been awhile since we’ve posted. Should we bring the folks up to date?  Zach : What’s the point? Zelda : It helps me make sense of things.  Zach : Can’t you do that in your head? And do you have to post it for the world to see? Zelda : Sure. But writing it out helps me think it through. And posting it here keeps me accountable. Plus, it’s a record of what you’re going through—what we’re going through. Zach : Like the world needs a record of this shit. Zelda : I need a record. It’s too easy to forget. Zach : Not as easy as you think. Zelda : Ok. How long has it been since your last chemo infusion? Zach : No idea. Seems like yesterday.  Zelda : It was almost 6 weeks ago. How are you feeling now?  Zach : Shitty. Zelda : Are your hands and feet still numb?  Zach : My fingers are numb as hell. I can’t pick things up or open a beer. Packaging is my nemesis—I have no fingernails. Zelda : You have fingernails…they’re just…different. Zach : [Shows me his purp...