Life is slowly getting back into a routine. The weather here in Stow has been in the 40’s most days, warm enough for walks in the town forest with Diggory but still nothing happening in the garden. One of the ways I stay occupied is by planning and cooking the evening meal: yesterday it was roast pork loin, garlic mashed potatoes, and beets. I can’t deny that staying home without the pressures of schedule and budget has its enjoyable aspects, it gives me time to do things that I didn’t have the time or energy to do before, such as reading: I’m up to page 6038 in the Patrick O’Brian omnibus set (chapter 4 of “The Hundred Days”). I also find myself watching things on TV that I never watched before, such as CSI, Law & Order, and Boston Legal; I get to stay up late to watch “The Daily Show,” and of course I’m following “American Idol,” rooting, though not actually voting, for Chris Daughtry. One of the problems with American TV is that it’s awfully hard to stay awake. I often find that I initially get involved in a crime show, manage to stay awake for the first few segments of the show, but then fall asleep during the soporific commercials, and miss the ending.

I was back in Boston yesterday for further tests, upper and lower endoscopies, which revealed nothing of importance, though they did take tissue samples as a matter of course. That should be it for hospital visits until I go back in June for my quarterly monitoring. Visiting the hospital brought back memories. Yesterday we entered the hospital via the rear entrance, and I recognized buildings that I had previously only seen through the window of my hospital room. I could imagine a patient looking through his or her window and watching us, just as I watched people on the outside when I was on the inside. It all seems so long ago.

It’s time to start putting life back together. This last Sunday we visited Maureen’s family up in New Hampshire – a visit that was long overdue. I have a renewed appreciation of the importance of keeping family ties alive, and it was a good visit. The family was in good spirits and it was really good to see them all after such a prolonged absence. Even Diggory enjoyed himself, playing with a good natured Airedale terrier belonging to one of the neighbors.

For the future, I am negotiating to see if I can start to work part time, mostly from home. I feel fitter than I did a few weeks ago though there’s still a ways to go. I remain unsteady on my permanently numbed feet and have not yet tried driving. One sign that the chemo is finally leaving my body is the emergence of a few dark hairs on my face – otherwise I remain quite bald. The chemo caused me to lose hair from all over my body, even my eyebrows and eyelashes. The doctors tell me that it will take months for the effects of the chemo to be reversed, but I greet every sign of retreat with pleasure.