The Triple C: Christmas, COVID and Cancer

Well, that's a wrap on another Christmas. Bah humbug! Truth be told, it was a bit of a challenge.

The Omicron COVID-19 variant is causing all sorts of havoc here in Ontario and cases are sky-rocketing.  Nearly every day is a new record for positive tests.  As a cancer patient, I am immunocompromised and have to be extra vigilant and avoid any situations where I might be at risk of contracting any sort of bug.  This means that Dave and I made the difficult decision to forego any socializing this season. With the exception of a 10 minute masked and socially-distanced parking lot gift exchange with "the kids", it was just the two of us (plus the dogs) for the entire season.  The good news is that so far both of us are COVID free but we are both getting a bit stir crazy, and I am sure that Dave would love to see another person besides me. I really missed all of the fun traditional things we do every year, such as hosting our friends and family, antiquing, wandering the shops, full-on decorating and baking, etc. And of course, seeing our little granddaughters in-person.  At least in today's day and age there are video calls.  
 
I also started the second half of my chemotherapy regime on December 22.  This new cocktail doesn't have the same issues with nausea, but it does have something else that is just as bad - bone/joint/muscle pain that is nearly as severe as having a baby in the pre-epidural days.  Seriously, I have never felt anything like it, and I was unprepared for how intense it was going to be.  I was expecting it to be like the body ache that comes with the flu - WRONG.  The only way I can describe it is that is was like the core of my body was in a volcano and the pain was radiating outwards. This started Christmas Eve, and finally started to subside by late Boxing Day. I am just over a week post-chemo, and I still have some twinges of pain in my feet, knees, pelvis and chest.  

All this made for some unknown factors for our tiny Christmas celebration, but Santa still came and stockings were opened on Christmas morning.  Dave also rose to the challenge and had a very nice dinner planned that could easily be postponed if needed. I managed to partake and, even though I was extremely uncomfortable, at least I could eat! 

Even though I am whining a bit here, I am happy to have one less-than-stellar Christmas if it means I can have 50 more - with all the trimmings.  







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