Hiking for Hope: If It's Tuesday, I Must Be Infused

I finished up the drug for the pericarditis and pleurisy last Sunday. Even though it was a long day driving home from the beach, I hadn't relapsed when I awoke Monday. I could still breathe okay!

On Tuesday, I had my normal weekly infusion appointment in the afternoon. I'd done a little catch-up work around the homestead before heading in, and I noticed by that evening I was having sharp pains in my chest. I seem to have physically overdone it, as far as the pericarditis was concerned. And that means it's not gone, but I am off the medication. Hmm...we will have to discuss this with the cardiologist next Monday.

Wednesday and Thursday, I worked a little and napped a lot. I still tire so easily.

But Friday, I worked a lot and didn't nap at all! I'm definitely feeling stronger every day. So my hiking buddy and I headed out that evening on a roadtrip to a recreational equipment store. The entire drive there, I was having sharp stabs of pain in my heart---the pericarditis letting me know I had done too much physical activity again.

We enjoyed the roadtrip and dinner out. I didn't find the Cutter's stick repellent I like so well; but I did pick up an SPF-50, light, COMFY shirt for me; some environmentally safe soap for our trip; and a backpack and sport drinking bottle for my dog.

Saturday, I decided I better go back to just lying in the sun; that's about the speed I can handle right now. But at least it gives me some good vitamin D for my bones, and I'm convinced it does even more good for the spirit and soul. And I certainly need to get over this pericarditis, and beat back the two new lesions in the liver. I asked who wanted to go with me to play in the water, but everyone had other plans.

So I headed out with just my dog for company. It's been awhile since I've been able to take her on a leashed walk, so she could use the refresher! We went walking the trails around a local recreational area, then headed to a more unpopulated local mountain creek. My dog LOVES water, so she was thrilled to be in the outdoors once again. She went wading while I sunbathed, relaxing in the warmth while the wind blew a singing breeze through the trees. It was a peaceful time. I'm so glad I'm alive to enjoy this.