Well, I taught 3 exercise classes today — step and 2 senior classes. Then I came home and worked all afternoon on a graphic design project. It's 7:30 and I don't feel tired at all. I rode my bike around the block before going to the gym and I'm still not ready for a 50-mile ride. There's still a lot of tightness in my chest, but much less than last week. For 3 weeks and 2 days out of surgery, I think that's great!

It was 2 weeks ago today I had the lumpectomy and I feel great. I've been walking and riding the recumbent bike at the gym for an hour at the time. I even taught a spin class at Gold on Sat. I wasn't able to do much more than pedal, but gave everyone a good workout. I've also taught a couple of cardio classes this week. I still can't do anything with weights with my right arm, but it looks like I most of my range of motion back.

I took a ride around the block this morning on my bike. I never realized how much you had to use your chest muscles when cycling. I thought bumps would be a problem, but that didn't hurt at all. However, I immediately realized that cycling causes too much strain on my chest. So I've put the bike away for another week and will give it another try in a week.

I'm cutting back on the exercise tomorrow. I had to take a nap this afternoon. I have to see the surgeon in Clearwater on Friday at 8:30 am (1.5 hour drive). So I've decided to treat myself to a long walk on the beach afterwards.

What a Wonderful Week!
Isn't life grand? I started walking every day on Monday. I'm up to 3 miles at a decent pace. I'm still a bit sore, but not all the time. I went to the gym on Thursday and rode the recumbent bike for about an hour. I pushed some hard gears as I knitted and listened to my iPod. I went back to the gym yesterday (Sat) with the same intent. After about 45 minutes on the recumbent, the fitness coordinator came to me with a plea. The spin instructor had not shown up. She wanted to know if there was anyway I could teach the class. I didn't have to actually "do" the class, just lead it. So I gave it a go. (I haven't taught a spin class in about 7 years).
I sat on the back and just pedaled as I challenged everyone to climb mountains and engage in sprints. It was invigorating for me without overextending myself. I worked up a sweat and everyone was pleased.
I was a bit tired and had planned on driving to Palm Harbor for a morning of knitting. I debated and decided it was the same distance to Palm harbor as it was to home so why not go to Palm Harbor and rest there (which is exactly what I did).
I saw a couple of friends I hadn't seen in awhile and caught up on all the gossip.
Life is grand!!
BTW, I'm illustrating a Gloves and Mittens Knitting Book and charting for a publisher in England.

I just heard from the Pathology report. The margins on my surgery are clean. Which means the cancer was not invasive and I will not have to undergo chemotherapy. I have an appointment with the surgeon on July 18 and will get more information then. Things just get better and better.

We left for Clearwater at 4:45 am yesterday and arrived at the hospital at 6 as scheduled. I planned on staying up all night but actually went to bed around 11 and then right to sleep.

Everything moved along well. The surgery was only 15 minutes long but it took forever for me to wake up. I have a tough time with anesthesia. At least I didn't get sick and throw up like I usually do.

When I woke up I had some pain which they quickly relieved and after that I've had very little pain. We got home at 1:30. I called my family on the way home since I was still pretty high on pain meds and felt so good. I continued feeling great yesterday afternoon and last night with absolutely zero pain. Amazing. I wasn't able to eat anything but saltines because the drugs and anesthesia made me queasy feeling.

Today, I'm very tired and will be taking it easy. I stopped the heavy duty drugs and went to Tylenol so I could start eating something besides saltines. I'm still not having any pain but expect soreness to step in which is normal.

Best of all I have no STITCHES at all. Just a little piece of tape. I can remove the dressing tomorrow and begin doing whatever I feel like doing after that. I go for my post op in a couple of weeks.

I can honestly say this was much easier than having my wisdom teeth removed.
Thanks for all the prayers, love and positive energy sent my way. I couldn't have done this without you.

When Harold had cancer 2 years ago, he said I was worse off than he was. Well, now he understands because he was much worse off then me yesterday with all the worry, wait and helplessness. I sent him off to work today without hesitation.

Tomorrow is my big day. I have to be at Mease Morton Hospital at 6 am. I'm all psyched up and ready to go and get this thing behind me. I taught 4 exercise classes this morning and pretty much wore everyone out but myself.

Everyone has been so supportive. One of my Silver Sneakers brought me a crystal today. I was very touched by her thoughtfulness.

I've been hand carding cotton to have something to spin while I'm recovering. I thought using hand cards might be a bit difficult right after surgery but spinning will be so relaxing.

Tonight I'm going to Uncommon Threads to hang out with my knitting group. What a great bunch of gals. They keep everyone's spirits up for sure.

As soon as I'm able, I'll make a post after the surgery to let everyone know I'm fine. Thanks for everything!