Today I had an interesting event. Went downstairs with my daughter to roller-skate, something I hadn't done since 2002 when I played street hockey with some B-school friends in Pittsburgh. It is probably not hard to imagine how a 6'4'' feet Brazilian plays street hockey and how "well" I skate. I have ice-skated a bit while in Pittsburgh and that had kept me slightly into the groove.
The interesting fact is that I would always get a little tense before roller-skating or ice skating, something I had always experienced since being a kid without even thinking about it. Funny enough today I felt no tension, which was quite nice.
While I have no fear I did not loose my judgement so I can ride according to my talent, meaning no tricks or high speed riding. I believe this is linked to the removal of my insula and that is why I am sharing this experiece. Today I often question if my tension was due to an over-active insula or if that is how everyone feels before doing something unfamiliar.
Next to test my "system" I took my skateboard. The last time I skateboarded was in 1999 on a trip to Rio. While not talented I could do easy tricks for todays standards such as slides or board flips. Once again no fear and I felt as comfortable on the board as I did when I rode in my teens! Once again no tricks but I might start riding again, possibly with a helmet :-).
I have shared that I might be off chemo depending on the results of my last MRI with perfusion and spectroscopy; results will be in on January 7. Yesterday I went biking in fairly scorching heat (close to 90 degrees) and on my way home a guy on a motorcycle was looking for a street that was about two miles away, with a hill in between. I decided to instead of telling the guy how to get there he should follow me, so back to the road where I ususally ride I went. Riding beside a motorcycle is quite fun, I went much faster than normal but I could tell he was having a much easier time!
When I got home I felt like my head was burning! I forgot to remove my helmet's winter liner and after riding relatively hard for a few minutes on my way back I felt like I had definitely fried what was left of my tumor. Let's see what next week's results say but I continue to feel great and hopefully will remain this way for many years to come! I received a very encouraging note from a guy called Scott that just completed his 5 year surgery birthday and continues to do well, just like so many other glioma survivors such as Liz and Scott Vickroy.
As my blog title says we can live with glioma, and stealling what Scott shared in his note we can also laugh and love, this is what life is about!
May 2013 be a year of big accomplishments, and possibly my first post-surgery triathlon!
