Christmas 2021

I haven't posted anything in 2021. It is not like nothing much happened this year. Yes we were all stuck at home while *****-19 (I can't even get myself to spell it in full) continued to turn everyone's lives upside down, but life did go on. I mean it didn't stop me from having an awful case of sciatica which could only be fixed by a keyhole surgery. Neither did it stop me from discovering new places to fill the void left behind by the lack of overseas vacations. And, no it certainly did not stop the process of aging, not for me at least. I turned 50 this year. 

There is certainly a lot to be thankful for,  but I can't help feeling like the hamster running on a treadmill. Well I wish I was as healthy as that hamster on the treadmill. I've stopped running after the sciatica episode at the begining of the year. I am still coming to terms with it but the reality is that I cannot and should not add more pressure to my lower back. God has blessed me with some very interesting experiences in the 2 years of running and I need to be thankful and move on.

These days I walk Truffle and walk on the treadmill to clock up some exercise time. I am glad we got Truffle several months before my back acted up. 

Otherwise I may have had hesitation managing a Labrador, and we would have gotten a smaller dog instead. I like small breeds too, but having had him for more than a year, it is hard to imagine Truffle being anything other than a goofy lab.

I take Truffle on long walks in the weekend and we have been to many interesting places in Singapore, places I wouldn't have gone alone. I am an introvert but I do better with some company. My family members are not morning people, unlike Truffle and I. Truffle is great company -  he doesn't fuss about the distance we walk, every place is a fun place for him, and he doesn't mind posing for photos.  We talk too. I think every dog is a therapy dog, even this overly excited yellow lab.

I may have mentioned this before in a previous post. When I was dealing with lymphoma, the oncologist asked me whether I owned a pet. He said that chemo patients are immuno-compromised and should be more careful handling pets. And for a long time after that I dismissed the idea of getting a dog. I thought about the possibility of a relapse and even the possibility that I may not be around to look after the dog. But you know, we can't live in fear. 

A week before I turned 50, I had to go for a follow up scan. I remember several years back the oncologist suggesting that I defer my first post-chemo scan until after my birthday. So there was a sense of deja-vu to be thinking about a scan with my birthday around the corner, a juxtaposition. I got the test results 3 days before my birthday. The scans were were all clear. The oncologist congratulated me for hitting 5 years mark, an important milestone. 

The word of reminder to myself this year is to make the most of my time - get a dog if dog is your thing, go out for walks if you can't run, talk to your dog if that lightens your burden, be grateful to be alive. 

A blessed Christmas and may the hope of this season bring joy to you in whatever circumstances.