Well, I was very busy running back and forth this holiday. This is the first Thanksgiving that we haven’t gone down to Orange County for Thanksgiving to spend it with my twin sister and family; she enjoys entertaining and hosting a large number of people, so she is in her element by far. She always adds the extra touches as well and puts much thought into her table settings and decor. But Pete and I decided that since I am in the middle of my radiation treatments, it would have been too exhausting to make the trip this year. Thanksgiving holiday is really the worst for driving and would have added to the fatigue.

So we spent Thanksgiving with some long-time friends from Orange County. They come up to Cambria a couple of times a year and rent a house and spend a relaxing time. Their children were all busy with their plans this year, so it was the four of us and we had a very nice time. Then on Saturday we went up to visit them for a walk up there and a picnic lunch. It was a perfect day.

I had two simultaneous pet sitting jobs going during the holiday and it worked out well. Pete joined me in driving to Cayucos twice a day to feed and care for four cats. Two of them were very unfriendly and wouldn’t come into the house or come near us, so I had to leave the cat door open on the side of the garage for them to have access to shelter and food. The other two cats were good in being home and one was very friendly and let us pet him. Cat herding. That job ended this evening.

For the other pet sitting job I was staying at the house with two little Schipperke dogs which were adorable. We totally loved them! One of them was actually famous and has won several trophies for agility competitions. Beautiful dogs! I think if we were to get our own dogs again, I think they would be the breed I would get. They were a wonderful temperament and personalities. There was a cat there too, and she was a love as well. Very well behaved pets and lovable.

It was nice to have a break from my radiation, but tomorrow I start up the schedule again. I have a small rash-type reaction on my skin and some redness that I am applying a topical steroid to. I am applying all sorts of things on my skin. Aloe vera, coconut oil, some cream I bought specifically for radiation treatments, and the steroid lotion the doctor order to apply twice a day. I am supposed to apply moisture four times a day, so I alternate products. On busy days I haven’t been able to do it four times, but maybe only twice.

I am really struggling with fatigue now even though I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal. I have just enough energy to do my jobs and minimal errands and appointments, and then I feel like I need to take a nap. I push myself to do things, but some things seems to be a good distraction, and activities with people actually distract me from noticing my tiredness. A good distraction.

Tomorrow I have my 22nd radiation treatment. I wonder if they are going to make up the two doses that I missed when I had the flu. The technicians told me I was going to start the booster doses a week from Monday, so that would mean that I am skipping two doses of the regular radiation. I will ask them about that tomorrow.

I plan to get up early tomorrow to walk a friend’s dog and walk with a friend too. Then I may visit with another friend to catch up some in the morning, and then on to my radiation treatment at 1:40 pm. A pretty full day. Hopefully I will have some energy to go to the prayer meeting in the evening which we used to do, but it seems I am totally spent by the end of the day. I will play it by ear.