svr + 3 months

[Andiamo1]

I am now 9 months post treatment and feel quite a change from  my abnormal self.  I spent the last 20 years dealing with HCV and now that it is gone, I have a lot more time to think about fun things.  My physical strength keeps increasing weekly and shows no signs of leveling off as yet.  I think my fibrosis must be improving as well, since I am able to handle over the counter medications without the "hangover" I used to get from an Advil.

I bought a kayak and I am having a lot of fun being out on the water once again and getting aerobic exercise in a beautiful environment instead of a smelly gym.  

Perhaps the most striking change is the return of emotions and memories from afar; things that I used to experience, but gradually disappeared over the 40 years I had the disease.  I thought the changes were from normal aging, but now I see that it was HCV that limited my energy and enjoyment of life.  Now I walk outside on a beautiful day and think how wonderful life can be - if only for a moment. Then I remember that I used to feel this way long ago.

So here is to SVR for all of you in the New Year!  And merry Christmas and happy Chanukah to everyone.

Eric

[gauf]

A Kayaker’s “The Night Before Christmas”


‘Twas the night before Christmas at our house on the water,
Not a creature was stirring not even an otter;


The dry bags were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would drop paddling goodies there;

The children went off to bed without daddling,
Soon their heads were filled with dreams about paddling;

Mamma in her fleece ‘kerchief and me in my wool cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the water there arose such a splatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the water looked the whiteness of snow
It shone the luster of mid-day on the sea shore below,

When what to my wondering eyes did reveal
But a great big old kayak and nine mighty seal,

With a spry old paddler, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than orca on course they soon came,
And a whistle he blew and then shouted their name;

“Now Splasher! Now Bracer! Now Eddie and you Flo!
On Rocker On Roller, Curly, Larry and Moe!

To the top of the dock, and up the beach now Haul!
Now Paddle Away! Paddle Away! Paddle Away All!”

Off the beach, to the air and away they did fly,
With beautiful edge turns silhouetted against the night sky.

Up to the house-top on course they now flew,
With a kayak full of toys, and old St. Nicholas too.

In a twinkling, on the roof, there came such a sound,
The sound of a kayak running aground.

As I grimaced at the noise thinking here must be a hole,
Down the chimney came St. Nick, and snapped up with a roll.

He was dressed in a drysuit from his head to his foot,
And the gortex was tarnished with ashes and soot;

With a bundle of toys on his back which did sag,
He looked like an old paddler carrying a heavy dry bag.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his noise like a cherry,

The beard on his chin was as white as sea foam,
It looked like it needed a brush or a comb;

The stump of a whistle he held tight in his teeth,
The cord from the whistle circled his neck like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a fish called a Jelly.

He was a happy ol' kayaker, a right jolly old salt,
And I laughed when I saw him, It wasn’t my fault;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
He gave me the high sign, I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Filled the dry bags with goodies then turned with a jerk,

Laying a finger aside of his little red nose,
A Brace he did do and up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his kayak, to his team blew the whistle,
And away they all paddled like a water borne missile.

I heard him exclaim, ere he paddled out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

“And may happiness and good health always be yours,”
May you always return, safely back to the shore”





- Terry Gowler - Mount Vernon, WA    


Pelican Intl.:



©2008 Paddling.net Inc.  

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks, Eric. Strikes right at the core of my apprehensions and hopes.  Happy kayaking and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Brent

[Andiamo1]

Thanks all - I really do appreciate all the support.

Sunqueen: so glad to hear you made it to the beach!  

We are heading to the Virgin Islands in February and I will do some serious snorkelling.  Norman Island still has some great reefs.  Unfortunately, most of the shallow reefs in the world are dying.  For some reason, Norman as been spared and the coral is beautiful.

eric

[rita863]

Congrats!!!

peace

rita

[geterdone]

Looks like you nailed it this time around; good to hear life is becoming a new.

jasper

[sunqueen]

Hi Eric!

That is excellent news! It gives me great hope to read that things just keep getting better.

I braved the beach today for the first time in over 6 months. My 19 year old nephew is staying with me for a few weeks. I made it to the water's edge and was able to slowly stroll the shoreline for a short way. I had to tell the kid to give me his stuff so that he could go for a jog down the beach, and parked my butt on the sand. An hour later, I was "just ran the NY marathon" exhausted but it was amazing to be at my beloved ocean again!

So next year, this time, I should be harassing small fishes near the reefs! Thank you for reminding us there is a brass ring at the end!