Turning the corner

Duncan had such a great day yesterday. He's climbing up on chairs, which is good. He's starting to get the idea that he can get around on his own. So, today I went home at lunch as I have been to feed him and take him to his box. After he ate, he walked to the box on his own and then walked out to the back porch, down 2 stairs. That's really good! He was taking breaks along the way and resting, but pretty much getting where he wanted to get. I changed clothes and went out for a 3 mile run, leaving the guys on the back porch where they could hang out and watch the world. It's all fenced, so no worries about getting out. And they can get back in the house when they need to. On my run, I came up with a clever plan to put a board on the bed like a plank. So Duncan can simply walk up and down to get on or off the bed. I was so excited at the prospect that Duncan could be completely independent and then I won't have to check on him at lunch any more! When I came back, I expected to find the cats still on the porch, with Duncan probably sniffing around the cactus. What I found however was both cats ON THE BED. So, Duncan walked back in the house and somehow got back on the bed all by himself. I have no idea how, but I can assume he jumped and probably pulled himself up by one leg. He was just falling asleep as I inspected him to make sure he had nothing strained or broken. He seems fine. Amazing creatures they are!!!!

So at this point I feel so much better about Duncan, the whole process, the cancer that is probably entirely out of Duncan and sitting in a lab somewhere in LA county. I wonder if cancer keeps growing on the tissue even after it has been excised from a living body. How long can it sustain itself? Does it keep growing until it turns into a blob and takes over a small town until those rebel teens led by a young Steve McQueen beat it into submission with a a massive blast of chemo?

And now the running. Russ and I have been training to run a half marathon in Ireland March 27. We've been training since last August. But now the trip is in jeopardy. So much money has been spent on Duncan, plus up until today, we weren't sure about leaving him with a sitter. And then Russ' project is over in 2 weeks not 8 as expected, so he has not work coming in. And I never bought airline tickets because I was waiting on those winter deals but they just didn't coincide with my plans. What to do? Duncan has turned a corner, a big corner, in his recovery. But have I?