Ways to Avoid Blisters

 

This will be a LONG post, 

so grab a cup of your favorite beverage

and get comfie.

If you ask me what is the most important thing you take on the Camino,

I will tell you it is

YOUR FEET!

Without your feet, 

there will be no Camino.

So be sure to take very good care of them!

1. SHOES

Begin by purchasing the correct shoes.

I have several blogs on this topic.

I suggest a lightweight trail runner

with good traction,

and a deep, wide toe box.

Your feet ARE going to swell 

unless you are athlete

because we just aren't used to walking 

6-8 hours a day on the type of track

you will find on the Camino.

So be sure and get those trail runners

a size larger than you usually wear.

You can always put on a second pair of socks,

but you cannot make your shoes larger.

Trail runners trump boots, in my opinion,

UNLESS you are an avid boot wearer

and your boots are completely broken in.

There is no terrain on the Camino 

that warrants hiking boots, 

in my opinion.

One thing is for sure,

unless you are walking in high summer,

THERE WILL be rain.

And rain means wet shoes,

and wet boots mean BLISTERS.

Trail runners will dry overnight.

Boots will not.

If possible, stuff your wet trail runners

with newspaper,

and they will be dry and ready to walk in

by morning.

I do not suggest waterproof shoes.

Waterproof shoes hold the moisture IN

as well as keeping it out.

Moist feet mean BLISTERS.

2. SOCKS

Wear the correct socks.

One option is to buy double layer socks,

like Wrightsocks

Another option is to wear thin sock liners

with your wool socks over.

You can purchase expensive liners

from a sporting goods store,

or ladies can just buy inexpensive white socks

like the ones we wore in the 50's

and wear them under your trekking socks.

You can pick those up in any China store

(which is like a Dollar Store)

in the larger cities of Spain, like Pamplona.

In summer, I do not wear two pair of socks,

but my New Balance trail runners

almost never allow blisters.

I have heard of other folks wearing socks with toes in them.

I tried it one year, and it really hurt my toes.

The extra fabric can really take up a lot of space 

in your shoe.

But if it works for you,

go for it.

I certainly would try it at home first.

In fact, I'd try any of these solutions at home

before heading out for Spain/France.

3. TUBES

One problem I DO have with blisters

is with my small toe,

which overlaps the one next to it.

To keep this toe from rubbing against the other,

I buy gel tubes like the ones below.

You can buy them already cut

or you can buy them in longer tubes 

and cut them to size yourself.

These work great for me!

You can also get these

in almost any farmacia in Spain or SJPP.

4. LAMB's WOOL aka Hiker's Wool

Another option is to use lamb's wool.

You can find it on Amazon.

It comes in small packages and is very lightweight.

You just pull off a piece,

and wind it over and around the toes

that are rubbing together.

Works GREAT!

5. RESTING

When you first start out

you are not used to walking so long each day,

and your feet are going to complain.

Be nice to them!

Every couple of hours,

I stop, 

take off my shoes and socks,

and give my feet a nice rub.

I air them out and rest them for 5-10 minutes

while I have a snack or a drink of water.

Then they are good to go another couple of hours.

6. NO SHOWERING IN THE MORNING!

Get your shower at night before you hit the bed.

That way, your feet have all night to dry out

and harden.

Showering in the morning,

as much as your HEAD may like it,

will lead to BLISTERS!

There is no way to get your feet completely dry.

They will be moist and soft,

and you are more likely to get blisters.

It's amazing the difference this will make.

7. STOP THE MINUTE YOU FEEL A HOT SPOT.

If you are walking, 

and feel a bit of a hot spot starting on your foot,

STOP NOW!

Don't wait until it becomes a blister.

Stop, cover it with Compeed 

or some other dressing before you take another step.

This could keep you from getting a full blown BLISTER.

8. CREAMS/POMADES

People tend to get blisters on places where 

a) their shoe rubs/pinches, 

or

b) their toes rub together.

Some people have great success by rubbing their feet with 

Vicks VapoRub or Vaseline

before putting on their socks.

I have done this between my toes,

and it HAS helped on occasion.

I think it's worth a try if your toes are rubbing together.

You can buy small tubes of Vaseline

in any Farmacia in Spain.

9. TIE SHOES CORRECTLY

Believe it or not

there IS a way to tie your walking shoes correctly.

Check with your manufacturer.

As you can see from the first photo I posted,

on my very first Camino,

my shoes were tied too tightly

across my high instep,

causing a BLISTER.

Since then,

I'm careful not to tie them too tight.

Also, if you are DESCENDING,

be sure your shoes are tight enough around your ankle,

that your toes are not rubbing against the front of the shoes.

This may mean you need to stop and adjust.

10. BE SURE INSERTS FIT

Inserts can be a great help.

I use Motion Control inserts in my New Balance trainers.

They cushion my foot and keep my ankles 

from turning in.

However, be VERY careful when cutting inserts to size.

If you leave just a tiny space between the shoe and the insert,

you are asking for a BLISTER,

as your foot will be pinched with each step.

So cut those inserts carefully. 

11. SOAK FEET AT NIGHT

Most Albergues will have plastic dishpans

that you can fill with 

ICE COLD WATER AND SALT

to soak your feet.

Buy salt at the market if the albergue doesn't have it.

You can also take every opportunity to 

stop at streams and rivers

and soak your feet.

Some Albergues will have ponds,

such as the one at San Bol,

with icy water in which to soak your feet.

This really helps harden your feet,

especially if you use the salt,

and will help swelling

as well as help you not to get blisters.

Plus, it just feels SOOO good!

Soaking at Ligonde

Joe found a stream to soak in.

Find a soaking pan at the albergue!

San Bol has a wonderful pool for soaking

12. ALCOHOL CON ROMERO

Some people, me included, 

love Alcohol con Romero.

It is rubbing alcohol infused with Rosemary.

Yes, it's a bit heavy to carry,

but it is quite inexpensive and 

WONDERFUL for massaging your 

feet and legs after a long day of walking.

Find it in any Farmacia. 

It comes in a variety of bottles,

so just ask for it.

Worth even taking a small empty bottle with you,

so you can carry some along.

13. TO POP OR NOT TO POP?

That really IS the question.

I DO pop my blisters when I get them,

thought I get very few.

Relieving the pressure, 

then covering the blister works for me.

However, I usually do NOT get blisters,

because the minute I feel a hot spot,

I cover it with Compeed.

You then MUST leave the Compeed 

to fall off on it's own.

Removing it will remove a chunk of skin,

so before using Compeed, 

please read my blog post

so you understand how it works. 

You can do a search to the right.

I've heard of people pulling a thread 

through the blister and leaving it.

I don't personally like that idea.

I think that could open you up to an infection.

The Camino is covered with cow manure

and sheep manure

in many place, 

and I think leaving a wet string 

for bacteria to crawl up

might not be a great idea.

So these are some of my suggestions 

for avoiding BLISTERS~

If you have others,

please feel free to list them in the comments below.

Buen Camino!

Annie

Do You Speak Spanish?

 I hear a lot of new pilgrims lamenting, "But I don't speak Spanish!"

Honestly, it's not a problem.

Trying to learn just a few important phrases in Castilian will be very helpful.

Try to learn the following (plus more if you can) and you should be fine:

 Can you help me please?

Where is the bar?

Where is the taxi?

Can you call a taxi for me?

Where is the albergue?

What time does it open/close?

Is there a bathroom nearby?

Can I use the toilet?

How much does that cost?

Please

Thank you

One thing that will NOT help is asking your question in your home language S>L>O>W>E>R and LOUDER and assuming that will help! 

MOST people along the Camino do speak a bit of English, German, French, but if you ask, they will say "No!"  Think about it. Even if you speak high school Spanish, if someone asked you, "Do you speak Spanish?" you probably would answer, "No!" even though you DO understand and speak a bit. It's the same there. Just do your best. The locals will REALLY appreciate your effort and will do all they can to help you. 

There will also ALWAYS be other pilgrims around who speak Spanish. 
You'll be fine.

I promise.

2022 Holy Year!

 

Last week I received from Spain 16 brand new Credentials for the 2022 Holy Year!

This makes it real.  We're going! And I just can't wait.  This last couple of years have been trying for everyone, including me.  So many roadblocks, but we've busted through them all and there's light at the end of the tunnel!

The new Credentials look like they were designed for people walking from Sarria to Santiago. Only one side of the accordian-style booklets have spaces for stamps. So if you are walking an entire route, you will most likely need a second Credential, especially since you will need TWO stamps every day from Sarria.

I finally, after much agonizing, research, and anxiety, got my first COVID vaccination. I chose the Pfizer. The only issues I had with the first round was a sore arm and some pretty impressive exhaustion on Day 2. Not looking forward to the second shot, but AM looking forward to it being over and being able to fly!

Joe and I each have a full group for 2022, and they seem like a great bunch of pilgrims! I have nearly all my reservations made, though not in the larger cities, which appear to be cautiously holding off until later in 2021 to book their 2022  rooms. In fact, Gite Makila, where I HAD booked rooms for 2022, asked me to cancel my reservations until later in the year. So I've been exploring the option of staying only one night in SJPP and staying in a Gite near Orisson on night 2.This means for the first 3 nights, we will stay in "regular" pilgrim lodgings instead of private rooms in SJPP, Orisson, and then Roncesvalles. Honestly, it sounds like fun and I think it would be a great way to begin our Camino. It would mean not having to rush on Day 1 - having a leisurely breakfast before walking. It would mean having the family style dinner with pilgrims from all over the world on Day 2. Then, again, a shorter walk on Day 3.  Then, from Zubiri forward, we would switch to private and double rooms. We'll see how it goes. Several gites have been hurt by the COVID mess and lodgings at the bottleneck from SJPP are not as bountiful as they were before this all began. So we'll just make the best of it - like true Pilgrims - and "let the Camino provide!"

That's all the news for now. I'm in Dallas, Oregon, about 1.5 hours south of Portland and we're going to have two days of record-breaking 100-111 degree weather this weekend. CRAZY! So I'm hunkering down indoors and doing some more planning for 2022. It's making me want to walk sooner so don't be surprised if I don't take off for a few weeks this Autumn... the Camino calls...



 

To Córdoba then ???

I tried updating this post from 2016, and it popped it up here into June 2021.  What the heck!?  Anyway, I don't want to lose the information about Tony and I'm afraid to try to update my Malaga posts, so here it will stay.
*******
What a day!

My new Camino Angel showed up last afternoon in the form of a Peregrino named Tony, an Australian from Antequera (now). Tony is walking to raise money to buy wheelchairs for sick children in Antequera. He s a survivor of a usually fatal leukemia who was one of the few saved by bone marrow transplant. I learned his story over a bottle of wine he shared with me and also learned he too had been snubbed by the French guy!

In the late afternoon, Tony took a short nap and the others were horrified to hear his very healthy SNORING!!! They then, apparently, told him he would have to sleep on a mattress on the floor in the kitchen! When they told me this, I just said, "Gee guys, that's nice of you. He survives death to sleep on the floor!"

But I don't think Tony minded. I know I must sound evil but it gave me great pleasure to hear Tony's LOUD SNORING not only echoing, but amplified up the stairs all night. It literally shook the roof, like a big friendly bear!! I had good earplugs but the French guy woke me up several times tossing and turning. I know it's mean, but it just felt like Karma.

This morning, Tony and I were in great spirits and he had coffee while I waited across the street in the dark for my bus.  I've decided to jump up to the Madrid route to finish the sections I missed last year.

The minute the bus picked me up, I saw Tony leaving and I felt he had been keeping an eye out for me. Bless you, Pilgrim, wherever the Camino takes you!

My bus took me back to Antequera, my only option to get out of town, as it was a fiesta day. I had made a Hostal reservation at Lucena, thinking I might continue walking from there. However the ticket counter was closed today and I was forced to use a cranky machine. I bought a ticket to Lucena, then tried to get a ticket to Córdoba for tomorrow. The ticket machine told me that if I went to Lucena, there was absolutely no option to get to Córdoba from there!!! None. Zip.

I tried a dozen combinations and it said no bus to Córdoba from Lucena. I would have to backtrack to Antequera AGAIN and go to Córdoba from there. At this point it was like the Universe was telling me to just move on. And so I bought ANOTHER ticket to Córdoba, where I knew I could get to Madrid, then Vallodolid.

Imagine my frustration when the damned bus took a 15 minute stop at Lucena!!!! My Canadian friends and I just laughed. This Camino is kicking my butt this year.

So I lost €€€ on the room in Lucena plus I was out for the cost of the one ticket. I complained to the bus driver but he just shrugged and at this point I felt laughing was the best option.

Sooooo... I have already seen Córdoba and am really wanting to walk, (after a day of rest, now) so I got a train ticket to Vallidolid. It was spendy, €82, but so much faster than the bus would have been. It was already turning into a 12 hour trip! Met another angel on the train who helped me make the jump from Atocha to Chamartin in just enough time to catch our train! She was going to Vitoria.

Arrived here starving, stinky, and weary. Found a hotel for €40. Didn't have the energy to look further. I'd like to get onto the Madrid route tomorrow if possible but I don't know. I'm going to shower then check bus schedules. I have not seen Vallodolid but at this rate I am going to run out of funds and I will still need to find a place to hunker down for two weeks from June 1-15 until time to pick up my group.

Ok. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

One thing is for certain, life is an adventure! Isn't it great?!

Annie

 

My first hamburguesa!

 

Making Peace with my Buddha Belly

My entire life, I have kept fit.

I've always looked younger than my years.
I've exercised, watched my weight, and worked out.
My stomach has always been flat, right up until my breast cancer.

Now all that has changed.

Since my double mastectomy, I've had what most women survivors call a "Buddha Belly!" There is a layer of what I can only think is lymph fluid that has taken up residence right under my scar line. It looks like man boobs! And below that is a rounded gut that protrudes like a beer belly! And the frustrating thing is no matter how much I exercise, stretch, work out, the damned thing won't go away.

I guess at my age (68) I shouldn't worry about it, or about my appearance. I mean, I'm not in the market for a husband or even a partner at this point. But I do want to be and look my best, so it does bother me. Plus my clothes are tight around that protruding abdomen.

While finding, fighting, and surviving breast cancer was challenge enough, the resulting lack of estrogen from treatment seems to have fast-forwarded the aging process, and that's almost more difficult dealing with than fighting the cancer.  My skin has aged 20 years. I've traveled my entire life and the roads I've traveled are nothing compared to the roadmap now residing on my face!  I look in the mirror and see tucks and wrinkles and wonder, "What happened to you?!"

The REST of my skin is sagging too!  I mean, what the hell!? When I bend over and look at my legs, they look like my grandmother's legs!

Then there's the arthritis, which came on with a roar while I was taking the Letrozole that was prescribed before and after my surgery. Letrozole is an estrogen blocker and it brings on old age in a matter of days, not weeks! Your skin ages overnight.  Your mind gets foggy. You lose your balance. And Holy Hell, your joints become swollen and hot. It's a bitch, in a word!  My feet were so painful at one point that I would cry putting them on the floor, even after a short rest. 

It got to the point that I dumped the Letrozole. Whether or not that was wise is yet to be known, but it was so negatively affecting my quality of life that made the decision after about 6 months to quit. With my type of cancer, my ONCO score of zero, a biopsy done with a vacuum apparatus to keep cancer cells from spreading, paired with a double mastectomy, there's a very low chance of recurrence of cancer. For me, the side effects of Letrozole weren't worth the extra months it might give me to live in misery.

So now, why am I complaining about a Buddha Belly? 

Well, because I'm a woman and I guess I'm more vain than I thought.

I remember myself being young, sleek, and in shape.

Now I feel (and look) my age.

And I don't like it.

Getting old isn't for sissies. 

Nope.

However ...

I guess if a Buddha Belly is the price I have to pay for another 30 years of mornings waking up on this beautiful planet, another 30 years of enjoying my wonderful family, of traveling to new and exciting places, making new friends and learning to become a better person, then I guess I'm ok with it. I'll just keep moving, keep working out, walking, stretching, enjoying the sunrise and sunset, hearing the birds, watching my garden grow, walking the Camino, and being grateful for life.  And I'll carry that Buddha Belly with me proudly. After all, it's a part of this body that fought like hell ... and won the battle of a lifetime.

"Peace, Belly."

"Peace."

Walking With Annie and Joe

I want to talk to you

about how Anniewalker trips

usually go.

We are not tour guides.

We are simply two pilgrims

who love the Camino

and enjoy helping others

achieve their dream of walking it.

From the time we arrive in Pamplona,

travel to SJPP,

and walk over the Pyrenees,

our pilgrims usually stick pretty close to us.

By the 3d or 4th day,

they often break into smaller groups;

the "hares" who walk fast

and the "tortoises" who walk slooooow.

Some continue to hang with us,

but that is entirely up to you.

We want this to be YOUR Camino

as much as is possible in a group.

You are not expected to walk with us,

though you are more than welcome to.

Stop and rest when you need to.

No need to rush;

you have a clean bed and a shower waiting.

Eat when you're hungry.

Drink when you're thirsty.

Take a taxi if you get too tired to take another step. It's ok. You can do that.

People might judge you.

That's ok.

That's THEIR problem, not yours.

The only requirement if you want your Compostela is that you walk every step from Sarria to Santiago.

Those days are fairly flat and easy walking.

The rest of the route is up to you.

This 2022 Holy Year Camino will be special.

Not only is it a Holy Year,

but we have all had the darned pandemic

to deal with.

It will be a time of thanksgiving

for those of us who survived it.

It will be a time to offer up prayers and thoughts for those who did not.

This Holy Year Camino

will most certainly be different.

We may be as surprised as you are

at some of the differences.

There will be changes, and challenges -

you will do best

if you can roll with the changes and the challenges.

The first lesson of the Camino is to "travel lightly" and the second lesson

is to "let go of expectation."

This can be painful for some,

hilarious for some,

refreshing for others.

You will meet pilgrims

from every country in the world,

and every walk of life.

Some will be grouchy and tired.

Maybe you can uplift them?

Offer a smile?

Pay for their beer?

Give them a foot rub or carry their pack?

Some will be giving.

Allow yourself to receive.

One thing is for certain,

the Camino will provide,

and not always in the way you expect.

And if there's anything I can promise you,

it is that you will come back home changed,

in ways you never imagined.

Have a Buen Camino!

Love,

Annie

China Stores in Spain

The China Stores in Spain are wonderful variety stores run by Asian immigrants. While in the USA, some might bristle at the name, in Spain it is very common to ask "Donde esta la tienda Chino?" It is what the Asians have named their stores.

 
I would compare the China Stores to Dollar Stores here in the USA. They carry "literally" anything and everything, from electronics to inexpensive clothing to luggage to (you name it). They are your first stop if you need a pair of flip flops, a phone charger, or Tiger Balm for sore muscles. This is also a great place to get a "China Bag" to carry your transport items in if you'd like to wear your backpack and transport items you don't need on the trail. 

Nearly every larger village or town or city will have a China Store, but ALL the big cities will have one, including Pamplona, where we begin our Camino. 

Things I've purchased here include socks, panties, tee shirts, Tiger Balm, phone charger, clotheslines, tweezers, bandaids, plastic bowls, forks, and China Bags.
Worth poking around in!

Annie's 2022 Holy Year Camino Trip is FULL!

I am so excited 

that my 2022 Holy Year Camino Trip 

is FULL! 

All of my reservations are made, 

including the backpack transport, 

and we have an entire year to get ready. 

Joe still has 4 spots open 

if you know anyone who is interested. 

It will be SO nice to walk again! 

Looking forward to seeing 

all my Spanish friends again 

and to having a 

Buen Camino!

Is it really January 2021?

Well, 2020 proved to be the year from hell for a lot of people.

Keeping my fingers crossed that 2021 is better.

So far, it's not looking like we will walk the Camino this year. We need to decide this month whether or not it is feasible. So far, the Embassy is requiring a Covid test 3 days before flying, which wouldn't be too much of an issue when flying FROM the USA. However, the USA is requiring the same test 3 days before flying home, and this could be a difficult task.

Joe and I have discussed this, and it's looking like we may simply put off our next Camino until Covid restrictions have loosened up, possibly next Spring. It's sad we are not able to travel during Holy Year, but to me, EVERY year is a Holy Year when walking to Santiago. Also, by next season, I'll better be able to hire someone to stay with my mother while I walk with the group. We will make a final decision this month.

In the meantime, I'm looking back through my posts those few days we walked the Via de la Plata and looking forward to picking up again where we left off. It will be the FIFTH time (I think?) that I have attempted to complete the VDLP. Isn't that crazy?

Healthwise, I'm doing great! I'm enjoying Dallas, Oregon. I am missing my van and really don't want to spend another cold winter here in Oregon, but otherwise all is well.  The doctor did discover Basal Cell Carcinoma on my chest above my scar last week, and I'm set for MOHS surgery next Thursday. Otherwise, except for being constantly exposed to my mother's cigarette smoke cloud, I'm doing fine.  

I have wild turkeys coming by every morning and evening - the neighbors don't like them, but I find them delightful!

The other exciting news is that I got a HUGE screen shot as an extra in the upcoming movie starring Frances McDormond, NOMADLAND. Here is a trailer on You Tube. It's up for an OSCAR! It should be out in February.

https://youtu.be/Z6zm9NEpJis

I want to apologize to anyone who commented on my posts while we were walking earlier this year. For some reason, Blogger didn't notify me that I had comments and I just (literally) found them today!  TEN MONTHS LATER!  Sheesh! I am SO sorry! I will try to figure out why I'm not being notified. But thank you so much for following me.

I guess that's all the news for now. 

Stay safe, friends, and lets pray for a better 2021.

Love and Buen Camino,

Annie

Thankful to be OFF Letrozole!

 Well, it's almost Thanksgiving! Wow, how time flies when you're having fun.

For those who have been asking how I am:

I've been off the Letrozole now for two weeks this past Wednesday and this morning was the FIRST day I've put my feet on the ground in the morning and not felt unbearable pain. My feet are still sore on the bottoms, but I'd say they were 50% better this morning. This is encouraging. Both hand felt like footballs, and my left thumb is still VERY painful, but I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel and feeling I made the right decision to quit that nasty drug. 

On Facebook, I belong to two groups of women who are taking Letrozole. I would say 90% of us are reporting the same horrendous side effects. At some point, I feel I had to choose between quality of life and quantity. With my type of cancer, the success in shrinking my tumor, the successful double mastectomy, and the research I've done telling me that honestly, this horrible drug may not give me more than a few extra months of miserable painful living, I'm perfectly happy with my decision to quit it.

I'm now on more of a plant based diet, but not totally. I'd say it's more Paleo. I am staying away from wheat grown in the USA and limiting my intake of meat. I ordered Italian wheat, and am making sourdough bread, but limiting how much I eat.  I'm having a "many-fruit-smoothie" with fresh fruit in the mornings, a giant salad for lunch, and whatever the hell I want for dinner!  I've cut back to one cup of coffee in the mornings, and I am putting a spoon of sugar in it as the erythritol and xylitol were giving me diarrhea and that tells ME that my body did not like them.  

I am listening to my body.

I bought a rebounder and I'm using it every day. My mother isn't happy to have it in the living room, but tough bananas! It's staying!

I'm also doing healing meditations in the evenings.

I have a lipoma growing to the left of my spine near my neck. I feel it pressing on my spine and it aches. I believe it is what is causing my left arm to constantly go numb. I have a doctor's appointment in December and will do my best to get him to send me to have it removed.  I have had it looked at before, and had it injected in Mexico one year, but it's continuing to grow. It could be what is causing the nerve damage which is causing the pain in my thumb, though I think THAT is from the Letrozole. 

Emotionally, I'm feeling better. Happier. More positive. My mother and I seem to be reaching a place where we can at least get along. She is doing much more for herself now. My only complaint is that there seems to ALWAYS be someplace to go or something to do and I'd love just to have some days to myself. I will be pet sitting for my son for 3 blessed weeks in December and look forward to having some days to myself then.

I've been cleaning out a lot of my art supplies and selling them. I got rid of knitting supplies, polymere clay supplies, and several tins of colored pencils, just keeping what I think I'll use. I'd love to find someone to teach how to upcycle the Bratz dolls as I have many hundreds of dollars invested in that and have two bins full of dolls I really don't want to just give away. 

Camino-wise, we are still waiting to see if our group will be able to fly. Waiting, waiting. My ex's flight from Georgia to Oregon for Thanksgiving was cancelled this past week, so I'm not too hopeful. But we're holding out until we know for sure, keeping our reservations until the last minute.

Life is good!

I'm alive!

I'm grateful for each day and looking forward to living to be 100!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Annie

Update November 2020

 

Well, here we are in November.

Biden was just elected President.

Covid is still an issue.

The house in Oregon closed escrow.

I'm in Desert Hot Springs picking up the remainder of my art supplies.

The Camino trip is still on this year for Anniewalkers, though Joe will be taking the group as I'm taking care of my elderly mother for now.

My mastectomy scars are healing. I feel that "iron bra" less and less. Still some soreness, tightness, and a dog-ear at the end of my incision is driving me a little nuts, but otherwise, all seems well.

I'm having a lot of horrible side effects with the Letrozole the doctor wants me to take for 3 years. My feet are so painful, I want to scream when they hit the floor in the mornings. My thumb on the left is developing a trigger thumb. It's very swollen, hot, and painful. My skin is dried up like a prune and I'm losing hair. My memory is worse than it was before and I have a lot of brain fog. My emotions are all over the place. I feel like I woke up and was 90 years old. And so I'm considering quitting the Letrozole.  In all the research I've found, there's no indication that it will really give me more years to live, and every indication those years I do have might be hell on this medication. I've tried cutting back on the dosage, which is the same whether you are a 6 foot woman weighing 220 or a 5 foot woman weighing 95 pounds. Cutting back really hasn't helped. I'm deciding this week what I'll do.

I've been reading Chris Beat Cancer and I think I'm going to follow his protocol.  What I do know is this:

Update August 2020

 I thought I would update you about where I am and what I've been doing.

While I was camping in Klamath Falls, I got a call that my mother had fallen again. So I packed up the van and headed down to Central California. When I arrived, I was shocked at the sight of my mother, who was on the couch, very weak and frail looking.

After a bit of a discussion, the decision was made to sell her house in Hanford and move her up to Oregon where she would be closer to me and the rest of the family.  Mom had actually spoken to a real estate agent the week before who had given her a price. I called a real estate agent, who came out the next day. She insisted she could sell the house in 24 hours and said she could get $20K more than the previous agent had said. I asked mom to give this lady 30 days, mom agreed, and we listed it.

I'll be danged if we didn't have an offer for her full price within 24 hours of the listing going live!

So... by myself, I packed up my mother's 4 bedroom 2 bath home, and rented a U-Haul truck. My youngest son flew down, and together with a neighbor, we packed up the truck. We had to leave a few things behind, but she was able to bring most up to Oregon, where we stored it all in my son's 2nd garage.

In the meantime, my son had found the perfect house here in Oregon and we put an offer on it contingent upon seeing it in person. We went to see it the day after we arrived, and fell in love with it.

Mom's house in CA closes escrow on Tuesday and the house here closes one week later. 

Mom is doing a lot better here. She is eating better, but having difficulty swallowing and only weighs about 85 pounds. I have the name of a doctor here and am trying to get her an appointment set up for after we move into our house. 

I'm doing "ok." 
I'm definitely exhausted, but hanging in there.
Just a couple more weeks to get settled in and then I hope to get some rest. I was unable to continue with my Physical Therapy appointments but have tried to stretch and massage my incision here at home. I can tell that I need to do more, but right now, other things are more important, like getting mom settled in.

What a hell of a year it's been!?
It can only get better, right?

Here are some photos of our new home. The house is going into my name, so I won't be vanning for a while:

Life is Good!

Feeling Flat and Fabulous - Healing Nicely

Just a quick update. I know I haven't been posting lately. I'm spending a lot of time healing from my surgery. I'll be in Portland, Oregon until at least the end of August. My last Oncology appointment is September 5.  Then a trip down to California to check on my mom. Then I'm not sure if I'll return to Portland or head for the Arizona desert for the winter. Joe has offered up his condo for the winter which means I can be closer to my family. I haven't yet made a decision.

I spent yesterday getting the van ready for a 2 week camping trip. It will be good to be out in nature again!

Anniewalkers' 2021 Holy Year Camino is still ON! We are all in a bit of a "wait and see" mode to find out whether or not the USA will be allowed to enter Europe. It will just depend on where this pandemic goes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the numbers will peak and then drop. It's a crazy feeling not knowing ...

Ivar is selling some cool masks on his Camino Santiago website. Here are some photos...

You can find these at this link:
Ivar's Camino Store

I'm working on a little French Bulldog called "Parker" this week.
My new website hasn't gotten much traffic but I also haven't done the work to get it noticed. That's on my list of things to do.

That's really all the news.

Praying things get back to normal soon.

Take care and stay safe.

WEAR YOUR MASK!

Love,

Annie

Anniewalkers 2021 Holy Year Trip is ON!

Yesterday I spent the day confirming all of the reservations for both my Anniewalkers 2021 Holy Year walking group and Joe's.  It was good news all around. All of our lodgings are open and our reservations are confirmed.

WE ARE WALKING!

If you are interested in joining us for Holy Year, my group has one open space. Joe has room for 2 more pilgrims. This is a nice way to do the Camino because we do all the booking for you and our prices include backpack transport. See my website at www.anniewalkers.com for more information.

Now, it's really just a matter of waiting to see how this pandemic "pans" out (pardon the pun) and whether or not we'll be able to fly into Spain.

I'm missing Spain and getting pretty excited! My friend, Patty, and I are thinking about going early, maybe April, and walking the entire Frances with no reservations, just for the heck of it. 

I'm crazily out of shape though. The surgery really kicked my butt. I walked 2.2 kilometers on Wednesday and was gasping for air. I asked my physical therapist about this on Thursday and she said it was normal. She gave me a walking schedule and I should be back up to 25-30 kilometers by the first of the year. She said, "Go sloooooooow!" so that's what my plan is. I do have to say I was surprised though, how little energy I had.

Everything otherwise is going great. My range of motion is probably back to 90% normal. Scars are healing up nicely and I'm feeling fine. Just one more month on the Letrozole an I should be able to quit taking it.

Life is good and the Camino is calling!

As always, one foot in front of the other.

Love,
Annie

9 Weeks Out and Feeling GREAT!

Well I'm 9 weeks out from my double mastectomy and things are healing up good. I do have a bit of an "iron bra" feeling with numbness and a bit of swelling under my incision line. But I saw the doctor Friday and she said to give it time and it would soften up. I'm doing hot castor oil packs each day and the physical therapist has me stretching and doing light free weights.

I took a VERY short walk yesterday - just around the block - and was SHOCKED at how tired and winded I got. It depressed me a bit. I'm used to being more energetic. But those who have gone through this tell me it can take months to recover - so I'll just keep plodding along.

I've spent the last few days working on my new website. Please take a quick peek and please share it on your Facebook page if you don't mind. I can use all the help I can get to supplement my income. The new address is:

anniespetportraits.com

I'm still taking Letrozol and so far, no bad side effects. I had my son pick up a 90 day prescription for me yesterday. The total with my Oregon Health Plan and Medicare was only $3.65.  A woman on one of my Facebook groups was shocked when her very same prescription cost her over $90 !!!  What the hell? This country needs to address the criminality of pharmaceutical companies taking advantage of people who REQUIRE medicines to live!  Boy, that made me angry on the one hand, and VERY grateful for Oregon Health Plan on the other.

Two of my sons are coming over for dinner tonight. I'm really looking forward to it. This coronavirus has sure put a dent in my social life and it will be good to have visitors.

Well, I guess that's all the news. Here is the latest drawing I've been working on.

Stay safe, everyone!
Love,
Annie

Jean Luc

My portrait of Jean Luc is coming along. 

Tomorrow I'll work on the chest fur 

and then do the highlights 

and I may be finished by Wednesday!

I took the steri-strips off of my incision today. 

They were just driving me mad.

Those, along with the feeling

that I have wash cloths rolled up and 

stuck under my arms -

I had to make something better,

and the steri-strips were the only thing

I had control over.

The incision is healing nicely.

It's a little scary having the steri-strips off,

but I feel less bound up.

This week I'm packing up

and getting ready for my temporary move 

to Portland.

Joe has been kind enough to rent me his condo

for a few months 

while I go to physical therapy and finish healing.

I'm not sure how long that will last -

we'll just play it by ear,

but I'm expecting to stay at least 2 months,

maybe longer.

It will be nice to have my 'own' space again,

where I can get back on my diet,

take my supplements more regularly,

and stretch and do yoga and weight training

to get back my strength.

Oregon is beautiful this time of year,

and I'm really enjoying it!

Thanks to Cameron and Michael

for taking care of me before, during, and after my surgery!

I'm going to miss them,

and I'm going to miss my "grand-dogs,"

Data and Jean Luc!

Life is good!

Love,

Annie

Starting a New Drawing as I Recover

Well, my two days of "do nothing" are up today and so I began a new drawing. This one is of Jean Luc, my son's wonderful Golden Retriever.

I took about 2 to 3 hours 

deciding what colors to use on him. 

I watched a video my teacher made 

on Golden Retrievers and for the most part 

I will be using the colors she suggests. 

There are a few changes in his coat colors.

Here is my color chart 

which doesn't include eyes or nose.

 Lots of colors in a Golden Retriever!

Before I drew on the Pastelmat, 

I did a quick mock-up with pencil

 on printer paper, 

just to make sure I had the right size.

Next I drew the cartoon on Pastelmat.

Then I began by working on his left eye.

I just wanted to feel like I had started.

I will get much more done tomorrow.

But here is Jean Luc for tonight:

Today is the 19th day 

since my Double Mastectomy.

I'm healing up well.

I have good range of motion 

and can move my arms in most directions.

I have to move them slow 

when reaching above my head,

and if I put my hands behind my head 

to make "chicken wings" 

it is difficult to open the elbows.

So I do need some physical therapy 

and stretching,

but don't want to do too much 

too soon

and split my incision.

I tend to lift things, 

then realize I shouldn't.

It's hard for me to be still so much.

I'm generally a very busy person.

I'll be happy to get back to the pencils tomorrow.

As far as pain goes, 

it's weird. 

Most of the pain I feel now is 

under my arms, which are swollen.

My chest over the incision 

is still numb, 

though it feels like when you go to the dentist

and get a shot, 

and feeling is just starting to return.

I plan on doing a lot of massage

to get those nerves to reconnect.

I believe it can be done.

But I need to be patient and wait

until my incision is healed completely.

I still have the steri-strips on the incision.

They are supposed to fall off on their own.

I shower every morning 

and "hope" they'll come off,

but they must have superglued 

those suckers on!

Anyway, that's the update.

I have an appointment 

with my surgeon on Monday.

I'm hoping she will send me 

to Physical Therapy soon.

That's all for now.

Stay safe!

Love,

Annie