Weekend Update - 11/28/15

Weekend Update - 11/28/15 Life does indeed go on. I have had a little “excitement” on the medical front over the past couple of weeks. After some tests it has now been determined I have “radiation colitis”. This is one of the gifts that will “keep on giving” as a result of my radiation treatments. However, as the doctor and I looked at each other while discussing this diagnosis, we agreed that having this is much better than having cancer. I have not delved into the symptoms I am experiencing due to the nature of said symptoms. I have almost completed my Hep C medication treatment and all my bloodworm looks excellent so far. Only time can confirm these results. My energy level is up and it feel good to be able to do more than one thing each day. My loss of the ability to assist others and perform “odd jobs” for folks has been another cost of this disease. I am realizing the physical impact of my surgeries and other treatments are fundamentally changing life as I once knew it. This is new territory for me and I am still attempting to come to peace with this. Life goes on. I am becoming more aware just how fortunate I am to have the family and friends I have as part of my life. Thank you. As the holidays are here, I ask all who would like to give to please donate as my greatest need continues to be paying my bills. And in closing, the reality of my financial situation is what it is…. not good. I am asking all to give what you can and remember that no amount is to small. Every little bit helps. I am living month to month, and without the support I have received I would not still be living in my home. Please read and share my story.

Weekend Update - 11/20/15

Weekend Update - 11/20/15 One year ago I had 3-5 months to live. Only as a result of some good doctoring and the compassion of my friends and family am I here today. The following is a list of my “thank you” to all. Although I feel this is very inadequate, this is the least I can do. Thank you all for being willing to be of service. I am reminded every day there is good on the world. I am so grateful for all of the gifts I have received over this past 16 months. I cannot value one more than another. All are sacred to me and all were needed. I am a very fortunate human being to have you all in my life. The following are my recollections of some moments with each of you that not only saved my life but have given me a life worth living. Friends, who upon hearing my terminal diagnosis, did not minimize contact with me or disappear. Instead they maintained our regular contacts and encouraged me to do the same. Thank you for being willing to talk about death and how best to prepare for it. I can strongly recommend to have your will, DNR, and other personal papers/arrangements already prepared and to not wait until death is literally staring you in the face. The peace you all have given me in this process is very precious to me. Thank you for your gifts of spending time with me, listening to me and sharing your experience strength and hope with me. Reminding me continuously that I am not alone and would not be alone as my cancer journey unfolded. And thank you for the cards and gifts. Tangible proof that you care and that humor is good. Thank you for being honest with me by “pulling my head out of my ass” and turning the lights out and shutting the door to my “pity party room” while at the same time letting me know I was, and am, loved and am a valuable and necessary human being. Thank you for all the trips to and from the doctor, hospital and pharmacies. Thank you for the trips to see other people and helping me to remember the world was still out there. Thank you for being with me before, during and after my surgeries. Note to self and all of you …. never, never never, have a surgery anywhere near a holiday. Thank you for transporting me to the ER (twice after surgery) and sitting with me as those events unfolded. If there is a hell, waiting in the ER is one floor of it. Thank you for listening to me - and putting up with me - as I recovered from my surgeries. I do not remember a lot of this but the stories a few of you have shared with me let me know just how “out of my mind” I was. Thank you for the “personal care” given. Everything from the enemas and bathing to the wound care. I am so glad I did not look at my incision until later into the healing process. Thank you for being willing to -literally -see “all of me” through these events. At least you can say you have seen the dark side of the moon. And a special thank you to my nurse for the wound care and great advice about how and when to take my medication. You really helped chill me out and teach me to not be such a pain in the ass. Thank you for all the food and trips to the store. Thank you for just visiting and spending time. Thank you for your gifts of money and other resources. I am able to still be in my home only as a result of your generosity. And I must say thank you for the gift of your time. The nights spent watching over me and the days spent with me. Please know that I have adopted you all and consider you family. I am a very grateful human being and will do what I can to pass on what has so freely been bestowed upon me. Much love to you all. As the holidays are here, I ask all who would like to give to please donate as my greatest need continues to be paying my bills. And in closing, the reality of my financial situation is what it is…. not good. I am asking all to give what you can and remember that no amount is to small. Every little bit helps. I am living month to month, and without the support I have received I would not still be living in my home. Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek

Weekend Update - 11/13/15

Note to self: You have no idea what is going to happen. My journey continues with more adventures on the way. I continue to do little better every day. More energy and more gratitude for the people in my life. Not much more to say at this time. The bills keep coming with new ones on the way. As a friend says, “I’m living the dream” …. but I am living and I need to remember that. Assisting a friend with their chemo continues to give me that most precious of perspective. I am a very fortunate human being. The 21st fast approaches and a celebration I will have. On another note, and in closing, the reality of my financial situation is what it is…. not good. I am asking all to give what you can and remember that no amount is to small. Every little bit helps. I am living month to month, and without the support I have received I would not still be living in my home. Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek

Weekend Update - 11/6/15

One of the sayings I have been least fond of is “more will be revealed”. I am tired and I am reminded, once again, that those who practice medicine - the doctors and other healthcare practitioners - are “practicing”. This is one of those times where patience is the virtue I am in most need of. Also to be reminded - again - I do not know what is going to happen. I am very grateful I have people in my life that continue to teach me how to be a better human being. Their gifts of time and resources shared with me along with the sharing of their ongoing “trials and tribulations” and the normal day to day “stuff” give me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Said gift being the gift of perspective. This gift has allowed me to look up and see the world, to live actively in it, and not be so self-consumed I become a miserable human being. And I am able to begin to see the gifts I have to offer the world and act on them. The resulting feeling of gratitude is a very good thing. In a few weeks is the anniversary of my surgery. I consider this my second birthday. So, being almost one year old, I plan to do my happy dance on 11/21/15. Wherever you may be I am inviting all of you to do a little happy dance at some point during that day. On another note, and in closing, the reality of my financial situation is what it is…. not good. I am asking all to give what you can and remember that no amount is to small. Every little bit helps. I am living month to month, and without the support I have received I would not still be living in my home. Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek