Sunday, July 5, 2020
7777+ Days: #588 Post From My BHE
7777+ Days: #588 Post From My BHE: Dear Friends and Supporters, Rob has been at it again with blog writing. He just finished watching a three part series on U.S. Grant...
#588 Post From My BHE
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Rob has been at it again with blog writing. He just finished watching a three part series on U.S. Grant and is in his "war mindset". Bear with me--I have had to endure his endless history lessons. Still love this man although somedays it is easier than others!
M.
Mary and I were never fans of the term, “fighting or battling cancer”. The doctors, nurses, and researchers are the real warriors in such a fight.
Those that know me know of my passion for history especially war history. But after managing this disease for eight and a half years, my mindset has changed.
A war is not fought in one battle but is a series of engagements without ever knowing the outcomes. One goes from treatment to treatment as the enemy (cancer) evolves and fights back. You must change tactics midstream if necessary as reports (scans) come in.
On a good day you attack the enemy and live life to the fullest. On a bad day you set up defensive positions and hold on to your situation as best you can.
And, like going into war, the objective is the same. You just want to get back home to enjoy your family and have some semblance of normalcy in your life. As we celebrate our nation’s fight for freedom may all those “fighting” cancer eventually “win their war”.
Rob
Thanks for reading #588.
Thanks for reading #588.
Thursday, July 2, 2020
7777+ Days: #587 Life Jackets=Life Savers
7777+ Days: #587 Life Jackets=Life Savers: Enjoying the campfire with Rosie We just spent a few days up north breathing in the aromatic smells of the trees and surrounding ourse...
#587 Life Jackets=Life Savers
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| Enjoying the campfire with Rosie |
Rob, my BHE, found a rustic (it was clean and had a bathroom) cabin which was compatible with our drive to get away from it all. Rosie, the dog, escaped with us and enjoyed the romps through the woods and the chases after the chipmunks (although none were caught). My plan to swim was achieved without any fear of drowning although between a tippy kayak and a wiggly dog, Rob was at risk for a dunk in the water. It was my forty-seventh swim since our plunge into advocacy work and my goal to reach the fifty mark appears to be right around the corner.
On another note, I saw my oncologist (BOE-best oncologist ever) last week after my MRI. The news, unfortunately, wasn’t good. Party time has continued in my liver where the lesions have increased in number and in size. Although this felt like a gut punch, it will not stop me from advocating and swimming and living the best way I know how. Quoting from one of Mary Oliver's poems, "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world" continues to be my mantra.
As I advocate for more research funding for stage IV to ensure my daughter and granddaughters will never face a cancer diagnosis, I continue to explain to others that a cure may not be in my future. However, I’m still rooting for the brilliant researchers to discover another miracle drug and throw current metsters like me a lifejacket of more time.
June 20th was my sixth metastatic cancerversary and I want more years to hang out with my BHE and the BFE (best family ever). Although I’m now facing tougher side effects in the next few months with more scans and an array of worries, I am confident there is a shining light of hope on the horizon but need your help.
Please consider a donation to my More For Stage IV fund at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
Not only will my children and grandchildren benefit but hopefully, optimistically, fingers crossed and with “a touch on wood”; a new treatment is lurking in my future to keep me around for many more years.
Thanks for reading #587 of 7777+.
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