On Tuesday the 18th, Suzanne has a dentist’s appointment for teeth care. We learned from Peg Boyce that Radiation can cause major tooth decay problems and she referred us to someone she trusts. Our hope is to be pro-active and prevent as much of that as possible. Thanks Lord, for putting another person in our path that will help us on this journey. Wednesday the 19th, Suzanne will travel to Rush University Medical Center to have her Radiation Mask created….
Sunday mornings are a time for reflection, a time for meditation, a time to rejuvenate for the coming week. But most of all, Sunday mornings are a time for prayer. For me, prayer is a dialog with my God, a chance to talk directly to Him. I talk with God most easily in a formal setting like Sunday Chruch. It is there that I feel his presence and know that He is listening. But Sunday is only once a week….
We both woke this morning at about the same time. When that happens, usually one of us jumps up and turns on the coffee. This morning was different. This morning, Suzanne rolled over into my arms and just lay there for the longest time in Silence. A lot of our time since this all started has been spent together in Silence. Awkward moments during mealtime where we just stare into space as we eat, quietly driving to an appointment, or…
I’ve only been at this 2 weeks and the process of keeping track of all the people, places, appointments, and future schedules is becoming ‘mind-boggling’ Yesterday alone we were introduced to 4 new doctors, 3 new nurses, 2 new social workers and a partridge in a pear tree. This morning, I spent quite a bit of time just going through all the notes I made yesterday, business cards we were given, brochures, pamphlets, copied papers . . . . ….
Today we met with a Dr who specializes in throat surgery. The diagnosis was ‘Squamous Cell Carcinoma’ which at this point they believe was caused by the HPV virus (the same virus that causes most cervical cancer) He shared that this is the most common throat cancer they see these days. He also explained that there is one result from the biopsy left to confirm that diagnosis. If it’s not the HPV type, the treatment would remain the same, just…
There must have been some solace in Jesus’ mind the night of his last supper, knowing what is about to happen, knowing his fate, knowing that in 3 days his journey on earth will culminate in a resurrection that will change mankind forever. I’m sure his demeanor at the dinner table was calm and calculative; dropping hints to his apostles as to what was about to happen; sharing in a meal that would become known as his Last Supper. Suzanne…
Of all things, today we had already scheduled to sign our Wills & Health Care POA. When we started this whole ‘Will’ thing, the concept of cancer was the farthest from both our minds. We had just booked a trip for January to Tahiti of all places and we were talking about going to the Rodeo in Vegas this December. Now, signing our names on some papers became a sobering event. On the way to the signing, Suzanne was telling…
From time to time, I have nothing profound to say. I myself find those days disheartening; but my wife, she cherishes those days. For the purpose of this Journey, these posts will be just numbered the number of days we have been on our Journey together; hence ‘Day 10’ Some days are just days as we try to blend all our deep stirring emotions with our daily life. As an example, today I had a tooth pulled. As they struggled,…
Today was our usual trip to St. Joseph to take care of Suzanne’s dad. Since this whole COVID thing started, Suzanne decided to check in on him every week. It’s only a 45 min drive that goes quickly as Suzanne reads to me from her cooking magazines looking for the next dish to try and I listen to Pandora Radio. I love music, all kinds, but Country would be my standard goto; except on Sundays. This day is reserved for…
The next 5 days are supposed to be just normal for us. It’s that time between the last diagnostic test and the Dr’s presentation of results. Your mind can’t help but wonder because of the unknown. Has it spread? How will we get through this? What about our kids? What about the love of my life? But for the next 5 days, normal will have to be just that, normal. Daily chores, Quilt for a friend, Dentist appointment, freeze the…