I can see why they give you a week off after chemo. Even though they have come far with management of side effects, it is still not for the faint of heart, nor is it fun. It is challenging and it is a battle. The “C” word is scary from the start. My husband says I am brave, but it is not bravery – it is putting one foot in front of the other foot – keeping on going because it is the only way I know how to live. It is a battle to keep a positive attitude. A battle to overcome each side effect as it rears its ugly head. A battle against fatigue. A challenge to be a human being instead of a human doing as you forgive yourself for all of the stuff you didn’t get done and have to watch your loved ones work extra hard to pick up the slack. Each battle is important and victory is not ensured. It is WAR. So I do not mean to trivialize the battles in this war that many of us are fighting. But this is my way of fighting……keeping a positive attitude and overcoming the challenges. And once again with all of your good wishes, prayers and positive thoughts, and with my family and therapy critters – I do feel lifted up and I do feel like victory is the only outcome.
It is cooling off here in AZ and I have a new addition to the therapy team, the backyard birds. Have been spending time in the mornings and evenings sitting on the patio watching all the little dramas going on in the back yard. This subject deserves it’s own blog, so stay tuned for photos and stories…..
The pet scan results came back, they now know the location of the colon tumor and I have an appointment with the surgeon in late October. SO the war wages on, and this week I get to rest!
arlenepowers 
Comments on: "Week to rest…." (14)
My love, thoughts, prayers and good wishes are with you. Hugs..
Love you and hugs to you!
Ahh, nature has such soothing rhythms. Sending super charged positive healing thoughts across the country.
Thank you !
I will think of you every time I look out at the blue Pacific and … every time I have a rescue with California Wildlife Center…especially a brown pelican …they make me think of you ( and Jurassic Park!) every time they fly over my head along the coast in formation
We had Brown Pelicans several times at Liberty Wildlife, they would get blown off course by storms and end up here in Az. They are quite the characters. They would eat us out of house and home in fish though, LOL! It was such a privilege to work with them as an endangered species. Soon I hope to kick cancer’s butt so I can get back to volunteering at Liberty! Thank you so much for your positive thoughts! Hugs!
Well you get plenty of rest! I think you’ve got a great attitude, and hey, you can tell this story any way you like, for it’s YOUR story. You owe no apologies. Let others tell their stories but this one is yours. I’ll keep you in my prayers! Enjoy your down time! xo
Thank you so much! I appreciate the prayers and thanks for following my blog!
I have passed through the trials of chemo twice now. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is treatable and goes away for a while, but it returns. As I sat during my sessions of chemo, I realized that my life was not passing minute by minute or even second by second. When you’re fighting cancer, your life passes drip by drip. But, the ordeal does bring a wealth of blessings and deep realization. As I once said to my family ‘I used to enjoy looking at the trees–now I look at the leaves’! Fine-tuning, if you will. My best wishes for the coming surgery. I hope that my personal montra can become yours, too: ‘Life goes on…the road lengthens…the adventure continues!’
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!
Step, leaf, drip… the story unfolds. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
(Psalm 37:4)
Thanks Bert!
Hang in there. Thinking of you.
Thank you!