Wham…
Wham…that’s exactly how to describe the punch of hearing news of a cancer diagnosis.
Laurie, we all felt the”Wham” of that phone call. If you hear it once, or more than once, you get the same sick, hollow feeling of panic, distress and sadness. Where to turn? What doctor is the best doctor for this particular cancer? What treatment will they recommend and how debilitating will it be? What are the odds of survival?
And now for the care giving. Even being miles away, I know you are already thinking about how to reach out to your brother. You have the tools. You’ve been there and done it with dignity and grace. You know how hard to push your loved one and you know how important it is to be gentle and loving when the moments present themselves. You’re a pro and your brother will be all the better for it.
We’re here for the lifting. We’re hear for the listening.
I wish we could take away the “Wham.”
May 2, 2013 @ 9:25 pm
thank you Al… they just left the Mayo Clinic. Their doctor is the one that came up with the treatments so he is top in his field. They ran tests these last few days and a CT Scan. Hopefully, it hasn’t spread. 6 in 1 million people will get this cancer. 70% are in the slow moving group, 30% are in the fast spreading. They aren’t sure which one Mike has. Wednesday, they start surgery, port, chemo and radiation. 5 days. For now, they are home resting after a very stressful 2 days. Now the wait. The thinking. The part that drives you crazy till Wednesday. I wish I was closer.
Al, I will convey what you said and thank you.
May 1, 2013 @ 12:57 am
Thanks for keeping the light on Laurie… I wish you could take away that “wham” too! My brother starts his radiation tomorrow, will know more, hopefully, tomorrow night. It is a road I am familiar with, but it’s my brother! It’s melanoma of the eye for gosh sakes! I never heard of it before! I never knew you could get cancer in your eye?? I want to scream, eye cancer?? That’s just crazy! You hear all the typical cancers, lung, ovarian, liver, prostrate, bone, brain, etc…buy eye? I’ve started the first steps, I’ve been doing the research. I won’t stop… if I can help in any way, I will….
I sure hope those little people in the basements doing the research don’t stop, I sure hope the money keeps coming for research. We need answers…we need a cure. We need to stop. it. in. it’s. tracks. NOW!
For now… I will send cyber hugs, love and all the strength I can muster to my big bro and his wife….and I won’t stop lifting! They’re going to need it!
Thanks for being here…again…
May 1, 2013 @ 6:39 pm
A friend was diagnosed with melanoma of the eye. He did his homework. Investigated the best places to go for this type of melanoma. After all of the investigation, his doctors recommended the removal of his eye. This was done. After a period of time, he underwent reconstructive surgery with an artificial but it moves exactly as if it is his own eye..he just cannot see from it. If you don’t know his situation when talking with him, you’d never guess!!! He also plays tennis regularly and so has a normal life.
Melanoma of the eye is very serious stuff. If the radiation isn’t successful in treating it and removal is the only option, please convey the good news about my friend. Life will continue and a new normal will become the norm. Best wishes.