Walk on…
There is something about getting on with life that cancer can not touch.
A neighbor is back walking her dogs and taking in the warm afternoon sunshine in the ‘hood.’
It took a very long time before she felt well enough, strong enough, brave enough to put on her best sun hat and her walking shoes to face the outdoors. Maybe it wasn’t the outdoors so much as it was facing the ‘old normal.’ After all, she wasn’t the same person she was months ago. She’d had breast cancer and her body was different. Her mind had been messed with too. As you know, once you’re told you have cancer, and then you’re told you don’t have cancer anymore, you always wonder if some day something new will pop-up in a scan, or in an elevated blood test. So I think it’s safe to say, her confidence level of just walking outside the safety net of her home was in play here too.
But I saw her today, with the dogs in tow and feeling good. She’s talking about painting the house and refinishing the floors and catching-up on all the things that have been put on the shelf while she dealt with her cancer.
The best part of our conversation? She talked about getting the workers in to do house maintenance in the present and she talked about being “sick” in the past. Another warrior who has put the war behind her for now.
She’s got paint to buy and furniture to move, so get out of her way and let her get to work!
June 23, 2016 @ 9:46 am
“As you know, once you’re told you have cancer, and then you’re told you don’t have cancer anymore, you always wonder if some day something new will pop-up in a scan, or in an elevated blood test.” Boy, is that ever the truth! Not sure if the wondering ever goes away, but there’s lots of living to do in between!
June 23, 2016 @ 9:27 am
There is Hope and it seems real…not a cure but many are rendered NED and that’s just spectacular. Went to my derm on Tuesday for checkup…..spots frozen and some biopsied. We talked about the progress being made in the treatment of melanoma today. He said that the progress in the last 3 years is so much greater than in the last 20 years that Hope is real for so many. He used President Carter as an example. His diagnosis would have been about 3 months with it in his brain, lungs and liver. Now there is NED. A cure, probably not, but for so many NED is more than good.
June 23, 2016 @ 9:46 am
Thinking good thoughts for you, Al!
June 23, 2016 @ 8:14 pm
Al…SOOOOO good to hear your ‘voice’
Sending, no BLASTING N-E-D thoughts your way….
Laurie
June 25, 2016 @ 4:02 pm
Thank you. I know I don’t post much but this site, you and Leroy are always in my heart. Hope your ears were burning recently because I was telling a friend, a former caregiver whose husband died from melanoma some 8 years ago, about this site, what you did to help others and that perhaps she had something to offer and share. She posts often on my FB in support of lots of melanoma patients and caregivers so I encouraged her to come here to read awhile, perhaps even ask you, Laurie, for advice in getting more involved; ie, your work at Kimmel, with cancer centers here in Atlanta. She has signed up for Peer Partners for caregivers. If a caregiver would like a sympathetic ear, a shoulder, advice, information or education, they can call her. Helping others, as you know, is such a great gift for both parties. Hoping she’ll come here to read, perhaps post and then with some encouragement from you, get involved and make a difference by being there for those in need. Her name is Elisa. Thx Laurie for all that you do for so many.
June 22, 2016 @ 9:22 pm
Amen! Move forward with purpose and confidence.