Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
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Thursday, May 05, 2011

OUT OF ORDER

Some of you know and some of you don't know that we are living with the Big "C" in our lives. It requires treatments of chemo and radiation five days a week and our commute is 170 miles round trip.

Ron and I both have experienced multiple illnesses from arthritis to broken bones, back problems, heart and lung disease. Yet this has to be the most frightening of all. You never know from one day to the next how you are going to feel. You go from bad to worse. The crazy thing about this is that the week before his cancer was discovered, Ron was feeling better than he had felt in a long time. The treatments are debilitating.

What is equally as bad as having cancer is looking at the multitudes around us that have cancer. There is no age discrimination. It strikes infant to elderly. I wait while Ron is in treatment and hear the stories of every form of cancer... brain, breast, bladder, testicular, skin, esophageal, ovarian, lung, lymph node, liver, stomach, kidney, etc. Pick a body part and someone will have experienced a cancer invasion there. The saddest story is when they add, "My cancer is not curable" and you are looking at a young mother with four year old twins.

Some are looking at 25 treatments, some at 55 treatments, some will finish a group of treatments then wait a couple of weeks and start another round of treatments.


I thought I had empathy for cancer patients, but until you have lived it as the patient or their advocate, you really don't get a sense of the toll it takes. Walking into the cancer treatment areas is mind blowing as you search for a seat in areas already packed with people waiting.

I have found that my magic wand is out of order and this stick I'm waving around just doesn't cut it.


19 comments:

  1. Annie, I am so sorry that you guys have to go through this. I have known many people who had cancer, but none who were really close family, so I'm sure I don't know the full toll it takes.

    When I started in cytotechnology school (back in the dark ages) they thought that a cure for cancer would be discovered soon. Of course, back then, they didn't know how many different forms of it there are. It is an insidious disease and I feel great empathy for anyone going through treatment.

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  2. I'll pray for you and Ron - I did not realize you were going through that. {{{HUGS}}}

    My best friend had breast cancer that wasn't caught in time and she passed away when she was 29 years old. I learned first hand what people go through during treatment.

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  3. You are so right...we never know what it is like to go through something until we go through it. So glad you have each other for support and am praying for a good outcome.

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  4. There is nothing in the world as frightening on a personal level like cancer...your life is changed forever...i know i am a breast cancer survivor of 5 years...people say "hooray!! you make it...5 years!" i am only 63, my grandchildren are 8 years and younger, not a day goes by that i don't thank God, for just one more day with them all!!! Best of Luck, Hang on to positive thoughts!!

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  5. Man - I have no idea either - knew you had to drive somewhere many times, but not sure why.

    I am so sorry - I hate cancer. I hate when people get cancer. I hate when people die of it.

    I am not sure why or how cancer got here either.

    I can feel your pain you are feeling for these people while you wait. That has to be hard too.

    Love, prayers, and hugs being sent to you.

    sandie

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  6. I didn't know either and I sure do hate to hear this. Cancer is such an awful disease and it has no age boundaries. My heart goes out to Ron and what he's going through. I do pray for a good outcome. Love and hugs dear Annie.

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  7. I can just imagine how difficult this is for both you and Ron.

    I think of you every day and pray for a complete recovery.

    Love to you both.....

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  8. Most of us don't have a clue at how much energy it all takes just to move through the day. So sorry for you both. My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  9. I will definitely continue to send good thoughts and prayers your way!

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  10. Some things, thru this procedure just seem to have to be automatic. At the end of my treatments I was prepared to go no further because I'd endured all I could. That was in 1996 and I was 46. Today I still know I couldn't have gone any further when the Dr's said they thought they had it all. I had endless lectures from survivors who all said attitude was everything. I guess it was but it's hard to stay positive most of the time, but we must.
    I will pray for you two and know Gods grace shall prevail. Best wishes. c

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  11. Hello Annie
    I wondered when you would let it slip out into a general conversation - not getting any easier is it.
    Time to reflect isn't always time well spent. Like the man who wept/cried/was sad/complained because he had no shoes and then saw the man who had no feet.
    ((Hugs))) to you both
    Cathy

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  12. Annie do you belong to Costco? I just pulled this coupon out last night, I think $10 off is a wonderful amount!

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  13. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers, Annie. The cancer battle takes a toll on every aspect of life for those who have it and those who lend their support and strength. Sending positive thoughts and energy.

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  14. ((HUGS)) Keeping your family in my prayers.

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  15. Having lost both parents to that malady, I'd figured out that's what Ron't treatments were for. Sometimes the side effects are unbearable, n tough to watch. I've seen several folks about my age go thru treatments n actually recover, going on to see normal life again!

    Must feel awful to be surrounded by so many desparate souls unable to help, but by prayers. Your wand may be mal-functioning, but always remember that there ARE miracles!

    Like my friend AT once mentioned on ESR who was diagnosed with stage 4- but the doc was wrong! I had prayed to Pope John Paul II, n attribute her total recovery to his intercession.
    Having hope can make all the difference!

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  16. Hi Granny...I am so sad to hear of this news.I knew something was going on as I read about your long trips, but was unsure of just what it was....this is a difficult thing for you all..I lived through something similar in 1998 and am now in remission from a very rare and add form of blood illness...my treatments were long but not debilitating...The toughest part was worry about the future of my family...and seeing all the people waiting at the hospital...as you describe....my thoughts, prayers and healing energy is sent your way...meditation and yoga also helped me to heal...who knows , that may be why Im here today..!

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  17. Annie so sorry that you're having such a hard chapter in your life right now. I pray that the next chapter is more rewarding and less heart breaking.

    It still baffles me that they don't have a cure for cancer yet.

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  18. Sending healing hugs and prayers of strength to you and Ron...
    xoxo

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  19. Dear Granny Annie ~ I am so sorry you and Ron are battling cancer and hope and pray the outcome is good.
    Thank you so very much for your kind comments to Peter's updates on my
    health. I had a rugged time for a month, but am feeling much better now I am at home. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers for me, especially when you have your own worries.Peter did a good job from 1000 miles away. Thank you for the Welcome back home on my Home at Last post
    You are very kind dear friend. My
    prayers are with you and Ron now.
    Much love, Merle.

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