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October: Change, Renewal, and Memories

10/13/2019

7 Comments

 
I haven't blogged for a while because we haven't camped for a while. My husband's treatment for cancer has created a roller coaster existence with some highs of no pain, no appetite loss,  good days, and clear scans and some lows of fatigue, frustration, skin rashes, shingles, cataracts, and bad scans. In between, at the top and bottom of the curves, we wait: for appointments, callbacks, test results, prescriptions to be filled, and on hold for all of the above. Anyone who has dealt with this insidious disease I'm sure has had similar experience. There's a reason why you're called a patient, because you have to be.

This is the second fall since the diagnosis. October has always been a special month to us. We were married in October 56 years ago, and although we couldn't afford a honeymoon at the time, we have taken a number of wonderful trips around our anniversary. Since we have retired, we have particularly enjoyed some fall camping trips. In 2015, we traveled through Tennessee to the Great Smokies, to Savannah and Skidaway Island, back to Stone Mountain for a Sisters on the Fly event. and back home through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. The next year we traveled with his sister and brother-in-law to South Dakota and then Fort Abraham Lincoln in North Dakota, Little Big Horn in Montana, Devils Tower in Wyoming and back home through the Black hills. On that trip, we hit as many Lewis and Clark stops as we could. In 2017, we traveled through Michigan to the Upper Peninsula and immensely enjoyed the waterfalls, parks, and cruises that we found there.

Last summer, until the diagnosis, we fully intended to take another trip although we hadn't decided where. And then everything changed. It has been difficult emotionally and physically for both of us. But I just finished reading a book that I have found extremely helpful. E.A.T.: an Unconventional Decade in the Life of a Cancer Patient by Kathy Bero chronicles the author's experience with inflammatory breast cancer, which has a very low life expectancy. She was diagnosed in 2005, underwent grueling chemo, a mastectomy, and radiation, and is today cancer free. However she credits a great deal of her survival to meditation, reiki healing, and diet. I happened to be reading this book when a decision was made to put my husband's chemotherapy on hold because the drugs he has had to take for the side effects are defeating the purpose of the chemo.

It seems like the perfect time to launch an intense diet of cancer fighting foods, because unlike the drugs, we don't have to worry about side effects. And perhaps with a few weeks that are not consumed with medical appointments, we can gain renewal from our favorite season with some day trips and practicing the mindfulness that Kathy Bero also stresses. I have always been a person who spends a lot of time anticipating events in the future and not enough appreciating the here and now. Time to change that too.

7 Comments
Kathleen J Dana
10/14/2019 11:54:41 am

Sending prayers and warm hugs to both of you and wish you many more Octobers together!!

Reply
Wendy Heck
10/14/2019 03:13:29 pm

So much stress for you and Butch. Not exactly what we thought our "golden years" would hold. I love seeing your posts, Karen, and pray that you both keep hope in your hearts to feed your indomitable spirits. You inspire me!

Reply
Shelly Wieskamp
10/14/2019 05:57:50 pm

I remember all too well the physical and emotional turmoil involved in cancer treatment when my Mom went through it. I’m sorry you and Butch have to experience this. Life is precious. Enjoy every moment you can is my motto. ❤️

Reply
Chris Arabadjis link
10/15/2019 12:13:09 am

Karen, I’m thinking about you and Butch whom I’ve only met a couple times a couple decades ago. Thanks for your generosity in sharing these experiences of health treatments and travels. These are the stories that we don’t hear enough of these days. You keep showing that life finds a way. Sending my warmest wishes to you both.

Reply
Melba Muhlenbruch
10/15/2019 10:03:18 am

My thoughts and prayers are with y ou both since I know it isn't only the one who is ill that suffers. May God bless you as you go through the valley of the shadow together. That support is so important.

Reply
Andrea Christensen
10/15/2019 06:56:10 pm

Yes, health struggles deeply affect you and family. Love ya is easy for me to say.....

Reply
Suzanne Jenkins link
12/9/2019 11:07:49 am

Karen I'm so glad you're in my life. Thank you for your inspiring words. xo

Reply



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