I thought my caregiver journey ended when Pedro came home from the hospital. But it didn’t. Not really. Yes, I had a new focus for my caregiving instincts, and life looked promising and full of hope. While I acknowledged the incredible blessings in my life, I also continued to experience… Read more“Regrets”
Tag: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with CNS involvement
Lavish
We celebrated our most lavish Christmas three days early, and I can’t even remember where we were on Christmas Day. I don’t remember what we gave as presents. But presents didn’t make our Christmas lavish. Presence did. Pedro spent ten glorious days at home with our girls—and the present of… Read more“Lavish”
God Offers Comfort in Affliction
After my experience with God’s hand on my shoulder, I returned to Pedro’s hospital room, comforted and ready to face whatever came next. A few days later, the doctor came in to announce that the chemotherapy regimen advised by Pedro’s California oncologist, Dr. Mirda, would have to be put off for… Read more“God Offers Comfort in Affliction”
The Messenger (Dr. Doom) Takes a Seat
Dr. Doom Takes a Seat Dr. Doom* came into the room and sat on Pedro’s hospital bed. He sighed and held his hands together. He leaned over and fiddled with the IV lines and shook his head. Pedro didn’t look good. “He doesn’t have any white blood cells,” Dr. Doom… Read more“The Messenger (Dr. Doom) Takes a Seat”
Too Close for Comfort in the ICU
Don’t Wait for an ICU Visit I leaned in close as Pedro struggled to form words around the tubes sprouting out of his nose and mouth. His hands, retained by cotton cuffs, fluttered uselessly at his sides. His left hand stilled and his right hand looked as if it was… Read more“Too Close for Comfort in the ICU”
No Room in the Nave
No Room in the Nave I stood on the busy street corner, staring at the imposing edifice rising from the concrete jungle in the shadows of nightfall. Churches in inner cities sure looked different from the ones back home in Montana. Glancing nervously about, I checked the directions jotted on… Read more“No Room in the Nave”
Firsts: A Story in Pictures
“Remember your journey, from Shittham cancer to Gilgal wholeness, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” Micah 6:5b Sometimes, pictures tell a better story (tweet this). Keep a record of your journey–whatever it may be and wherever it may take you–so that you can remember the righteous acts of… Read more“Firsts: A Story in Pictures”
What to do When the Chaplain Visits
Laughter on the Cancer Ward? Our laughter and snorting could be heard in the hall—I’m sure of it. Even with the door closed. Transplant Day loomed on the horizon. Pedro’s remission and recovery marveled the doctors daily. We sat on chairs in front of the narrow table, just feet from… Read more“What to do When the Chaplain Visits”
Tub Thumping (Theme Songs in the Cancer Ward)
“I get knocked down, but I get up again!” Chumbawamba’s lyrics pounded out of the tinny CD speakers as the doctor came by on rounds. Pedro played the song after every round of ravaging chemo as a litmus test for hospital personnel. If they smiled, they were the good kind… Read more“Tub Thumping (Theme Songs in the Cancer Ward)”
A Tree, A Friend, A Prayer
The first non-family member I called when Pedro received his cancer diagnosis was my college roommate, Carolyn Sturges. She’s the kind of friend that I only see every couple of years, but our conversations pick up where they left off the last time—whether it was a phone call six months… Read more“A Tree, A Friend, A Prayer”
