What does passing the halfway mark in my journey with chemotherapy mean to me and my family? It means that I have completed 4 out of eight treatments. It once seemed that we would never get this far!
Time hangs heavy when you wait. If you don't believe me, check out that Sesame Street Monsterpiece theatre video parody on Waiting for Godot. I love reading and staying busy. I am not affected by boredom. And I am a cheerful person that is interested in many things. But chemo takes the wind out of your sails. You get tired, and are at risk of becoming depressed.
Depression is a window that I have had little exposure to in my personal life. I get fraps and freakings out, but not depression --some people would say that I am not likely to get a heart attack, but am likely to give a heart attack!
Depression is a window that I have had little exposure to in my personal life. I get fraps and freakings out, but not depression --some people would say that I am not likely to get a heart attack, but am likely to give a heart attack!
So the waiting has been heavy. And this is where friends have come in. Mieke, Marian, Kathy, Lynda, Debbie, John, Sara, Pauline, Lucia, Wasan, Elaine, Mary, Douggie, and so many others! Coffee and Greek food at Melitsa's on Belmont, a sandwich at Vincenzo's, Tim Horton's visits and a RRoll up the Rim card! Such delights! Therapeutic tough has been an amazing resource to keep me focused and relaxed. Emails from far and near, and a special chapter dedicated to my children's friends.
And family! My sister Grace who took me shopping for eyelashes (which I have not needed yet, Grace, but I am ready!) and gives me courage in word and deed every time we talk, and my sister Pichi who came from Puerto Rico and helped me figure out pharmacy information on chemo and also gave me some not-too shabby lessons in courage.
Two metaphors of grace and beauty characterize my wonderful sisters. Through hell and high water, I imagine Grace as a smooth, strong, classy and determined biker, moving along the bike paths in New Jersey, and in Manhattan, by the river. It is not always easy to meet the challenge of the wheels on the path, other bikers, the sun in your face, and of muscles asking for a break. But she keeps going, despite interruptions and pain, sure to reach her goal. And I imagine my other sister, Pichi, as a resourceful bullfighter, now shaking her red cloth, now turning away in disdain from the bull, now coaxing a response, now taking a serious aim, silently assessing problems with unshakeable faith. How did I get two such strong women for sisters? Parents, perhaps? Have their children shaped them? Work? Faith? Three metaphors, the Biker, the Bulfighter and the Pilgrim. Thinking about each metaphor has helped me to survive these four weeks, and will help during the four treatments of the next eight weeks
Two metaphors of grace and beauty characterize my wonderful sisters. Through hell and high water, I imagine Grace as a smooth, strong, classy and determined biker, moving along the bike paths in New Jersey, and in Manhattan, by the river. It is not always easy to meet the challenge of the wheels on the path, other bikers, the sun in your face, and of muscles asking for a break. But she keeps going, despite interruptions and pain, sure to reach her goal. And I imagine my other sister, Pichi, as a resourceful bullfighter, now shaking her red cloth, now turning away in disdain from the bull, now coaxing a response, now taking a serious aim, silently assessing problems with unshakeable faith. How did I get two such strong women for sisters? Parents, perhaps? Have their children shaped them? Work? Faith? Three metaphors, the Biker, the Bulfighter and the Pilgrim. Thinking about each metaphor has helped me to survive these four weeks, and will help during the four treatments of the next eight weeks
Carolyn, my other sister (she is David's sister) has been here this week. It has been fun, and very helpful, as she accompanied us to chemo yesterday. Today she is helping us to get our home ready for my daughter, who arrives soon from Ottawa for a visit. What a blessing she has been, supporting, talking, laughing with us.
Lots to write about. a chapter on my David coming soon, and on my children. They are part of my symbols of pilgrimage.
And a simple chapter on the pharmacology of chemo, and how that will change during the next four treatments.
Off to the airport, to get Ioanna, and we will see you around, soon, on the way to Santiago!
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