We're home now, utterly exhausted (at Duke from 6:00-4:30), and I'll write more after a bath.
BUT, I know many of you are eagerly awaiting news, and we're happy to report that the PET/CT scan did not show any metastases.
The road ahead is long and hard, and other complications could arise, but for now the news is good.
Susan
Wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteI found a book on my bookshelf this evening, A Cancer Battle Plan: Six Strategies for Beating Cancer from a Recovered “Hopeless Case”, by Anne Frahm with David Frahm. I am happy to see that there is a chapter on how to help those fighting cancer, as I am feeling helpless. The chapter is titled, Coming Alongside in Battle. I want to share Anne’s tips for we, the other soldiers, in this war on cancer.
• Family: Create a teamwork environment- “whatever you’ve got, I’ve got; it’s our battle.”
• Friends: Stay involved; be a network of friends who treat him as a living, breathing person with a future; provide constant hope. If you disconnect to protect yourself/your heart, it may devastate your friend and cause him to feel hopeless. Involvement of friends is a great encouragement. Things to do to stay involved include:
o Ask how he’s doing- he may need to talk about it, vent. Asking conveys caring. Not asking conveys indifference, even if you don’t mean to. Don’t assume the topic is too painful to discuss. If it is, he’ll tell you.
o Practice prayer- after talking to him, you’ll know what to pray for. If you are not one to pray, you may want to start for the benefit of your friend. Others talking to God on his behalf will make him feel loved and taken care of.
o Lighten the load- when the family is fighting the battle, daily living tasks take a back seat. Toilets may need scrubbing, lawns mowed, meals prepared. Don’t wait to be asked, volunteer to do something. It is hard enough to need help; having to ask for it compounds the problem. I did get a note from Susan today saying she needs manure shoveled. Hopefully some else will take this task. I’ll wait for the next one (LOL)
o Send a card- this lets your friend know he is being remembered. Write a personal note that says you care.
o Send a book- books that offer hope and encouragement; books about cancer survivors may be encouraging.
o Send money- if you are not in the habit of giving people money, now would be a good time to start the habit. The financial burden of fighting cancer can be huge, even with good insurance. It would be nice for your friends to receive a check to help alleviate some of the financial burden. They don’t need to be worried about finances in the middle of the fight. Send what you’d like to receive if it were you; send according to your ability.
This helps me. I hope it is helpful to other friends.
Was thinking of you today. Glad you made it through a long and difficult day with some news to finish off the day.
ReplyDeleteHow generous of you to post while you're exhausted! And with some good news. Prayers and Love flying out to you...
ReplyDeleteHolding you both in prayer. Happy to hear some good news!
ReplyDeletewe like good news!
ReplyDeletesharon
Hooray for the good news!
ReplyDeletePretty darn great. You have a lot of people pulling for you...and you will feel it.
ReplyDelete