On New Year's day, mom, dad and I shared dinner with Dana and the twins (Brandon missed out as he was in Mexico working on his land development project) to mark 2008. Grandpa and Grandma again enjoyed some JD time, and arrowroot cookies were ever-present. Davis and Jack continue growing up into little boys with their own unique personalities and it's hard to imagine what life was like before they arrived!
While the first couple of days of 2008 were great, the roller coaster downward began a couple of days later, when my best friend Tasha called me with some horrible news - pathology results showed that the lump she had found several weeks earlier was not surgical scar tissue as was expected, but cancer. With her husband Ryan already doing chemotherapy, it was beyond devastating news. The doctors are running a number of tests through this week to determine if the cancer has spread from the original site, before determining treatment plans, but at the very least it will mean more surgery and radiation. Tasha has started her blog again at tashaengel@blogspot.com if you'd like to follow her progress.
Between Ryan, Tasha and I, this cancer is truly starting to tick me off with it's illogical and unpredictable recklessness. After a few days of being angry at the ridiculousness of the situation, I have concluded once again that there is no reason for any of this, and as difficult as it is to do, spending energy on they "why"is a waste. Tasha has also amazingly moved past her shock and anger and is in full fight mode. Now, with both of us having experienced relapse, we marvel at and are appreciative of the ability to move past such a significant devastation into a positive-attitude zone. It's a mystery to me almost as much as the cancer itself.
A lot can sure happen in a week on the roller coaster of life. After blood-work tomorrow, I head to chemo day 1 again on Wednesday, with hopes that progress has been made on my clinical trial paperwork, so that I can move forward to the next treatment steps. I've been able to shake the flu I was fighting, so I'm also going to try to get back to the training I was doing before Christmas, as well as attend a few meetings for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Of course, I'll also hang out with Tasha as she gets the rest of her tests out of the way. While I'm not technically "working", it will still will be a busy week...who knows what it will hold!
I wish you all a wonderful week!
1 comment:
Dear Tricia,
Thank goodness that you, Tasha and Talyn had one of your most favourite New Year's eve celebrations together. The pictures of Tasha show her zest for life; Tayln's pose is jaunty, too - like mother, like son.
We had already visited Tasha's blog site before we read your latest posting. She writes with the same disbelief, acceptance, spunk and determination that you exhibit in facing cancer's "illogical and unpredictable recklessness". Though you tell us that it is a waste of energy to spend time on the "why", we cannot help but ask the question.
You and Tasha will never be far from our thoughts throughout the coming week. How you will manage to stay in that mysterious "positive-attitude zone" is beyond us as we await further news about both of you. Take good care of yourselves and one another.
By the way, Tricia, I love the picture of Jack and Davis sitting on the sofa between their grandparents. The expression "JD Time" makes a wonderful caption for that particular photo.
Most of all, thank you for posting such interesting and informative updates on Tricia's Tides. Because you take time to write, we continue to feel part of your life's journey.
Much love, Louise and David
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