Cancer Treatment and More Ornaments

Cancer Chronicles

December 5, 2023

Oncology called yesterday, and I was finally given the dates of treatment. Firstly, I’d like you to know that I’ll continue this ‘healing journey’ by writing about it throughout each treatment session. However, if I miss a day or two because of not feeling well, I will combine a couple later. I’m not only doing this for myself but for others who may, eventually, go through the same battles. It hasn’t been easy not knowing what I’ll face or how I’ll feel afterwards. I put up a strong front yet inside I worry about all the uncertainties of it. It seems no one wants to discuss what it was like on them. But here I am, and I will. In my words tell you the way it is.

My treatment begins this Friday, with two more sessions next week and two the following week ending on the 20th. Five days short of Christmas and if successful the best gift I’ll ever receive.

More Ornaments:

And on the bright side, more ornaments arrived yesterday and today!

Shalome:

I couldn’t understand why Shalome had chosen a ‘Music’ symbol as an ornament. Neither of us appear to play an instrument. I was perplexed.

So much so, I had to ask. Afterall, when requesting someone choose an ornament, I said to make it something they enjoy (but i hadn’t seen this coming from her) or one that reminds them of ‘our’ relationship. There was no music there, either.

“u add music to all ur posts and I always enjoy it,” she said humbly. Then continued, “I wanted something that might be about ur blog… but… didn’t find anything. u said it should remind me of u right?”

I was in awe when I responded, “Definitely,” and added “The little things…I keep learning what people like. And deep inside it’s the smallest of things.”

“I think so. 😊,” Shalome concluded.

Anyone else and I doubt I’d put this out there, but with Shalome’s unusual name and the nature of my ‘Cancer Chronicles’ I think it’s fitting. Her name, she told me, came about as a symbol of ‘peace’ when “my parents thought I would bring peace to the family being the last child and the only girl.” What Shalome has brought me, is that same sense of peace by knowing that people do care enough to look inside them themselves to see the good others have to offer. Thank you, Shalome!

Noi:

I’m sure if someone had asked me to pick a date that I’d be informed about the beginning of my radiation treatment for cancer, I would’ve said the same day I receive Noi’s Christmas Card and Ornament would have been a great guess. But no one asked, yet they both happened, today. Why would I have said the same day, you ask, and what’s Noi have to do with it? Let me tell you a story. It’s not sad, but it is sweet, and it is unique.

Noi and I have been friends for five years now. The painting behind my Christmas Tree is of her creation and was a birthday gift a few years back and has hung in that very spot since I received it, highlighting my ‘Wall of Hats.’

This cancer battle had begun a year ago last month, when my primary doctor suggested I see a urologist after detecting elevated PsA levels during routine lab work up on my blood. Like most specialists it took over a month to see him. But after not conforming, to what I deemed as my standards, I sought out a second opinion.

A couple weeks later, I was scheduled for a biopsy, however that had to be put on hold after my ICD (defibrillator) alarm had gone off signifying a low battery level. Later to be shocked by the device as it discharged twice. Needless to say, my heart became the priority.

Noi’s messages began while I was hospitalized for the ICD changeout and continued through the cardiac ablation and cardioversion, during the ensuing weeks.

When asked about an ornament selection last month she informed me that she had already purchased one mid-summer to give me, as she knows I love ornaments!

Without further ado, here’s her choice of uplifting my spirits through treatment and this holiday season.

By choosing the ‘Jack Skellington and Zero’ ornament from A Nightmare Before Christmas, she stuck to form after sending me an ornament from the movie earlier this year.

Noi’s two ‘Nightmare’ ornaments hang next to one another on my tree. Curious though, Noi, am I Jack or Zero? Ahh, doesn’t matter they’re both showing signs of affection like we do. Thank you, my friend, love you forever!

Nadiia:

I jump forward a day, as it was getting late last night when I began this blog, to a second ornament that arrived yesterday. These are from Nadiia. Like Noi, she had purchased them on her own and sent me.

Nadiia, a Ukrainian, is here in the states due to the ongoing war between her native Ukraine and Russia. And before I go on, I’d like her to know that not only do I stand behind her country and its sovereignty, that I’m still interested in writing her story. It would be my honor!

Her struggles and losses are sad. But her ability to overcome them are admirable. Her stay in America has, also, been a struggle because of our government’s requirements. Yet she strives forward in hopes, like US, of a better day. A day of peace and happiness while only asking for that one opportunity to move ahead. I applaud you, my friend!

I was taken back by Nadiia’s kindness and generosity. She had mentioned early on she was ordering them and would latter send them to me. But had found getting them from Ukraine difficult because of the war and had gotten them from Poland, a mere 600 or so miles away from her homeland, instead.

As I sit here, unscripted, while I type, I find tears of joy flowing from my eyes knowing that someone in such a dire situation would extend this much love and friendship to me. These ornaments are priceless and will forever hold a special spot in my soul as will you, Nadiia! ‘Thank you!’

TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED:

I think of the friendship I lost earlier this year and I’m just going to say it. For what I’ve gained, since that loss, I’ve been rewarded tenfold in love. I’d give up 100 of them for one of you any day of the week. Not because of gifts and things we share in common, rather because of your kindness, love, friendship and sincerity that you bring to the table. There’s no chorography in your motives. It’s from your heart. You are like me in that respect, and I love you all for it.