April 6, 2006 - Day Two – One Half
Hour Treatment
Your thoughts have already had an impact on my
well being as I feel better today. As a matter of
fact I feel better than I have in a month. The power
of the collective story may empower all of us to
reach out to others more effectively. My grandmother
was noted for her folk wisdom and would always say:
“be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard
battle.” Everyone has been touched by cancer and
hard battles are being fought in family after
family. Thank you for sharing your story and as I
share mine I will be emboldened by your wisdom for
in your wisdom there is truth.
A good night sleep has been hard to come by of late.
I do not know if this is a by-product of lymphoma
cancer, but only getting one or two hours of sleep
at a time is debilitating and discouraging. Sleep is
a gift and many people as they age complain of a
variety of sleep related disorders. The good news is
that after only one chemo treatment I was able to
stay asleep for three hours in one block last night.
I asked the therapist this morning if there is any
chance of the treatment working this quickly, and
she said in some people the response is immediate.
The lymph system when swollen is discernable by
touch. The bumps on my neck and in my groin were
noticeable by sight. I always thought it was
probably just an infection. I was wrong and the
indicator light that glowed bright red was
discounted. However, I am hoping that a reduction in
the size and scope of the bump system will mean
sound sleep once again.
Today was an easy day at the doctors. A hug from
nurse Nellie and only a ½ hour drip encouraged Katy
and me to head to the sands of Santa Monica Beach.
Sun is great therapy and only 15-20 minutes a couple
times a week becomes a natural aid in healing. We
sat at waters edge. Water too is healing. Yes, a
healthy natural world is essential in long term
health from both a physical and psychological
perspective. And at this intersection is where I
would like to live for several months.
The intersection between the environment and cancer
is of great interest to me, and oddly has been
throughout my adult life because of my parents
cancers. Many of you have spoken of success stories,
great treatments, wonderful doctors and clinics, yet
not one has even mentioned why cancer occurred. How
come I got lymphoma at age 63? Was it diet, exposure
to some chemical, bad behavior, karma, heredity or a
combination of factors including environmental
causes?
Perhaps as time goes by we can put our collective
wisdom together with the work of molecular
biologists, oncologists, stem cell researchers, and
environmental specialists to find some answers.
I have been told that pesticides, herbicides, and
solvents are possible factors, but no one can sit me
down and say for sure why I got cancer.
All for today. Nap time. Back to the hospital
tomorrow and then work. Will pick up again on Monday
with excerpts from a book I wrote 11 years ago.
Back
to Week 1 |
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