"Bummer for sure- we are still in treatment but things are looking better for us. The number 1 rule is to be FLEXIBLE! There are so many factors to consider like treatment, lab work, tests, paperwork, ect that it is very unlikely that you will be able to plan out the next few months. Take it day by day, and sometimes hour by hour. Your fiancee may feel good in the a.m. and bad in the p.m. or vice versa, just stay flexible and know that it will get better eventually. Also, get used to hospital visits and long waits, it'll happen. Another thing I learned is to take any news about her condition from the docs with a grain of salt as it may be subject to change or may be wrong altogether. We have received updates on Heathers condition that have changed several times as other tests are done and new information is reviewed. So yeah, stay flexible and don't expect concrete answers, there's always another test to do. Oh yeah, when all is said and done, how do you want to remember how you handled the stress and experience of having cancer? You guys will still fight and argue some, that's normal, but still try to remember that when times are tough and stress is high. Let me know how things go."Sunday, June 10, 2012
From One Marine to Another
I'm no cancer survivor expert, but I offered my experiences to a friend of mine with whom I served with in the Marines, he recently wrote me after his fiancee was diagnosed with cancer. Maybe this will be a small bit of help to someone out there.
"Bummer for sure- we are still in treatment but things are looking better for us. The number 1 rule is to be FLEXIBLE! There are so many factors to consider like treatment, lab work, tests, paperwork, ect that it is very unlikely that you will be able to plan out the next few months. Take it day by day, and sometimes hour by hour. Your fiancee may feel good in the a.m. and bad in the p.m. or vice versa, just stay flexible and know that it will get better eventually. Also, get used to hospital visits and long waits, it'll happen. Another thing I learned is to take any news about her condition from the docs with a grain of salt as it may be subject to change or may be wrong altogether. We have received updates on Heathers condition that have changed several times as other tests are done and new information is reviewed. So yeah, stay flexible and don't expect concrete answers, there's always another test to do. Oh yeah, when all is said and done, how do you want to remember how you handled the stress and experience of having cancer? You guys will still fight and argue some, that's normal, but still try to remember that when times are tough and stress is high. Let me know how things go."
"Bummer for sure- we are still in treatment but things are looking better for us. The number 1 rule is to be FLEXIBLE! There are so many factors to consider like treatment, lab work, tests, paperwork, ect that it is very unlikely that you will be able to plan out the next few months. Take it day by day, and sometimes hour by hour. Your fiancee may feel good in the a.m. and bad in the p.m. or vice versa, just stay flexible and know that it will get better eventually. Also, get used to hospital visits and long waits, it'll happen. Another thing I learned is to take any news about her condition from the docs with a grain of salt as it may be subject to change or may be wrong altogether. We have received updates on Heathers condition that have changed several times as other tests are done and new information is reviewed. So yeah, stay flexible and don't expect concrete answers, there's always another test to do. Oh yeah, when all is said and done, how do you want to remember how you handled the stress and experience of having cancer? You guys will still fight and argue some, that's normal, but still try to remember that when times are tough and stress is high. Let me know how things go."
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Great advice. Well spoken. Heart felt.
ReplyDeleteI bet sometimes it's difficult to heed your own advice, being in the moment...thankfully you have wise words here, to reflect on, and remember how much about functioning through this season in your lives. ;) Be blessed. Both...all of you. ;)