It has been a rough week. Two of Holly’s closest friends lost relatives to various forms of cancer. I’ve been following the saga of Randy Pausch and I can barely bring myself to read about Leroy Sievers any more.
Holly had her 6th oxciliplatin treatment today and it crushed her. Not a whole lot of fun, but we finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like December 17th, the day before her birthday, will be her last treatment. Oddly, she started treatment on the day before our sons birthday back in February, so I’m sure that there is a weird cycle there that, were I feeling more philosophical, I’d probably write about.
I haven’t really been writing too much lately because Holly has been feeling crappy and that song and dance gets old. There are only so many ways to write about the side effects of chemotherapy without sounding like a broken record (or disgusting). With 2 more treatments in our future, and hopefully being done with this disease for the rest of our lives, I’m not really sure what we are going to do with this site once she is finished. Of course, I’ll leave it up, it seems like it has helped a lot of people out, for which I’m really thankful. Hopefully, it will continue to do so in the future. I’ve been thinking of writing a book (and giving it away a’la Seth Godin) on dealing with cancer from a spouses point of view.
I’m really not sure. Obviously, I look at this as a great problem to have. Holly’s well, not a whole lot to write about. Like Scott & Beth suggested, I should make it a goal to get to 100% search traffic. That way, you are healthy and you are helping others. I just feel like there should be some sort of formal closure to it all.
I think you should leave up the site and continue to add to it, showing that the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t go out, but gets brighter and happier. Encouragement is the key here and if you can spread that, you’ve done more than anyone can ask. Holly has been a true inspiration to other cancer patients, and you, Scott, have been a rock for many spouses. Don’t stop because the disease has stopped. You are far too talented and need to let others know that they too, can go on with life.
As far as what to do after Holly’s final treatment, I again offer to come out and stay with the kids so the two of you can get some very well deserved R&R, alone and uninterupted. I love you all, MOM
Yes, Scott, PLEASE leave the site up. It has been a help to me during Bob’s recent quadruple bypass, reminding me of how far we have come. I think there is a temptation, understandably, to forget the darkest days and to let parts of the journey be a blur. But if you do that, you lose the triumph of being able to say: “Hey, we made it through that …look at how strong we are as a family, as individuals, as human beings.”
Plus, you just happen to be a terrific writer. I’ve never met Holly and I feel as if I could sit down with her over a cup of green tea and instantly chat like old friends. Much of this is because of your authenticity in describing the everyday details of your world.
And please see if there is a Cancer Journeys group at your hospital. It has been a huge help for Bob.
Cheers to all … I will note December 17th on my calendar.
This has been a great site to follow your (you and Holly) journey during Cancer diagnosis and treatment. You should keep up the site and continue to update as there will be a lot to share post treatment….life changes after treatment for both of you (not in a bad way, just different) so I am sure you will need the outlet.
LIVESTRONG!
I for one would love to keep reading the happy parts of life after cancer for all of you.
Besides, I just gave you a blog award so you HAVE to stay you guys! ;)
http://lifewithheathens.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-heart-wonder-woman.html