One year ago today, 3 stupid little words changed our lives forever.
You have cancer.
We didn’t even really know what that meant. There is no good kind of cancer, but we really didn’t know what to expect. We understood that it would be tough, but like any journey, you don’t really know what you are in for until you go down the path.
Now is a great opportunity for me to be down and talk about how horrible the past year has been, but we were reflecting on it over the weekend. In the past year, while being sick sucks, we’ve done more than most people and are insanely grateful for it all.
It’s been hard at times, depressing at times, frustrating at times and just sad a lot. In short, it has been long. 365 days doesn’t seem that long, but this past year kind of drug on. For me, the biggest challenge is to consistently watch someone you love be so sick.
For Holly, less than being sick, is just how much cancer has taken from her. Time from her family, time from her friends, fun nights out, cool day trips. The little things that most of us take for granted are so dependent on her health. It just sucks.
It’s been a long year, but we are confident that 2008 will be better. We are confident that her health will be better than it was pre-diagnosis. We know that it will take a lot of time, but we are confident that, like so many other people, we will prevail against this.
Good luck for 2008. I hope it’s better than ‘07 for all of us.
Ditto Derek and way to reach an important milestone.
WORD.
Few understand that when cancer moves into a home it becomes like the big elephant sitting in your living room. Some days we are able to ignore it, other days you try to push it out the door, and some days we accept that it is what it is and we may have to work around it for a time. One thing is for sure, we are forever changed by the experience. My father was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer when I was 13 and ultimately lost the fight when I was 18. The whole experience changed me forever. I am 47 now, and still make sure I tell every one I care about that I love them every time I see them. I treat my life as if every day is a glorious day to be alive, because my father once fought a gallant, tough fight to stay in it. Some might say I was given a great gift. My father’s cancer came at a time in the 70’s when we knew too little about cancer. Now, with the amazing treatments, and inspirational people who have been cured (like Louise Hays), you can have all the hope and faith that you will clear your home of that elephant. I said a prayer for your wife today and wish you and your family great love, health, happiness and many, many, many more sunrises and sunsets.
Sincerely,
Catherine, the redhead
http://www.aweekinthelifeofaredhead.com
My 3 words are I LOVE YOU. It’s been a very tough year for all of you and all of us. I sincerely believe that anyone who has ever even just said Hello to Holly has been touched by her love and caring nature. Clearly it’s been the year from hell, but 2008 is here now and, as we have done before, we’ll continue to go one day at a time, but I feel the 2008 days are going to be much better than those of 2007.
You are a strong family who have touched so many people. I love you all and am so very proud of the love you have for each other and for your children, the fighting spirit you have both shown, and the sharing you have done through this website. I love you all, MOM
2008 is already a better year and we are going to look forward to a healthy prognosis.