Our New Journey

On June 9th, 2011, my husband was feeling ill. He said that he was dehydrated and needed to go to the hospital for fluids. I mentioned to the nurses that I was concerned because he had seemed a little different over the past week. After a few tests, it was revealed that a tumor had taken up residence in his brain. A biopsy soon followed. As the surgeon talked about the results of the biopsy, the dreadful word "cancer" was born into our lives, changing it forever.

Through this blog, I shared the early years of this journey.

Several years later, I'm elated to report that he is doing very well, back to work and life. Seeing him now, you would never know that he has been through such a battle.

Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers.

-Gilly

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Love is More Powerful than Cancer

Joe and I just got back from a musical show that I call the "Bob and Steve Show." For the last couple of years the two of them have put together a show twice a year telling a story about love through comedy and music. It's the two of them and they are incredibly entertaining. As I was sitting through tonight's show, I was really reminded of the power of love.

During the show, one of the messages that became really clear to me is the importance of prioritizing one's life to give time needed and deserved to those we love.

It made me think of our journey. Although Joe is battling cancer, our love is more important and stronger than that cancer. It is easy to focus on appointment after appointment. It's easy to make a checklist for the week and follow it. There always seems to be so much that needs to be managed and done.

While all of that is important, I have found that it is even more important to take time to simply enjoy each other. It is easy to get into a routine of going through life especially when there is so much to be done.

The show tonight reminded me how important it is to take time to go for walks and do things together, and most importantly to simply BE together. While cancer has complicated our lives, it does not have the power to take all of our lives. It is so easy to let cancer feel more powerful than it is because it can take away so much physically. Cancer can be a good liar, saying that it is the most important thing. In reality, love is so much more powerful and important. Letting love take over your life, setting that which you love as priority, can set you up for a much more fulfilling life.

Thank you Bob and Steve for a great show and a wonderful reminder.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Joe update: Joe is still doing well. He will have another MRI scheduled this month and an appointment with the neuro-oncologist at the end of the month. We are hoping for continued answer to prayers. We are still trying to figure our problems with his blood pressure. He had high blood pressure before the cancer, and to avoid complications with other medications, had to change blood pressure medications. In addition, one of the treatments that he receives is notorious for raising blood pressure. When he went to get his chemo on Tuesday, his blood pressure was too high. He was able to get the chemo today, but his blood pressure was still a bit high. He has an appointment on Monday with his primary care doctor to help figure out a better solution.