Losses

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."

~ Helen Keller


Had news today that Rebecca Neander, a fellow participant at the Gawler Foundation course in October last year, has died. She had breast cancer with metastases and complications. She had a great sense of humour, was down to earth and contributed richly to the course. It is very sad.

We are in touch with many people now with cancer, so we get news of some that have not been able to overcome the disease. It is a reminder of many things that we as cancer patients and our carers experience. The fear about and the courage to overcome difficulties of the disease and the treatments. It doesn't seem to matter what treatment regime anyone chooses you can be guaranteed of suffering. Then there is the hope of recovery we all live with and strive towards. The disappointments along the way, either our own or fellow patients. The ups and downs of our physical well being and our mental and emotional states. The stakes we are playing for, life itself and quality of life. The joys of progress and the caring of friends and family. Our own personal growth and the richness and beauty of life accentuated. There are many ups and many downs and we somehow need to find the joy of life in amongst that, we cannot wait to get better for that. That is not always easy to do, yet for myself I am more upbeat and optimistic now than before I was diagnosed. Hearing other patients' stories is amazing. It invariably shows people's resilience, courage and wisdom that is brought out by the disease. Not that I would wish this disease on anyone but the cliche of the silver lining on the clouds does hold true.

On a day to day personal note it has been a bit up and down. I had one really good day where I swam 30 laps (300 meters) and then we went shopping all afternoon and I was still standing by 6 pm. Next day however I only managed 12 laps before getting out of breath. I am still having intermittent problems with gastritis and having to take percocet which causes some sleepiness and constipation. May need to start keeping a diary of food intake and see if it is triggered by anything in particular. Eating pretty low fat so don't think it is that. Have cut out dairy products except for some non fat yoghurt in the morning and will now cut out eggs again and see if that makes a difference.

Yesterday we had a fun afternoon. Firstly we went on the quads with Paula to the barn where she boards her horse. We watched her lunge Addison as she had some leg problems that needed gentle exercise. Roxy, one of the dogs, came with us and she rides on the front of the quad with Paula. She got in the enclosure with Paula and Addison to get a really close up view of the whole procedure, very cute. On the way we also met a neighbour who has a Clydesdale she was riding. What a magnificent horse. She also has a shetland and some normal size horses. We sometimes see them in the paddock together, looks very funny as they hang out together in at tight bunch.

Survive and thrive

Linda