Friday, September 23, 2011

One Day at a Time...

I haven't divulged much of this nature in this forum, but my family and some friends know that this treatment is wearing on me. In the first set of chemo this spring, I was able to continue life in a pretty normal and positive manner. Now, fatigue and other side effects makes this much harder for me. I know it is just fatigue, and I should be thankful that the side effects are not as severe as other cancers, but I seem to find the fatigue especially difficult. In each round the fatigue will be greater and the recovery slower. BTW, when I say fatigue I mean 3+ days in bed, stumbling out to get food, and collapsing back in bed again.

I have no control of what my body is doing nor the end result of my treatment. The only thing I can control is my reaction and attitude, and in this I struggle. Yet "it is what it is"- I cannot change it and the treatment must and will continue.

So from where should I draw patience and perseverance? Foremost I believe that I must take to heart the phrase "One Day at a Time".

(in no particular order)
  • Hold tight through the fatigue and DONT trust negative emotions during this time
  • Know that the fatigue does lift and it will end when the chemo ends
  • Ditto with almost all of the side effects, including nausea
  • Resume active living whenever possible
  • Lean on family & friends
  • Pray for peace, acceptance, healing
  • Recognize the great progress made and the continued healing
  • Count down the sessions, and celebrate each milestone

8 comments:

  1. I'm with you on this journey Jim. So sorry it's as bad as it is. Thank God for the amazing response you've had to the treatments. Love you, Joan

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  2. Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!
    Don't let go and don't give up. You are stronger than you feel. You are braver than you think.
    If only I could pour more strength and staminia and energy into your veins.
    I love you dear brother
    Helen

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  3. Jim,
    Thank you for sharing your heart with us. After reading your latest blog post I was led to the following scripture verse.

    "be encouraged; be at peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" 2 Corinthians, 13:11

    Your strength is an encouragement to all of us.

    I am praying for your strength to continue.

    Pat.

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  4. Remember your "Happens in a blink" video..some truisms:a) Pain is temporary. b)A Person who has a WHY to live can bear almost any how. c)I will never stop fighting forward. Jimmy you are fighting forward,even under the crushing exhaustion you continue to live life to the fullest.

    You have much to live for. You have a beautiful family that love and adore you. You are their hero!!

    Pain is temporary. You are right to not trust you feelings right now because that is the pain and exhaustion talking. The truth is the treatment is working well. It is the life giving poison.

    We are still all behind you, back filling your life with prayer and praying for God's peace.

    love you and you are my hero too!!

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  5. Jim, could you relax into the fatigue, just surrender to it. Your body has its own wisdom and its clearly telling you to sleep post-chemo!

    Despair and depression often like to speak when we are tired. Ignore that voice! It is not a true message.

    Know that we are there in spirit, surrounding you with love and support.

    I love you immensely.

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  6. Chemo sucks dude! No ifs, ands or buts.

    Ditto to what Laura says. Over here we're still a-prayin'. Hope you had a really fun time over the weekend :)

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  7. Dear Jim, don't loose faith in the Lord and in the system. We are with you, without words, but with you every moment. Our prayers are with you, our candle still shines everyday to the Lord our Savior! Remember, your family needs you and... what a lovely one you have! Your mind have to be stronger then your problem. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and HE will be there for you. Dear Jim, we are with you in spirit praying for you, loving you and supporting you every step of the way. Here is a meaningful prayer:

    "DEAR LORD, please take my hand today! Lead me. In fact LORD, please carry me every day because I am so weak. You are so strong. You have told me to come to You when I am weary and heavy laden and You will give me rest. Here I am Lord...begging the great I AM to cure my life. Increase my Faith. Make me Bold. Give me Strength to trust again. Give me Peace and Courage to fight LORD. In Your Blessed Hands is my life. Have Mercy Oh LORD! In Your name I pray, Amen!

    We love you Jim with all our hearts.
    Virgília

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  8. Some of us don't have much of a résumé when it comes to religion, but if constant concern and daily thoughts and endless good wishes were prayers, then you would have to make extra room for all the angels around you.

    In your corner. And patiently waiting for you to get better and show me how to REALLY ride a bike.

    -Chris

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