today we had another first - i went for my first run/walk since the diagnosis. it felt great!!! we also had our interim meeting with the doctor and although we had a bumpier first week this cycle he was excited to report that my blood work was looking great and i also weighed more yesterday than at any point since the initial diagnosis. it gives me great confidence that even though i didn't eat much at all for 5 days, my metabolism knows how to play catch up. i ate over 4000 calories last friday and thanks to my perceptive wife they were all small meals instead of 1 large stomach ache. my appetite has subsided some (i'm down to 5 meals) but my energy level remains really high. i have been corresponding with mike fuller, a former safety in the nfl who had lymphoma 25 years ago, and he has written alot about his time spent in this valley. he said something so powerful i had to share it -
"I can remember the most intimate times of my 32 years of marriage was when I was pumped up on prednisone and as grey skinned and bald as an eagle. God is so awesome if we only make our selves available to Him."
i couldn't agree more - i didn't know what living was until i gave over control (that which i thought i had) of what tomorrow will bring, because we only have today. i've never smiled bigger than during the 2 weeks i am recovering each cycle and the fact that it is already day 14 says alot about how time flies. this will not be 6 cycles of torture but rather a handful days that i battle nausea and the rest of the time spent feeding my mind, body, and soul.
i want to thank uncle paul and aunt christine who sent me a book of inspirational quotes - jen and i were both taken by this one from helen keller -
"although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."
we're about to tear another page on the calendar and sooner than we think this treatment process will be another dot on the timeline - i don't expect to be able to explain the meaning of life when i'm done, but then again the point might just be - who cares, let's just enjoy today.
7 comments:
Sorry, just catching up with the comments. I want to thank everyone for their positive mo jo for the marathon.
I knew that my time was going to Bryan every 5000 meters i ran (via email). It was the weirdest thing, but i honestly felt like i was running with you Bry.
Every time i passed 5000 meters, i would calculate my time and try to think exactly what Bryan was thinking. 'Whoa, a little too fast for that one' or 'What are you pulling a shed?' for the last couple.
Pulling a shed is better than pulling me through 26 miles of the NYC marathon in '04.
Another good report, Bry--keep it going.
If you're wathcing the Yankee game tomorrow night, look for Kate and I along the 3rd base line.
I think it depends on the shed, Ben.
Great report Bry. It's great reading that your spirits are up and you're fighting this beast head on.
Adam, congrats on the run. Don't you know marathons are bad for you?
Benny, I think I saw you at the game. It looked like you were staring at A-Rod a little too lovingly. You should tone that down the next time you're there.
Tom, seeing your picture on myspace makes me giggle like a little girl at work. Thanks for that.
Bry, tell Jen and the fam I said hi. One of these weekends Court and I are going to hang out, and I'll put her in a headlock for you.
Hi Bry & Jen,
Hope you both enjoy the weekend as you get ready to place #2 on the "Big Board". A few tough days in the early part of treatment #2 but you have bounced back stronger than ever.
Thank you both for sharing your home and letting me be part of the recovery. I felt blessed to have a whole week where I could look my boy in the eye and see all that strength. I thank Jen for letting me be a partner in crime as we learned what worked best for Bry each day. Hey, trial and error has its merits.
The greatest source of confidence was Barbara - - always immediately available for guidance (medical and otherwise) - - and Courtney for all the encouragement. It was comforting having you both just phone call away.
Also, congratulations to Adam on a great race at the Boston Marathon. It was a pleasure to focus on your progress that day. Believe me, it helped us all.
Love, Dad / Ter
Okay Bryan, if you're out running then I guess I better get out there too. Boston 2009 here we come, maybe we can even drag your father along for the run.
I actually saw you and Jen running up the hill on Euclid the other day. Having scaled that hill many times myself (most recently this morning in fact)it is truly a testament to your ability to overcome adversity. I would have stopped to say hi but you looked like you were in the zone and I had a baby in the car that was hungry and not too happy about being strapped to a car seat to go house hunting all afternoon. Talk to you later.
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