Feb 2nd, 2010
The Last One
It seemed kind of anti-climatic, the last chemo. When the nurse came to remove the pump I was ecstatic, but mostly for being able to shower. The effects of the chemo where still very real. Even now I suffer from the effects of one of my treatments that ended weeks ago. My oncologist, God bless him (no really), says it could take twelve to eighteen months for the effects to go away, or they may be permanent. I hope not. The sensitivity to cold, tingling and pain in fingers and toes and loss of balance are a bit much. I am told by some that I appear drunk when I walk. Which causes me to reflect on the possibility of going out for a pint for lunch from time to time. There are after all, a few bars within walking distance from my house. My fear of course would be that they would observe my approach and refuse to serve me, citing fears of over-consumption.
Well, that is as much humor I can manage, given my current circumstance. I have a brief recovery (a month or two), the reversal of my ostemy, a bit more recovery from that and then life can begin to move on. Unemployment has run out for Sally, mine will soon, but we have my retirement funds to live off while we decide what we do next. For you praying types, pray that we might figure out what next is pretty quick. We have no clue.
Given today is my fiftieth birthday, I have had cause to reflect and I might say I am happy for the life I have lived, even the part with cancer. God willing I will be around for a bit more and very soon look forward to seeing many family members and friends, some of whom I have not seen in ages. I have such fond memories of growing up. Hopefully I will find out soon what I want to be when I do grow up, not that I feel particularly old, but I feel time might run out and the decision will be made for me. I might end up as a programmer or something like that instead of a fireman or an airplane pilot. I think I would make an excellent garbage man, hanging onto the back of the truck, the envy of all who see me work!
Happy 50th, Rick… I am so glad that God brought you into our lives (so very long ago)! May He bless you with many, many more years; years that you will live richly and for His glory. You have the chance for a brand new start at this point, and I am praying along with you that He will guide your steps…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding… in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Prob. 3:5-6
Happy birthday, my friend– many blessings to you this day!
you’d be a great garbage man, that is until you stepped off the back of the truck and fell to the ground because you couldn’t feel your feet. =) just joking… seriously, you’d be great, you’d make us all so proud! happy birthday you old man. I love you and will see you in a few hours!
glad to here your chemo is over it should be more than anticlimatic at the very least dance with sally in the shower while playing your favorite song praying for your continued recovery its a long road for which youve journeyed and just like the footprints in the sand the lord has been with you the whole way and will stay by you through your recovery and reversal glad to here youve gotten a handle on the ostomy/stoma thing it can be messy believe me sometimes i felt like i was putting on a clown show for my patients dealing with those appliances and leaks and then trying to reassure them they can do this at home im sure they were thinking yeah right the nurse cant even handle the mess hehe but we learn im doing some training for wound care and ostomy specialty at work learned alot keep up the spirits think of all the people youve met on this journey and lives youve touched and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! Bev and Tim
Hi Rick, I found you on facebook. Thanks for being my friend. I get so excited when someone accepts me! (I don’t handle rejection well).
Glad to hear the chemo has come to it’s conclusion. I’ve prayed you along. Well, I won’t spew scripture at you (Christians who feel like crap don’t need other Christians preaching to the choir!) I’ll just wish you a happy birthday and advise you to do something to make yourself smile once before you go to sleep tonight. Love and prayers to you and yours.
Karen (:
I think you should become a writer when you grow up. You and Sally should travel the world and write about your adventures. I am sure you would have us all in stitches. If you haven’t read any of Bill Bryson books you should your humor on life is similar.
We are finalizing our summer plans and It looks like we are going to the Jersey shore this July instead of Hawaii (wouldn’t that be your second choice!). So if you are up to it, the Petrone’s along with Toodie will be stopping in for a visit.
Happy birthday Rick and many many many more!!
Hey Rick,
A belated Happy Birthday to you and I’m glad that you’re done chemo and I’ll pray for a reversal of the side effects. Why are side effects never something good like more toned muscles, perfect pitch, or a photographic memory?
As for what I want to be when I grow up (I just turned 47 and 50 doesn’t seem all that old now)…I want to be a barista at Starbucks or a bartender at a wine/martini bar. If I pick the latter I’ll serve you when you stumble into the joint.