Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Reflections....


UK - Oxon - Blenheim Palace Gates By Darrell Godliman

as we travel back & forth from home to the Texas Medical Center for
radiation treatments I have much time to reflect on, well, almost everything.

REK's driver is up front with him and I sit alone in the back with Rush Limbaugh's radio program running.  I do quite like Paul Ryan, btw.  

I think how far medical technology has advanced in the last 30-40-50 years 
and reflect that so much of it was because of NASA 
and their contractors, and now NASA is closing.

I think how fortunate we are to be in Houston with 
all the greatest cancer facilities 30 minutes away.

then I think our positive mind-set is a part of the treatment too.

& so is good nutrition, hydration, good sleep, and having no stress.

no stress.  
does anyone know how to accomplish this?

my patient receives the best care, has a household full of help so he is, in fact,
in assisted living :)'s

he's positive & so am I, so are his adult children

I am learning much about foods, the real values of eating a super high-protein diet,
that nothing can replace real cow's milk (even no fat milk, lactose-free milk, etc.)
because of the calcium & protein.

that radiation makes people really really tired as the treatments go on,
so the stressful thing for me is that I keep all stress from him, you know?

& a new medication for pain, a nasal spray, called
Lazanda, a fentenyl spray, super fast-acting in about 5 minutes, lasts up to
1 hour.  REK has bad back pain when he lies on the metal radiation table, it
is agonizing.  2 sprays of this new Rx takes ALL the pain away.
it is a miracle drug.

why Blenheim Palace's photo...
because it looks peaceful, a quiet place for reflection.
all in all I am doing OK.

take care of yourselves, my friends.
if you haven't before, begin today.
it makes a huge difference in your future.

love to you all....








Photobucket

28 comments:

  1. i am sending you a comforting hug...i do know just what you are going thru...daughter cancer/son heart transplant...and i do know out of these journeys comes much good. take care of the care taker...i like P.R also...fingers crossed

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  2. .... and a whole lot of love to you too ; take care !x

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  3. My dear friend. Your words are so poignant filled with love, comfort, pain, and hope. my thoughts are with you. When my mom underwent her cancer surgery, i stayed with her night and day and visited often while she went through 2 years of chemo. I just held her hand, talked, made her laugh, comforted my father. her private cancer center is amazing and they believe very strongly in nutrition and holistic medicine as well. My parents only eat fresh vegetables, organic milk and cheese, free range poultry, fish. Nutrition has actually taken my mom on a path of discovery and knowledge and took her mind of her constant pain. You need to take care of yourself, music,meditation, yoga, working with a healer are really great ways to reduce the stress. Unfortunately, how can you not be stressed when your loved one is suffering. sending much love your way, Francine

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  4. Marsha,dearest...........

    I hope you are realy better.
    Oh,my Godness....I wish ,I can being near you........

    LOVE,
    ***Violetta***

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  5. Thanks for good advice, Marsha! How sad to hear this! You have gone through enough, I think! I send comfort and hugs and wish you all the best!!!!

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  6. I haven't been here for a few days, so only now I read about what's going on with you - but, while I was reading your post I thought -
    this woman is as solid as a rock, her husband is a very lucky man for having her.

    Feel hugged, you're in my prayers.
    Xo
    Tereza

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  7. Hello Marsha

    You are doing a marvelous job. I have been in your shoes when sole caregiver for my sister.
    The radiation thereapy brings tiredness. You are doing all the right things by providing nourishing food. There came a point where my sister did not want to talk about her disease, she wanted people to bring her good news and good stories. This was very uplifting for all of us. There was also a time when she wanted to be useful and have some chores. She was a great sewer and we gave her orders for silk cushions.

    Keeping you and your family in my prayers

    Helen xx

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  8. Rough days for you and your loved one. Count me in the group of those who are so thankful for MD Anderson and the Medical Center. Sounds like you are the best caregiver one could hope for. Sending you a virtual hug of encouragement because it's tough to see one you love in pain... May his treatment be successful!

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  9. Marsha - Thinking of you, thinking of you, thinking of you.

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  10. Dear Dear Marsha - this is such a touching post - so beautifully written and so full of love and compassion and wisdom. I wish you and yours stress-free days, peace and reflective hours without pain and above all love and light. Beautiful photo too my Friend. Big hugs.
    F xx

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  11. Hi Marsha, yes I believe nutrition of both body, mind and soul is an important part of any cancer treatment. As a nutritionist I have done alot of work around cancer and food and shared this knowledge with some of my very close friends on their own cancer journey!

    My advice is go as natural as you possibly can, stay with wholefoods not processed, go organic where possibe, include raw as well as lightly steamed or a quick stirfry do not over cook. Remove all sugar from the diet.

    A body trying to cope with cancer and radiation or chemo needs to be nourished easily and effortlessly so that it can spend as little time on digestion (absorbing of nutrients) and as much time as it can on repair. The bulk of REK's diets should be vegetables and fruit (juicing is an excellent idea) , raw nuts/seeds, variety of legumes, ancient and whole grains like quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, good essentails oils such as cold pressed olive oil and organic coconut oil.

    In terms of animal products - personally I would avoid them for the duration of treatment, but if not, then quality oily and deep sea fish like salmon, tuna, organic chicken and only very small amounts of lean red meat ( in that order of preference) Regarding Dairy products - I would also remove, but if that is not your choice then yes go raw organic milk/yoghurts that you can find in quality health food shops. Stay away from all things supemarket!!

    RE Nourishment of the mind for you both as the other comments say meditation, quiet times, reflection, hugs and lots of love all help.

    xx

    Lots of love sent from the other side of the world!

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  12. Marsha, I am just seeing this now and am sending so much love and strength to you and REK. I know that a positive attitude is key and Caroline's suggestions above are amazing...You both will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

    xo,
    Heather

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  13. I don't have to tell you to be strong; you are strong. I am sending all positive thoughts your way.
    XO Victoria

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  14. Marsha Dear, He is so lucky you are there with him. I went through it alone, except for my Dog.
    It's a long hard road and state of mind is
    everything. Warm wishes and hugs -
    Yvonne

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  15. My dear friend,

    ´´ Wherever you are I pray love be with you. Wherever you go, I pray goodness to surround you. Whatever you do, I pray joy to fill your heart because you deserve every good gift a wonderful life can hold. ´´


    Sending Love,
    ***Violetta***

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  16. Oh Marsha,

    I am sorry I missed this.First let me say that you and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers and in my prayer group. What a blessing for REK to have you come along with him daily for his treatments. I am sure that knowing you are there is a great source of strength for him.

    You are so right, a good diet, and good overall health as in exercise of the body and mind is what will make the journey to recovery so much better. You must also Marsha, take care of yourself! Make sure to nourish both mind, body and soul of the caregiver!

    Take care, prayers and hugs to you, Elizabeth

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  17. Thinking of you Marsha, your family are in my prayers.

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  18. Thinking of you and your family Marsha as you go through this difficult time. Know that you are held up in daily prayer.

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  19. Fentanyl is a powerful opiod, it is available in a patch as well (duragesic) which is used in palliative pain relief as it lasts much longer. This is not an easy thing to deal with, much love sent your way xx

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  20. Oh Marsha, what a shock but I'm sure Rek will do well, he has MARSHA by his side, and loads of people praying for him.
    Lots of love to you both.
    bee x

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  21. Sending love and big hugs your way. Houston is one of the finest cities in the country. You are blessed to live nearby.
    Sam

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  22. my thoughts are with you and your family.

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  23. So many wonderful thoughts and prayers have been expressed by all of your friends here... may I add my own as well...

    ~Terri~

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  24. So many wonderful thoughts and prayers have been expressed by all of your friends here... may I add my own as well...

    ~Terri~

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  25. I have tried to answer your comments via email to each one of you individually, however, I may have missed someone...and I would like all of you to know how you have touched my heart with this messages filled with hope, understanding, advice and love. Mostly love.
    I love you too. All of you. And, I cherish your words, they are held in my heart.
    Thank you so much.

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  26. marsha my heart goes out to you and your family. I know how difficult this road you are traveling can be. Take care of yourself too!! Sending a great big California hug,
    xo Kathysue

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  27. Dearest Marsha, I didn't realise you and your beloved are going through such trials, I wish I was near enough to give you the biggest hug. You are such a strong and kind person how lucky your husband is to have found you. Thank goodness that you are so near a Centre of Excellence and what a God-send Fentanyl must be for him. I do hope that your girl-friends close-by to you are making sure you too look after yourself and giving you lots of love! We your friends here, surely send you our prayers and our thoughts wholeheartedly.
    'Imagine'

    Imagine, for a moment,
    that peace befell the land,
    that all of humankind reached out
    and held each other's hand.

    Imagine, for an instant,
    the touch of skin to skin
    proved so powerful a feeling
    every nation felt like kin.

    Imagine, for a second,
    love possessed the honest soul
    of each citizen on the planet
    and the world was truly whole.

    Imagine, for a heartbeat,
    how quickly hatred would dissolve
    and compassion rise up gallantly
    with blazing-strong resolve.

    Imagine, in your lifetime,
    this chain of hope began
    and the link at its inception
    was your firm, extended hand.

    Imagine....

    Author unknown

    Hugs xxxx
    Jane

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  28. Dear Marsha, you are a beautiful and intelligent and compassionate lady....yes lady! I can tell from following along here for some time, your older posts and now this....my heart reaches out to you. I truly believe God gives us only as much as we can handle, for a reason, to be revealed to us after the burden.. N.xo

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