In between

In between the doctor visits, the treatments, the surgery.....life goes on with a family. My only daughter is a Senior in high school. We have ordered graduation invitation, taken Senior pictures, filled out financial aid information, job shadowed a graphic designer(Thanks Ann Marie!), even purchased her prom dress! I adore this little girl, and the boys too, of course....This morning as we get ready for school, and I prepare to go to the hospital with Bruce, Morgan offered to come sit with me this afternoon with her father. Morgan is a gentle soul, a giving person. She works hard at Outback Steakhouse, she goes to school, & she is always willing to help out with her brothers. Her smile lights up a room, she has a very calm demeanor, and it is so comforting to have her in our family. She and the boys offered to go spend their day with Bruce yesterday, their school holiday was willingly spent in the hospital. God is Good. Today I am thanking Him for our children.

In between,
            the doctor visits,
                          the treatments,
                                          Bruce & I decided we are living life to the fullest,
                                                                   enjoying family & friends....
                                        some days that committment is harder than others.....


/Right now it is hard.

Joanne
               

I cannot remember the last time I had such a long and exhausting day. Bruce, myself and the kids watched all our favorite Wednesday shows last night and laughed...then we came here to MUSC around 530 with Gayle. It was such a long surgery, 8 hours of operating time. I love the way MUSC takes you into a private room to speak to the surgeon. He was sompatient, so kind. He removed the tumor which was tethered onto the colon, so it was more difficult than he anticipated. We will know more when the pathology results come back. Then we will know if he will need more chemotherapy. lymph nodes were removed. so now we are in the Ashley Tower. For those not local, it is a stat of the art facility with a view of the Ashley River. I can actually see the mouth of the tidal creek we live on from this window. that is a blessing to have a view. Pain is well controlled with narcotics and with an anesthesia block. the usual IV's, drains, oxygen....to be honest I feel right at home here at my old place of employment. I love taking care of post op patients, ESP Bruce. Thanks for all the help and prayers Joanne

I am not sure why we have this picture on our computer. I  am sure Bruce has a reason for it. I do know this; the RING represents a bond, a bond of shared adversity. It is a bond built by years of hardship and rigor at the Citadel. It is really not much different than a wedding ring. The wedding ring often represents a bond of shared adversity. I will be handed both rings on Thursday, when Bruce is wheeled into the operating room. He knows he can trust me to hold on to both rings, to cherish them, because I know what they represent. I know. We have a bond, one of shared adversity, one of shared triumphs as well. We have no doubts, no fear of the surgery. We have prayed and prepared. We have been loved and supported by many. I will be in the waiting room, with our beautiful children, as well as Bruce's family. We will be smiling, and we will be positive. We have faith and our journey has reached the pinacle of the staging of cancer: the removal of the tumor.


Thank you all for walking in faith with our family, for taking the time to read my thoughts and for your support. My wish is that we will all grow in faith and in knowledge of God's hand in cancer care and healing. I will continue to update during the hospital stay.

A special thank you to my own children. As I anticipate all that is ahead, I admitted to them yesterday that I know I will be short with them at times, I will get tired and irritable. Each of them told me they understand. Each asked what they could do to help, and offered to do whatever was needed. That is joy in the journey!
Joanne