Comments on: Day 2 of Chemo http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/ Open Source, Cloud, Scotch, Baseball, Family, and Programming since the 1900's Tue, 08 May 2012 05:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Dan http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-374 Dan Fri, 05 Aug 2005 16:11:01 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-374 E., I've been following your blog since you posted the address on the SDABL site. Thanks for keeping us all informed - great job on the site, BTW, it has been quite an education. I really didn't understand all the medical terms, I had to put it into baseball cliches to really get a handle on what you are going through, something like... Big E. steps to the plate. He hasn't seen this big, nasty, pitcher before. First Pitch, he gets knocked down by some chin music. Second pitch, a swing and a miss on a hard slider. Next pitch, E. takes a massive cut at a knuckler... it's not looking too good for Big E. Nasty goes for the jugular with a hard curveball that starts out over the plate but winds up in the dirt. E. doesn't bite, he's seeing the ball now. He fouls the next couple of pitches, just misses the left field pole on one... he's got this guy figured now... it's just a matter of time. When you knock the next one out of the park, kid, don't forget to "touch em all." The stands will be full of admiring fans and we'll all be on our feet clapping for you. E.,

I’ve been following your blog since you posted the address on the SDABL site. Thanks for keeping us all informed – great job on the site, BTW, it has been quite an education. I really didn’t understand all the medical terms, I had to put it into baseball cliches to really get a handle on what you are going through, something like…

Big E. steps to the plate. He hasn’t seen this big, nasty, pitcher before. First Pitch, he gets knocked down by some chin music. Second pitch, a swing and a miss on a hard slider. Next pitch, E. takes a massive cut at a knuckler… it’s not looking too good for Big E. Nasty goes for the jugular with a hard curveball that starts out over the plate but winds up in the dirt. E. doesn’t bite, he’s seeing the ball now. He fouls the next couple of pitches, just misses the left field pole on one… he’s got this guy figured now… it’s just a matter of time.

When you knock the next one out of the park, kid, don’t forget to “touch em all.” The stands will be full of admiring fans and we’ll all be on our feet clapping for you.

]]> By: Stephanie Smith http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-373 Stephanie Smith Fri, 05 Aug 2005 14:42:23 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-373 Wow,after reading Hilda's comment,we should all learn a few things.I believe that if I had to walk in your shoes I would put my faith in my Dr's recommendations.Most of us will walk in your shoes one day and I hope to have the emotional strength you have provided all of us.Keep your chin up and know that you will look back on this one day and say to yourself,"now I know I can make it through anything."Love,Stephanie Wow,after reading Hilda’s comment,we should all learn a few things.I believe that if I had to walk in your shoes I would put my faith in my Dr’s recommendations.Most of us will walk in your shoes one day and I hope to have the emotional strength you have provided all of us.Keep your chin up and know that you will look back on this one day and say to yourself,”now I know I can make it through anything.”Love,Stephanie

]]> By: Nancy's Husband http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-372 Nancy's Husband Fri, 05 Aug 2005 10:34:26 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-372 The road to recovery is filled with pot holes and side tracks. And, it is times like these that one learns the true meaning of patience. Patience is something that is learned one hour at a time, and tested one day at a time. Its sad there is no maps to give you a smooth passage between sickness and health, which is why there is hope. May your dreams give you hope, and your your family give you love, because there will be moments that you will need reminding of this, and thats what friends are for. Feel loved. Have Hope. Get well. The road to recovery is filled with pot holes and side tracks. And, it is times like these that one learns the true meaning of patience. Patience is something that is learned one hour at a time, and tested one day at a time. Its sad there is no maps to give you a smooth passage between sickness and health, which is why there is hope. May your dreams give you hope, and your your family give you love, because there will be moments that you will need reminding of this, and thats what friends are for. Feel loved. Have Hope. Get well.

]]> By: Anna http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-371 Anna Thu, 04 Aug 2005 14:28:36 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-371 E.... I have to say you've gotten very deep in your old age of 36... it's nice to see that your are reflecting on everything and making good of it all.... Bek will be Bek and you will be you.... remember faith, religion and God's word are all different things.... find your own truth... listen to what God puts in your heart.... things happen for a reason.... and these life changing things that happen are out of our control.... but God knows why and in the end He will show you why... just keeping on giving thanks in the good and the bad.... and love Bek with all your heart.... something like this can either make or break a marriage... it's looks to me that this has made you all much closer... Bek is a champ.... take care and I look forward to reading what else is going on with you... besos Anna E…. I have to say you’ve gotten very deep in your old age of 36… it’s nice to see that your are reflecting on everything and making good of it all…. Bek will be Bek and you will be you…. remember faith, religion and God’s word are all different things…. find your own truth… listen to what God puts in your heart…. things happen for a reason…. and these life changing things that happen are out of our control…. but God knows why and in the end He will show you why… just keeping on giving thanks in the good and the bad…. and love Bek with all your heart…. something like this can either make or break a marriage… it’s looks to me that this has made you all much closer… Bek is a champ….

take care and I look forward to reading what else is going on with you…

besos
Anna

]]> By: Andy http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-370 Andy Thu, 04 Aug 2005 04:32:13 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-370 Hey Buddy Hang in there..glad you got a PSP...too bad i can't get games for ya anymore. I look forward to getting back out on the ballfield with you soon! Just wanted to check in with you. I'm keepin positive thoughts and lots of prayers! Talk to ya soon E Andy Hey Buddy

Hang in there..glad you got a PSP…too bad i can’t get games for ya anymore. I look forward to getting back out on the ballfield with you soon!
Just wanted to check in with you. I’m keepin positive thoughts and lots of prayers! Talk to ya soon E

Andy

]]> By: Hilda Hrechun http://www.shocm.com/2005/08/day-2-of-chemo/comment-page-1/#comment-369 Hilda Hrechun Wed, 03 Aug 2005 23:28:47 +0000 http://www.vanjohnson.com/?p=54#comment-369 Hi Eric Hang in there you are tougher than any little whigged out cancer cell! To chemo or not to chemo....Hmmmm....it can be a tough decison. We have all heard the horror stories...the cure is worse than the diease, etc, etc. All I can say. I have a friend. Around ten years ago, diagnosed with breast cancer. Underwent surgery, under went chemo, lost her hair, felt like crap. But did not give up or give in, slogged through it one day at a time. Keep in mind at the same time she was dealing with a small growing family and trying to work a full time job. (Yikes!) Well, she fought it, out witted and out lasted and became a survivor (the most desirable kind!) Got on with her life. Decided to change a few things. A few years later her "friend" returned. Well back to more surgery and more chemo. Yes, once again the hats and head scarves got a workout. Again she refused to give in or give up and dealt with it one day at a time. Got through that one and again decided to change just a few more things in her life. Well once again, just last year, yes it again came back. More surgery (total mastectomy this time) and yet more chemo. Got through that one. And yes once again change some things in her life. Today I am proud to say that my friend Robin dealt with these obstacles that were thrown at her, overcame them and grew from the experience. She went from a high school drop out to just this past spring graduated from college (working full time and going to school part time at the same time she was dealing with the bouts of cancer, surgery and chemo) and is now activley pursuing a masters. Robin is my hero! She rocks. She is one of the most totally grounded individuals that I know. Why did this happen to her? Who knows? Did she do anything to deserve this, I don't know , I certainly am in no position to make any kind of judgement. I do think that what helped her the most was her sense of purpose and the fact that as each setback occured, she just set herself a goal that she just had to overcome the illness to attian the goal (get the GED, get the AA degree, get the BA degree). I guess what I am saying is that it sounds like your head is in the right place. Try not to focus on the illness. It is mearly a hindrance to what and where you want to be right now. Focus only on the goal, on getting that gold ring as the merry go round spins and spins. You will be there for the girls when they graduate. You will be playing ball again before you know it. You made the right decision to do the chemo. Personally, I would look at it as an insurance policy as opposed to chasing after something. I also totally understand your statement about getting tired of talking about it. Yes, so search out the normalcy, routine and mundane in your life and celebrate each and every dull and boring moment as yet another opportunity for you. Do you know why we call the current now time frame "the present"? Because you are in the now, not the past not the future, but now and it is a present to be opened, savored and enjoyed and celebrated. So twirl your noise makers, and toot on your party horn!! Let the world know that you are here and you intend to stay!! Love and hugs from me , your wacky Auntie!!! Hi Eric
Hang in there you are tougher than any little whigged out cancer cell!

To chemo or not to chemo….Hmmmm….it can be a tough decison. We have all heard the horror stories…the cure is worse than the diease, etc, etc.

All I can say. I have a friend. Around ten years ago, diagnosed with breast cancer. Underwent surgery, under went chemo, lost her hair, felt like crap. But did not give up or give in, slogged through it one day at a time. Keep in mind at the same time she was dealing with a small growing family and trying to work a full time job. (Yikes!)
Well, she fought it, out witted and out lasted and became a survivor (the most desirable kind!)

Got on with her life. Decided to change a few things.

A few years later her “friend” returned. Well back to more surgery and more chemo. Yes, once again the hats and head scarves got a workout. Again she refused to give in or give up and dealt with it one day at a time.

Got through that one and again decided to change just a few more things in her life.

Well once again, just last year, yes it again came back. More surgery (total mastectomy this time) and yet more chemo. Got through that one. And yes once again change some things in her life.

Today I am proud to say that my friend Robin dealt with these obstacles that were thrown at her, overcame them and grew from the experience. She went from a high school drop out to just this past spring graduated from college (working full time and going to school part time at the same time she was dealing with the bouts of cancer, surgery and chemo) and is now activley pursuing a masters. Robin is my hero! She rocks. She is one of the most totally grounded individuals that I know.

Why did this happen to her? Who knows? Did she do anything to deserve this, I don’t know , I certainly am in no position to make any kind of judgement. I do think that what helped her the most was her sense of purpose and the fact that as each setback occured, she just set herself a goal that she just had to overcome the illness to attian the goal (get the GED, get the AA degree, get the BA degree).
I guess what I am saying is that it sounds like your head is in the right place. Try not to focus on the illness. It is mearly a hindrance to what and where you want to be right now. Focus only on the goal, on getting that gold ring as the merry go round spins and spins.
You will be there for the girls when they graduate.
You will be playing ball again before you know it.
You made the right decision to do the chemo.
Personally, I would look at it as an insurance policy as opposed to chasing after something.

I also totally understand your statement about getting tired of talking about it. Yes, so search out the normalcy, routine and mundane in your life and celebrate each and every dull and boring moment as yet another opportunity for you.

Do you know why we call the current now time frame “the present”? Because you are in the now, not the past not the future, but now and it is a present to be opened, savored and enjoyed and celebrated.

So twirl your noise makers, and toot on your party horn!! Let the world know that you are here and you intend to stay!!

Love and hugs from me , your wacky Auntie!!!

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