Christmas Hope

Brenda Bricco
Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member

 

I haven't posted in some time but I feel that I owe it everyone looking for hope, for those that don't remember me feel free to read my history.

After be given two years to live my husband did chemo, colon resection, ilieostomy, liver embolization and 65% liver resection. He was NED for a year and then got the news that the tumor that they could not resect (too close to hepatic artery so the ablated it) was back. We were devastated and was given the option of chemo again (been doing chemo since March).

Today was a usual chemo day and they told him that Madison wants to schedule a procedure (put radiation beads in the liver tumor via groin). I don't know a thing about this procedure (wasn't at chemo today) but my husband likes to know every thing the doctors are thinking so he asked if they were trying to slow the cancer or actually kill the tumor and the doctor said that they were going for the kill and they haven't given up on a cure! Now, I know where my husband stands, he is stage lv and isn't considered curable but I can't help but be so excited! I layed next to him last night while he was sleeping, layed my hands on him and asked GOD to heal him so I am in awe today. Yep, still have my faith.

Anyway, I have a confession... I think I had accepted that I was losing my husband and had resolved to love him as much as I can until our last day. I started mourning my losing him before he is even gone, is this normal? I don't want to waste any of our moments but I find myself laying close to him, smelling him, touching him and hoping that some how I can put those memories away so I can recall them later.

We had to sell our home and land and move to a much smaller place that we worked six weeks on to make it out home, moved in and four days later have a torando h(Aug 21st) it our "new to us" little house and did over 70,000 dollars damage. So not only was my husband doing chemo but we were living in a house that was draped in plastic and covered in drywall dust. Yep, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and my family. Well, almost 4 months later we can eat in our kitchen! lol

I've learned alot... I learned to be happy even when the things around me weren't ideal. I've learned that I am a very simple gal and that I don't need a lot of material things. I can be happy with the basics, which is really good because the basics are what I have. I still have my horses so I have more than the basics but other than them- basics.

I have one other thing to tell you... as you can guess, things have been finacially tough - really tough. I had resorted to using my Walmart card for groceries and knew very well it was close to being maxed out (only $300 limit). One of you had posted a link for a foundation that donates to care givers. I thought "what the heck" and filled out the app. I never heard anything so just figured that I didn't make the cut. I was worried... but I talked to GOD about it and told him I was putting it down and I did. It was only three days later that I got a check in the mail from the foundation for 250 dollars. It was just enough to pay the card back down so I can buy more groceries and have something nice for CHRISTmas dinner for my family. SO thanks to whom ever posted that. :)

I felt that I needed to make this post to help those that need hope. I am so excited to have hope for CHRISTmas!

GOD's blessings...

Brenda

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Update

    Thank you for the update, but so sorry that you have been struggling so.  I'm so glad that you got the check.  What a wonderful Christmas surprise.  Truly God was listening to you.  Awesome story to tell.  Wishing the best for the both of you and a very Merry Christmas.

    Kim

  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    You can also try -

    The American Cancer Society.  They issue gasoline cards to help with transportation costs.  Heck, give it a try, every little bit helps.

    Tina

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    What a series of events

    You both seem very persistent and personally competent.  

    Your home was destroyed, have you talked to either the Red Cross or Salvation Army?  They can sometimes be helpful in conditions like you describe.  

    Your expression of trust and hope was inspiring to me.  

    Yet the conditions that you and your husband find yourself in, because of this hideous disease, is a source of intolerable pain for me. Probably because our trajectory is going to be the same soon.

    Never give up, and please let us know how you are doing.

    Art 

     

     

  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member

    What a series of events

    You both seem very persistent and personally competent.  

    Your home was destroyed, have you talked to either the Red Cross or Salvation Army?  They can sometimes be helpful in conditions like you describe.  

    Your expression of trust and hope was inspiring to me.  

    Yet the conditions that you and your husband find yourself in, because of this hideous disease, is a source of intolerable pain for me. Probably because our trajectory is going to be the same soon.

    Never give up, and please let us know how you are doing.

    Art 

     

     

    Please don't let me make

    Please don't let me make anyone think that we didn't have home insurance, we do. Interesting story though, our morgage company (State Farm) intercepts all insurance monies because they have some financial interest (less than 40%). Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a contracter to do work with out getting atleast half down? lol The bank wants contractors to sign lien wavers before they get their checks and of course the bank is several states away which makes this issue even harder. We all know cancer is hard enough without stuff like this but I am painfully aware that things keep coming at us, none of us seem to get "we've had enough" card.

    I am so thankful for everything that we have, especially hope! :)

     

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Brenda

    I'm so happy to see the HOPE there and strong for you.  It's amazing that when we need something the most it gets provided.  

    Here's things even a lot better sooner.

    How exciting for your husband, I'm so, so happy to hear the good news!!

    Winter Marie

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    That is such great news

    That is such great news Brenda. Thank yuo for posting. I am glad you kept your faith and now it seems that you are being rewarded for it. Our faith can really be tested at times. I have always maintained a strong faith although it was really put to the test two years ago after my second recurrence. I had started to accept the fact that I might not have much time left in this world. That was over two years ago and I am still going strong.

  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member

    That is such great news

    That is such great news Brenda. Thank yuo for posting. I am glad you kept your faith and now it seems that you are being rewarded for it. Our faith can really be tested at times. I have always maintained a strong faith although it was really put to the test two years ago after my second recurrence. I had started to accept the fact that I might not have much time left in this world. That was over two years ago and I am still going strong.

    Thanks everyone...
    Winter, I

    Thanks everyone...

    Winter, I saw your picture of you, your daguhter and grand son's, what a beautiful family you have.

    J, thanks so much for being an inspiration and putting perspective on your reoccurance. I think about how many people that have left us unexpectally since Dennis' diagnoses, people that I became ill after Dennis. We truly don't know what tomorrow will bring so it's best to make the best fo today. That can seem impossible on bad days but that is why we take it a day at a time.

     

  • myd
    myd Member Posts: 40
    Christmas Hope

    Brenda,

    I just wanted to let you know that your disposition in such a difficult situation is an inspiration to me.  I do hope that God keeps blessing you with more time with your husband.  I hope that He or destiny keeps giving you enough to help you meet your daily needs.  You demonstrate formidable spiritual strength. 

    I must share that I do experience a sensation of loss, eventhough my wife is still with me.  I think, it is the knowledge that she won't grow old with me.  Maybe, the sensation of loss is due to a selfish fear of being alone.  We do have two great girls and I know they will keep me company and I will see her in them.  I don't know for how long I'll have her company, but I forget at times to enjoy the moments together.  You and the people in this forum do provide me with a lot of spiritual help and the insight that others may not have. 

    I'm very happpy for your strength and do hope that God keeps providing that to you. 

    Sincerely,

    Myd

     

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    myd said:

    Christmas Hope

    Brenda,

    I just wanted to let you know that your disposition in such a difficult situation is an inspiration to me.  I do hope that God keeps blessing you with more time with your husband.  I hope that He or destiny keeps giving you enough to help you meet your daily needs.  You demonstrate formidable spiritual strength. 

    I must share that I do experience a sensation of loss, eventhough my wife is still with me.  I think, it is the knowledge that she won't grow old with me.  Maybe, the sensation of loss is due to a selfish fear of being alone.  We do have two great girls and I know they will keep me company and I will see her in them.  I don't know for how long I'll have her company, but I forget at times to enjoy the moments together.  You and the people in this forum do provide me with a lot of spiritual help and the insight that others may not have. 

    I'm very happpy for your strength and do hope that God keeps providing that to you. 

    Sincerely,

    Myd

     

    loss

    I too experience loss ,even though my wife is still with me.  We did grow old together, but she is now in a nursing home with Alzheimers disease.  In a way she is already gone, but I have many fond memories of our years together.  God does provide for us !!!

  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    Stay hopeful

    I am so impressed with your attitude given all the stuff you've had to deal with.  I'm so glad that there's hope for you both.  

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    That is some very encouraging

    That is some very encouraging news. It seems as thoigh you are being rewarded for keeping your faith through some extremely diffacult times. I am glad you posted for others to read here.  Hope goes a long way with fighting cancer. I understand what you are saying about starting to accept things and feeling like you have given up in some ways. I am obviously speaking from a survivor standpoint and not a caregiver standpoint but when I had my last recurrence I started accepting the fact that the end was near but I kept my faith as hard as it was at the time. That was over 2 years ago and I am still going strong.

  • Cathleen Mary
    Cathleen Mary Member Posts: 827 Member

    That is some very encouraging

    That is some very encouraging news. It seems as thoigh you are being rewarded for keeping your faith through some extremely diffacult times. I am glad you posted for others to read here.  Hope goes a long way with fighting cancer. I understand what you are saying about starting to accept things and feeling like you have given up in some ways. I am obviously speaking from a survivor standpoint and not a caregiver standpoint but when I had my last recurrence I started accepting the fact that the end was near but I kept my faith as hard as it was at the time. That was over 2 years ago and I am still going strong.

    Thanks so much for posting.

    Thanks so much for posting.  Your hope is contagious!  So glad for the good news especially in the midst of so many challenges. 

    Prayers and best wishes for health and a well earned break.

    CM