How the Letter “S” Has Redefined HOPE for Me – and Maybe You?

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  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    Chelsea71 said:

    Glad, sad and nauseous. That
    Glad, sad and nauseous. That gave me a laugh. Although, kind of a sad laugh. I think we can all relate to that feeling. Nine years really is quite remarkable. Most people wouldn't be able to relate to how absolutely hard it would be to fight cancer, not only physically, but mentally, for nine years. It's mind-boggling to me. Steve and I are exhausted after only two! I believe, generally speaking, that the onc's get it. Steve and I have dealt with so many surgeons and oncologists, especially in recent months. I can see the pain and admiration in their eyes. They get how rough a fight it really is.

    Craig

     

    Craig:  Our Lion and Superman

    Lion:

    A leader, fearless and courageous!

    Superman:

    He perseveres in the face of potentially overwhelming odds, even on the occasions that his life may be at risk.  Superman has helped many survivors and has brought plenty of villains (cancer cells)  to justice ; his traits are: Honesty, Loyalty, Integrity, Trustworthiness; A strong sense of truth and justice and the ability to not allow his emotions to prevent him from doing what's right; brave and self-sacrificing, Superman fights for the weak and for the helpless - and ALWAYS provides us with HOPE!

    Luv ya Craig,

    Cyn

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    LindaK. said:

    Incredible....

    I'm sure that's a term doctor's don't use very often!  I feel glad, sad and nauseous most days....

    Or...As Month Python Used to Say...(Linda)

    "And now...for something completely "different."

    I got my consult with my lung surgeon Monday....it had been a couple of years since I last saw him (after our 2nd surgery).

    He opened the door and got this realy warm and friendly smile on when he greeted us:)  Walked right up to us and put his hands upon mine and closed them in a warm embrace. 

    Now, this is an all-business, serious kind of a guy....he's the professor of Cardio/Thoracic surgery....but seeing him again this time, felt like more of a visit with an old and trusted friend, not the guy who carved you like a turkey and sawed out 2 ribs:)

    We got to talk chit-chat for a couple of minutes while he logged on to check out my scans/report.  He did suspect metastatic activity in the pleura, but the CT images are not as defined as everyone would have liked.  We might end up doing a needle biopsy, depending on other things that are found. 

    And when it was over, he just sat there talking to me....really lovingly and friendly like...like 2 old 'colleagues' consulting about a case...only it was mine, LOL!

    I told him that I had sent him the Big Billy story for him to read when he could....and that the story picked up after he dropped me to radiation and the subsequent chemo that followed....that piqued his interest.  I told him I had written a book and had been trying to get it published....and I talked about my life on the board here and what I was trying to do with my time to try and pay it forward...and what my mission for cancer was....etc. etc.

    He just smiled and nodded his head.....and said..."You're Different..."

    And I knew what he meant:)

    Dr. D. selected me to be the first patient in North Texas to have the da Vinci robotic lung surgery done on back in 2010.  He said he had waited a long time....looking for the 'right' patient to do the procedure on.  He apparently had the opportunity for some time to select any number of patients...but he had remained pat...

    In the end, he selected me, because of my calm and cool demeanor...the fact that I don't get rattled too easy...(I am all business when we're in the consult & planning stages)...and that I was willing to make the sacrifice and take a chance on me and him...so that others could follow in our footsteps.  He said most of his clientile were just too shook up...and unwilling to embrace the challenges, so he had been waiting for the right candidate. 

    Here's the link I found to this part of my story.....it's yesterday's news now, but it was nice to be a part of it all...originally, I had asked the president of the foundation to generously donate 100 copies for the cancer group here...and we took up a collection for postage and handling and mailed them to the members here, who were interested.

    http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/media/200-Administrative-Offices/619443St.-Paul-Fdn-magazine.pdf

    Go to pages 7 & 8. 

    We got up to leave and he hugged us both...and not the I'm afraid I'll catch something kind of a hug....a toe to toe, full frontal hug that wrapped around one another - where you could feel the warmth of the embrace.

    I must admit that it felt pretty good...

    He will be talking to the other players in the medical team about our consult and get back with me.

    It was a nice visit and hopefully he will get the chance someday to read the story I sent him...told him it was coming out in an upcoming edition....and to make sure they order a subscription to Coping:)

     

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member

    Craig

     

    Craig:  Our Lion and Superman

    Lion:

    A leader, fearless and courageous!

    Superman:

    He perseveres in the face of potentially overwhelming odds, even on the occasions that his life may be at risk.  Superman has helped many survivors and has brought plenty of villains (cancer cells)  to justice ; his traits are: Honesty, Loyalty, Integrity, Trustworthiness; A strong sense of truth and justice and the ability to not allow his emotions to prevent him from doing what's right; brave and self-sacrificing, Superman fights for the weak and for the helpless - and ALWAYS provides us with HOPE!

    Luv ya Craig,

    Cyn

    This Has Lots of Meaning, Cyn!

    And touched me on so many levels...

    Thank you - it was so beautiful and moving to me:)

  • LindaK.
    LindaK. Member Posts: 506 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Or...As Month Python Used to Say...(Linda)

    "And now...for something completely "different."

    I got my consult with my lung surgeon Monday....it had been a couple of years since I last saw him (after our 2nd surgery).

    He opened the door and got this realy warm and friendly smile on when he greeted us:)  Walked right up to us and put his hands upon mine and closed them in a warm embrace. 

    Now, this is an all-business, serious kind of a guy....he's the professor of Cardio/Thoracic surgery....but seeing him again this time, felt like more of a visit with an old and trusted friend, not the guy who carved you like a turkey and sawed out 2 ribs:)

    We got to talk chit-chat for a couple of minutes while he logged on to check out my scans/report.  He did suspect metastatic activity in the pleura, but the CT images are not as defined as everyone would have liked.  We might end up doing a needle biopsy, depending on other things that are found. 

    And when it was over, he just sat there talking to me....really lovingly and friendly like...like 2 old 'colleagues' consulting about a case...only it was mine, LOL!

    I told him that I had sent him the Big Billy story for him to read when he could....and that the story picked up after he dropped me to radiation and the subsequent chemo that followed....that piqued his interest.  I told him I had written a book and had been trying to get it published....and I talked about my life on the board here and what I was trying to do with my time to try and pay it forward...and what my mission for cancer was....etc. etc.

    He just smiled and nodded his head.....and said..."You're Different..."

    And I knew what he meant:)

    Dr. D. selected me to be the first patient in North Texas to have the da Vinci robotic lung surgery done on back in 2010.  He said he had waited a long time....looking for the 'right' patient to do the procedure on.  He apparently had the opportunity for some time to select any number of patients...but he had remained pat...

    In the end, he selected me, because of my calm and cool demeanor...the fact that I don't get rattled too easy...(I am all business when we're in the consult & planning stages)...and that I was willing to make the sacrifice and take a chance on me and him...so that others could follow in our footsteps.  He said most of his clientile were just too shook up...and unwilling to embrace the challenges, so he had been waiting for the right candidate. 

    Here's the link I found to this part of my story.....it's yesterday's news now, but it was nice to be a part of it all...originally, I had asked the president of the foundation to generously donate 100 copies for the cancer group here...and we took up a collection for postage and handling and mailed them to the members here, who were interested.

    http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/media/200-Administrative-Offices/619443St.-Paul-Fdn-magazine.pdf

    Go to pages 7 & 8. 

    We got up to leave and he hugged us both...and not the I'm afraid I'll catch something kind of a hug....a toe to toe, full frontal hug that wrapped around one another - where you could feel the warmth of the embrace.

    I must admit that it felt pretty good...

    He will be talking to the other players in the medical team about our consult and get back with me.

    It was a nice visit and hopefully he will get the chance someday to read the story I sent him...told him it was coming out in an upcoming edition....and to make sure they order a subscription to Coping:)

     

    Thank God for being "Different"

    Craig, I just read the article - I like the looks of that doctor - his arm around you in the picture and your smile shows how much you care about each other.  It's nice to hear and I'm glad you had a nice visit with him this week.  I'm sure he'll do everything he can to help you again.  It's great you have a doctor like that who genuinely cares about you and isn't afraid of a hug or two...

    Thank you again for the uplifting story and sharing the article for us newbies.

    Linda

  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    KathiM said:

    Can I come, too??????

    Hans just received his new heart last Monday, so HE is tethered for a year....but NOT ME!!!

     

    Hugs, Kathi

    Yes yes Ms Kathi

    Anytime hon, just drop on by and we will jump in together MISS YOU!!!s

     

    HUGS 

    Beth