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The Cycle of Life

airborne72
airborne72 CSN Member Posts: 304 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Everyone:

When I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in mid May my primary concern was what impact it would have on my daughter-in-law, who was pregnant with our first grandchild.  She lost her father to lung cancer at an early age and that loss remains with her.  I did not want to increase that pain by being yet another father figure who is afflicted with cancer, especially during her pregnancy.  So I waited a few weeks to share the news; waiting for the right time.

After my diagnosis and all of the tests, we developed a treatment plan.  Throughout that planning stage I was trying to engineer everything so I would not be the old, sick-looking person in the foreground at the maternity ward when our grandchild was born.  I did not want to distract or subtract from the wonderful event.

Our precious granddaughter was born yesterday afternoon.  That beautiful 6 pounds and 10 ounces of a miracle made this old airborne ranger cry.  What a feeling - to hold an innocent, new-born child!  My head is still spinning with all of the thoughts of possibilities and the future as a grandfather. 

There is no elixir as powerful as birth.  It is the physical manifestation of hope; the cycle of life. The feel, smell, sound and sight of a new born is so special.  Caroline Elizabeth does not know that she has been and will continue to be my motivator to persevere through the challenges of cancer.  Our family was blessed yesterday, but for me doubly so. 

Jim

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Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit CSN Member Posts: 5,808 Member
    #2
    Congratulations!

    I am so happy for you, and for your family.  

    May you carry your darling granddaughter (and any that may follow) around for many years, and then, when she is too big to carry, hold her hand and lead her. 

    Blessings! 

    Tru

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  • Mommasgyrl
    Mommasgyrl CSN Member Posts: 8
    #3
    Beautiful!

    Your words ring so true. Many congratulations to you and your newest little airborne ranger!  

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  • NHMike
    NHMike CSN Member Posts: 213 Member
    #4
    Congratulations on the

    Congratulations on the blessed event and so great that you could be there with your daughter-in-law.

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  • lizard44
    lizard44 CSN Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2017 #5
    Congratulations!

    So happy for you and  your family.  May you  enjoy many happy times with Caroline Elizabeth now and in the future.

    Grace/lizard44

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  • PamRav
    PamRav CSN Member Posts: 348 Member
    #6
    Congratulations

    you write so beautifully.  What a lucky little baby to have a grandfather like you in her life 

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  • Cathleen Mary
    Cathleen Mary CSN Member Posts: 827 Member
    #7
    Caroline Elizabeth is blessed

    Caroline Elizabeth is blessed to have you as her grandfather. How wonderful!

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  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 CSN Member Posts: 6,744 Member
    edited August 2017 #8
    Congratulations

    Congratulations on your new arrival.  May you enjoy every single moment of joy with that precious gift. 

    Kim

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