Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Cancer Dance

My sister Martha is in the hospital again. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer on March 24. That she is still fighting, (with all her strength, I might add), is proof of her superhuman courage.

She inspires me. Ha. That's an understatement from the Hyperbole Queen.




Last night I was able to make her laugh and laugh during our daily phone call. I told her about my adventures playing kickball (for the first time - why yes, I'm 55, why do you ask?) yesterday at the Summer Festival. I took Bill's dad's old cane to the game and limped up to the plate with it.

Martha hasn't been home since March 24. She has gone back and forth between the hospital and the extended care facility. Her superfriends have literally gutted her house: new paint, new carpet, new furniture. Martha has gotten to see it on a day trip, but that's all. I encouraged her to remind all of her medical team that she wants to go home. She'll get re-admitted; that's a given. Where's the harm in letting her go home for a little bit?

Anyway, one of my favorite blogfriends is battling his own cancer, and one of his commenters posted the following video. I just had to share this dance!





manda 8 @ Yahoo! Video

I know I haven't been too clever and funny lately. My readership is shrinking like a slug in salt. I'll have funny stuff to write about again.

Extra thanks to those of you who are hanging in there with me.



hug your hounds, and think some good thoughts about letting Martha spend a couple of days or a week in her own home

32 comments:

  1. Followers come and go and there seems no rhyme or reason for it. You write a heartfelt and honest blog that is a delight to read.

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing such a precious piece with us today. You have given us another exquisite Sunday morning message-- one that we can share with those we love.

    Standing with you in hope for some special time at home for your dear
    sister.

    Gentle hugs,
    Stardusted

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  3. No you don't have to be funny for us to love you!!!

    We admire your sister more than we can express -- and you for all the ways you find to capture the roller coaster emotions we can all identify with.

    Wirey hugs -- from hounds to human this time around!!!

    Jake and Just Harry

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  4. Patience, gentle cyber hugs to you and yours. I wish the magic wand would work and turn this all in into fairy dust. In the absence of that, know that we care.

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  5. Patience, I saw this at work today....author unknown.

    What Cancer Cannot Do

    Author: Unknown
    Cancer is so limited...
    It cannot cripple love.
    It cannot shatter hope.
    It cannot corrode faith.
    It cannot eat away peace.
    It cannot destroy confidence.
    It cannot kill friendship.
    It cannot shut out memories.
    It cannot silence courage.
    It cannot reduce eternal life.
    It cannot quench the Spirit.

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  6. We don't read your blog just because you are funny (altho you are) but because it is so human and your observations so keen and because you express yourself so well. Our hearts are with you and your brave sister in the face of this horrible fight.

    Linda Z

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  7. Patience, I am here not just for the "funny" but for the poignant, the sad, the happy, the mundane. I am here because, even though we have never met, I feel we are friends. That you write beautifully, that you make me laugh and make me cry, is just a bonus.
    Many, many warm thoughts for you and your sister. May she get to spend some time at home. My prayers are with you both.

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  8. Your blog has always been about what is important: joy in the small things, not taking anything for granted, the simple power of love, and this entry is no different. Laughter or tears, I love your writing and always find it inspiring.

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  9. Patience, maybe some readers are so busy with summer vacations, projects etc. that they don't have time to read blogs. They'll be back after Labor Day.
    Martha-we love you! Keep fighting and hope you get to spend the night at your home really soon.

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  10. Your sister is an incredible person and so are you, Patience!

    We love you!
    Maggie, Mitch and Sue

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  11. Your words are always welcome.

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  12. w00fs, the video wasss amazing....and thats what makes good blogging, the ability to make one laugh and make one realize that life is not always perfect...and i love ur sisters smile, "its one in a trillion"..

    b safe,
    ~rocky and mama~

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  13. We are with you, and your sister, and Bill and the Pups. For me, its that sometimes I just don't know what to say.

    But I am present.

    Kisses,
    Jo and Stella

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  14. Dorian:

    I'm not leaving!

    Love,
    Dorian

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  15. Well you have to call the hospital and absolutley get her home...it is her right....and the dignified thing to do if that is what she wants....Get hospice care to take care of her medical needs and her......You know Patience....FIGHT THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT! Love Diana and A+A PS of course we have heard of the towns you grew up in!!!

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  16. What a bootiful , inspiwational video. Thank you.

    Mommi and I hope and pway that Martha gets to go home and see the love hew fwiends left fow hew thewe. I admiwe hew and pway she gets a little ray of happiness. We love you and hew

    smoochie kisses
    Asta and Mommi

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  17. may your beautiful sister have all the time she wants in her home. it is a true testament to what a fabulous friend she is by how her friends are taking care of her home. i'll be here to read as long as you need us.
    hugs,
    puglette

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  18. Paws crossed for your sister. She is amazing.
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  19. We so agree with Agatha and Archie...(we usually do....)...Patience!

    Your sister should be able to go home if she wants to...and it sounds like she has a fabulous support network there too!!!

    And we adored the dance video...totally amazing!!!!!

    Love ya lots, Patience!

    Flirty wags to the Whippets!!!

    Love and kisses,

    Laciegirlie, et al!!!!!

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  20. Watched the dance twice. So beautiful and LOVED the music....Cried the ugly cry so hard...my eyes are still wet as I type this comment.

    I am thinking determined and specific thoughts for your sister to spend some time in her home. Hugs to you and especially to your sister as she fights so hard.

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  21. Life is not all about laughs - and neither are blogs - I check in daily and am holding your sister (and you) in my prayers
    Bflo Gayle

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  22. Oh Patience,
    We all understand that right now and for the past little while your plate overflows with all kinds of emotional situations.
    Although I don't often respond with a comment I want you to know that I read every blog you post and have been remiss in not supporting you properly.
    I'm praying that Martha will be able to go home for a bit. God knows that's what I would want!
    Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us on WW and here on your blog.
    Love & kisses from us both.
    Sheila & Lady

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  23. Patience: Just to echo what A&A and the Lacie Beast and others said, "get her home." Twelve years ago when my sister was dying of cancer, that is what she wanted too. It took lots of scarey forms and disapproving looks from doctors and administrators, but her husband and friends persevered, and she had almost two wonderful weeks with her loved ones, including her grandchild.

    It's hard from a distance, but you can offer the support and knowledge of the system to help.

    Our love and Prayers

    Barb

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  24. We understand completely about having good days and bad days--with blogs and with cancer. Hope your sister has good days this week, and we'll keep reading! Take care.

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  25. Hi Patience,

    We are thinking about Martha and hoping that he gets to see her home soon.

    wally (and Claire)

    ps. You bring a smile to our faces every day even if you are not being funny. It is nice to know there are people with such big hearts in the world.

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  26. Hugs to you and yours. We have to think that HOME would have a therapeutic effect for the soul and the body and the mind ...

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  27. Some days are gold, some are lead Patience. Blogs are for both times. Your post today makes me wish I had the same relationship with my sister that you have with yours. Sadly I don't.

    I had seen this video and thought it beautiful. Have you seen the play "Wit"?

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  28. You always make me laugh, cry, ponder, wonder.

    Love and homeward thoughts for your sister.

    A reminder to us all, there is only one of us.

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  29. Patience
    We love anything and everything you have to share. Under any and all conditions.

    We pray that your sister can go home, and be surrounded by the love that we know waits for her there. She is clearly an awesome woman. Just like you are.

    Love,
    Jake and Fergi and family

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  30. Don't feel you need to be clever, or funny in every post. We all know that you're both - when it's appropriate. Much love to you, Bill, the Waggle, and of course Martha.... G, P & T xxx

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  31. Hang in there and give your sister all of our best thoughts. I understand what you're going through as my sister has also been battling with ovarian cancer for several years now.

    George

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