Why am I writing this blog?

Euclid (Cleveland), Ohio, United States
Here I share the amazing spiritual journey I began on July 19, 2007. I received the diagnosis of a golf-ball-sized tumor on top of the left parietal lobe (motor functions) of my brain. I had severe symptoms all up and down the right side of my body and had received an MRI scan of my brain. In August 2007, I learned that my diagnosis was a Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This is a common form of fast-growing brain cancer with a challenging prognosis. That's the external story about that moment in time. In the spiritual world I found (actually more like it found me) what I came to call the Fact-Based Spirit-Guided Path, and I began an amazing journey. After October of 2008, I lost the use of my right arm, and in early 2009, my cognitive abilities were struggling, and treatment options ended. My wife, Susanne, then began doing most of the blog postings, with my review and input whenever possible. I continued to apply the Fact-Based Spirit-Guided Path as the adventure continued. My soul then flew to the Kingdom of God on July 1, 2009. Thanks for your interest in my journey. Craig

Susanne's Perspective

During this entire journey, my wife, Susanne, had an entirely different kind of experience. Initially she added comments to some of my posts describing her experience of the moments I discussed and offerred perspectives on our relationship. In the latter stage of this journey, she is writing the blog, as I am no longer able to do so. I am truly delighted that she is doing so. Susanne and I work together as marriage educators/relationship coaches and she has written many books on preparing for and strengthening marriages so you can count on her comments to be insightful and poignant.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

First Week of Treatment Completed: October 2 to 5

I’ve now completed 1 week of radiation treatment along with low-dose chemotherapy and have found the routine, described in the October 1 post to be very sustainable and supportive. Some highlights of this period are:

1. I am having little, if any, side effects so far. The only thing I’m noticing is that I’m tiring fairly easily so I don’t push myself…I just take a nap when I get tired.

2. The schedule of drivers for transportation filled up nicely and it’s been a wonderful opportunity to get to know some friends and neighbors better as we make the journey to and from the hospital (about 30 minutes each way).

3. The radiology techs have commented that they really enjoy the Long Healing Prayer CD that I’m playing each day.

4. At the conclusion of each radiation treatment, my face kind of looks like a Spiderman mask from the imprint of the mask that holds my head still and guides the technicians where to radiate.

5. I worked at my job 8 hours throughout the week. Part of that was from home, but Wednesday afternoon I worked 3 hours at the office. It felt very good to be with my colleagues again for the first time since July.

6. My son and I have been invited to participate in an international study to better understand any hereditary links involved with brain tumors. All the participants have two brain tumors in the family. The family health/cancer history we have already been assembling in preparation for a genetic counseling session coming up in November will be useful for these researchers as well. Their goal is to discover a genetic marker that can be detectable through blood tests so that brain tumors can be more readily detected in the future.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The rest of the story….

I admit I’ve been appreciating this stretch of time without crises occurring. I actually got back to doing some work this week too. It was wonderful to revisit projects and figure out upcoming work priorities. We have agreed to speak at a conference in Orlando in December…there are many pieces of materials in my head that need to be in more concrete form between now and then!

I’m now trying to sort out what time should be spent in Craig-support activities and what in working. Our finances are going through significant shifts…does it make sense for me to be hunting for a part-time job with more secure income than the marriage project provides? Well, we are consulting and praying and we’ll see what makes sense.

I’m so delighted and grateful to have wonderful people taking Craig to and from the hospital for his radiation. Lovely break for me and special service from them.

October 11, 2007 at 6:11 PM

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