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.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Start of Phase 2 of Treatment

I am now beginning a concentrated high dose of oral chemotherapy (4 week cycle of 5 days taking the pills and 23 days with none for 6 months). My PLAN during this time is:

Prayer, meditation and visualization to::

1. Welcome the chemotherapy as a healing agent.:

2. Strengthen my immune system and support the white blood cells in continuing to surround and remove any remaining pieces of the cancerous cells and tumor.:

3. Encourage the red blood cell levels to increase and normalize.:

4. Keep my platelets at a healthy functioning level.:

5. Continue to strengthen all aspects of my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.:

6. Claim my sacred self and worthiness to heal and live a healthy, purposeful life.:

7. Heal the nerve cells and related tissue throughout my body to minimize and eliminate neuropathy.:

8. Lessen fatigue and increase my ability to work more hours for my employer.:

Continue to eat nutritionally appropriate food, take helpful supplements, and participate in regular exercise to keep me strong and healthy.:

Hold as my goal effective and efficient healing with long-term survival and excellent quality of life.:

As I contemplate the initiation of this phase it occurs to me, with a reminder from Susanne, that it is not wise for me to get complacent about treatment because it has gone relatively easily so far. Some factors have contributed to this complacency::

1. The MRI scans continue to show no visible tumor growth.:

2. The doctor’s are very upbeat about my prognosis.:

3. The oncologist's comment that many people have more physical problems with the first phase, which I completed in November with few problems, than with the second phase that is upcoming. I can really see how this could be the case because I was receiving 165 mg/per day + radiation during the first phase and the dosage I will be taking now (300 mg/day) averages out to 54 mg/ day over the 4-week cycle without radiation.:

It is wise for me to remember that I still have a serious diagnosis and there is significant healing work for me to focus on in the coming months.

3 comments:

Susan said...

Craig, your attitude is very positive and uplifting. You are going into this second phase with all systems "go". I pray the time goes quickly and smoothly. Thanks for the updates. You are always included in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I am fascinated by your approach to all of this, particularly the way you are gathering the facts while nurturing yourself on the spiritual aspects of healing. Such a wise, thoughtful, and loving approach. It's all quite congruent with the person I met in our Marriage Transformation class. I also love that you've set up this blog because it helps me to check in and see how you're doing along the journey! Sending prayers and good vibes your way.... and to your lovely wife, Susanne.

Anonymous said...

Still with you in spirit and thought. Love, Heather