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, April 14, 2008

Chemo Restart and Further Challenges: April 7 to 14

 The Chemotherapy was finally restarted Monday April 7, after a two-month hold due to the infection that was operated on at the end of January.

 My body was depleted from two weeks of a cough and cold, so I immediately had nausea challenges. So, even though I didn’t need it before, I used anti-nausea medication with each chemo dose this time.

 My energy level was strong enough that I worked my normal half day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I was really dragging by Thursday so only went into the office for a couple of hours. On Friday and Saturday, I spent most of the day in bed. By Sunday, my energy was recovering and was pretty good on Monday.

 Unfortunately a further episode with infection on my healed incision cropped up over the weekend. We consulted with the Neurosurgical residentwho was on call. We expressed a high degree of reluctance to come into the ER, given the just completed round of chemo and my depleted immune system. He agreed, provided us with maintenance instructions, and indicated that we should contact the Neurosurgeon first thing Monday morning.

 When we contacted the Neurosurgeon, he immediately made time in his schedule for us. He examined the wound and expressed concern that the infection might be in the bone since it keeps coming back. He took a culture of it and bloodwork. I’ve been referred to an infectious disease specialist (that’s what they call the folks that administer the antibiotics at this hospital), and we'll see him on Friday morning. The Neurosurgeon indicated that further surgery may be indicated, too.

Prayers would be welcome for outcome of the testing and remedying the infection.

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Sunday, April 13, 2008

End of Waiting: March 20 to April 6

Progress on the medical front:

  • Another MRI was done March 31, which showed little change since the Feb. 28 one. The oncologist indicated that this means the shadow showing up on the MRI is likely radiation after-effects NOT tumor re-growth….YEAH!
  • The Neurosurgeon indicated that the January incision is finally healed and took out the last of the stitches.
  • The oncologist also took blood work and indicated that the chemotherapy could restart on April 7.
  • The steroids have now stopped, so the wired feeling (see previous post) is gone. I’m feeling tired and foggy a lot now, which I’m attributing to the anti-seizure medication.
  • We met with a counselor at The Gathering Place when my tension and anxiety peaked, and we have started back attending more of the weekly support groups there.
  • Also had very good sessions with the medical intuitive and Chi-Gong healers that we have seen before. The medical intuitive scanned my whole body and found no cancer colonies (tumors) anywhere. She did however note some stray cancer cells are at times appearing in both the left hemisphere of my brain and pancreas. We are doing all that we can to enhance the health of my pancreas as a result. As part of that, she also indicated that I should stay away from sugar and use agave as a sweetener and continue to keep up my protein intake, particularly from non-meat sources. She also indicated that the particular chemotherapy drug I am using, Temodar, is well suited for me and that I will benefit from using it.

As a wonderful ending to all this waiting/uncertainty, Susanne and I spent 3 days at the Mind Body Wellness Center attending an ECaP (Exceptional Cancer Patients) retreat. It was a marvelous and refreshing time. Good for getting us mentally and emotionally back on track. I found it particularly refreshing to be with other cancer patients that share the positive/spiritual perspective I’ve chosen to take regarding this journey. The high point for me was the closing ceremony where we each chose photos that spoke to us of our journey. The two photos in the middle are the ones Susanne and I chose.

We also participated in an annual event called Black Marriage Day. This is a national event that features the renewal of wedding vows. Close friends of ours were sponsoring the first time this has been held in Cleveland. It was a very uplifting and moving event, and Susanne and I participated in the vow renewal with the other couples. We also had a Marriage Transformation booth.

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