We’ve been in a peaceful and creative zone over this last week. On May 2, we attended an all-day symposium on brain cancer at The Gathering Place. Our social worker at the Ireland Cancer Center, Jaime Hein Foyle, coordinated the event. Dr. Nock, our oncologist and Dr. Einstein, our radiation-oncologist, were both presenters, and we knew many others there as well. Craig made it through the day with only two short rests/naps, so we were quite amazed!
That evening, a new book was born as we talked about the day. For quite awhile we have talked casually about taking what we’ve learned and done over this 2-year cancer journey and write a book. Honestly, we figured I’d write it after Craig passed! But, here we are doing it, and I’m glad to have Craig’s input. The focus will be on sharing the tools of the “fact-based, spirit-guided” approach to cancer. It feels great to be book-creating!
On May 4th, Arlene Nedd Green came to visit. She, along with Pleasant Montgomery, visited Craig’s Sunday School class at the Federated Church in Chagrin Falls when he was a teenager and shared about the Baha’i Faith. This was Craig’s first introduction to the religion (he later became a Baha’i at Hiram College). Arlene now lives out of state, so this was the first time they had seen one another in about 20 years.
Craig’s legs are becoming increasingly weaker with some bouts of pain in them. We are managing it with increased steroids, ointments, and Ibuprophen. I couldn’t get him out of bed one day for a few hours until a caregiver could come to help. We were scared that the time of being bedridden had arrived, so we both felt relief when the steroids worked and he could get up. The steroids are helping him communicate somewhat as well, but we are doing more and more hand motions and guesswork. We got out this week to our support groups and today for haircuts, so we are doing our best to live as well as we can.
Craig’s still painting and giving me input on the two books underway when I read the content to him. The music therapist got him singing and drumming today, too. We have watched two movies and recordings of a variety show we both performed in years ago.
Craig sleeps until he wakes up or is ready to get up and shower, so our schedule these days is very fluid and constantly changing. I work and snack until he’s up and then fix breakfast for us both. Often it is so late in the morning that we only get in two meals and a snack during the day.
Here are links to a couple of photo montages (I’m catching up!):
www.claricomm.com/Craig_and_Family_Mar-Apr2009.pdf
www.claricomm.com/Craig_Living_Fully_AprMay2009.pdf
Love,
Susanne
3 comments:
The update and photos make me feel so joyful and so full of hope. God Bless you, Craig!!
Love,
Sylvia
The photos are wonderful. Thank you for them. It is amazing that you are writing together. We appreciate how much you inspire each other and the rest of us! With loving prayers for you both,
s.
Dear Susanne, your latest reports and the newest photo sets are full of life, tranquility and even the joy of sharing new endeavors. What else can I say? Be assured that you and Craig remain in our active prayers. With love, Yakov (and Nancy)
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