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, September 25, 2008

Family & Friends:
Craig is continuing to gain functionality back each day, particularly in the leg. He has a brace for his arm to help support the weight of the arm so it doesn't put so much strain on the shoulder joint. Recovery in the arm has been slow, but Craig's getting better and better with his left hand. He was finally allowed to shower this morning instead of having bed baths - first time since August 16th. The physical and occupational therapy staff now have photos of all the areas of our home so they can ensure Craig will be able to handle moving around in the house.
Both the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic and Craig's own doctors at University Hospital are continually adding to the list of treatment possibilities that he may be eligible for in October. The plan is to reassess his physical state, do an MRI, and evaluate treatment options again the week of October 13th. They hope to release him from Hanna House rehab facility to home on or about October 3.
We had a good week of my mother visiting from Toronto. She and I got some shopping done and took dinner down to the hospital twice for the three of us to eat together. Craig was in heaven with the prime rib dinner in particular! We played Scrabble one evening, and Craig was much improved from the last time we played. The weather has been gorgeous, so he's been enjoying trips out to the garden. Other friends continue to visit him, too, which is good.
I'm continuing the process of ensuring our lives and home and finances are in order and all the legalities are covered. It's definitely a stressful occupation, but I'm doing my best. Keeping up with my exercising is turning out to be smart - pushing Craig up ramps in his wheelchair takes some muscle power! We've been visiting a friend of his with cancer who is over in the regular part of the hospital (big ramp in the basement tunnel) and there is one in front of his building for doing the trip to and from the garden. We were on TV recently about spirituality and cancer, with a segment that was filmed before this last hospital adventure. You can see the brief video clip at this link: http://www.newsnet5.com/video/17516205/index.html
Love,
Susanne
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