Hello to all the lovely and loving family and friends like you that I have been blessed to have in my life and on this journey. I've been trying to compose this long letter to you for about a month and find it a very stressful and difficult task. I hope that it's not a final note, but the reality of it is, that it might be. As I told you before, the oncologist has run out of chemo and other treatments to throw at my cancer. So after several difficult discussions with various doctors, other medical specialists and especially with Dave, Scott and Julia, I have come to the conclusion that after three-plus years of struggling to fight this condition, and balancing quantity of life with quality of life, it was time to now let the disease take it course and come to it's natural conclusion. Only God knows when that will be. The oncologist is guessing two to four months, but it is just that, a guess.
Since I have been so physically strong through all this, with nothing else wrong...no heart trouble, nor diabetes, etc., she can't make an accurate estimation. I have been a surprise to my doctors through all this, recovering from surgeries and chemos that they assumed would put me down.
Since my last operation and twelve radiaton treatments in September, I have been able to increase my daily walk lengths to an hour plus. It certainly increases my stamina and helps reduce my stress level.
All this has emotionally been very difficult for me, but also for Dave, Scott and Julia, but they have been understanding and loving throughout, allowing me to lean heavilly on them emotionally and physically to help me get through dark, difficult moments, hours, days and I'm deeply grateful to them for their loving support.
My pillbox is now a "double decker" and I require Dave's help to keep it all straight.
Problems are still pouring. Last week my nurse saw some suspicious spots on my body and forced my primary care doctor to give me an immediate appointment. She quickly diagnosed it as shingles (oh joy, oh joy) and sent me immediately to the Emergency Room where a doctor administered interveinous antiviral meds, and gave me five horse pills to choke down with water and applesauce. The good news is that I'm no longer contageous...a fact for which I am very greatful. The bad news is I have a week's worth of huge pills to somehow get down. Ah well, at least the medicines exists.
Since I seem to be at the point of no return, and on the advice of my doctors, I've made the difficult decision to begin Hospice care associated with my hospital. I won't be going anywhere. This wonderful organization allows me to stay in my own home and, when needed, they will come to me.
Through all this stew of hard news, there is some happy news. A couple weeks ago we had a brief, but happy visit from Rebecca. It was so nice to see her again after so many years.
Plus, my life-long friend, Jackie Beuche Rinehart, was up from Texas for a three joyful day visit. And later this week, sister Betty is scheduled to come to visit the "west coast part of the family" for a few days. How lucky I feel to see all of them again.
Sandra Cooke (Cross)
...and I 'm not talking about salt...
Hello to all the lovely and loving family and friends like you that I have been blessed to have in my life and on this journey. I've been trying to compose this long letter to you for about a month and find it a very stressful and difficult task. I hope that it's not a final note, but the reality of it is, that it might be. As I told you before, the oncologist has run out of chemo and other treatments to throw at my cancer. So after several difficult discussions with various doctors, other medical specialists and especially with Dave, Scott and Julia, I have come to the conclusion that after three-plus years of struggling to fight this condition, and balancing quantity of life with quality of life, it was time to now let the disease take it course and come to it's natural conclusion. Only God knows when that will be. The oncologist is guessing two to four months, but it is just that, a guess.
Since I have been so physically strong through all this, with nothing else wrong...no heart trouble, nor diabetes, etc., she can't make an accurate estimation. I have been a surprise to my doctors through all this, recovering from surgeries and chemos that they assumed would put me down.
Since my last operation and twelve radiaton treatments in September, I have been able to increase my daily walk lengths to an hour plus. It certainly increases my stamina and helps reduce my stress level.
All this has emotionally been very difficult for me, but also for Dave, Scott and Julia, but they have been understanding and loving throughout, allowing me to lean heavilly on them emotionally and physically to help me get through dark, difficult moments, hours, days and I'm deeply grateful to them for their loving support.
My pillbox is now a "double decker" and I require Dave's help to keep it all straight.
Problems are still pouring. Last week my nurse saw some suspicious spots on my body and forced my primary care doctor to give me an immediate appointment. She quickly diagnosed it as shingles (oh joy, oh joy) and sent me immediately to the Emergency Room where a doctor administered interveinous antiviral meds, and gave me five horse pills to choke down with water and applesauce. The good news is that I'm no longer contageous...a fact for which I am very greatful. The bad news is I have a week's worth of huge pills to somehow get down. Ah well, at least the medicines exists.
Since I seem to be at the point of no return, and on the advice of my doctors, I've made the difficult decision to begin Hospice care associated with my hospital. I won't be going anywhere. This wonderful organization allows me to stay in my own home and, when needed, they will come to me.
Through all this stew of hard news, there is some happy news. A couple weeks ago we had a brief, but happy visit from Rebecca. It was so nice to see her again after so many years.
Plus, my life-long friend, Jackie Beuche Rinehart, was up from Texas for a three joyful day visit. And later this week, sister Betty is scheduled to come to visit the "west coast part of the family" for a few days. How lucky I feel to see all of them again.
Love, Sudie
Patricia Cassell (Miller)
What an amazing woman. Feel so fortunate to have known her.