Monday, July 14, 2014

It Wasn't Planned!





 Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
June, 2014

When I last hit the “publish” button on February 6, I had no idea that I was about to take a five month break from writing the blog.  As a matter of fact, I already had the next post more than half written.  But as you can see, life intervened and for many reasons, some of which I may share and others that are very personal, the blog went on a lengthy hiatus.  For those of you that have remained in touch with me by email and have refused to let me go, I am eternally grateful. The last ten months have been among the most difficult periods of our lives and without the kindness, love and care from friends, we would not have made it.  That includes some of you and it is truly for that reason I've decided that yes, Gains and Losses will continue.  But I must warn you…..I am not the same person.  And this will not be the same blog.  That is the part with which I am having trouble coming to terms.  Life is very different now and I view most everything through an entirely different lens.  I’m excited to talk about it, but a tad apprehensive as well.  What if you no longer like what I have to say?  I guess time will tell!

To try and cover five months of our journey in one paragraph is ridiculous, but that is what I must do.  Bill completed his nine rounds of chemotherapy and 34 radiation treatments on March 6.  To say he went through hell is putting it mildly.  Only someone who has been through this themselves or been a caregiver to someone who has can truly understand.  Once treatment was completed, it was weeks before we began to see any evidence of improvement from the debilitating side effects.  But I am happy to say that although he still has a long way to go, things are improving and I see glimpses of my sweet, energizer bunny husband of 37 years.  We are told it will likely be up to a year before he feels “normal,” but, thankfully, he is beginning to eat solid food again and has stopped losing weight. The fatigue is still an issue, but with at least 10 hours of sleep at night, he is usually able to get by without an afternoon nap.  Every few days, a "fatigue" day will get him and he just has to give in and call it a day of rest.  Again, we are grateful that those days are becoming further apart and less severe when they do occur.

Our best news is that his three month post treatment scan revealed no evidence of any remaining cancer cells.  His Oncologist was confident this would be the case, but it sure felt good to hear the words.  We are told that his type of malignancy has a low rate of reoccurance, but this is cancer and as we all know, there are no guarantees.  So he will be monitored very carefully and we often wonder how long it will be before we are able to relax. 

My promise to myself was that IF I chose to begin writing again, I would keep my posts short, so holding to that promise, this is enough for now.  But there is much, much more to come.  It will be interesting to see who is still out there! 

Thanks Again!

It’s Good To Be Back



24 comments:

  1. What a delightful Monday morning surprise to see a post from you Sharon! I'm so glad to hear that Bill is on the mend, regardless of how slow (I'm sure it seems glacially slow at times!) the healing is unfolding. You both have been through enough strife and fear for a lifetime, I'm sure. How lucky you are to have each other, and this trial has surely brought you closer than ever. Looking forward to hearing more from you on whatever terms you choose. You make me want to start blogging again myself!

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  2. Welcome back! Looking forward to your awesome photos. Hope you are well and that the RA is not flaring too much. Onward!

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  3. It's wonderful to hear from you Sharon! I was so sad to hear of the news about Bill, but am equally as happy to hear that he is doing well. I understand very well how life's circumstances can change you. My life has done me the same way. And even if you blog differently, it doesn't matter...you still have something worth saying. Talk to us!

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  4. It will be wonderful following along with you again and seeing how your life changes as a result of what I know all too well is a harrowing experience. Isn't it wonderful to be on the other side!! So happy for you and Bill.

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  5. Welcome back and continued prayers for Bill.

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  6. I was so happy to wake up & find a new post waiting in my email. I've truly missed reading your encouraging, motivating thoughts and beautiful pictures. I have prayed for you during the absence of posts. May God bless you and welcome back.

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  7. Good to hear from you! I was just thinking of you the other day and wondered it you would ever resume blogging. Glad to hear that Bill is done with treatment and cancer free! Sending good thoughts your way for his continued healing. :)

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  8. So glad you wrote and am excited to read of your new journey. Life isn't static, the ebb and flow is natural and I appreciate your willingness to share it with us. Praises for your husband's healing. You were missed. Welcome back :)

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  9. I'm glad you're coming back! And I think you should embrace the changes. Who cares if people are put off by them? It'll strike a note with new people. You're different, and that's ok. *hugs*

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  10. SO glad to hear from you again, Kidlet! You were missed and thought of often...

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  11. Welcome back Sharon! So good to have you back. :-) You were missed and supported in prayer all the while. I look forward to reading your posts again. Give me a shout if you want to get out for a short hike.

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  12. Welcome back. That was a rough time of chemo, etc. and it sounds like good news and time for recovering.

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  13. Welcome back Sharon. I'm delighted to know that a Bill is recovering well. I look forward to reading more about what life is like for you now and how this experience has changed you.

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  14. Welcome back Sharon! What a surprise when I clicked on your blog and found you had written a new post! I look forward to reading your new posts, whatever their topic!

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  15. So glad to get news of you both! Welcome back! I am glad Bill is regaining his strength. You both have been through an entirely undesirable experience. I thought of you both often

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  16. Hi Friend, I am one who has been with you and Bill through all of this... I prayed and prayed --and will continue to do so. I admire both of you for your fantastic attitudes throughout the past months. You kept God close --and depended on friends and family. I'm proud of you both.

    Blog when you can --but enjoy that wonderful hubby and just enjoy life for awhile.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  17. There you are! I've been so worried about Bill and about you. Glad to hear all is well. You write whatever the heck you want whenever the heck you want, it's your blog after all, right? Cory wasn't doing so well again but a new medication (how many is that now?) seems to be helping more than anything else ever has. He's gained over 15 pounds in a month and is talking about going back to work. I had to buy him new clothes, nothing fit! Recovery doesn't happen all at once for any of us, you guys keep working at it and enjoying what life has to offer.

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  18. Welcome back, Sharon! So glad to hear things are looking up for the both of you! :)

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  19. Welcome back, Sharon! So sorry I wasn't here for the re-entry!

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  20. So glad you are back, and so glad Bill is on the mend finally. Whatever this blog evolves in to is your decision...it's YOUR blog. Thanks for sharing pieces of your life with the rest of us. Love you friend!

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  21. This made my day. Thank you for posting an update for those of us anxious to hear where you two are in this journey. May peace continue to hold both of you up as you move toward a better, brighter chapter. :-)

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  22. I'm still here and glad you're back! Glad to hear your husband is getting better. You can blog whatever you like but I hope to read an occasional blog about your hikes:) I miss that place so much! Love and Prayers!

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