Wednesday, July 26, 2006
A Lucky Escape
On Monday we went to the hospital dentist because James had a sore tooth.They sent us down to Xray and they scanned his mouth.We had to take the xrays back to the dentist and she said he had 3 big abcesses under some teeth.Then she asked me what his platelette count was and I told her it was 94.She said they couldnt extract the teeth unless he had a transfusion to get the count up to 100...we both got very stressed out and worried all night..then James went online because he remembered that our friend Dave who also had lymphoma,had some problems with his teeth too...and his turned out to be tumors.So yesterday we went back to palliative care and talked to our doctor who is wonderful and takes great care of us.He said James teeth xrays were tumors too and he would have been in big trouble if they had taken the teeth out as they would have disturbed the tumor roots! He told us that because James has had no treatment a transfusion wouldnt be a solution either and it is an invasive treatment too..
So after a couple of days of stress and worry we are now sitting on our deck in the sun,drinking coffee and loving the day that God has made.We dont have to worry or be afraid and we have gone back into a safe mode where we are taking each day as it comes.We dont want medical intervention,we only want for the cancer to take its natural course..we wont disturb anything and we will trust in God to take care of us.
We have been so grateful for the caring comments that you have all left for us.Its a great comfort to know that your out there and that you care.A special thanks to Chana who keeps in constant contact with cards and notes...and for her lovely butterfly pics too:)
posted by butterflies @ 4:04 PM
13 Comments:
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Dear Butterflies, what a beautiful spirit you are. I feel so inspired by your and James' love and committment to celebrating each day. It helps me to get up on my bad days, and see that the sun is shining, and that alone is worth getting up to see. I'm sure it gets tiring to hear "how brave you are, How strong" so I'll just borrow a quote that you said, Chayna posted, and now I bring it back to you, it has brough me so much comfort, I thank you for that " Life never ends. There is never a time when we didn't exist and there's never a time when we cease to exist".
From one who does not pray, but now believes, you and James are in my heart.
K.
I am sent by Chana to wish well, to give you love and offer prayers. That I will do without question. I don't know that I could do what the two of you are doing ... I can't even begin to imagine what your lives must be like at this moment. I only hope that when I find myself in a similar situation that I find the grace support to face the future as you and your James are doing.
May God go with you both and surround you with love and peace.
pls don't embarrass me B. if you only knew that i am the one who thanks you and James so often in my mind for the opportunity of seeing and learning what i do from both of you.
see you are not all tucked in the other end of the world. you are right here with me and i'm living so much of this with you. i came back so full of joy and gratefulness for the gift that
God gave me in letting me see my family and then i understood that much more that you both live it daily. NOW THAT IS GRATEFULNESS. not just for a trip or a cuddle from a grandma but for life. each day, each breath, and most of all for love.
i should have known that lesson already. with my car accident, with my silly condition that is such a tease and with my daughter's condition but i forgotten. i got lazy and forgot.
i saw my father live more in the last 7 years of his life, truly live, more than the other 40 yrs, yet i had forgotten i guess.
whenever you speak of James and what he is going through, i remember my dad. his bravery, his love and belief in God's. his acceptance. his wish for love for me. i feel i know more of you both than you write. i feel connected so much to you and to my dad and to God. i am the one who thanks you for all that you give me. if only i could do more. make it worth something, these lessons....
what you wrote tonight is incredibly similar to my dad's last days...he came back from what it ended up being his good bye trip to see his sisters in LA and went from the airport to the dentist...they pulled a tooth out that was trouble and that is how it all started. he started bleeding and it never stopped. things got as worse as they can get.
i'm forever grateful that James is now 'fine' with the teeth issue. it is stable for now and that means time that God has granted still. time is precious. i'm grateful for it, that you have it.
B, you are not alone. we, so many faceless souls love you. we hurt with you and wish we could help. B, always know that you are a special someone that God chosed to look after a very special James. that you are rewarded on earth with his love and in heaven someday with God's everlasting life.
you two will never really be apart.
I'm always thanking Butterflies for her support, but I'd like to take a moment to thank God for you who read and contact her here on her Blog, for you have been a great support to her.
And thank God she didn't get those blood counts right!!!!!
James
First, Dave just keeps helping us doesn't he!!!????!!! I know that was him whispering in your ears saying "Remember, remember..." & you did. I'm so glad the tumors were undisturbed.
NHL just plan sucks!!! It is always popping up somewhere else just when you think things are somewhat stable.
I'm here everyday. Sometimes it is just too painful for me to comment, but my love is always with you. You are in my heart & I feel both of you beside me each day.
I never thought I would know anyone braver than my darlin' bro, but I do...you & James. You have faced this with such grace, dignity, love, & faith. It has brought you closer. Your struggle, like Dave's, has taught others the importance of appreciating the little things in life that are so often taken for granted. It has taught others the importance of living each day fully, telling those that you love just how you feel. It is a wonderful example of your faith & "playing the hand you are dealt"--no sniveling, no "why me?". Bless you for sharing the lessons with so many others. You both are truly an inspiration.
Enjoy the day & remember DANCE!!!!
I love you so much!!
Blessed be....
Reading your blog today gave me much hope and oh what a blessing. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both.
God Bless
Just thought I'd look in. Glad he didn't have the teeth pulled. Really glad that you have some special time . I will keep praying for you.
Dear Butterflies and James,
I heard a somg on the radio, I don't know who it was by, or the title, but it was about love, and I don't know your face, but I feel your love, and wanted to share with you my blessings for today.
Best wishes,
K.
oh i'm so happy James commented...i had to read it a couple of times to make sure i was reading right who it was from...yahoo....how sweet of him...how loving...how magical of him to think of saying those loving words...See B, see how can we not love you both so much? it is frankly impossible...i never go back and read comments but tonight i just had to and now i'm beaming...
James, you are a Blessing to so many people. we love you. think of you. pray for you. care for you....for you and your family all this because you are all a Gift to Us....so, thank you...God Bless.
Your life is special and so is James's life.
not wanting to intrude...not wanting to be nousy..
just wanted to stop and say hi...thank you for the lovely comment...
hope you are enjoying the wknd...
hugs, kisses and love to you both..
butterflies :) After all love from the above (Chana)He!He!He!, If there a little room left,Then let me fill it up by saying that you are two people I always remember in my prayers. ;) .Faith makes all things possible.
Love makes them easy.
Thanks for the lovely comment,Hope you are having a nice weekend
All the best
I am in awe of the strength and courage both you and James display. I continue my prayers for both of you...
Polar B.