Christmas 2020

 

Christmas 2020

In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril,  Amlodopine,  Omeprazole, Tamsulosin
On The Stereo: The Christmas Song: Nat King Cole

"Faithful friends that are dear to us, will won't be near to us, once more."

At least not this year, they won't.  We did not get to Raleigh to see our kids this Thanksgiving, and  we most certainly will not be traveling over these holidays.  And that is the bad news.  But, for good reason.

My day surgery at Moffitt was both necessary and successful.  

                                                                    A selfie in pre-op.

The residual effects of anesthesia and the resultant bruising from being manhandled have taken their time exiting my old bod.  In fact, my surgeon apologized for the marks when I had my stitches removed.  He told me that they had really beaten me up.  Trust me.  I knew that.  I was left with a deep, all encompassing pain, and that touch of nausea, which often seems to follow.

                             Two back surgeries, well taped.  The upper culprit held the melanoma.

                                                Post bandages, showing the classic "flap" surgery.

                                                    Bruising under the lymph node removal site.

After the last couple of weeks, my wounds are healing and it is time to crank up some physical activities.  I have been idle for far too long.  Some of my golf buddies might have suspected that I had gone into hibernation.  The inner stitches should have adequately done their job, and I need to get moving again.  At my age, if I don't  remain active, I suspect I will begin the petrification process, and I will lose mobility.  With Kat home for the holidays, I am looking forward to her company and for us to get outside again.  We expect to be walking a beach and playing some golf sometime this week.

Our grandkids are Facetiming us regularly, and are earning their Christmas bonus by playing our game.  They are, hopefully, having as much fun as we, by answering our quiz questions.  They are still working on a couple of dancing videos for us.  One will be a contest for who can do "The Papa Shuffle" the best, and the other will capture their parents dancing.  That one I conceived, so that they can see their mom and dad, together, dancing and in love.  That video will live on with them, forever.

                             Kath, enticing me, in her sexy Christmas pajamas.  Who could resist?

My Child Bride and I are settled in for the next few weeks.  It will be a Merry Christmas again this year.  Pandemic be damned.  As the school semester was winding down, she was grinding to the finish.  Each day closer to Christmas had become increasingly more taxing.  Her batteries need a re-charge, and her energy will return with the passage of time.  Interestingly, if we were to drive to Raleigh, the stress of organizing and the drive to and from, would have taken a toll.  Covid will give her a much needed rest.  At home.  With me.  Good luck.

I understand that Covid is front of mind these days, but my mission is not to report on the pandemic.

Cancer.  

That is why I began writing.  To tell a cancer story and to thank all who give help to those of us who have the disease.  It never ends, this story.  We have family and dear friends who, right now, are in their own cancer fight.  Some are deep in battle and sadly, a few are nearing the end of their own stories.  I think of them every single day.  And I know that prayer is not in fashion for many people these days, but I still pray.  For their healing and for peace.  I don't believe that my prayers are anywhere as powerful as those who had success when they prayed for me, but I do what I can.  Despite being told, several times, that I had but a few months to live, here am I.  Still.  Remember that.  Prayers and science can be a winning combination.

I would like to end my last post for this year, with a sincere thank you to all of you who have contributed to the cause of cancer.  I, for one, would not be alive were it not for the success of cancer research.  My cancer was a gift, as I have often said.  Many friends were gained and wonderful memories are mine forever, as a result of this most insidious disease.  I believe that I have become a more caring and understanding person (Kath may have some doubts about this)  as a direct result of my melanoma, and the struggles we have endured.  Our battles have been never-ending.  And will continue tomorrow and for the days that follow.  

Too many of us continue to live with cancer.  Many more will contract the disease.  And even more will succumb.   It is a malicious disease which needs to be eradicated.  We all need to do something to reach that end. 

Science has given us a Covid 19 vaccine.  A miracle, accomplished in historically short time.  We need, somehow, to charge those same scientists and drug companies to garner that same energy and do the same for cancer.  The world needs a cure. 

I am thankful to be alive this Christmas.  I am surrounded by my family and friends, if only in my mind and in my heart. 

Thank you for continuing to share my life and my story.  You are spectacular.  And you are mine.

Merry Christmas.

Love from Florida.

p.s. Just received my pathology report on the lymph node. Negative.  No cancer.  The melanoma on my back was in situ.  A wonderful Christmas present.

Kathy and Robin