"LIVING AND DYING IN 3/4 TIME"

Jimmy Buffett

     When you get a diagnosis like mine, suddenly you become the center of attention.  The Doctors and Nurses are all over you.  However, there are other folks who need attention....the families and caregivers are often overlooked.  

     It seems to me that more attention should be given the families.  I was given access to services and antidepressants after my diagnosis but no one has yet to offer my family any access to that. 

     It would be easy to forget that your family/caregiver goes through all the mental and emotional anguish that you do.  The only thing that they don't share is the physical aspects of your diagnosis.  

     I think a more holistic approach is needed to win the battle against these diseases.  Not just for the patient but also for the families.  Do not misunderstand, my doctors and nurses have been fantastic, but they have offered little or  no support for my sister.  Mental and emotional help should be part of the treatment not just for the patient but for those around them.  I have seen too many times where folks give in mentally or emotionally and end up losing their battle.  

     You patients need to consider your caregivers.......walk in their shoes, imagine what they are going through.  I know we have it a bit tougher, but they have to support us as well as themselves.

One Day at a Time

IN NOMINE PATRIS ET FILII, ET SPIRITUS SANCTUS

     I have always been aware of the difference between Spirituality and Religion. 

     My Mother did not believe in FORCING her children, or anyone else, to believe in her brand of religion. 

      

     I have been exposed to a large variety of religious beliefs.  Everything from Fundamental Christianity  to Orthodox Judaism.  I had a Grandmother who was Pentacostal, a step-father who was Jewish converted to Catholicism, my adoptive father was Episcopalian, an Uncle whom was Baptist, various friends and family who were ALL varieties of  Protestantism, friends who practiced a wide variety of "New Age" beliefs.

     I attended a Catholic school when I was young and later joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church because my best friend and his family went to it.  I realized later that I had joined not because of shared beliefs but to be with my friend and his family.  The older I got, the more I felt drawn to my first REAL exposure to religion....Catholicism.

     During my first stay in the hospital, I asked for a Priest to come and baptise me into the Catholic church before I went into surgery......two different Priest visited and gave me Blessings, Prayed over me and couldn't get away fast enough.....I was in that hospital for 23 days and neither Priest even followed up.  Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth.  It was not like the Priests and Nuns I remember from my youth.  Those folks were kind and nurturing.  Maybe if I had been rich and could have left lots of money to the Church it might have been different.

     I have no doubt where I will go when I GO.  

Spirituality  your own relationship with God

Religion  someone else's belief in what you should Believe

Especially when Money is involved

     

A HAZY SHADE OF.......

Time, time, time....see whats become of me, while I looked around at my possibilities.....

Paul Simon

     Most of us go through our lives believing we have lots of time to do all those things we always wanted to do.  We put off all kinds of things always thinking we can do it 'tomorrow' or 'next week' or 'next year'.  And for the vast majority of us it will be true with our average life expectancy in the mid 70s and getting longer all the time.  The truth is there is NO guarantee.

     I have my share of things that have been put off till 'later'.  After my diagnosis of cancer I suddenly felt that I had 'run out' of time.  I mourned all the things  'I would NEVER do.  That is BS!!!

     I refuse to give up!  

     No matter who you are or what your situation.......do those things you always wanted to. The biggest SIN in life is not LIVING life.  I mean who really wants to be remembered as a Good Employee......wouldn't it be better to be remembered for your ADVENTURES????

One Day at a Time