Richard has a birthday Saturday. Birthdays have a different meaning when you have cancer. At least that's what I hear. (Personally, the anniversary of my birth has never meant much to me. As a kid, it wasn't on the menu). We're also nearing the second anniversary of diagnoses. Sliding off the Christmas holidays, these are our next “big dates”. We're both doing a bit of reflecting.
It took a while but we now have the most amazing team of doctors working with us. Not to mention the BEST oncology nursing staff on the planet. Rich is getting better every day—his lab results are good, his energy improves, his humor returns. He is starting to talk about the garden as if cancer were not part of the equation. I like that. Doctor's appointments are not as frequent, and he's scheduling them around future golf plans. I could do the happy dance.
How did we get here? There is not a day flying by that I do not acknowledge and give thanks. Rich's oncologist and surgeon are delighted with his progress. He tells me that they just grin and shake their heads. I used to find it odd that despite their display of amazement, they never asked what WE were doing. I no longer wonder about their lack of interest. I've come to accept that it is their job to deal with the cancer; it's up to me and Rich to deal with the rest of it.
Since day one I've focused on nutrition. I think I've covered that in the blog. I've researched and worked heavily with herbal supplements, always tweaking and adjusting according to the meds and his symptoms. When he was septic, my brother ordered and installed a special UVC light in the bedroom to cleanse the air. I have a Himalayan salt light in the bedroom. I submerge his feet in a de-tox foot bath once a week. I've got aromatherapy going to beat the band. If I got paid for how hard I'm working my mojo, we'd be rich. We've got the very best family doctor helping us both to keep healthy, sane and moving forward. (Thank you Dr Peiffer!) And I have lost count of how many prayer lists Rich is on. (Thank you ALL!!) We have friends and family that have become a rock of support and understanding. We have Kenny, Olivia, Madeline and Tessa to anchor us in Joy and Hope.
The most important gift that I have brought to the fight is Reiki. When I look back, it's almost spooky how I discovered and followed the Reiki path. As if fifteen years ago I was guided towards a blessing I would need in the future. That's how Reiki works. Five years ago I achieved Master level, and every day is a new discovery on the journey. If I could only give one word of advice or comfort to another warrior of cancer, it would be.... Reiki. Find a practitioner that you can connect with and open your mind and heart to it.
I was hugely cynical at first (my nature), but I was also open-minded and curious (my nature). And here's the deal, when you get a diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer, tell me you're not grasping for anything the Universe has to offer. Placebos have a 30% efficacy.
I never expected Reiki to heal Richard of cancer. My intent was to provide him with as much physical, emotional and spiritual comfort as possible. In the process of channeling that energy, he seemed to take on an anti-cancer power that has astounded everyone who's crossed his path. From day one he said, “There's a reason for this. I don't know what, but I have to go with it.”
That's Richard. Eighteen-wheeler, asphalt cowboy, truck-drivin' man. He's gonna roll on down the road. Today we're at mile marker 679. Destination not in sight.
But it's got to be the Going, not the Getting There that's good.
