Over the last few months as we battled Sheryl’s cancer I’ve been keeping my family and friends updated with a blog. Given the support I’ve received from my MTM family, I thought I would share my last email and blog entry with you.
Hey Guys-
Since our return from Costa Rica in October, Sheryl and I have been touched and blown away by the love and support we’ve received from our many friends.
Nearly every day several folks visit with Sheryl and I love the sound of “life” coming from her room. Believe it or not, on several occasions I’ve had to step in to find out what all the noise was all about. Sheryl truly loves her visits and always gets an energy boost from them. Of course, she also enjoys her naps after words.
I have to say, more than a few folks have been changed by their visit with her.
This is one of life’s harder moments for sure but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy every second of it. Sheryl and I have walked side by side for 28 1/2 years and always found the positive side of life in everything and we will continue to do so for as long as we can.
So, I wanted to say “Thank You” to all of you who have visited, sent food, flowers and gifts, called or included us in your prayers. We appreciate you more than you will ever know.
The hardest time is still to come and while I could have never imagined I would be in this situation at this time in my life, I know the experience would be completely different without your friendship and support.
I thought I would share with you, my MTM family, the latest update to our family blog:
Much To Be Thankful For
Thanksgiving this year was very special - just our family together celebrating everything we are thankful for.
Of course, this year was also different because we had Thanksgiving dinner in our bedroom. Austin, Carlyn and myself sat at a small table while Sheryl ate from her bed. Maybe I should change that. Sheryl ate TOO MUCH from her bed… but her smile was worth it.
Yes - Thanksgiving was special this year or many reasons but also because it will likely be the last we celebrate with Sheryl.
With all of our efforts, we have not been able to stop the growth of the cancer in Sheryl’s body and have called upon Hospice to help us through this time. They’ve been great.
Hospice counts on us for primary care but provides professional support and supplies.
From my first phone call, a nurse arrived within an hour. Later that day equipment arrived. The next morning FedEx knocked at our door with pain killing medication. And every day since, we have had visits from the doctor, nurse, CNA, chaplain, counselor and more. They are an absolute god-send.
Through all of this, Sheryl has accepted her prognosis with a smile. Although she is still hoping for a miracle to get her out of this mess.
Still - life is good.
In the time since my last update we have settled into our new home which, thanks to Carlyn and my credit card, it beautifully decorated. Sheryl loves it!
It seems we’ve had never ending visits from friends and family and all the support that we could ever ask for. We’ve also had all the desserts we could ask for - which of course Sheryl loves.
Sheryl has given up her “healthy” diet and has begun the “things I want to eat one last time diet”. She can’t eat much but she has a healthy appetite and eats all she can.
And - she is at peace with her condition.
Just the other day I walked into her room to find Sheryl deep in thought. I said, “What are you doing?”. Her eyes twinkled and she said “I’m reflecting on how good my life is right now”. Hmmm. I must admit I was a little confused so I said, “How can that be?” Her answer was typical Sheryl.
While she is very ill, nearly every day for over a month she has seen and felt the love of hundreds of folks from around the world. On many days, up to 10 friends have stopped by for a visit and to bring us a few “bad things” to eat.
Some came to make Sheryl feel better. Others needed to connect with her one more time. All left feeling completely different than what they had expected. All were changed by their visit with Sheryl. All experienced that “twinkle” and felt good to have made the trip.
While this may be tragic - all of us are turning it into magic.
So - what’s next.
At this point, the outcome is clear. There is no more treatment and Sheryl continues to follow the path of the disease.
While she continues to be very much with us and visiting folks daily, she is also on more medication with each passing day - although still a minimum dose. Somehow she feels very little pain, eats well and still walks to the bathroom - all signs of somebody who isn’t going anywhere yet.
Her newest goal is to make it until Carlyn’s birthday on December 21st and Christmas. While weak, I think she just might pull it off. Still - our expectation is Sheryl will continue this path and decline a little each day - we just don’t know how long that will be.
That’s it for now.
PS - For those of you who haven’t seen my beautiful wife - here’s a photo taken last year in Colorado.
