Continuing on the medical front, Dr. Davis has prescribed oral steroids (dexamethasone) and a new anti-nausea med (compazine) for mom to try at home this week. He is also increasing the Marinol, marijuana derivative, from once a day to twice a day. Oh, the wonders of drugs! But, of course, wonderful only when you're sick... We maintain the Just Say NO! campaign at all times in this family!! No sneaking the marijuana derivative from mom's medicine cabinet!!
Just say NO!
Besides mom needs all the marinol she can get - it does seem to be increasing her appetite and just might be helping with the nausea. So, Go Marinol! Although word is, it's cheaper on the streets, think Dad can cross on over to the dark side?
On a more serious note, I'm sure everyone has heard by now that Steve Jobs lost his battle with pancreatic cancer this week. Our prayers go out to his family as they begin even now to wade through the deep grief of his death. It somehow feels like a personal loss to us. There's a built-in empathy with other pancreatic cancer sufferers. Common bonds form even when we don't know the person, a sort of cheerleading effect when we see other patients triumph. It's easy to be encouraged and think, if they can do it, I can too. But on the flip side, there's a keen, gut-wrenching disappointment when the cancer wins. Personal doubt. Struggle to make it not so personal. To not make comparisons with his weight loss, his gauntness. To distance ourselves from the loss.
His death is a reminder that this cancer is no respecter of persons. Rich or poor, young or old, black or white, there is no rhyme or reason to who it will strike. And even a brilliant visionary such as Steve Jobs was powerless to beat this disease, to find a cure for this most vicious of cancers.
My prayer is that his story will shed a light on all the thousands who are struggling to survive this cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and roughly 40,000 new cases will be reported this year. The death rate for pancreatic cancer this year will reach 37,000 people. Unbelievably this statistic hasn't changed much in the last 20 years, nor have the treatments. Mom is being treated with the most effective chemotherapy available for pancreatic cancer, the same treatment that has been used for the last two decades. More research is imperative, more funding necessary to change these dismal statistics and give pancreatic cancer patients a fighting chance.
Steve Jobs life was extraordinary. As is Mom's life. As is yours and mine. Each one precious. Don't take a minute, not even a second for granted. This weekend is the perfect time to breath life in deeply. I'm thanking God for each blessing and every joy He's placed in our path...
May all your Weekend Wanderings be Sweetly Blessed , Jane
2 comments:
In the blink of an eye my mom was given the same diagnosis October 2010. With so many things to look forward to it all washed away. A new great grandson, a wedding and 6 grandsons whom she adores. I fight for her everyday because as you all know, you need an advocate due to the harsh words from a well meaning doctor and endless hope at a year or so. Keep hospice out of your vocabulary. As we speak she is having an MRI to see what her fate is. I would not wish this on anyone. My sister just called. They are on their way for a burger.
Thank you for sharing. I'm thinking of you and your mom, especially at this 1 year anniversary. Celebrating life with you! Babies, Brides and Burgers... Nothing Better! Praying for Joy in the Moment, Jane
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