A tearful day Volunteering

Before I get started on everything I experienced today while volunteering today, I wanted to just give a little update about my health.  I'm feeling good, except for that annoying spot on my hipbone.  After I received the cortisone shot from Dr. Freeman I honestly thought all would be well in my little world for a while.  The pain has not subsided it continues to get worse, last week Eric and I were at a wedding reception and I could barely walk without him helping me out to the car.  Needless to say, I contacted Dr. Freeman's office and he has ordered more tests on my hip, when I know more I will let you know.

Mr. Sweet ringing the bell

This is the team Kaleb, Cammi, Mr. Sweet, Teddy and Tracy
there is something special about each one of them

Mr. Sweet gave me a hug on his way out

I look forward to Wednesdays when I get to volunteer in the radiation/oncology department, today was no exception.  Upon arriving I looked at the schedule, one new patient and two who were going to get to ring the bell today--which means it is the last day of radiation treatment.  Today as Mr. Sweet was waiting for his final treatment he and I had a really good talk, he's had a rough time of it, none of his family lives close by so he comes to treatment by himself.  He told me he has a home in Rocky Point, on the water we found out through our conversation that he eats at Sally's all the time, it is one of our favorite places to eat when we go to Rocky Point.  Mr. Sweet, made me tear up today when he said good-bye to all the nurses and techs on his radiation team, he talked about how special they have made his experience and with tears in his eyes he said his good-byes.

Mr. Fimbres and Me


I look forward every week to seeing this guy, Mr. Fimbres is a special man, very happy and positive about life.  I don't know how many times I have said this on my blog but I am a firm believer that people come into our lives for a reason, and I know today I was supposed to sit and talk with Mr. Fimbres.  Without going into details, we talked about the relationship between the caregiver and the patient while going through this journey.  I explained to him how many emotions I went through when I was first diagnosed but how hard it was to find anyone to talk to who truly knew what I was feeling,  when I would see Eric crying it would break my heart  because I didn't know how to console or help him plus deal with all of my own medical issues.  Eric and I decided from the beginning that he did not understand what I was going through as a cancer patient and I have never been a caregiver so I had no idea what he was feeling either, we agreed that our perspectives were going to be completely different as we each went down our journey together with the VILLAIN.  Mr. Fimbres started to tear up as I relived these memories with him, I started to tear up knowing he  was experiencing some of this.  He has an enormous amount of love for his wife and children, does not want them to worry or be frightened.  I think for men when the diagnosis of cancer shatters their life, the emotions are about fear of taking care of their family, the stress is enormous. Talking to Mr. Fimbres today opened my eyes (even if a little watery) to the fact that  although he and I have different types of cancers, the communication  we share with our spouses is the same.  Cancer will definetely test your faith and can cause anxiety and stress in a relationship, the key is being able to rely on the other person for  strength and an anchor for the days when you need lifting up, whether you are the care-giver or the patient.  There are days when the caregiver needs taken care of too.  Thank you Mr. Fimbres for coming into my life these past couple of weeks, you are stronger than you think and can do hard things.  God Bless you and your sweet family.