Book Summary

Book Summary ** Our lives, after the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, of my husband for a brain tumor, clearly have taken a path less traveled. Yet our journey has and continues to be, a journey of hope, joy and of unyeilding commitment. We invite you into our lives, a view of our childhood, marriage, a marriage seperate from convention, yet strongly bound. Join us as we recall the last twenty-five years, twenty of which have been spent LIVING with a brain tumor. Come, witness our challenges and discover our triumphs as we reinvent our relationship, struggle to redefine marriage roles, communication styles, and reclaim intimacy after illness.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Happy Birthday to my survivor

Happy Birthday to my survivor.

Tomorrow Ron celebrates his 54th birthday

He has spent the past years feeling grateful and not taking any of them for granted.  It is one of those realities you discover when you are faced with a life threatening illness like a brain tumor.  If fact he is thankful for each day he wakes up,  I am also.   One lesson my Mom taught me is to never go to bed mad.  I want to teach others to also wake up grateful.  Grateful for each morning. 
Life has not been easy for us  but we have learned some valuable lessons living through our adversity.

We celebrate all the good things we have and really take time to acknowledge more birthdays.  We have found that the best way to nourish our souls is to visit the beach.  If just for a few moments the stress is washed out with the waves and we surround ourselves with the beauty and excitement of finding a sand dollar or spotting a dolphin in the surf.

Staying in the moment.  When I find that I am stressing over his next MRI or doctor’s appointment I try not to look too far in the future.  What do I have control over in the moment, my attitude.  When I get pre-occupied with the worries I stop and take inventory of my plans and  concentrate on the things in life I have control over.

When those plans you make get altered reach out for support.  Talk through your alternatives and know that if you would be there for others in time of need they are going to be willing to help with open arms.  I have found support from folks that don’t even realize that their kindness mattered.

Trust that you can make it and know that you have everything you need in your heart and soul to survive.

Keep dreams alive.  You cannot achieve your dreams if you have none.  Write them down make a plan.  I really don’t think Ron would be here today if he had stopped dreaming.

Let go of the past mistakes and failures.  Learn from them.  Forgive others who have hurt you. 

Celebrate. Celebrate. Celebrate.  Life is too precious to keep to yourself, find someone to share your love with.