An Update 2

I am excited to write this because for the past weeks I have been comfortable, energetic, and was able to do a lot of things. I don't know if they can be called work, but I have been doing things that mean a lot to me.

(Isn't it so much better to write about our victories than our pains and frustrations?)

First thing in my agenda is to get well. I have been consistent in taking my meds, and I am seeing good results! When I started taking the vitamins shown below, I have felt more energetic than I ever was. I think it's also the combination of things. These vitamins plus my other meds for iron, pain, and liver care are all helping me. Thank God for modern medicine!

I am not suggesting that others take these vitamins. I am simply writing about my personal experience. If you are interested in taking these, please ask your doctor. I consulted my doctor before taking these, and she said yes to it.

This morning, I had to thank my husband again as I always do because I really am grateful for him. I told him, my life is prolonged because of the care he is giving me. Isn't that true?

If a patient is secure in the care she is receiving, there can be more peace and joy in her that leads to more life.

Speaking of life, these are the things that occupied MY LIFE for the past weeks:

-We had a fund-raising event called, Great Cuts to Fight Breast Cancer. Some of the hairdressers I know gathered together to support this event. Not only do they love and care for me, but they remember the relationship they had with my mom. They think so fondly of her that they supported our cause wholeheartedly. They are friends and family who are fun-loving and full of life. Not only did we receive funding that's more than we expected, but we also had a lot of fun! There was dancing, singing, and crazy photo shoots. It was a break from my quiet life. I definitely needed that fun time. It was also great to see some of those who care for our family in person. It is life-giving for cancer patients to receive that kind of love. There is nothing like having real connections, apart from the internet that largely occupies us.  

I am truly grateful. Enjoy these wacky shots!

 

We are currently planning to have fundraisers every month. We'd like to make these gatherings fun and worthwhile to remember as family and friends come together. 

We are thankful for everybody's constant support.

-Scrapbooking. I have collected all our albums that are falling apart, and decided to work on one family scrapbook. It will show our wedding pictures, both our civil and church weddings, the birth of our girls, and their growing up years. I am not sure if I am doing a good job. I try to copy the ones in Pinterest but I am just a scrapbooker wanna-be. It's my first time to do this, so I expect improvements later on...hopefully. Here are some samples, 

Yikes! I really hope to be better at this.

-My happy art continues! Not only does this keep me busy, it has also been something I do with my kids. It is a good bonding time with them as we all work in my bed, being comfortably creative. :) Truthfully, I can't draw (Wow, this is brand new information! Not! Haha). What matters is I am having fun, and it keeps me away from negative thoughts and emotions.

Joey's work (ten years old)

Toni's (fourteen years old)

Andi's (seventeen years old)

-Lastly, I have been doing some work with my husband by pitching in ideas for our fundraisers, making a list of things that need to be done, and helping him organize by communicating with persons involved. It doesn't sound much, but I'm happy I am able to do more now. It feels good to be productive, but admittedly, I still can't do a lot of physical work as I still get tired easily. I am not expected by the people around me to work. They're actually doing a good job  in spoiling me. :) But for the season I am in, to do some work feels right. It helps me look forward to things, and therefore, gives me more strength.

November 5 is my third cycle of chemo. So far the new chemo drug, CMF, has been effective. I've been feeling lighter and a lot more comfortable. Please pray that it continues to be effective. 

I am grateful for everything that is keeping me here with my husband and children. It is not yet my time...there are still things to do and say, more love to give, prayers to be prayed, bible verses to read and learn from, and more moments to be touched and encouraged by others, seeing in them the goodness of God.

Cancer Perks

 

Please don't judge me after this post. There is this thing that we call, "cancer perks" at home. 
It's something my children came up with and we all laugh about it. 

Cancer perks mean, I am not expected to do house work, can sleep the whole day, and when I ask for something, like food, or something I want for us to do as a family, as long as it's within reason, my husband buys or does it for me. To be honest, I enjoy this a lot. Haha

One patient talked about the time he was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He started to enjoy life. He drove his Benz up a mountain, enjoyed the view and wind, and drank his red wine. "Ang sarap mag-ka-cancer," he continued to say. 

Cancer patients are encouraged to take fun seriously. We are urged to truly live, and live to the fullest; to do what we've always wanted to do. We are not looked at in a weird way when we cry, get scared, or have emotional breakdowns.

Cancer perks. :)

At home, we only have one helper. We call someone from time to time to clean and work in the garden. We bring our clothes to a laundry shop. So it's pretty manageable. I've chosen this system at home, so we are all more encouraged to move and do chores, especially my children. 

When I was well and strong. I did some of the housework; cooked, washed the dishes, gave the dog a bath, and picked leaves in the garden, and a few more things to help out our helper and Doods. 

This time, though I still do a few things at home, I really am not expected to do anything, except to work on getting well, strong, stable, and happy.

Cancer perks! 

I take this as an opportunity to train my girls as well, to be more responsible at home. The things I used to do are now passed on to them. There are certain chores assigned to them. And they are not only taught to do these things, but to do them willingly, even cheerfully. 

It isn't always easy to motivate them to work around the house. But more and more they are learning. When they see me just sitting while they do work, they all jokingly say, "cancer perks." Inside, I giggle.