C is for Cancer…
In an effort to improve on my writing I have decided to sign up for Encyclopedia of me which started over at Bella Dia (and which I found out about by reading Laura`s blog here...) Today`s post is a little delayed…I have published D is for.. and E is for… before C is for Cancer…
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I think almost everyone has had someone close to them affected by cancer…This disease sometimes seems as if it is taking over the world. In my life, several family members, friends, parents of friends have had cancer…It is a horrible disease.
When I was fifteen my father was diagnosed with lymphoma, stage four. It was one of the biggest shocks of my life. We grow up thinking our parents are invincible and when something threatens that our lives feel like they are falling apart.
I remember that I didn`t know how to tell my friends at school that it was happening. I had told one or two of my friends but didn`t know how to tell them all….It is such a hard thing to stand up and announce without breaking down, or crying…especially when you are fifteen and an emotional mess. I wrote them a letter…and when I gave it to them I apoligised for not been able to say what was inside.
It took a year for him to have chemo, a stem-cell transplant and go into remission. Since 2001 he has been in remission until now. Then a month ago they found cancer cells, in a routine check-up. My father has had other health problems over the last couple of years and we were waiting for test results on another check when these results came in. It was the last thing we expected…after a stem-cell transplant, for the same cancer to come back is a rarity….one we thought we had bypassed…
I am so far away from my family…I can`t zip home for the weekend or for dinner once a week…I can`t be there to help my dad. or my family. This is not the only thing I haven`t been around for, in the last couple of years a lot of stuff has happened, stuff that I can`t go into on a blog that is as open as this one, stuff that I can`t control. But that still makes me upset that I am not there for my mum or my dad or little brother….
Shumpei and I had decided to go back to Australia in July, part of this was so that he could learn English and get to know my family and part of it was because I wanted to, needed to, be around my family…and then this happened. So I know we have made the right choice. I have decided I will be returning to Australia a little earlier than planned…in mid-May…I will be finishing up work in April….As I mentioned on here a week or so ago, I have a stomach ulcer which they say is caused by stress….I have had a lot of stress recently with all this going on back in Australia and also with work….So I am going home a little earlier, even though it means Shun and I will be apart for about 6 weeks to two months. We have done long-distance before and we both think it would be a good idea for me to spend time with my family alone before he follows me over.
Nothing has been decided with my fathers Cancer at this stage…It is stage one and the lumps are not even big enough to be felt…We are waiting for other test results, and at this stage it is definitely not as serious or as advanced as it was seven years ago…A decision will be made about treatment in the next month or so. You may wonder why no treatment has been decided as of yet but there are other test results and tests that needed to be conducted before anything can be decided….
Cancer is a horrible disease and it is affecting so many people…people we love and care about, people we admire….I can not believe it is affecting my family yet again….
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*hugs*
I’m glad that you’re in a position to come home earlier than expected, since that’s clearly what you need to do.
I know there’s nothing anyone can say to help, so I’ll just say I hope things turn out ok.
xx
Hi Laura,
I’m so sorry to hear that things have not been going well for you and your family lately. You definately need to take time out to look after your health and to be there for your family. I’m glad to hear that you are coming back earlier. You family is lucky to have a daughter and sister like you who loves them so much. They know you care about them and it will mean heaps that you are coming back to be with them. It’s also good for you because it will be easier getting your stomach ulcer treated over here. Stay strong and positive okay!
Love, Katie
Oh Laura – I’m sorry I was so ignorant and had no idea what ‘C’ could possibly stand for! Duh!
I’m sorry to hear about your dad – it must be so hard to be so far away, and to try to continue on from a distance – no wonder you do have an ulcer. Take heart that you will be home soon and that I’m sure they completely understand your circumstance – I do know of other only interstate families that have not even made a visit, so you’re doing a great thing.
Big hugs to you and your family – I do hope that you have a good time with your family, both before and while Shun is over. Plus you will have to come down and visit me if I don’t come up and visit you!!
)
Hey honey,
I’d guessed what ‘c’ was for. I’m SO sorry. Can I buy you a large chamomile tea? (Might even sneak some vodka into it).
Hugs,
Jo
xxx
Amanda: Thank you *hugs* back!!! We probably won`t get a chance to meet anytime soon, with you heading back overseas and me heading home to Brisbane for awhile but I am sure that one day we will meet…whether it is in Europe, Japan, Australia or somewhere completely different I am definitely looking forward to it! Going home is what I need to do and now that I know I can do it sooner rather than later a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Katie: Thanks! Most likely once I start temping I will be back in the city so I think a few lunch dates will be in order…Who knows I could end up in the same govt. section as you!!!!
Enny: It`s ok, you couldn`t have known! Thank you for your support…I will definitely be coming down to Canberra sometime, have never been before and it is high time I visited the nations capital!!! I am sure the hun and Shumpei will get on brilliantly…Is the hun good at hand gestures? *giggle*
Jo: It`s ok…it was just a shock…after all that has happened recently the cancer reappearing was the last thing we thought would happen. I would love a vodka chamomile tea actually! Sounds brilliant. Are you free this Friday night by any chance? Or the following? We still need to catch up!!!
The Hun will do his best – otherwise, he was quite brave with the language dictionary – we still have one that might come in handy
)
Cancer is just a horrid horrid thing that touches way too many lives…
I am glad you are able to come home to be with family when you need to. Sending calming healing vibes to you all
Wow.. I stay off a couples and then this entry from you..
Let me just say, I’ve thankfully never had a close family member have cancer, but I am sure that it is a hard and heartwrenching experience.
I am really happy that you will be able to go back home for a while and spend some time with your family. I’m sure that they will really be excited to have you back.
Its really great that you are sharing all of this stuff with us.. You seem like a very positive person and by telling these stories, I think it can help encourage people who are also going through a tough time!!
Keep it up! *hugs!*
(PS HAPPY B-DAY!!!!!)
Oh sweetie.
My Daddy (yes I still call him Daddy, shut up!
) had lymphoma when I was 6 or 7. He was basically handed a death sentence. But he survived it. To go on and have 4 brain tumours.
He is still here. Blind as a bat, lol, but alive.
I am hoping for the same for your Daddy.
Smootches babe.
big hugs Lulu – thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. xx
Oh Lulu, how you keep so strong and positive is a wonder to me, I don’t think I would be able to do it. I think I would break down, curl up in a little ball, and hide from it all.
I am thinking of you and your family, and sending as many good vibes as I can your way. It is a great thing that you will be home with your family to support them through this.
Btw, I couldn’t wish you a happy birthday until today as I had no internet connection, but I hope you had a wonderful day, and created lots of everlasting memories!!