Our situation has changed. Two days ago, I wrote the note below to a closed online group for people who are living with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer. Nearly 100 people have acknowledged that post, many of whom are bravely trying to beat this cancer. I’d like to share that note with you here: I’ve …
Category: faith
God’s Grace #16: Reprieve
We are taking time off from cancer. Not really. But we've been pleasantly distracted with a few-day visit from friends, and while they were here, we visited Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, MN, about an hour from our home. From the Monument's website: For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at …
God’s Grace #14: Dying Naturally
I feel alone as the spouse of someone living with Stage IV small cell lung cancer who has chosen not to seek treatment. I’ve found no one in the exact same boat of uncertainty, so I have no one with whom to share my anxiety of when our “untreated” situation will change and what that …
God’s Grace #13: Denial Won’t Work Anymore
*** “I couldn’t do what you’re doing,” we hear frequently, referring to my husband’s decision to forgo cancer treatment. It’s not been too hard so far because Marv’s been “normal.” But that changed last week when he sprouted his first new nodule since the one removed on January 23 that led to his diagnosis of …
God’s Grace #12: Time with Old Friends
“Be open to God’s work in your lives,” our minister said Sunday. He concluded by saying don’t put God in a box. When we stood in line to shake his hand after church, I said Marv’s continued good health reminds me that God is not in a box. God is working outside of any box …
God’s Grace #11: Another Hug Tour…
We spent a week on the road, traveling southeast to Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana and visiting several nieces, nephews, and friends. Marv drove all 2000 miles. I came home worn out, while Marv still had his usual energy. Looking back a week later, I remember all the warm conversations and laughter. But I also think …
God’s Grace #10: Given “Extra” Time
When I was a psychiatric nursing grad student in the 80s, I did a clinical practicum on an oncology unit. As I live through our "waiting game" now, I remember what one of my patients said to me. He'd been given six months to live and had outlived his six months. "I've said good bye …
God’s Grace #9: A Writing Respite
Yesterday, I got excited about writing again while reading an article on the Books page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. John McPhee, winner of the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by the National Books Critic Circle, defined creative nonfiction as “not making something up but making the most of what you have.” I love …
God’s Grace #8: On the Lighter Side of Living with Small Cell Lung Cancer
We are having a break now from our relentless focus on the diagnosis of cancer; we are finished with most of the paperwork and farewell visits. Last Tuesday, we went to Marv’s hometown in MN, concluding the visit of relatives there with a stop at the cemetery where he could express “see you soon” sentiments …
Continue reading God’s Grace #8: On the Lighter Side of Living with Small Cell Lung Cancer
God’s Grace #7: Really now…
I told a friend today that I was ready for a humdrum normal day. Marv is still going strong and last week he washed both cars one day and mopped all our tile floors on another. Meanwhile, my cough has not gotten better, and as of today I’m on steroids and an inhaler. “Not fair,” …
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