“To listen to them… it’s a hard thing to do. It’s hard to sit with someone’s pain and allow it to make you uncomfortable. It’s much easier to try to fill that hole in the conversation with small talk. It’s much easier to implore them to see the bright side than to be in the darkness with them.” –Nora McInerny, author and host of "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" podcast
Thanks for allowing us to listen and sit with your pain. I don't ever want to bright side it. The darkness is real.
I loved reading this, Laura, thank you for the writing. So many of your comments and quips resonated with me, most especially the part about not being naturally optimistic although strangely this has softened since my own diagnosis. This puzzles me and it's something I'm exploring in my own writing.
Look at you! Smaller tumor and all kinds of freebies (think of the time no longer shaving is saving.). I get the list. The fluid fickled nature, as symptoms vie to become 'the Thing.'. Won't argue Rash. The Intugumentary System is I think our largest organ system. Like, the proportion of the ocean of to the world. If all the oceans had a rash..sheesh. It can barely be placated, never ignored. Constipation vs. diarrhea, A timeless debate. Professional napping easily justify most excellent bedding, if that is where you live..personally: 6 pillows, 4 comforters, and 1 cat. Learned the marvel of audible when my eyes campaigned to be the Thing. <sigh> What a relief to surrender to God. He is the Thing. Prayers and Peace.
My Mum suffered most from the bleeding mouth sores, even bleeding nose and from the ears. I hate to say it, but I hope you haven't come to this extreme yet. Also no-one had warned her. Each new outcome was like an interesting footnote for the oncologists. For your sake, I am glad that it is not 35 years ago, and they are giving you somewhat of a "heads up". I also pray that the little beastie is shrinking faster than anyone ever expected. I have a friend who has decided that Job was a wuss! (Australian slang for sooky la la, which is I guess Australian slang for melo dramatic.) He decided this when he saw what his wife and many female friends worked through and strove through and won through when facing cancer, cancer treatment and dealing with the world of health care. Remember, when everyone in the USA is asleep, here in Australia I am awake, so the prayers are relentless for you and your trials.
I'm so sorry that you have to bear any single one of these horrific symptoms for even a second, Laura. We're praying for you and now Rachael every single day (multiple times).
I don’t know what ‘magic mouthwash ‘ is, but I have access to an in-date, unopened bottle of lidocaine if you have a DIY recipe and could use it, I’ll gladly pop it in the mail to you. Let me know.
Laura, I'm so sorry that you are suffering. You seem to be bearing your suffering like a true Olympian but I wish the side effects weren't so awful for you. We will keep praying for you - that "YOU WILL DESTROY THIS CANCER!" We will add Rachel to our prayers.
I have a question for you. You don't know us but we often see you (or lately, your family) in church. We would love to reach out with words and a touch but, being a cancer survivor, I know it can be exhausting to have people do this - even with good intentions. What is your preference? To have us continue our prayers from afar or to reach out to you and your saintly spouse more directly?
This. too. Shall. pass.
My nomination for best cancer joke of 2023.
Rooting for you!!
Your words make me laugh and also feel so deeply for you in this, praying for you. I love the community you’ve sparked here.
“To listen to them… it’s a hard thing to do. It’s hard to sit with someone’s pain and allow it to make you uncomfortable. It’s much easier to try to fill that hole in the conversation with small talk. It’s much easier to implore them to see the bright side than to be in the darkness with them.” –Nora McInerny, author and host of "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" podcast
Thanks for allowing us to listen and sit with your pain. I don't ever want to bright side it. The darkness is real.
I loved reading this, Laura, thank you for the writing. So many of your comments and quips resonated with me, most especially the part about not being naturally optimistic although strangely this has softened since my own diagnosis. This puzzles me and it's something I'm exploring in my own writing.
Look at you! Smaller tumor and all kinds of freebies (think of the time no longer shaving is saving.). I get the list. The fluid fickled nature, as symptoms vie to become 'the Thing.'. Won't argue Rash. The Intugumentary System is I think our largest organ system. Like, the proportion of the ocean of to the world. If all the oceans had a rash..sheesh. It can barely be placated, never ignored. Constipation vs. diarrhea, A timeless debate. Professional napping easily justify most excellent bedding, if that is where you live..personally: 6 pillows, 4 comforters, and 1 cat. Learned the marvel of audible when my eyes campaigned to be the Thing. <sigh> What a relief to surrender to God. He is the Thing. Prayers and Peace.
You (and your family) are in our prayers daily!
My Mum suffered most from the bleeding mouth sores, even bleeding nose and from the ears. I hate to say it, but I hope you haven't come to this extreme yet. Also no-one had warned her. Each new outcome was like an interesting footnote for the oncologists. For your sake, I am glad that it is not 35 years ago, and they are giving you somewhat of a "heads up". I also pray that the little beastie is shrinking faster than anyone ever expected. I have a friend who has decided that Job was a wuss! (Australian slang for sooky la la, which is I guess Australian slang for melo dramatic.) He decided this when he saw what his wife and many female friends worked through and strove through and won through when facing cancer, cancer treatment and dealing with the world of health care. Remember, when everyone in the USA is asleep, here in Australia I am awake, so the prayers are relentless for you and your trials.
WOOF. Continuing to pray for you everyday, Laura! 💪♥️🙏
I'm so sorry that you have to bear any single one of these horrific symptoms for even a second, Laura. We're praying for you and now Rachael every single day (multiple times).
#5 lolololololololzzzzz.
Love you forever and ever. Your name in never far from my whispered prayers and now neither will Rachael's <3
Oh Laura, I’m so sorry.
We pray for you daily.
I don’t know what ‘magic mouthwash ‘ is, but I have access to an in-date, unopened bottle of lidocaine if you have a DIY recipe and could use it, I’ll gladly pop it in the mail to you. Let me know.
Xxoo
Laura, I'm so sorry that you are suffering. You seem to be bearing your suffering like a true Olympian but I wish the side effects weren't so awful for you. We will keep praying for you - that "YOU WILL DESTROY THIS CANCER!" We will add Rachel to our prayers.
I have a question for you. You don't know us but we often see you (or lately, your family) in church. We would love to reach out with words and a touch but, being a cancer survivor, I know it can be exhausting to have people do this - even with good intentions. What is your preference? To have us continue our prayers from afar or to reach out to you and your saintly spouse more directly?
Elynn Welle