Attn: All Fans -- Mom's First Blog Entry :)

Mom, herself, isn't listed as a writer on this site yet (we'll fix that, now that she'll be adding her own entries, from time to time), so this entry is under my account, but completely written by mom. :)
Dani

-------------------------------------------------------

Hello to my wonderful friends and family.

First of all, for those of you who don’t know what’s going on, I’d suggest reading the second blog entry, written by my sister, Deborah. It was written only a couple of days after the surgery and diagnosis, and will explain all the medical details of my situation.

Not all synapses are firing these days but thanks to spell-check and the ability to revise as many times as it takes, I can generally communicate with some manner of lucidity …and then can turn over the job of updating the communications to my wonderful family if I need less computer time.

Been a rough and scary couple of months, with my brain literally scrambled and even basic written communication more difficult than you can imagine. (For instance, it just took me 8 times to type the word “imagine.”) Pretty spectacularly frustrating for a person who has always been so strong with language and communication. So…I’ll be counting on Kirk, Dani, and the rest of my wonderful family to keep people posted and I’ll add my updates as I’m able.

I’ve started my first week of radiation and chemo and I’m at the best place I could possibly be for this treatment (Herrick Hospital/Alta Bates). And the fact that the cancer is a bad one turns out to be a benefit, with better outcomes to the treatment than a “lesser” tumor. (Whoo-hoo!) The medical staff is unbelievably kind, competent, and committed. Shitty situation to be in but I count my blessings on so many levels. I have Kirk who is completely handling every aspect of my legal/financial issues on top of being my primary caretaker (with great assistance from daughter, Dani, and the rest of my family who is supporting me on every level); I have the best possible insurance (thank you union – the Calif. Nurses Association, and CHRO)…you get the idea.

I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that I’m doing my best to maintain optimism and good spirits and that all your good wishes and love and kind words of support and encouragement mean more than I can express. And that just because you haven’t heard from me doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you and in full appreciation of your love and support. I fully expect communication to get easier as treatment continues, although the fatigue and other chemo/radiation side effects will take their toll, so I’ll join the update team as I’m able.

I’m not a religious person but I believe that we are all connected (yay, physics), and that when people are sending love and support out to others, we can draw strength from that connection and that it can heal from afar. So keep those positive thoughts going for me, however you choose to do it. I’ll take all the positive juju I can get! As completely miserable a thing this is to have to go through, I can’t help feeling how incredibly blessed I am to have so many people in my life who are pouring their love and support out to me in a way that I can literally feel in my heart and soul.

And to those of you who have expressed such strong desires to be of help in some more tangible ways, please know that I am so appreciative of that and that we would love to take you up on your offer…we just are still trying to focus on some day-to-day things that require our undivided attention. (Medical and legal issues…just what you want to be dealing with at a time like this, eh?)

Okay, so that’s it for now. And thank you again for your love, encouragement, and support. There’s just no way I can truly express how it helps me knowing you’re there behind me on all this.

Love,

Alison