Married People Have Better Odds Against Cancer

I heard this announced on the news...was not mind blowing at all to me.  I couldn't imagine someone fighting cancer alone.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2013/09/24/the-marriage-health-connection-extends-to-cancer-survival/

Update 9/20/2013

Thank God it is Friday.

I have been sick all week.  Nothing serious, just a simple, small cold.  Though it was not even a bad cold, it kind of put a few things back in perspective.

Over the past few months, I would not say I have been hard at all on Melissa, but I have been firm.  I felt the need to motivate her back into a few regular human and household routines, with a little bit of success.  This last week, though barely sick really, I was not feeling up to some things...she jumped in and helped on the worst days...but it made me think, there are days she feels like that all the time.  Something that was almost uncomprehending is not kind-of understandable.

It is such a delicate balance...motivating vs understanding...both important roles for a spouse or caretaker (a term that I do not like to use just yet with Melissa...she is perfectly capable).

It looks like this upcoming Chemo cycle is going to be the last.  As many of you know, she has been taking the oral Chemo Temodar...for some, a drug with little side effects...for most, a hell drug (in line with almost every other Cancer treatment in existence).  It does not mean the testing, MRI's, doctors appointments, countless medications, or most of the crummy stuff is over...but it will be nice to see how much better she feels with one less poison regiment.  

Update 9/18/2013

I attended Michael's school's Open House last night...came out of that meeting with the Chairman position on the Parent Advisory Committee.  I am excited to hold an important position in the communication of fellow parents and will be especially helpful in my other blog, which true intentions are to communicate with parents, alumni, and our community.  I believe it was a better fit than the PTA.  I am pretty sure this is not the last you will be hearing about this decision...but, even in Petersburg, you have to try for better...at least, until we can afford to move...but regardless of I am, I have to do my part.

Update - 9/15/2013

For the past two months especially, we have barely been getting by, often finding ourselves down to our last couple bucks far before pay-day comes around again.  Despite cutting back on groceries, fun money, and even turning up the thermostat, we are just having a tough time making ends meet.  Not sure how anyone in our country can survive on Disability or Social Security.  In most cases, friends and loved ones of someone fighting a grave cancer diagnosis may have no idea that, regardless of beating cancer or not, a cancer patients life is practically over, financially.  I refuse to believe that is it...there has to be better days ahead, just not sure exactly what I or anyone in my situation can do to push that process along...to get to theses fabled "better days".  One organization talks about "Getting back to living" after cancer...yeah, unless you had a trust fund, healthy savings account, bunch of silver spoons, or vault full of gold, you may live beyond cancer but it will be far from "high on the hog".  I would bet a fair number of cancer patients, especially single ones, end up homeless, living and dependent on relatives, or just collapse under the intense pressure to be able to at least flipping take care of your own basic needs.  Still, though, our quality life is still far better then a perfectly healthy family in some other countries...it is still hard to watch everyone else's lives moving on, growing, and succeeding while you know that yours is in danger and in hock to cancer.  It is just messed up.  It is just, with all the other worries that come with cancer, the last thing you should have to worry about is how you will manage to keep food on your table or a roof over your head.

Back to School!

Michael is back in school.  We were not able to move, just yet, so he is back in Petersburg Schools again (sigh).  Got a blog about that, too - http://petersburgschools.blogspot.com/ - I run three blogs now.

Little man had his yearly physical before school.  They drew blood and he got a shot, neither of which he was happy about.  To hear him tell the story of his "man-parts check-up" would leave you in stitches.  The story caught me by surprise because Melissa had not mentioned the details of that part of the doctors appointment because there was so much to say about how he fought the shot (it took three nurses, a doctor and Melissa to restrain him).  He is as healthy as an ox.

Mornings have been a struggle.  Even for most families, school mornings can be crazy...but add cancer and watch out.  We can not afford before and after school care this year, so it is on Melissa to help get him to school and from school.  I get him all but ready before I leave in the morning and handle homework every night.  We have no real system, besides what I mentioned...though, it gets refined a little every day.

I am loving the onset of cooler weather.  Reminds me of San Diego...perhaps the best weather in the USA.  I miss that place so much.  Little liberal for my taste, but besides that, it is heaven....beaches, mountains, breezes, great roads, Balboa Park, Old Town, incredible food, concerts, history...(sigh again) maybe one day.

Please continue to monitor, contribute, and assist the organization that granted Melissa's wish.  They have grown tremendously the past year and are really helping inspire young cancer patients around the country.  http://3littlebirds4life.org/  I am planning on eventually becoming a Wish Designer for them, like Kristi (who helped grant Melissa's wish)...and when I do, I will be posting about it to rally support and help!

Pictures from the Dinwiddie Fair