STOP IT.

My body has been invaded
twice by strangers who do not
belong. One would end me.
One would save me
for a miraculous moment I
do not yet know about.

— Lewis Cancer Center, June 27, 2013

The chemo, for this phase, is over. Surgery or radiation is next. We do not know yet. As it seems with all cancer, all depends on tests.

Nora’s friend, Regina, was there on the spot. What a truly lovely lady, with her cookies, with her cleverness, charm, silliness. She promises to come to The Ridge. Nora is eager for that, for anything but another trip to Savannah (which we will do in two weeks for a blood infusion).

Except for the people she’s met there. It is an unimaginable environment for those of us who contend with only the drivel of our days. Bills, school, crabgrass, cars needing fixing, an appointment missed (so sorry, I was in chemo), misplaced keys, disappointing sports scores. Except for the chemo, it is all nothing.

Nora has been exhausted. Short of breath. But her hair (slowly) grows back. Today’s joke was “Which side should I part it on?” It went over well. Have the nurses heard this before? They laugh. They are so very kind.

We’ll find out what’s next based on some more tests. It seems it is always more. Which I guess is good.

Nora got to ring “the bell” but as usual she shied away from the camera. However, if you look closely, you can see the fuzz on her head and that “I dare you” stare I know so well. Fortunately, the target is the cancer, not me.

Thank you, all of you.

Paul

P.S. All of you have been so gracious, so kind, so generous. Please spread Nora’s message to friends. Our “matching gift” ($1 = $1.50 for those new to this) ends June 30^th.