Tonight I take the last 3 chemo pills for round 4. I'm looking forward to my week off as usual. I've been asked how many treatments they plan on giving me. Great question, I asked it the last time I was at the doctor and this is what they told me. They said they usually use 6 treatments as a starting point. After 6 they step back, look at the results and make a game plan for more treatments. The reality is there is no set number of treatments. I have been lucky enough to be able to handle the maximum dosage of all the drugs they have given me with very little side effects. I will continue chemo as long as my body will allow it or until I am cancer free, praying for the latter.
Tomorrow I will be reaching into my "sports" bucket list. The occasion is Sammy's last college basketball game. It is senior night and Sam will be honored along with the other seniors. I filled my buckets based on the initial prognosis I was given and Sam's last game was out of the time frame. Well, so much for that prognosis. I thank God everyday for everyday he gives me and allowing me to be able to empty my buckets.
Hi Chuck!
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying your blog for months now and wanted to finally comment! I wanted to let you know that each of your posts is a true inspiration. I have always tried what I thought was my hardest to take in each moment and make time for those I love, but life gets hectic and, as do many others, I let it get in the way sometimes. I have made a concerted effort to change that and have you to thank for it. You bring tears to my eyes with each post - not out of sadness, but because I am so touched on how much you appreciate life and all those you share it with. I have always looked up to you for being such a wonderfal father/husband/family man, even in the crazy world of the car business - you always made time and put them first. And the humor - boy did we have fun!! Lots of crazy memories from Hub; I cherish every moment we had there!
Thanks Chuck for being such a great man in the many roles you play in life and such an inspiration to us all - you have really touched the hearts of many. I believe in miracles and know that you can beat this!
I apologize for the lengthy posts - no surprise that I would come across longwinded or wordy! :) Just wanted to share a great story I received via email this week. One to share with many!!
ReplyDeleteThe Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee
When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into a jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes".
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and you favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."