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Showing posts with label Facing Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Facing Death. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

When Does Summer at the Beach Spark Fear? Coco’s Journey; Chapter 21

By Larry Puls @larrypulsauthor

Ovarian Cancer; Facing Fears; Coco's Journey
Rubbing her head, the gritty little bits of stubble were bursting forth like a freshly planted wheat field on the surface of her head—a breaking forth of spring. And it was spring—to Coco. New life. New hope. The testimony her hair revealed was—chemotherapy was all behind her—at least for now. And maybe, just possibly, hopefully forever. But time would reveal that uncertainty. One thing learned from the cancer road was in concrete. This whole cancer adventure had taught her patience—and humility—and a fresh view of life.

Equipped with her sense of momentary hope, she walked the streets of Kiawah’s town center on her summer beach vacation. And there in the heat of the day, she noticed a man pushing a woman in a wheelchair. An unusual couple mixed in with all the young families galavanting around for their summer outings.The temperature that day hovered somewhere around the hundred degree mark. The sweat was dripping from under her arms. Actually, it was pouring out like a faucet. Heat, taking its toll on her—draining what little strength she had built up. But knowing that this heat was temporary--but real, she wondered about the man pushing the woman. The couple disappeared around the corner.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Cervical Cancer, Recurrence of Cancer, A Young Mother's Story

by Larry Puls @larrypulsauthor

Recurrence of Cancer for Young Mom
Two weeks after the cesarean and her lymph node dissection, she comes back to see me. Before we discuss the tough stuff, she proudly shows me her child. Looking down at the sleeping baby, I wonder how will I explain eight positive lymph nodes, the small cell carcinoma, and give hope all in the same breath. The little girl looks so peaceful, dreaming childhood dreams. Deep slumber. An amazing gift. Her understanding of her mom’s situation will not come for years. And I question if she will ever really know her mom--or remember what she looked like. Time will answer that. Yet I know intuitively her pressing journey is about to begin, and it will be every bit as taxing as childrearing. She will need God-given strength for the marathon of therapy facing her... “Where do we go from here?” she asks. Where do we start? I ponder my first words.