MERRY CHRISTMAS TO WHO ?

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT MY YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE...... PEOPLE WITH THE MOST POSITIVE MINDS BUT CHOOSING TO TRY THE ALTERNATE WAY TOO LATE. They write about their experiences and their hopes and they trust that all will be well ....... BUT WITH ALL THE STRONGEST OF MINDS, THE BODY JUST CAN`T COMPLY IF THE YEARS OF CHEMO HAS ALREADY TAKEN ITS TOLL! Here is a tear jerker I recently received - as we go about celebrating Christmas with our loved ones, let us read this and hold close all who we know will not be here to see Christmas 2010.

I am so grateful and humbled to be alive and doing relatively well. My year was full of medical challenges, all related directly or indirectly to my cancer. I have refused to accept Chemo Therapy this year as suggested by my oncologist. I did not feel that I had the energy to endure such treatment. Besides, after the last episode of Chemo, I simply do not feel like going through all that once again with little hope of success. In November 2009, a Cat scan revealed an enlarging mass in the descending colon and a growing mass in the low rectal (presacral area). They say it is all consistent with recurrent/ metastatic cancer. The immediate treatment suggested is chemo for 6 months. The oncologist gave me a year to live. He said the chemo may extend my life a bit longer...but no guarantees. I had become extremely anemic and weak over the past 9 months. I finally gave in to having a blood transfusion last month. I also was suffering pain from a bump on my back and I requested a biopsy which confirmed yet another malignant tumor! The negative news was more than I expected and I am now regrouping to determine what I may need to do next...I have been obviously been a bit depressed but I know I need to be strong. With the help of my strong faith in God, family and friends, I will find a way to overcome and no doubt pull through these challenges. The doctor always view these conditions with doom & gloom...However, I know I can fight this and I so much want to prove them all wrong!
A few days ago, I met with a new oncologist whose specialty is Radiation Therapy. He is among the finest in this field. He is within the same organization of Cancer specialists where I have been receiving treatment the past three years. I immediately loved his attitude and approach to life and cancer treatment. He and I became friends immediately! He told me he could treat the tumor in my rectum “Sacral” area successfully with radiation. He could also treat the area with the bump on my back successfully. He was hesitant regarding the tumor in my colon because I may not stand up to as much radiation without possibly damaging the colon. I told him I was not concerned as much at this moment regarding the colon and we could address it later. However, he explained he could offer me relief from the pain in my Sacral area. The bone in my Sacral area is being eaten away by the cancer, hence the severe pain I have been feeling in my groin & lower back throughout the past year. He said he could get me started as soon as next week. I had been studying all my options and learned about a new technology called CYBERKNIFE. This is a special treatment that replaces invasive surgery. He confirmed that I would have access to another similar treatment called TOMATHERAPY, which is even more flexible.
These new therapies are only several months old! The technology was just installed at the KC Cancer Center and is among a handful of places in the country. I am blessed to have these latest innovations available to me.
My hope level had been shaken all year long. However, I now have a renewed desire to move forward and fight. I am being realistic and I know this will not be the end of the battle and many more challenges will await me in 2010. However, the thought of being a new grandpa in April 2010 is so very exciting. Seeing my daughters settle down and defining their own lives and futures is so very rewarding to me.
I wanted to keep you posted on my condition and also thank you all for the phone calls, emails, letters, cards and personal well wishes. Your prayers, encouragement, love, caring and positive energy continues to be a tremendous help in coping with my illness. I love you all and will continue to fight and keep a smile on my face as always.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all of Gods richest blessings for a bright, healthy and prosperous 2010

USUALLY I DO NOT HEAR FROM THESE PERSONS AGAIN AND I WAIT WITH BAITED BREATH, SCARED TO E-MAIL,BUT BELIEVING THAT THEIR MINDS WILL TAKE THEM THROUGH....... THEN A FRIEND SENDS THE INEVITABLE..... 1-12-1945 to 23-12-2009 etc.etc....... LET US HOPE THIS ONE WILL BE THE ONE THAT CHANGES THE USUAL CHAIN OF EVENTS.........FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME I WONDER..... AM I NEXT?
I HAVE TO LEARN I CAN ONLY LIVE MY LIFE I CAN`T LIVE FOR EVERYBODY BUT I HAVE HAD SO MANY R.I.P`S THIS YEAR,IT HAS SHAKEN ME TO MY CORE.........
ENJOY CHRISTMAS BUT REMEMBER EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!