Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is our best holiday. There are no religious biases or commercial expectations. It is just a nice holiday for us. We have a lovely routine that we have kept for a number of years. First we get up and have a special breakfast then we watch the parades and cook dinner. We eat around 2pm or so then take in a movie, coming back in time for a dinner of left over turkey sandwiches with cream cheese and cranberries, a bit more dessert and then we waddle off to bed.

This year we have so much to be thankful for. The news from the X-ray puts us in a very hopeful mood. Last week we went to the treatment center. She had her blood drawn and then the exam before treatment began. Her doctor was back and he is in my mind, a genius. You would have to be a fool not to notice but many are fools and complain bitterly about him. He comes in with a swift flourish and looks scattered. He is usually carrying charts from his last patient and asks about his current patient while finishing his last patient. It can give the impression that he is not focused on you but that is not the case. He is thinking ahead and it evidences itself as he speaks with you.

"Let's look at your chart. You had the x-ray. How did that go?"

They said that there were no lesions just wear and it was probably arthritic pain. I don't know?"

"There it is. It looks fine to me. If it was cancerous you would have had all sorts of scarring and a mass on the bone. So, your blood count looks good. How is your attitude? It has to stay sharp and positive how is it?"

"Fine."

"Aw come on honey you have to do better than that to beat this thing. Let's see, did we give you the medication for your bone last week? Gotta keep them strong. Yes, there is is. Now let's look at you."

He begins the physical examination and pokes and probes asking her to breath n and out. At the same time he starts on some of his novel ideas.

"Did you get rid of your deodorant? It's bad for you. All you are doing is wiping chemicals on your under arm which is designed specifically to perspire. We did not start doing that until mid 20th century and breast cancer boomed among young women almost immediately following. Also are you still eating meat? Don't eat mammals, chickens and fish, lots of fish and take fish oil too. Are you still getting acupuncture? That's good but not too much of it. It will support your immune system but we don't want it to completely counteract the effects of the chemo. Now lay back."

How can it completely counteract the effects of chemo? Think about it. When people put this into you, they wear protective coverings. They don't want it to drip on them or the machinery. Now the doctor has given a quick review of his philosophy. Become more natural in your clothing and what you wear, don't pollute your system with foreign chemicals and be careful what you eat. Very sensible stuff yet we need to be told that? We have come a long way from that and paid the price.

"OK let's look at this lump. Can you find it?"

"Yes, its still there."

"Yes but it is a lot smaller than when we started. It was 6cm and now its maybe 1cm to 1.5 cm. that's pretty dramatic. How long have we been seeing you? That's right since August no?"

The exam is over and he begins another philosophical outburst.

"After we beat this thing we need to work on your weight and diet. You need to be careful what you put in your body. My wife and I have almost completely eliminated sugars and meat form cows and pigs. We also are pretty careful about the chicken and fish. Don't buy fish from polluted waters and go for the ones that have deeper colors. Cold water fish are best. Also watch the chickens as they pump the feed full of chemicals and antibiotics. Same with farm raised salmon and other fish. Go for wild caught. Are you eating enough grains? Remember 30 minutes of exercise daily." He pushes out the door and calls for the nurse. We follow as we want to ask questions about the treatment plan.

It is too late as he is off on another visit. We manage to get a few moments of his time and he tells us when we are done in February we start hormone therapy. Off we go for treatment.

So Thanksgiving is here and I am thankful, deeply thankful. I try to help Cindy but she wants to prepare things herself. So, I wash dishes and chop onions and help as much as she will allow. Fatigue sets in and her weariness shows. Her patience lags and before long she snaps at Molly and Lilli. Molly just shrugs and goes off to find the TV. Lilli stands and fights.

"Why are you yelling at me? I didn't do anything. You never listen to me and you are always criticizing me."

Cindy responds. I step in and move Lilli off. Cindy sits in the chair to collect herself and get a breath. I take Lilli into the next room. I try to be comforting and supportive but it is hard.

Finally dinner is ready and we eat our fill and set off to find a good movie. It is hard but I am thankful. Nothing like a good movie on a chilly day.