Well........I've been thinking of how to finish this blog and I'm at a loss for words, for the first time in my life.
Now that it's all over, the fact that I had cancer, is really hitting me for the first time. Like many, I have several roles in life; Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Coach, Sales Rep, Friend, neighbor, etc. , and because of those first two, I think I just went head first into this situation and never looked back. I had to be strong or at least appear that way to be the husband and father that I set out to be. If I would have freaked out, my family would have followed suit and my positive attitude could have been lost forever. So really, I think I was in denial this whole time. This blog gave me an outlet. An outlet that I would recommend to anyone. By having this blog, I never had to talk about my situation to anyone. I would just fire out my thoughts for the day and deal with cancer for the minutes that it took me to write an entry and then move forward like nothing ever happened. A major lesson I learned: If you ever need strength.......fake it long enough......and it WILL come.
I've also wanted to change some posts before I end my blog but have decided against it. The main post I thought about changing involves Dr. Quadro. I felt bad that I totally threw him under a bus and anyone that googles his name will come across my blog. My well thought out decision is to leave it alone. I never said anything untrue about him and he did have a incident in his background that made my whole family and I uncomfortable. Also, even after my PET scan he still had a bed ready for me for full chemo. If I would have went through with that, things would not be the same right now.
Now on to gratitude.........I want to thank everyone who took the time to check on me or got to know my family and I on this blog. I just checked and this blog as of about 10 minutes ago had 6,220 page loads which shows me that we have so much support in our family, friends, co-workers, customers, and even complete strangers. You really get to know who's who when you go through a crisis and we loved what we saw from everyone in our lives. Thanks for all the cards, emails, and phone calls that came in on a regular basis. I don't have time to list everyone individually, but everyone knows who they are, that stepped up and helped us out when we needed it. Special thanks to Dr. Miller, Dr. Logsdon, the Perez Family, Pennington Family, my mom, Becky, Kristy, the King Family, Erica, coach Dave and our Wild Pony Family, Marge & Nicole, Brian Dowd, Dan Amman, the Sommers, Brandi and Haileys Girl Scout Troop 2663, Myla Mar, Kathy and Tyler, all my friends at Edward Don, the best boss in the world..Gerri Katz, UC Davis, the Ahwahnee Hotel, Cache Creek Casino, Kathy Green, and Rick Meyer.
Grandma Chris, Aunt Donna, and Aunt Elva,
I guess God wanted a man in the club. Thanks for all your support and kind gestures. I really appreciate all of you. Thanks again.
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Brandi, Hailey, and Evan,
Thank you for being the best family in the world. Thank you for putting up with me when I was tired and cranky and I'm in debt to the three of you for the rest of my life. I love you!
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Uncle Tom and Aunt Tommi,
Thank you for all you both did for us. Words cannot describe how appreciative we really are. Thank you so much! Oh, and Aunt Tommi, I'm sorry I ever voted for Bush, you were right!
I hope that I someday have the chance to support someone the way that everyone out there has supported my family and I. I'll be looking for the chance and can't wait to find it.
The End.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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8 comments:
congratulations does not seem adequate enough to express how happy I am for you and your family! Love to all -Renee
Russ:
You are the best. That was a very emotional ending. It brought tears to my eyes. I read it to Uncle Manuel, and I had to stop several times to finish it. The Perez Family should now be through with this illness. Like you said, unfortunately it had to be you to bring it to full circle. We are the four amigos. Sorry you are in our club, but we love you. Treatment has now come to THE END.
Now what will I be reading every day. Oh well, I guess I will just have to keep watching All My Children instead. Hear that Jerry.
Love Aunt Donna
congrats, Russ. Best wishes to you and your family the rest of the way.
Russ
Congratulations on coming to the end of your treatments. I hope your follow up vistis show good health an NED (No evidence of disease.)
I hope, going forward, you become an advocate and voice for the 12 million cancer survivors in the USA. You have the passion and drive to be a true leader. The LIVESTRONG Summit will definately help you identify your calling.
Remember, in OHIO the beers are on me!
LIVESTRONG!
Congradulations Russ!!! I prayed for you ever step of the way ever since kristy told me what happened, but its all over now:-)
Im very happy for you, god answers prayers. Take care of yourself.
Brandon Parker
Congratulations Russ!! We are so happy for you and your family, and very, very proud of you! With all your strength, determination and positive attitude you will be an amazing and powerful spokesperson for LIVESTRONG! Keep up the faith.
Love you,
Aunt Kathee and Uncle Rudy
HURRAY, IT IS OVER !! What a wondrful birthday present for Brandi !!
We are so happy for all of you...I will say a prayer of Thanksgiving for all His Blessings that He bestowed upon you and your family.
We Love You Russ !!
Marge & Nicole
What an amazing man you are. Now that it is over you can take time to reflect on all that you went through. Your strength and courage got you through this. I feel proud to know you! I am so grateful that it all worked out as we all new it would. Your family is lucky to have you. Take care.
Love, Erica
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