Quarterly Report

I guess I'm turning into a quarterly poster! I have to admit to a little distraction called Facebook these days. Plus I've been really focused on finishing up the degree, and we've had some serious health issues in my family that have been taking a significant amount of energy and time.

In January, my father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. This brought good news and bad news. The good news was that it could be slow moving, and may have only been picked up because of a case of pneumonia that he had been battling. The bad news was that it could also be fast moving, in which case the prognosis was five years at most. He went for a battery of tests, and was scheduled to go back for the comparison tests on May 1st.

In March, my mother discovered a teensy infection in her right breast. She decided to go have it checked out, and thankfully, her doctor sent her for a mammogram. At 77, Mom has long ago given up having mammograms, paps, and the like. The mammogram showed some lumps in the left breast. The infection was nothing...well, actually it was a blessing. Anyhow, the doctor ordered an ultrasound, which showed more irregularities, so was followed up by a biopsy. By mid April she was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer, and last week underwent a mastectomy. She came home from hospital on the day my father was headed into the specialist for his next round of tests.

Needless to say it was a stressful week - and oh yeah - I had to write an exam in the midst of it all.

I'm happy to report that Mom is recuperating well ... she has a great attitude about it all. Says she's 77, doesn't use 'em anymore and neither does Dad, so take 'em away!

And as for Dad....the doctor said he has seen 28 year olds who couldn't go as long on the treadmill as Dad did last week. Says it's definitely slow moving, if at all moving .... so that's great news!

And me? I got an A- on the exam I wrote, once again proving that I am able to pull useless bits of trivial information to the forefront in a crunch.

And how was your week???

One thing in common

Lately it seems that I am more aware of mortality. Last night, we attended the wake for a friend's mom, and in the last few months, both of my parents have begun to experience more serious health issues.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last January, and although barely lucid, is still alive some twelve months later. His illness has given me lots of time to consider that we are all here for such a short time, and that no matter what, death is the one thing we all have in common.

And then just this week, a woman who I have only ever known through an online community lost her battle with cancer. I have been amazed by the outpouring of posts at several sites, and on her blog, about how she impacted people around the world through the internet! She was in constant contact with people by email, telephone, blog posts and message boards - sharing her struggle, her faith, her positive attitude. She was an amazing example of courage, hope and grace.

What mark will I have left on my world? I have never aspired to do big things, but I hope I have done many small things on a daily basis that have made people smile, or feel loved. Most importantly, I guess, is that I am alive today. What can I do with this one day I know I have to make a difference in my world?

Something to think about.