An Interesting Adventure: Does being green count?

Monday, March 17, 2008

I must admit I don't understand why St. Patrick's day is celebrated. (Celebrating St. David's day -- he's the patron saint of Wales -- would make a little more sense to me.) But here at The James shamrocks abound, and an OSU sorority actually delivered St. Patrick's day cards to all the patients! Not being Irish, I don't wear green or drink green beer (although rumor has it that a dear family member had her first Chicago St. Paddy's Day weekend experience). Marsh, on the other hand, is mildly green, due to nausea...

Does being green count?

Once more it has been too long since the last blog update. To those who have gently reminded me to get crackin', thanks. One friend suggested that the reason nothing has been written recently is because we're tired. And, upon reflection, he's absolutely right. Guess I hadn't realized how true that is.

Thankfully I'm not too tired to have seen the miracles of the last two weeks:

First, the actual chemo is complete. Done. Over. Halleluiah and Amen!

Second, Marsh's kidneys have functioned properly this entire round. As a result, the Methotrexate cleared his system in record time (as opposed to the "usual" extended time is has taken, and the complications that have ensued).

Third, while he is currently enduring extreme mouth sores, they did not erupt nearly as early in the cycle as before.

Fourth, his white counts have already bottomed out, and are slowly on their way back up.

Therefore, he is in recovery from the chemo, and, once the white counts are appropriate and the mouth heals sufficiently, Marsh will be released for good (no real estimate on that... perhaps in a week or so).

Miracles every step of the way, all by the grace of God.

Although weary, I am not too tired to recognize the humor of our latest situation either:

Marsh is in isolation.

Why? (Wait for it; it's worthy....)

He has chicken pox!

Yep, it's true. From this layman's perspective, apparently once you've had chicken pox, the virus stays dormant in your body. Later in life it might cause you to have shingles. Or, as in Marsh's case, it "re-activates" because of his chemo-weaken immune system. So, while it's not the kid-version of chicken pox, it is chemically the same...

Just one more example of how no two rounds of chemo have been the same -- and certainly never boring!

Finally, all weariness diminishes as I anticipate Spring coming at last...

When Marsh is released, his cancer hibernation over, he will emerge to the earth's rebirth, and, in many ways, to his own as well.

And that kind of green really counts the most.

--c.

Comments

The only thought I have after reading that is God is good!

Posted by: Katie Riddle | March 18, 2008 at 01:44 PM

WOW.!! Thank you, Carol. What a wonderful letter to all of us, and we do thank you for the love and caring you to send to all of us who are "there" with you and Marsh. The news is wonderful and we are excited and full of praise and Thanksgiving that the last stretch of the long and painful trip is under your feet.
We love you and hate the Chicken Pox and can hardly wait until you become that full-bloom Spring flower. See ALL down the road.
Praise to the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit...... and we all join in this HOLY WEEK.
Resurrection is so REAL.
We love you. Aunt Barbara

Posted by: Barbara Pope | March 18, 2008 at 09:32 PM

What wonderful news. I thought he was in for several more weeks - I always associate Spring with new birth, new opportunities, new everything. I love spring and I love the fact that ALL OF YOU ARE BEGINNING FRESH AGAIN - tired I'm sure, but undefeated and really knowing where the SOURCE is.PRAISE GOD. HAPPY EASTER LOVE, Aunt Peggy

Posted by: Peggy Wilson | March 19, 2008 at 12:20 PM

In my prayers for Marsh, you and your family, I am struck that we are approaching Easter. Marsh is certainly into his own Good Friday, being medicated so far down over 17 days. How confident he can be that Jesus, has joined him for the journey, full of grief, understanding and his memories of his own experience. How Marsh can rejoice at the promise of the resurrection on the 18th day, when he will recuperate to join us all to celebrate Jesus own triumphant, unexpected, powerful return to life.

In the same way that our prisoners can relate to how Jesus was arrested, beaten, tried and sentenced like them, I bet Marsh will have a whole new understanding from his seven-fold emulation of our Lord. I'm claiming this special relationship for Marsh and his buddy, Jesus, while I look forward to its triumphant conclusion.

In Jesus' love and presence, truly,

David

Posted by: David Foster | March 19, 2008 at 07:26 PM

Hi Marsh! We just wanted to let you know u are always in our prayers. If there is ever anything we can do for you or your family do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Respectfully, Sean

Posted by: Sean Welsh | March 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM

What wonderful news! Marsh, you've whipped cancer, you've whipped chemo, and the sun is shining on a new day. Easter is a time of re-birth indeed, but don't you think catching chicken pox is over-doing the symbolism just a bit? God bless and keep you all...He is risen, indeed! Love, p2

Posted by: Patrick Pope | March 24, 2008 at 01:43 AM