Thursday, November 12, 2009

The "C" Word

It's amazing how much strength one little word can have. How that one little word, only a short six letters in length can throw your plans out the window, for a while at least. How that one little word can bring emotions of fear, rage, grief and intense pourings of love, and all in the space of a few minutes. It's just one little word after all.

This week, DH was diagnosed with cancer. There, I said it. It's out there and somehow, saying it takes its power and control over our lives away just a little.

The good news is, his chances are great in the end. To get there though, he has six months of very aggressive chemotherapy ahead of him with most of that time in or at the hospital.


Our friends and my family have been so supportive and truly amazing. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

It will be a journey, but not one that I expected to be taking, especially when our little one is only three and a half months old. I'm trying to put a few things in place so that I can still work, at least until Christmas, I'd still like a little slice of life that is normal and mine.

In the meantime, I'm already dreaming of a lovely seaside family holiday in seven months time.


Photo borrowed from here.

62 comments:

Liz B. said...

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago, and it was hard for her to say it out loud to all of us. She believes in the power of positive thinking, and now I do to, as she is over five years cancer free. One of the things I learned from her was to accept that it was going to change her life, but that she could shape the changing.
Sending good vibes your way.

BumbleVee said...

Damn, damn, damn..... that word makes me angry too!!

sending hugs and good wishes to your little family Melanie. May you all be strong and bash the living daylights out of this thing.

Alaa and Sarah said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I have lost far to many people I love to cancer. Stay positive and you will beat this together!

Malinda said...

it's a horrible word.

my heart is with you and yours. I hope that you can get through it and move on as a family.

Too many people have this happen in their lives.

Irit said...

My thoughts are with you and your husband. Stay strong.

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She underwent radiation therapy and surgery, and now she's well.

Anonymous said...

my thoughts are with your little family. the big c and a little one are not easy. hope all goes well.

thornberry said...

Oh Melanie, how awful for your little family. My thoughts will be with all of you as your husband battles cancer - actually, as all of you battle it together. Take care and best wishes.

CurlyPops said...

Oh Melanie, sending you cyberhugs from blogland, and wishing you strength to get through the battle that lies ahead.

Selina said...

Sending all the strong healthy vibes I can. Good luck, stay strong.

Selina xx

Soja said...

All my thoughts, positive vibes and love are with you. I'm sure being otherwise fit and happy, and surrounded by loving family and friends will help your husband, and you, get through this. x x Amanda

Jodie said...

Melanie, my heart goes out to you and your family. I wish I could offer some concrete help.

Kawaii for You said...

My thoughts are with you and your family Mel. The love and support of your family and friends will help you get through this very tough time in your lives. Christine xo

Gina said...

What a sock in the guts. I'm so sorry to hear this news. Damn the 'c' word. Your little family will be in my prayers as you travel this road together. Gina

Charene said...

What a bombshell for such a young family. I am so glad to hear that he has the odds with him, and that you have a great and supportive family which truly can make all the difference.
I am sure you didn't expect such a shock, especially whilst trying to setlle back into things here in Aus, But I have this feeling that you and your DH are going to be one of those amazing families that becomes stronger with a hitch in the road like this.
With the love and support of you and your family, your DH will be just fine.

Ayala Levinger said...

Be strong!

Tania said...

There it is, smack between the eyes and straight in the guts at the same time. A great big wallop of real. I am so sorry to hear there's a battle like that ahead of you all. And also convinced that through all the inevitable rollercoasterness that it will be one bravely fought and won - with one HECK of a lovely seaside family holiday in seven months time. xxx

Jenny said...

Dear Mealnie I am sending heartfelt positive vibes and strength your way. I hope that everything will be ok and the visions of that beautiful family holiday will soon be reality.Hugs to you and yours-thank goodness you have your family around you.Take Care

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Sending lots of thoughts and prayers your way! I am sure your sweet little one will help you all stay positive! I went through the same thing with my husband a few years ago - we had the best family holiday at the end of it! Take care.

Georgie Love said...

I am so sorry Melanie, fingers crossed for the best of health and a speedy recovery. xx

K and S said...

Hugs Melanie!!

Cindy said...

Oh Melanie, love to you and DH. I am sure that the love of beautiful family will help. Good luck with the next 6 months and give that girl lots of gorgeous cuddles when you all need them.
xx

Allie said...

Ack. I wasn't expecting that...I will add my prayers to the others for you and your hubby and baby. This CAN be beat. I have a friend who was diagnosed last year at stage FOUR and is now cancer-free. Fight with all you've got. Look into dietary changes, exercise, and the funniest movies you can find - laughter is good medicine! I'm pulling for you guys to make it just FINE.

Julia { a creature strange } said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

I'm very sad to read this news. Like someone else commented, there is too much cancer in the world these days. I wish you all, all the strength in the world to move through this time. Cathy. xxx

Kel said...

Much strength to you and your husband and family.

Margaret said...

I'm so sorry to hear your news, rest assured that the prognosis in 2009 is generally very good for "C" victims. I understand your need for normality, normality is what will keep you going.

All the best and my thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry to hear of your news, I hope the battle is not too long and you DH wins VERY QUICKLY and you return to normality or whatever you find after cancer. I am thinking of you and sending you all my strength and hopeful thoughts.

I hope you have the most wonderful support as you become carer not a position that you expect to find yourself in when you have a litte baby to take care of as well.

I know how this feels. Please keep in touch we are all here supporting you as well.
Deb

My Patchwork Katt said...

(((hugs)))
and lots of well wishes.. positive thoughts your way

Ronin With Scissors said...

I am so sorry. Cancer is SO LAME. Your DH will beat it, piece of cake! I am sending many, MANY positive thoughts your way. <3

Tamakikat said...

Oh dear Melanie.

Though I am glad your man has a name to put to his illness I'm stunned to hear it's cancer.

Cheered to hear the prognosis is good and you are already planning how to get through this.

You WILL have that holiday.

Wishing you all the support and love you can handle.

Big hugs to you and your man.

TK

Aussie-waffler said...

I'm so sorry to hear your news Melanie, I hope you can feel the waves of support pouring out of cyberland. Make you sure you remember to take care of yourself as you all prepare to battle the horrid 'c'. Love to you all.
Tara xx

inoriz said...

Melanie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please take care and stay strong!

Much love and hugs from all of us.

Lulu said...

My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with you.

I am sorry that your family has to go through this but am glad to hear his chances are good and that you are surrounded by loving, supportive friends and family.

Big hugs.

Mookah Studio said...

Damn that "C" word. It pokes it's nose in everywhere. Sorry to hear your terrible news, but stand strong, stick toegther, accept help where you need it, and keep looking towards that holiday.

Bel said...

Hey Mel

I am so so sorry to hear this sad news. That dreaded word is one that always brings a tear to my eye...

Stay strong and I am so glad that you have wonderful family to help support you at this yucky time. Give your little one lots of hugs and tickles and use those smiles to get you all through it!

Take care and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers

Love Bel x

Bec said...

Oh Melanie, I haven't ventured into blogland for so long and just thought I'd catch up on your blog, and I'm so so sorry to be reading such awful news. I have a friend who has beaten cancer. She was diagnosed when 37 weeks pregnant and fought the cancer at the same time as looking after her newborn. Your husband will do it too - he has a wonderful wife, gorgeous daughter, and lots of family and friends to help him on his journey. That counts for SO much! Take care - I'm sending as many positive vibes as possible your way. XXX Bec

Thea said...

Sorry to hear that Mel but yes, I agree with Margaret that prognosis can be extremely good. My husband had and has survived liver cancer and has made an amazing recovery due to his continued taking of natural supplements, that he has researched himself extensively. I will speak to you soon (tomorrow?) about more information.

Cathie said...

ohh Melanie, so sorry to hear that. I wish you all the very best in this battle with the dreaded "c" word.
my dad only recently passed because of this, but for him it was too late so we, because it is a family thing, only endured his suffering for 3 weeks.
i wish you strength & love because sometimes it will be harder than others, especially with your little one but hope that this 6 month period be a relatively painfree one.

hugs ♥

teresa fsw said...

Hang in there Melanie! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! May DH be on the road to recovery soon!

Sally Reiko Maratas Yoshida said...

Sending positive thoughts and wishes your way! :)

Unknown said...

My thoughts and well wishes to you and your family.

74 Lime Lane said...

sending you all the best wishes and good thoughts i can through the cyber universe

SomedaysSarah said...

It is a horrible horrible word, but you guys can beat it!

I too am sending you healing thoughts and well wishes.

Lilli boo said...

Oh Melanie this isn't what I was expecting when I clicked on your blog today. Wishing DH all the strength and positive vibes he needs in recovering and for you and the little one all the support, love, hugs as much as possible. My thoughts are with you all.....Lil oxoxoxoxooxo

angelique said...

Oh no that is not very good news to hear......I wish your little family all the best and am sure with much positive thinking and a bit of western medicine you will get through it all with great joy at the end.

Lisa [strickerin] said...

Oh my. First time I am in blogland for ages so I am sorry I am late catching this.

Love and strength to your husband, you and your family.

You must be relieved that this is happening in Australia rather than Japan.

Red Hen (dette) said...

Oh no Melanie, that's terrible news. I do hope everything goes well. My mum had breast cancer 20 years ago now- she is still going strong. So I am glad to hear the odds are good for a positive outcome. Sending positive thoughts to you all.

Katy said...

oh, that is sad news, sorry i didn't know about this yesterday. You, DH and the Bub will be in my thoughts and i will be sending you healthy vibes.

Nikki said...

Hold tight to that positive prognosis, and know that you'll be in many peoples thoughts and prayers while you go through all the hard stuff ahead. That seaside family holiday will be a great way to relax and celebrate in seven months time.

JustJess said...

<3 So sorry to hear that news. So much love and strength to you and your family.

handmaiden said...

Melanie, my thoughts are with you.I am sending you lots of positive energy.

Dorothy said...

Melanie, my heart goes out to you and your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you. As hard as it is, try to hold on to the positive prognosis.

Michelle said...

I'm sending you and your family every positive thought and good wish and hugs and kisses that I can muster.

flossy-p said...

Oh Jesus! I'm so sorry. That's so shocking! However I am deeply relieved that the recovery rate is so great. Modern medicine is so miraculous. Hang in there for the next few months, it won't be easy, but at least you have a happy ending to look forward to.

Wishing you both all the wellness I can. .xx.

Karin van Dam said...

Oh crap. So sorry to hear you had to hear this frightening news. I am sending positive thoughts your way and wish all of you a lot of strenghts. You will get through this, together.

Sue F-S said...

Dear Melanie,
Catching up on my blog reading and saw your devastating news, The road may get very rough for a while but look to a bright future together and you will all get through this. With all the love and best wishes being sent your way by all the people in your lives you will.
Love to you all
Sue

Kate @ UpsideBackwards said...

Wow, that is a shock. I just scrolled down from your beautiful Daddy-daughter photos to catch up a bit and read this news. Fingers crossed that your journey together through this will not be too difficult, and that the support you have both in real life and online will help you through. Hugs!

Cilla said...

The c-word,a very scary word indeed,but gambate!!!! you will get through this, hopefully (fingers crossed). sending hugs and wishful thinking to you and your family

Alexis Jacobs said...

Wow. Melanie, I am so sorry that I am just now getting caught up on your blog. You guys will get through this... sending you HUGE ((hugs))

Péitseoga said...

thinking of you guys, such a big shock after such great happiness...

Rachael Hutchings said...

I totally missed this post and this news somehow and feel absolutely horrible. I'm so sorry! Though I know that if anyone can make it through something as difficult as this, it is the two of you. Much love being sent your way.... XOXO

Leonie Guld said...

Can I just say nothing and blow you a kiss?....xx

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