Every weekend, our family gathers together for a practice Michelle sagely introduced many years ago, the “family meeting.” Recommended by some parenting gurus to help tighten the ties that bind a family with growing kids together, we gather at the dinner table, sing a song, offer appreciations for the helpful or remarkable things each other has done in the past week, and answer questions meant to reveal bits of ourselves from a book appropriately titled, “The Book of Questions.” That might sound a little Kumbaya-esque, and it was frankly painful for many years of coaxing along younger children who struggled to embrace the practice, but we’re all pleased with our weekly meeting now. That our family feels extremely close right now might be 90% due to my cancer, and most of the rest a mix of enviable genetics and superb parenting skills, but that steady score of family meetings bears a bit of the credit, too.
Keep the faith, Doc! Yours will be the victory. I’m two years post head and neck treatment, cancer-free and loving life. You will as well. Fight the fight!
Tough situation. Beautiful writing. Good reason to stay hopeful: the researcher who just surfaced from 100 days in a Florida underwater habitat had some pretty good physiological improvement markers from being hyperbaric for that period. Hang in there!
Damn, that was painful to read. Puts a lot into perspective, proportional to my own seemingly endless struggles, where I frequently reflect on the fact that humans seem to be programed to search for the peaceful moments in life without struggle. The calm between the sets. But since our biggest growth (spiritual) seems to (painfully) come from the work we do when the waves are scary and treacherous, I often wonder why people don't intentionally embrace challenges. Why do we work so hard to avoid the heavy stuff instead of acting more like surfers who only show up when the waves are "up." The Marines call it "Embrace The Suck." Ok, I admit that I learned that from Brene Brown. Honestly, I can only comprehend what you are going through relative to my own less significant challenges. But relative to my narrow worldview, it is evident that you are superhuman. you've tapped into your inner super-dad. Holding strong no doubt because you're a role model to so many: Your kids, patients, friends, blog followers, fans, and countless others. So I admire your resolve to manage your attitude - what Viktor Frankl poignantly taught is the only thing we have absolute control over, when push comes to shove (or gunpoint).
I am pretty sure that I speak for everyone when I say that you are in my thoughts all the time Buzz. It pains me to have zero power to do anything to help you my friend. I pray that the HBO2 works and that we can sit together next month and laugh (jaw > 60 degrees) over whatever beverage you desire! I'm buying!
Keep the faith, Doc! Yours will be the victory. I’m two years post head and neck treatment, cancer-free and loving life. You will as well. Fight the fight!
Tough situation. Beautiful writing. Good reason to stay hopeful: the researcher who just surfaced from 100 days in a Florida underwater habitat had some pretty good physiological improvement markers from being hyperbaric for that period. Hang in there!
~Denning
Damn, that was painful to read. Puts a lot into perspective, proportional to my own seemingly endless struggles, where I frequently reflect on the fact that humans seem to be programed to search for the peaceful moments in life without struggle. The calm between the sets. But since our biggest growth (spiritual) seems to (painfully) come from the work we do when the waves are scary and treacherous, I often wonder why people don't intentionally embrace challenges. Why do we work so hard to avoid the heavy stuff instead of acting more like surfers who only show up when the waves are "up." The Marines call it "Embrace The Suck." Ok, I admit that I learned that from Brene Brown. Honestly, I can only comprehend what you are going through relative to my own less significant challenges. But relative to my narrow worldview, it is evident that you are superhuman. you've tapped into your inner super-dad. Holding strong no doubt because you're a role model to so many: Your kids, patients, friends, blog followers, fans, and countless others. So I admire your resolve to manage your attitude - what Viktor Frankl poignantly taught is the only thing we have absolute control over, when push comes to shove (or gunpoint).
I am pretty sure that I speak for everyone when I say that you are in my thoughts all the time Buzz. It pains me to have zero power to do anything to help you my friend. I pray that the HBO2 works and that we can sit together next month and laugh (jaw > 60 degrees) over whatever beverage you desire! I'm buying!
I have a friend who swears that the hbo chamber in Waimea has helped her so much…..so it WILL help you!