Ringing the Bell

Clem finishes his combination chemo/radiation treatment regime tomorrow!!! It has been a long slow road but as an accomplished mountaineer he understands the importance of slow and steady perseverance as well as consistent rest steps. Looks like that training has paid off. His Doctor told him Tuesday that he wished all of his patience were like him. I'm not sure if he was referring to his results or his lack of complaints. Clem does not complain about anything. Women always talk about what poor patients their husbands make but I can honestly say that my husband is amazing. I have only seen him loose control once throughout this entire process and I am convinced that drugs induced his reaction.

Speaking of drugs, Clem has taken maybe 4 or 5 pills for nausea, three days of post op pain meds, and a few handfuls of ibuprofen during his entire course of treatment. This man is not a sissy. One thing I have learned from him is don't believe you will get every side effect that the Doctor says you will. Deal with what is happening now and do not contemplate what could happen. The mind has a great deal of power over your body.

Clem and I have virtually lived at the Hospital over the past eight months. Every day we are there we see people who are facing similar struggles. More than once we have been brought to tears over the suffering of some and more than once we have cried over the ringing of the bell. It is a custom to ring the big bell in the waiting room on your way out of the Hospital after your last radiation treatment. Many of these people can hardly gather the strength to reach it and other almost rip it off the wall. Tomorrow it is his turn.

This symbolizes so much for so many. It is another step completed on a journey toward wellness. Beating cancer is not for the weak. The treatment is tough and long but we feel we are soooooo fortunate to be in a position for cure. We will have the month of April off so we are planning an easy river trip with our friend Doug Strait and possibly a few local camping trips in the Casita. Yesterday we took our first hike since his diagnosis making our annual trip to "The Pocket" to see the amazing wildflower display. There seems to be just a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel now and we are cautiously peeking out into the world again.

For us the ringing of the bell represents a beginning not an end. The beginning of life again. Even though we are facing two more surgeries and another seven week course of chemo we know that he can stand up to the challenge and the worst is behind. So tomorrow ring a bell for Clem and for all those who are climbing a mountain too!

Pam