I have been so very blessed in these days to talk to many people with their own isuues with illness and those dealing with loss of loved ones in their lives.
Today my daughter came in to visit me on her way to work. It was nice seeing her she IS the newlywed 🙂 Stacy said to me I got a text from someone today that has heard about your story and her dad has Glio as well. They are asking me questions I do not know the answers can you talk to them ? I said of course, Gods got me here for some reason. 🙂 We are all vines of the same tree therefore we are connected.
All the while my son was moving out of our family home into his new digs so I had many thoughts mulling around in my head as he went in and out with full arms. I told my daughter absolutely so my daughter told his daughter Jenn to call me . Within 5 minutes my phone was ringing Jenn and her dad Jack were on speaker phone. We shared our stories. I told them they should call Dana Farber and my doctor. Dr. Reardon. I told them that there are all kinds of new experimental clinical trials coming out.
I told them that God had him. I also said cancer is not of God and that Jack did not own it.
Tomorrow is a big question mark for us all, no matter what. but worry not, because the one constant for ever and ever is God. Amen.
I told them about Jenn my other friend with Glio who has twin daughters around 11 and is living her victory as she receives her treatment. She is focused on eachday and its blessings. She is upbeat and joyful. Thats a hero!
Finally, I sent a quick email to my doctors office to let them know that Jenn and Jack would be in touch today. My last line on that shot correspondence was God can do anything ! 🙂
We are all restless beings and are trying to have control of our lives and our circumstances. We cannot control all that happens to us but we do control how we personally respond to it.
So, lets pray for, Jenn, Jack, Scotty, Elaine, Teddy, for Bill for ourselves, our loved ones and our world. Amen.
I received a call from a friend Jenn who has been living with and being treated for Glio. She told me about this music and its background. Fr. Ron had talked about it at the healing service I guess. By the way Jenn is doing great !
So, I thought that I would share. I have listened to what I could and they do impart a sence of peace and wellness SO what do we have to lose ? 🙂
Its Friday, and its absolutely beautiful outside. I woke up with a feeling like something was on my mind but what ?. I was just off.
I was in the middle of my coffee when my thoughts surfaced. I said to my wife, I am sick of it.she said what ? I said my existence. I get up I am trying and I just feel like I am not contributing anything. I went on a bit going down a laundry list of what I used to do and What I can’t do anymore.
What triggered this today, who knows. I would like to say it is a Spirit of discouragement working on me. I have been saying a few negative thoughts to myself. But our inner most thoughts even unspoken can chart a course for defeat.
I think I need to be honest with everyone on this Blog because I feel like it is one of the few things that I do daily that may help someone. Maybe?
I did 1 google search this morning , When times are tough…This is what popped up.
Tony Robbins.
What he said I understood, I believe it, I have been living it. But mine has a component of physical suffering. I offer up that suffering for Gods use by doing so I feel like I have some control over this situation. That, something positive is occurring from my life situation.
In a situation such as I am currently living an acceptance is necessary. But, how do I accept my plight without me feeling it as my personal defeat ?
I felt bad because my wife who does everything and it so sweet was upset by my words. Negativity is not a thing that I generally exhibit. My wife is my rock. Janet is the epitome of goodness and class. So, I felt bad speaking like that to her today. She consoled me and just said Dan it will be okay. Then she began her chores. She has been poking in and out of here off and on to check on me. She does not tell me that, but that is exactly what she is doing. She is smiling, loving and beautiful. Thank you, God.
Being the guy, I want to do for her what she needs like I use to. Not drop worries at her feet.
I think that the past weeks news of being dropped from my physical therapy also threw me off balance. I put calls out to the places I was recommended to and I am awaiting a call from the YMCA livestrong Program.
Again, I know that the moment I find myself is temporary. I will shake it off. I have to.
I guess only when we accept the depth of our sorrows can we truely appreciate the beauty in the uplifting moments of this life.
Like I said this blog has to be real to be anything at all. So. It is what it is.
I know Gods carrying me in this moment as he is with you all too. We have to be in prayer and remind ourselves that he is.
Despair wants you hopeless, isolated and down. So do not set the stage by isolating yourself. Try to seek out the positive aspects in your life. They are there.
I love this upcoming Holiday the 4th of July. It means so much to me. From my childhood it has represented patriotism, remembrance and family/ friends, cookouts, fireworks etc.
I love the pops on the Esplanade. It does not get any better.
My grand father use to have all of the holiday hats red, white and blue to hand out etc. So, much fun. Garden hose and baloons :), slip and slide. fun stuff 🙂
This song has been just sitting in my draft file waiting to find its use. how true these words are….
We are running around trying to get things done all the while time is rushing on by.
My grandparents and parents had it right. Keep it simple. Not everything needs to be painted like a masterpiece to be one !
Rejoice in the day and savor the important things. The rest will fall into place. Amen.
The older folks are our national treasure, the young children are our hope and we in the middle are the protectors and supporters of both of these demographics. Amen.
It was pouring this morning. Water was washing everything clean and I thought to myself how good the water was for the lawn, trees and plantings.
This song came on my kindle and I thought of my grandparents and my mom specifically. Such a sweet warmth enveloped me. The memories of my grandparents began to play in my head like an old movie.
in life we all have deeply emotional and loving memories come to us. I would like to believe that it is our loved ones in Heaven are actually close to us in that moment.
it was a special time as I lay there thinking and drifting in and out of sleep all the while the rain was pelting the house.
God created such magnificence in us and in nature. here is that song that I spoke of.
Well, as I left off on Monday’s post I was timed out / out of insurance coverage of physical therapy that I have been receiving.
I spent this morning on the phone with different agencies trying to uncover some type of funding assistance to allow me to get into physical therapy at least twice a month to get the left side of my body stretched out and to get supervised weight therapy on that side to stimulate the brain activity to rebuild movement on that side. The therapy is working but not fast enough for my insurer.
A couple of resources that I have come across that are possibilities and that I would like to share with you all is this…..
Dana Farber told me today about the federal 211 service. Dialing 211 connects you locally to a agency who will connect you to many different program and services that may be available in your area. Nonprofits, funding etc.
so, I did just call and the women was very easy on the phone and went through my background story and needs and gave me a few different options that may or may not help my predictament. I was grateful to speak with Leslie and I will dig into the info I was given to see what pans out. I called today and they did not have what I needed specifically but it was a great tool should you need some options.
I also have been looking into the YMCA ‘s Livestrong Program for cancer survivors. This program is 12 weeks and meets twice weekly for 90 minute sessions. This program evaluates each individual to see what needs each has. They then will devise an action plan to move forward with. So, I am waiting for my evaluation call. Again, another possible help to regain my physical capacities and posture.
Please spread the word about these different tools that are available. These options may or may not fit my needs or yours but they will help someone along their life’s walk.
To be perfectly frank yesterday’s letter from my insurer was a black and white kick in my ribs. Not that I blame them. It’s their bottom line not mine. My bottom line is that of human being but that does not make for a good business model I suppose.
But, today is a new day one filled with possibilities and opportunities so I must seek and find what I need.
Do not get discouraged if you get bad news regarding your health or insurance or anything for that matter ! Its not the end !. Get a firm footing, a business mind is needed to keep the emotions in cheque. Devise a forward moving plan . No matter how small there will be a positive effect.
We need to embody a no problem is too big attitude. 😀:)
i just got off the phone with my physical therapist about my note that I received yesterday. They too received the same info so thats that. They are an awesome group of people that I would reccommend to anyone.
I will figure this out soon. 🙂 You know why ? Because Gods got it. 🙂
I love this song I have used it once before in my blog and it is so true.
In this life I have said and we all know that we face adversity and pushback. What dowe do ?
We thank God for what we have.
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole In this life.
And ….
We need to give it up to God and soldier on in the belief that the adversity will somehow be mitigated.
Today, my wife came in from work and was handing the daily mail. She came in the family room and looked at me and said we received a four page letter telling us that your physical therapy is at its limit for your condition and there will be no more coverage for physical therapy.
My wife being the amazing women that she is yesterday sent an email to Dana Farber to see if there were funds available that can help us to get the minimal amount of help to augment the cost out of pocket for me to go and get a visit or two a month to get stretched. She feared this day may come and alas today was the day.
I have been very fortunate to this point getting the medical care that I have needed. It had been 3.5 years of nonstop treatment and care. My treatment started as I said before 3.5 years ago and included the awake brain surgery so they could grade my tumor. They could not remove it. You can only imagine the dollar figure spent with that procedure in itself.
So, I will not complain I wonder how many people have not had all that I have had in terms of treatment. True, my wife and I have paid the medical insurer but we got service provided to me. I honesty think that this is the way that medical care is going. In the end Gods got it if I am to continue therapy to any degree then he will make it happen. I will do my due diligence and we will see where this situation goes:)
We all need to keep the chin up and walk on in this life and trust and expect only good things to come our way. offer up all suffering to God for his use Amen !
Two songs have come to mind while I have been writing so, here they are enjoy:)
Elvis Presley, You’ll never walk alone
And the song I live by , it is my cell ring tone it makes me laugh! it is full of the attitude that I truely own. I defy life to keep me down !!!!!!!!!!!
Turn it up and feel it ! This is my belief. God Strong ! God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are empowered to succeed and overcome. I ‘m Feeling Good !!
Don’t take life too seriously !! 🙂
What ever the problem kick it in the butt and walk it off!!!
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
I think that love is taken for granted by us all at certain times.
With the marriage of my daughter Stacy to Chris I was reminded again the simplicity of love. They met, they acknowledged the life values that they both had and they began their walk in faith.
Taking the plunge takes faith and guts. Love which is from God himself makes our lives beautiful.
Through the union of Chris and Stacy Janet and I have been ushered into a new dimension in our lives too. We have yet another identity. The possibilities are there for some beautiful new pages of our lives to unfold.
FROM MY NIECES FACEBOOK PAGE. SHE IS GOD STRONG… AMEN.
A little over three years ago my uncle was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 glioblastoma and was quickly losing his strength on his left side. Despite all the odds by the grace of God he overcame his cancer. Yesterday he got to not only attend his daughter’s wedding to an amazing guy, but he got to walk her down the aisle and have their father daughter dance. It was a beautiful night! Congrats to Stacy Riley and Chris Cucinotto!
Tim McGraw. My little Girl.
ONE LINE IN THIS SONG IS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH ME. CHRIS WAS THE PERFECT MAN FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY. 🙂
As I have written on this blog we need to celebrate the special God events in this life because there are sorrowful events that transpire as well.
To me a God event is one of those life events that God predestined for our lives per psalm #139.
God blessed my wife and I with eachother and he then gave us our 5 children and finally in this case our daughter Stacy.
Stacy was wed on Saturday to a wonderful man Chris. Chris has a similar family background very faith based so we are thrilled that God brought them together.
This story is about God’s victory in our lives. First of all because after 3.5 years after diagnosis of terminal brain cancer I was able to walk the isle and give my daughters hand in marriage.
How they met: God’s divine will.
Stacy toured a college and Chris was the student who took her group on the tour and that was the extent of their contact for 3 years. Stacy was dating here and there but was not finding what she wanted a person that fitted her values.
She came into the family room one night and I said whats wrong honey ? She said I can’t meet anyone nice 😦 They are all the same.
I got strong with her and said Stacy, did you ask God to bring you someone special ? She said no. I said honey pray and ask God to bring you the person that you desire. He will bring him. God always answers our prayers.
3 weeks later Stacy was all excited that a boy named Chris had found her on facebook that she met briefly years back ( school tour) and began a dialogue with her.They talked for a long while before they got together. My daughter was not one of those girls as she would say.
They met and there was an instant connection. He is exactly what she had prayed for. And guess what he lived in our own home town. They were from different parishes so they never met. God had them meet in his time after they could appreciate who each one was to eachother and in God’s eyes.
God is never wrong if we listen and are led by his Spirit.
This is the song we danced to. ( I used the word dance loosely. I donnot move very well on the dance floor perhaps by my next childs wedding 🙂 LOL
I played this song to all my kids and danced with them when they were little, my son included. lol. I said someday I will dance this with you when you get married.
Stacy did not forget lol
Bob Carlisle Butterfly Kisses with lyrics. it fit the occasion beautifully. Janet and I were sure that God had his rightful place in our home . He is the head of our family trinity.
Without God and prayer in a childs life it makes for a difficult road.
Just Danny Speaks 