I came home from the hospital this past Wednesday evening after a six-day stay. I had developed a couple of infections that were treated. I have been sent home on antibiotics to continue the treatment. During my stay, my medical team and I (including my medical oncologist of 8 years) came to the decision that I will no longer be receiving active conventional medical treatment. I have been released into home palliative care, which focuses on comfort, pain management and increasing my strength through physical therapy.
Naturopathically speaking we are still going to pursue alternative methods of treatment – including herbs, botanicals, and tinctures in hopes these may have a positive effect on my healing and quality of life. My appetite is not great; I am drinking as much as possible, mostly smoothies, teas, and juices. I am happy to be in my home, and I can get around with the help of a walker.
As you may sense, my energy is very low right now. Therefore, it is hard for me to be in communication with people on a broad basis. Though I appreciate the massive outpouring of love, care and concern for me, I am unfortunately not able to respond individually to most of your communications. Please continue to pray for me, Marc and Amari. Know that I welcome your cards, flowers, and letters of love, hope, and encouragement. Our address is 71 Northrop Rd, Bethany, Connecticut 06524.
I want to share with you an inspirational poem sent to me by one of my dear sister friends, Alicia Santamaria. Read these words and see how they resonate with you:
The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr
A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew
My spiritual roots will never be touched, can never be broken. I hope the same is true for you, no matter what it is on earth that you must endure. I love you. God bless you. I am still on the journey.