Caregiver gratitude

[missyrand]

This past week my local melanoma support group (Living With Melanoma Alexandria, VA) has lost 2 dear members.

Ben was a 53 year-old husband, dad to 3 kiddos middleschool to college age, and a super smart VP of a large federal contractor agency, and lover of youth soccer and hockey. He had an unwelcomed scan result showing a return of brain tumors near his brain stem and died 12 days later at home. I will remember his thoughfulness and quiet presence in living with this disease.

Grace was a 23 year-old labor and delivery nurse, daughter, and sister from KY. Melanoma was aggressive with her over the past 18 months She chose to come home for hospice in Feb. once the melanoma attacked her spine and removed her ability to walk. Her family posted the past year of a daily gratitude list Grace kept on her fridge of a simple statement each day where she focused on noting a positive from her day. Her sister Lyn was her dedicated caregiver and frequently showed up over the past year on the monthly fridge listings.

These losses concurrently remind me that there is no "dampening of the curve" for melanoma and the blessing to choose how to direct my thoughts and energies in the face of this blasted cancer. I can be honest in seeing what is in front of me, but I can also tack into the wind of gratitude as a regular practice.

So, today I'm grateful my furloughed nurse/sister Melanie has been able to spend 4 days with me fishing off my apartment pier. We ate a delicious red drum she caught and baked whole last night for dinner. It was stuffed with thin carrots, celery, onions, lemon and fresh ginger.

What are you grateful for today?

Peace,

missy

[kellyOd]

Today I am grateful for many.. Ryan’s feeling the best he has in a long time, I have made a huge decision to go back to school for the nursing program in the fall, my family has been healthy through this mess, and for the delicious spaghetti dinner I ate tonight 🥴 I am very grateful..

[SGHSweethearts]

Today I am grateful Mark is doing well, and is able to work from home, and getting a well deserved break from driving 2 hours each way to work everyday. I am grateful that I am still working as I work for a Dr who continues to see her patients. I am grateful My children and grandchildren are well, And that my son in law continues to work from home.

Michele

[HSsweetheart in reply to SGHSweethearts]

I am grateful to have a job (though reduced hours) through this Covid crisis. The extra time with family and myself has been a blessing: more reading, bicycling, and communication with friends & distant siblings.