The good

It’s pretty easy to focus on the bad and shitty things that are happening to me and Suzy.  And I probably have expressed a lot of this going along.  For this post, I want to focus on the good.

There have been many things that I need to be thankful for:

• Suzy being there for me – every minute, every day.  I don’t think I could do this without her, in fact I know I couldn’t
• The support from Eric and Lee – and Irene and Heidy.  To be able feel their love and concern is very heart-warming. They are stepping up in every way possible
• Other family members reaching out to us with encouraging words and to say they are thinking of Suzy and I.  The support has been amazing
• Support from old friends and new friends, friends who live close and who live in other side of the country and world. I have spent hours on the phone, facetime, and appreciate every minute of it
• Talking with Michael about his experience with this cancer and who provided an entre into the Mayo Clinic
• Talks with Alex early on who gave such wonderful advice and provided much needed hope. She also set me up to talk with her dad who had a similar cancer. Alex is really there for us, encouraging us, helping us prepare and m=being totally honest on what we are facing
• Getting treated at the Mayo Clinic with all their support services and great people – from the oncology doctors and nurses, to the surround services like dieticians, physical therapy, counselling, etc.  Basically one-stop shopping for all our needs
• Heidy and Lee offering Oreo as a comfort dog
• People following my journey through this blog and giving me support as they read it
• Cousin in-law sending me jokes, even thinking I may be a Rials somewhere back in my genealogy
• The smiling faces at Mayo, even behind those masks
• People calling wanted to get together when this is in the past – making me feel like there is a future
• People offering to help even in the times of corona
• John Kuby author of No Quit in Me providing advice and support
• Sinking into music while I walk – Hamilton Soundtrack, Johnny Cash, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleetwood Mac, Explosions in the Sky.  Send me your favorite playlist
• Confidence from so many that we will beat this

GTC, I am really lucky to have all this support.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hopefully, I can live up to your confidence and support.