This was extremely difficult to narrow down being that everyone has been so supportive, but I have asked my immediate family and two of my closest friends to share their perspectives on my journey with a brain tumour. It's hard to describe each of these people in few words, and nothing I say could possibly do them justice, but I've labelled them each with something they've been for me.
Due to everyone's very busy and different schedules, I've decided to make this into a series of blogs.
1. My Parents
2. My Friends
3. My Siblings
Some of these were written some time ago, and others just recently so although I may not post them sequentially, I hope everyone reading finds inspiration in the words of my loved ones.
Due to everyone's very busy and different schedules, I've decided to make this into a series of blogs.
1. My Parents
2. My Friends
3. My Siblings
Some of these were written some time ago, and others just recently so although I may not post them sequentially, I hope everyone reading finds inspiration in the words of my loved ones.
DAD-My Inspiration--The one who always inspires me to make a difference, no matter what the circumstance.
"Jane has asked me to comment as a father on the affect her tumour has had on me. So, I'm sitting in the parking lot as Jane and her mom are in the doctors office having her stitches removed and trying to convey on paper how this ordeal has changed our lives. We're always rushing to do this or do that, but when you are sitting in the hospital waiting room for five hours while you youngest child is having brain surgery, you reflect on a lot of things and think of the worst possible outcome. Five hours seems like five days and you don't want to rush anywhere but to be by their side and not let them out of your sight. Now there is only one priority "family "; everything else can simply wait."
MOM-My Caretaker--The most nurturing/loving woman I know. She's always putting my needs ahead of her own (even though I can be a little diva-esque at times).
"I could say that finding out about Janie's tumor was so stunning that my world stopped spinning for a minute, that there was definitely some sort of mistake or that it was a terrible joke. This is my baby after all, these things literally only happen to "other" people.
I could say that I didn't want to let her out of my sight in case of any tumor inducing side effects and that in spite of having a loving close family and great supportive friends that I felt more lonely and frightened than I have ever felt before in my life. I could say that there was frustration, even anger that the neurosurgeon had the nerve to take a vacation while we awaited a date for surgery.
I could say that all of our emotions were heightened and sometimes downright illogical and at odds with actual events in our day to day lives.
I could say that I became aware of all the love around us and that I would switch places with Janie in a heart beat...and that I could never get through this without my rock of a husband, loving sons and tremendously brave daughter. I will however say; Jane's journey is long, tiring, painful, and not pretty! During her recovery I look back and am so proud of the grace, dignity, poise and sense of humour that my daughter has shown!
I will say that life will be a beautiful thing once again!"
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"I could say that finding out about Janie's tumor was so stunning that my world stopped spinning for a minute, that there was definitely some sort of mistake or that it was a terrible joke. This is my baby after all, these things literally only happen to "other" people.
I could say that I didn't want to let her out of my sight in case of any tumor inducing side effects and that in spite of having a loving close family and great supportive friends that I felt more lonely and frightened than I have ever felt before in my life. I could say that there was frustration, even anger that the neurosurgeon had the nerve to take a vacation while we awaited a date for surgery.
I could say that all of our emotions were heightened and sometimes downright illogical and at odds with actual events in our day to day lives.
I could say that I became aware of all the love around us and that I would switch places with Janie in a heart beat...and that I could never get through this without my rock of a husband, loving sons and tremendously brave daughter. I will however say; Jane's journey is long, tiring, painful, and not pretty! During her recovery I look back and am so proud of the grace, dignity, poise and sense of humour that my daughter has shown!
I will say that life will be a beautiful thing once again!"
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