Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer & Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp: Cancer No More–Lessons from the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

 “Ghost of the Future! . . . I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?”

It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.

Mindful that we are all, as Dickens said, “fellow passengers to the grave,” I offer all of you my sincere thanks and a few end-of-year thoughts as the cloaked hand of formless time directs Scrooge’s—and our—attention to what is yet to be while silently exhorting us to recall, and to benefit from, what has already been.

Christmas 2013

My holiday was taken care of by the “boys” in my world—my husband, Farok; his three sons, Cyrus, Sahm, and Erach; and, of course, my son, Matt. They cooked and cleaned up with such harmony and efficiency that you’d never know this was their first time on Christmas KP duty. Bravo, guys. And, by the way—great gifts!

Also, we had a large family holiday party on December 28, bringing together people who only rarely get to share one another’s company. But we got together in the spirit of celebrating family ties that can’t be broken, no matter how many shards of old shattered hourglasses have threatened them. Wonderful to see you all—and looking forward to doing it again next year.

New Year’s Eve 2013

As we approach midnight on December 31, 2013—a very quiet one for Farok and me—I am very thankful to be able to enter the new year free of the disease that I only recently learned I had. On the reverse of today’s date—12/13‰my uterine cancer was removed. Yesterday—12/30—the skin cancer on my scalp was removed. And although I have a couple of complications from the first procedure and also still face radiation to prevent recurrence, and although I am still very uncomfortable from the second procedure (which strangely is causing more post-op pain than the first), I will enter 2014 cancer free.

Typical for me, I just made a few last-minute charitable contributions, an exercise that always fills me with frustration that not only can I not I afford to give more, the more important fact is that I haven’t figured out yet how to do more for those in need. This is something serious for me to think about during the coming year.

New Year 2014

As I contemplate Christmas 2014 and beyond, I will remember 2013 as a year of learning some deep lessons about life. And I will take new knowledge, understanding, and acceptance with me.

Thank you for reading my blog stories and for being so supportive during my recent challenges.

Wishing everyone reading this message many happy, healthy, prosperous, productive, and successful Christmases Yet to Come—and a Very Happy New Year 2014.

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Ghost of Christmas Present

Ghost of Christmas Past

Emotional Reflections in Blue Places