An inspiring diary by Smoh made the Recommended list today, about a woman with bladder cancer, who we're calling "Beth."
Smoh has provided more info about Beth, and I urge you all to add Beth to your prayers/positive energy thoughts/ and hopes for her improving health.
What Smoh already shared in her diary about Beth is inspiring, both in terms of Beth's attitude in wanting to help the Obama campaign, and the way smoh really made the extra effort to include Beth in a very meaningful way.
Beth was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had just begun treatment around the first week in June. She said chemo would last six weeks. It sounds like rather dreadful process. They inject the chemo directly into the bladder and she has to stand up, lie down, front, back, side to side. Basically making sure all parts of the bladder receive treatment. Unfortunately, the cancer was still there at the end of six weeks. She seems unsure what will happen next, an unfortunate consequence of being treated in a local hospital. More on that later.
Four weeks ago she woke up and couldn't get her eyes to focus. It got worse throughout the day until she went to see her ophthamologist. He looked at her and said to come back in three days. By then she was completely blind. Again, a consequence of local medical care. I wouldn't take my dog to our local hospital. Thankfully, the only place for them to get adequate care is Wills Eye in Phila. It's internationally known and really good. They have gotten some minimal amount of sight back in her left eye (shadows) and her right eye is permanently gone. They still don't know why, but are doing everything to get a correct diagnosis.
I'm subtly trying to suggest that she might feel more comfortable having her cancer treatment done at a Phila. Teaching hospital as well. It sounds like she has considered this before. It won't do to bad mouth her current care. That tends to paralyze people and make them more afraid than they need to be.
Beth is one of five sisters and the only one not married. She says she's used to being the one helping all the others and is having trouble accepting the help she needs now. You should have heard what I went through convincing her that it was no trouble at all to take her to see the First Lady. At this point, she is much more upset about the blindness than the cancer. That's understandable, it's certainly more dramatic. She says she's always been very athletic and active and is having a very difficult time being confined. As I get to know her better, I'll be able to better judge what she needs.
Thanks very much to Smoh for sharing this: -- murasaki