Re: Candles, fears, & support

[Guest guest]

:

Hang in there, I know it sounds cliche, but things with work out.

Speaking of Yankee candles, I just picked up some samplers yesterday. The

blueberry smells wonderful! My favorites are still vanilla and

buttercream.

Take care,

Jackie

[Guest guest]

,

I just wanted to tell you that I empathize with your fears of bile duct cancer since hearing of Walter Payton's death and want you to know you are in my candle lit prayers daily. Please let us know how things go with the transplant team and prospective donors on Friday. You said you are blessed, and it really appears that you are. How wondeful to have such supportive (former) students! I think their actions and support are really a great reflection on the kind of person are; to have students carrying such a strong bond and respect for you as both a teacher and a person.

We're behind you - hang in there!

Big Hugs,

Candles, fears, & support

This week has been rough. One of my potential donors chose to back out of the process because she has to care for an elderly father. I respect and support her decision, and I told her so. But then I heard that another potential donor has some abnormal cells (from a recent pap smear), and I wonder if that will let her out, and then finally, another one is also considering not being a donor because of difficulties with leaving her work for the length of time needed. That leaves one potential donor...I'm trying not to be upset and second guess...and remember things happen as they are supposed to ....but with knowing that Walter Payton was on the list only 9 months before he got cancer, and I've been on the list almost 20 months now, I'm a bit down. Friday, the three remaining potential donors and I will be at New England Med. I'll know more after this meeting with the transplant team. I don't know if I told the group, but these three donors are former students of mine. I taught marriage and family therapy classes at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, NH for six years. They were in my classes there, and they all are marriage and family therapists practicing in New Hampshire. Two live in Maine and work in New Hampshire; one lives and works in Keene, NH. Not only are they supporting me, but another clinician/former student is taking over clients in my practice when I go in for the transplant, and three other former students have offered to provide whatever help I need to recover after the surgery. I am truly blessed...I just have to remember that...and maybe light a candle for myself today. Thanks for being there to hear my ramblings and my fears.