Merry Christmas Everyone!!
I thought today might be a good time to update you all on life lately and what my plan is for after the holidays.
Thanksgiving
was a great day, with more food than I ever could have hoped to be able
to eat and a whole lot of family time. All in all it was everything I
could have wanted.
About two weekends ago we went into Philly to
spend the day with Siobhan and Dan, get some good food and do
christmassy things around the city. It was a crowded day and I took my
first ever uber ride! But we got to see the Macy's Christmas light show
and wander around some nice shops with hot cocoa. It was a really nice
was to kick off Christmas with everyone and be in Philly for something
other than the doctor!
Last weekend I had a perfect visit with my
college friend and roommate Courtney who I see about twice a year now
since she moved south. There is never enough time for us to spend
together, but we make the most of what we have. We spent the weekend
catching up and doing a whole lot of Christmas! Her family stole her
away to soon 😉 but a little time is surely better than none. It was an
amazing Christmas present!
There isn't too much new on the health
front. I continue with my speech and physical therapies in hope of
returning to work next month sometime. In order for that to happen there
is still one big barrier to tackle and that is pain management. I
finally saw the pain management specialist last week and we are
confident that they will be a good fit for my needs at this point. The
doctor had a plan ready after just a short conversation and prescribed
some new medications that will hopefully lessen my need for heavier pain
medications to eat and speak for long periods of time. Unfortunately,
my insurance company wasn't to keen on covering said medications, so
once the holidays are over we will find out if the doctors authorization
worked or if we will have to create a new plan. Once I know that my
pain regimen is effective, I will feel much more confident about setting
a solid return to work date. So the medical update is a brief one, but I
see that as a huge improvement on life overall :)!
I got to spend my
Christmas surrounded by two wonderful families, each with very
different traditions and ways to celebrate the day together. Sitting
back during both of these I couldn't help but realize that I think I
finally understand the the happiness that Christmas is suppose to bring.
Last year, as we all know, I was in no place to celebrate the holidays
and, quite frankly, I had zero Christmas spirit to help me care to try
and enjoy it. I went through the motions, bought gifts, spent time with
family, watched the usual favorite films, and tried to do what I knew
would make my loved ones happy, but there is something about severe oral
pain, fatigue, and an inability to speak, sing carols, and drink more
than bland soup broth that can really put a damper on someone's
Christmas. Thankfully though, we made it through and were given the
gifts of wonderful family time and a whole lot of love despite the
challenges. In the past, focusing on the piles of gifts always had a way
of taking over. I hope to never lose this new perspective that
Christmas is truly a time to be aware and grateful for the blessings
life has given us, while trying to pay forward the love and good fortune
to those who may be unable to experience them because of difficult
circumstances, just as so many of you did for me this time last year. I
see today that I am enormously blessed, by ever improving health, an
amazing and supportive family, my patient and giving fiancé and the
family he has allowed me to join, and my faithful friends who have stood
by my side while at my worst. While there are still trials and hurdles
to overcome, I know that they will pass and life will continue to move
forward, hopefully in a positive way. I have learned that we have a lot
of control over the direction our lives take, even when we feel
everything is completely out of our hands. It is the way we choose to
face challenges such as poor health, difficult jobs, or trying
relationships, that can shape what our lives evolve into year after
year. Christmas is a good time to step back and reflect on whether or
not The Who you have been through the past year is someone you would be
proud to remember in the years to come. And it is also a time to plan
for change if the answer to that question happens to be that you realize
you can and should do better. I am proud of the way I have confronted
cancer and all that has been thrown at me, but I also know that the
journey is far from over and it is now time to decide what I want my
life to become as a result of this new path that has been laid out for
me. I'm hopeful that the new year will not only bring clarity and
renewed strength, but also continued good health for myself and my loved
ones and a whole lot of joy in moving forward as well as faith in my
journey ahead.
Thank you all for caring and being such a strong part
of my progress this year. Please keep the prayers coming that I am able
to solve these last few problems in the new year to get back to a
purposeful life!
Merry Christmas to all of you!!! And a happy and blessed New Year!
With all my love and gratitude,
Devin
