Early morning hours again. Peaceful.
Time to think even though I should be sleeping. Rob was admitted to Beaumont Hospital on December 2nd for extreme pain and numerous other medical issues. He was released on December 13th. By the 15th I knew something was very wrong. He went into another extreme pain crisis with confusion and hallucinations, and was readmitted through the ER that Sunday.
He is hopefully going to be released later today sometime... into home Hospice care.Dr. B, Rob's oncologist, said the cancer is aggressively moving, and that any further treatment at this point would do nothing but lessen his quality of life. Rob doesn't want that. Neither do I or any member of our families.
Rob is handling the news with more ups than downs. As Dr. B explained, most people diagnosed with stage IV aggressive bladder cancer have an expected life span of about 12-15 months. It has been 6 years for Rob. He has not presented as most cancer patients have. Throughout these years, I have documented dated photos of the odd phenomenons that Rob has experienced... progression of the C monsters prowling and raging stages.
Dr. B has copies of the photos and is presenting them to her peers continuously. Many of them have questioned her as to why she ran these other tests that ended up being crucial to Rob's cancer treatment, and she explained that because Rob wasn't following the "norm" that she questioned everything he went through. Dr. B told Rob that this information is going to help future generations in dealing with bladder cancer and finding a cure. Rob said, "I just knew this was for a good reason", and we thanked her for all she has done for both Rob and I, and both of our families. 
Rob wants you to know that he has not been "battling cancer", but rather has learned to truly live through it.
He is strong amid the physical weakness, and has kept his sense of humor throughout. The nurses in the short stay and on the oncology ward all love him. He is kind and gracious, and has grown so much internally and spiritually.
In respect for Rob and his privacy, he does not want any visitors. He just wants to be home now with his family, pets included. :) He will continue to play his music online and post his Rob-isms as he is able to.
The hospital bed and numerous other medical equipment are being delivered hopefully before noon today, all having to be in place before they will release Rob into Hospice care.
It's funny. Strange funny. But as we have been talking the last few days, there is a peace surrounding him, and it's seeping into me. A peace that lets the stress of appointments and pokes and prods and tests and constant running start to dissipate. The shared stress-based angry words disappearing into the dust. The feelings of not being able to fix things and not being enough are fading. We are breathing easier, fuller, and looking forward to spending unrushed and unmedical time together for as long as we are able to.Rob and his sister, Holly, and brother, Stu, have been able to have some lovely sibling time gathered around Rob's hospital bed, entertaining the staff and neighboring families. Singing songs together, sharing meals and traditions, laughing over past and present moments in time.
Our families have been such a strong support system, we can't even begin to tell you how deeply they have touched our lives.
And
your prayers... Oh, your prayers have helped in ways you will never
know. They are everlasting blessings washing over us continually.My cup runneth over.
There are tears, but they are far outweighed by laughter and peace.
Rob
knows where his peace comes from - Whom it comes from -- and he
knows where he's going. It is a much better place, joyous, everlasting,
and best of all, pain-free in every sense of the word.So we wanted you to know.
And we want to thank you for your prayers, your kind words, your gifts... all of your beautiful expressions of love over these last 6 years.
I pray that you would continue to lift Rob, and all of us, during these coming days.
We love you all, we are thankful for you all... and we pray God blesses you and your loved ones with this Peace that surpasses all understanding.
Please... don't let things
get in the way of people and of relationships. Stop the constant
input, the surgence of technology that surrounds us and drowns us.
Texting instead of talking. Faces in the phones. Please stop... Let's get back to living. ♥People matter more. Make sure your people know they matter to you.
Rob and I wish you and yours the most joyous of Christmas celebrations, surrounded by loved ones and laughter, praise and worship, as we celebrate together our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who offers us the free gift of eternal life with Him.
Merry Christmas one and all!!!
In overflowing love and peace,
Cheri ♥
