A person is shaped and defined by many experiences and circumstances in their lifetime, some for better, some for worse. I have experienced many of them, some remolded my personality, and some just gave me more wisdom. The one that had the most significant impact on my life, was the death of my daughter Lizz. She battled her brain cancer for two years, my family and I fought beside her. What I did not realize, was the journey with cancer, one that would change me forever, as a parent and a person. In the battle with cancer, many dwell and simply surrender to it, like many others, we choose to fight. Along this unexpected battle, I learned to be more compassionate, how to sacrifice for the better of others, and most of all, being appreciative
…show more content…
She fought hard, going through chemo and radiation treatments, and yet living life as she was unaffected by the cancer, what courage I asked, could I be as strong? She often said to me “it is what it is dad,” I devoted my time to research on this dark cloud that loomed over us, but there was just no happy answers. Without seeing the signs, I was changing, sacrificing all I had to make life better for her, not caring for myself or others that were more fortunate, there were no other priorities except for Lizz. Un-selfish I became, the needs of those in despair outweighs to those who are …show more content…
She was rushed to Moffitt Cancer Center for surgery, but the recovery was short lived, for an infection pursued. Once again she fought hard, but we knew time was not on our side, we were told that nothing else can be done. I remember vividly, looking out from the hospital window, watching people go about their daily routines in life, how dare of them I thought, do they know what happens to others in here? Then it dawn on me, I was once one of them.
For the next two months, I tended to Lizz, she was no longer able to walk or do things on her own. I was jobless and in financial destitute, but never left her sight. Hospice was wonderful, but limited; I became her nurse and sole caregiver. Bathing, medications, injections, feeding, and lifting her to the wheelchair was now my new obligation. I prayed for her to have a last Christmas, granted it was, and with the help of neighbors, we carried her hospital bed to our annual outdoor Christmas party. The holidays came and went, but it would be the most memorable
She fought hard, going through chemo and radiation treatments, and yet living life as she was unaffected by the cancer, what courage I asked, could I be as strong? She often said to me “it is what it is dad,” I devoted my time to research on this dark cloud that loomed over us, but there was just no happy answers. Without seeing the signs, I was changing, sacrificing all I had to make life better for her, not caring for myself or others that were more fortunate, there were no other priorities except for Lizz. Un-selfish I became, the needs of those in despair outweighs to those who are …show more content…
She was rushed to Moffitt Cancer Center for surgery, but the recovery was short lived, for an infection pursued. Once again she fought hard, but we knew time was not on our side, we were told that nothing else can be done. I remember vividly, looking out from the hospital window, watching people go about their daily routines in life, how dare of them I thought, do they know what happens to others in here? Then it dawn on me, I was once one of them.
For the next two months, I tended to Lizz, she was no longer able to walk or do things on her own. I was jobless and in financial destitute, but never left her sight. Hospice was wonderful, but limited; I became her nurse and sole caregiver. Bathing, medications, injections, feeding, and lifting her to the wheelchair was now my new obligation. I prayed for her to have a last Christmas, granted it was, and with the help of neighbors, we carried her hospital bed to our annual outdoor Christmas party. The holidays came and went, but it would be the most memorable