Thanks again for all your support, in so many ways. This whole ride has been crazy lately, between the medical issues and making sure the kids have a good start to school, we really appreciate all the support in whatever form it takes.
So, to ask for MORE…
I have a “procedure” on Tuesday morning to get a nephrostomy. Please send prayers and positive thoughts that this goes smoothly and successfully AND that I am not super depressed afterwards! As much as I want to believe and trust that this will be in for only two weeks, the interventional radiologist firmly planted in my psyche the thought that this might be permanent. That thought creeps out from the dark recesses of my mind at the most inopportune times.
Regardless, we can only move forward. It is sort of surreal to go about daily life knowing that on Tuesday, I have little clue how my life will change. I know that on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I will have a visiting nurse to help me with all this. That alone makes me feel like there will be an adjustment. I talked with another nurse on Friday – he was super nice but when I asked how to live with this on a daily basis – how to sleep and drive and keep myself clean – he actually said that I will have to “MacGyver my way through this.” I have never been good at MacGyvering anything. Besides, it is crazy, to me, that they have done so many of these yet cannot tell you how to live with it.
Looking beyond this makes me crazy too. I have something every week for the next 2+ months:
- Procedure (to place nephrostomy)
- Chemo
- Procedure (to put in the stent)
- Chemo
- CT scan
- Chemo
- Procedure (in case first time the stent doesn’t work)
- Chemo
- Procedure (to remove nephrostomy tube)
- Chemo
I cannot process all that, so I am focused on today. I have been doing what I can with the boys, attended a class dinner with my husband, visited with friends, took care of one child who wasn’t feeling well enough to attend school.
In the spirit of making the best of things, I woke up Saturday morning and thought, instead of looking at this as “no more showers for awhile”* I should look at it as “I really appreciate the next four days of showers.”
So I got out of bed, turned on the shower, and….lukewarm water. I knew that meant there wasn’t much left so I took a quick and not fully satisfying shower, then learned our heating system was broken. Ironic. (Thanks to my husband, it got fixed that very day.)
Right now, I am feeling good and back to being grateful for my life, even with all my external parts, and being nervous about things like the Presidential debates and the upcoming election.
Thank you for your prayers and positive vibes on Tuesday morning. I head into Brigham and Women’s at 6:30 a.m. Eastern U.S. time. And I pray my thanks for you in my life.
Love,
Marie
*I am not allowed to bathe, swim or shower for as long as I have this thing in. Only spongebaths. I asked what I should do if I sweat. The nurse laughed and said I won’t be exerting myself enough to sweat. Obviously he has not gone through menopause.
Adventures in Spiritual Living 
❤️
Focused on a two week reversal
And you still have a sense of humor???? (menopause comment)
Love you to pieces. Wish I were there to help and support you, and, yes, give you a sponge bath. It would be my honor.
xoxoxo Molly
On Mon, Sep 26, 2016 at 3:50 PM, Adventures in Spiritual Living wrote:
> Marie Colantoni Pechet posted: “Thanks again for all your support, in so > many ways. This whole ride has been crazy lately, between the medical > issues and making sure the kids have a good start to school, we really > appreciate all the support in whatever form it takes. So, to ask for MOR” >
The closing remark regarding menopause puts it all into perspective. You are a giant of a person, Marie.
Ok, it is a lot. I share the same strong faith you do, so I know that helps. Through the years , though, I have watched you come through very difficult times because you have a vibrant survival spirit; the gift of bravery AND you take one thing at a time. I am with you in prayer. Love, Pamela
Pamela Post-Ferrante, MEd, MFA, CAGS Writing & Healing: A Mindful Guide for Cancer Survivors (With meditation CD) http://www.writingandhealing.com
>
Praying for you, your family, and all those involved in your care. You are a miracle.
Sent from my iPhone
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You haven’t lost your sense of humor, Marie — so important for going into this from a position of STRENGTH :-)! You ARE an incredibly strong woman, as demonstrated over the last many years through this blog. God be with you tomorrow as in this little prayer:
“The light of God surrounds me, the love of God enfolds me, the power of God protects me, the presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is.”
Darling!! I am singing you into my prayers, with faith and gratitude and all the beauty of the universe swirling within and around you. You are a force of nature, and child of the universe and one hell of an awesome lady! Keep telling your story. We are listening and loving you.
Who cares about swimming? You deserve to shower though! Love your menopause comment at the end. Keep that sense of humor. You are in my prayers and I will focus on you sailing through this, then having a reversal and then the best shower in your life! xo
Marie, sweetheart…..it is difficult to find the right words for one who has clearly earned her spiritual P.H.D., but, my prayer for you is that you can stay intimately connected to that part of your being that is vast and unchanged by circumstances in these difficult weeks ahead. Sending you my love………
I saw a little wall plaque the other day that said: “There is always something to be grateful for.” Alright, the teacher in me wanted to correct the grammar but the normal me agreed with the sentiment. I know things are really tough right now, Marie, but we are all hoping and praying that everything goes really well. And as for MacGyvering it—-you come from a long line of MacGyvers! What would Papap do? He would figure it out and he taught us to do the same. It will be good to have your Mom there. She’s as good at MacGyvering as Papap. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow.Many hugs!Aunt Joey
6:30 is just after my wake up time. I plan to rise, sit in my favorite chair, and think of you in the fall sunshine.
AND since showering is off the table, you get to join the Mother Dirt club. I will send you a bottle of biome and those happy microscopic fellas will keep you smelling clean 😉
Marie, we are sending love and prayers for your procedure tomorrow. Have been following along with your news, and want you to know how much we care. This is a huge amount for anyone to bear, and we wish you the serenity to take this one day, one minute, at a time. Sounds like you are doing your best to do just that. Much love and best luck, Beth and Chris.
Constant sponge baths don’t sound appealing at all-there’s no denying that. MacGyvering isn’t scientific & definitely not something you want to hear from professionals. Fortunately we adapt. Especially those of us who have wonderful supportive people who get on their knees & bombard heaven on our behalf!
Prayers for a safe procedure & speedy recovery & patience as you adapt to this new hiccup.
sending so much love and prayers Marie.
Tania
On Mon, Sep 26, 2016 at 3:50 PM, Adventures in Spiritual Living wrote:
> Marie Colantoni Pechet posted: “Thanks again for all your support, in so > many ways. This whole ride has been crazy lately, between the medical > issues and making sure the kids have a good start to school, we really > appreciate all the support in whatever form it takes. So, to ask for MOR” >
Love and blessing to you and all around you, We are with you every minute of every day. Sending you energy and peace. Love, Harriet
Dear Marie,
You are SO in my thoughts all the time although I have been horrible in reaching out to you directly. Each time I try to write something, the words just don’t come and I end up deleting the emails (you should see my half written emails to you in my drafts folder!!). And then I thought, you know, the words don’t have to be perfect and all I want Marie to know is that I pray for her, keep her with me on so many days when things aren’t going as planned, and that she inspires me every single day 😉
So there you have it….my far from perfect email to you.
Sending love, prayers and all the positive thoughts I can humanly muster for you.
Love Nancy XOXOXO
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Marie, Love and prayers for you and your family from Pittsburgh. Gals from the Steel City are tough. Julie
❤