After our oncologist delivered the perplexing news… (not only had Typist’s neutrophil count barely budged, now her platelets were also below an acceptable level to administer more chemo) we waited for a nurse to come remove the port needle.
Great article! Thank you for sharing. In Wonderworks by Angus Fletcher I’m reading about literary devices that aid our minds in navigating liminal spaces. (Fletcher doesn’t use that language.) The author says, “The greatest wisdom sees both sides.” I love that!
He also says that literature can fix hearts and lift souls.
There is something called the literary paradox: ice hotter than fire, feathers falling faster than rocks, night outshining the day. “Paradoxes compelling enough to crack open our mind to a simultaneous opposite truth.”
Oh! Thank you for bringing liminal spaces to our thread!
I've been hearing a lot about liminal spaces lately. (Must be a new buzz word.) "A liminal space is a space between spaces... a boundary between two points in time, space, or both. It’s the middle ground between two grounds, the mid-structure between two structures. When you’re in a liminal space, you’re neither here nor there, neither this nor that. At the same time, you’re both here and there. Both this and that."
When you receive disappointing news and affirming news in the same moment, your emotions are in liminal space.
But I also believe two things can be true at once. (I think there's a more eloquent way to say this.) You are disheartened about the chemo news AND you are joyful that your books provide meaning to someone you care about.
These experiences are part of what it means to be fully human, Gail. And by sharing your experiences, you allow us to be fully human with you. Thank you.
My daughter's treatments were 3 weeks long. They eould give her a drip then the next week she would start 2 weeks of pills at home. She was supposed to get 6 treatments. After 3 years they gave up trying to get the 6th one in. Her counts just stayed sooo low. They said she would never be able to get chemo again. They didn't think she would survive but it has been almost 25 years and she is still here with me. She would go every week for the blood work and every week they would send her home. About every 5 or 6 months they would be able to get her treatment going. She would get do down in the dumps. She had to be on a special diet which I made sure she followed. She continued to work throughout her treatment. Whe they decided her treatments were done her dad snd I surprised her with as much of the foods she craved but couldn't have. She had to work that night so we pretended it was just a night like any other for her. We carried all the food back into their employee lounge at 2 am when she had her lunch break. She had so much she had to share with her co-workers. She was so surprised. I believe one of the reasons she is still here is to encourage others not to give up. Miracles can happen, prayers are answered. Maybe not always the way we want them to be but they do get answered. So never give up. It might be God is giving you a trial to overcome so you can help someone else. Sorry this is so long. I ramble a lot. I'll be praying next week goes better. Oh and your friendly elephant needs some more friends. Hugs.
Forestry management used “controlled burns” to reduce undergrowth/fuel to prevent wildfires. Bear with me. Once I took part in such a burn to reduce the material in a field of grass that had never been burned. A slight wind strengthened the fire, producing a sound like a growl. A roar. Today’s conversations and resulting synergism recalled the fire’s exuberant energy for me. So I am still amazed and thankful for how you’ve inspired such a group of wise and creative people. I feel privileged to contribute.
Yes! So true. I want to tell on myself a bit. As 3mm grew and blossomed there were times I lacked a sense of connection with certain readers. Then I thought I sensed changes in those followers. Ha ha. Perhaps the change has been in me!
If true change has occurred, I believe there has been an outpouring of love during your C treatment. Encouragement. Kind words. Messages of support. Caring. How can that not be love?
I am so grateful for you, 3mm, and the band of sisters and brothers. 😁
Reading todays blog and all of the comments warned my heart. I love the elephant! I like Gary couldn’t see the smudges. I didn’t think I need an eye exam but maybe I should schedule one? I am thinking about bringing the picture of the elephant with me for reference. All I see is your beautiful drawing! Maybe that is just something inside me, always looking for the good in everything. Not avoiding the bad, or rosy colored glasses only but being a person who just finds the weeds as magical as the flowers.
I love the note your friend said about Holy Thursday. You are blessed to have her.
I've gone back with my kneaded eraser and taken care of those smudges!
Looking for the good in everything is a wonder-filled way to go through life. I tend to get a little down on myself when I can't pull it off. Then I remember I am human and try to give myself some grace.
Visions of Easter cut-outs dancing in my head! Have a wonderful weekend with family!
What a wonderful elephant you drew! Smudges? Hmmm. No wonder I’m getting an eye exam next week. 🙃
Earlier today you remarked that “surrender” seemed the best way forward. Yes. We humans love control, even when it’s an illusion. As this anachronism and his old jukebox are wont to do, I recalled John Denver’s song, “Sweet Surrender.” Perhaps a theme song for this leg of the journey? Pema Chodrin long ago wrote “Comfortable With Uncertainty.” Part an intro to Buddhist practice and definitions of terminology, and some helpful illustrations of how we might experience various situations. I found it very helpful.
Not intending to seem sacrilegious, a powerful illustration of uncertainty was Jesus calling out from the cross, “Father, father. Why hast thow forsaken me.” Outcomes can certainly dispel uncertainty, but often require walking through it.
Think of us all as elephants! A species with incredible social structure, long memories (you thought I was going to say trunks), and gatherings to share important events.
I just found out that an old friend of mine is now also dealing with the big C. We never know what is going to happen from one day to the next. This is why we need to just grab onto each day as if it is the last and enjoy what we have in life and the people in it. God always has a plan for us. Love the elephant head!
BUTTON: “Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.” 😁
But sometimes the answer is right, it’s just the problem was phrased improperly. At some point your problem/answer juxtaposition will be in sync, never fear!
Great work on the elephant. And smudges always go together with charcoal drawings. They can't live without each other for some reason.
Sorry to hear the chemo is being postponed for the moment. I can imagine the blow. But I do love to read how you keep changing your perspective. Cancer treatment is never a straight line and you need to adapt constantly to what happens next. You do it with much grace.
Thanks Marijke. Yesterday a man at the dig park told me his wife, sister, and sister-in-law all died from breast cancer. I guess if we’re going to be open, we have to take what’s volleyed back. 🤷♀️
Great article! Thank you for sharing. In Wonderworks by Angus Fletcher I’m reading about literary devices that aid our minds in navigating liminal spaces. (Fletcher doesn’t use that language.) The author says, “The greatest wisdom sees both sides.” I love that!
He also says that literature can fix hearts and lift souls.
There is something called the literary paradox: ice hotter than fire, feathers falling faster than rocks, night outshining the day. “Paradoxes compelling enough to crack open our mind to a simultaneous opposite truth.”
Oh! Thank you for bringing liminal spaces to our thread!
Oh, and I love your elephant!!
I've been hearing a lot about liminal spaces lately. (Must be a new buzz word.) "A liminal space is a space between spaces... a boundary between two points in time, space, or both. It’s the middle ground between two grounds, the mid-structure between two structures. When you’re in a liminal space, you’re neither here nor there, neither this nor that. At the same time, you’re both here and there. Both this and that."
When you receive disappointing news and affirming news in the same moment, your emotions are in liminal space.
But I also believe two things can be true at once. (I think there's a more eloquent way to say this.) You are disheartened about the chemo news AND you are joyful that your books provide meaning to someone you care about.
These experiences are part of what it means to be fully human, Gail. And by sharing your experiences, you allow us to be fully human with you. Thank you.
https://www.psychmechanics.com/liminal-space/#:~:text=A%20liminal%20space%20is%20a%20space%20between%20spaces.,neither%20here%20nor%20there%2C%20neither%20this%20nor%20that. (I didn't read this full article, so I'm not recommending it, just citing the source.)
My daughter's treatments were 3 weeks long. They eould give her a drip then the next week she would start 2 weeks of pills at home. She was supposed to get 6 treatments. After 3 years they gave up trying to get the 6th one in. Her counts just stayed sooo low. They said she would never be able to get chemo again. They didn't think she would survive but it has been almost 25 years and she is still here with me. She would go every week for the blood work and every week they would send her home. About every 5 or 6 months they would be able to get her treatment going. She would get do down in the dumps. She had to be on a special diet which I made sure she followed. She continued to work throughout her treatment. Whe they decided her treatments were done her dad snd I surprised her with as much of the foods she craved but couldn't have. She had to work that night so we pretended it was just a night like any other for her. We carried all the food back into their employee lounge at 2 am when she had her lunch break. She had so much she had to share with her co-workers. She was so surprised. I believe one of the reasons she is still here is to encourage others not to give up. Miracles can happen, prayers are answered. Maybe not always the way we want them to be but they do get answered. So never give up. It might be God is giving you a trial to overcome so you can help someone else. Sorry this is so long. I ramble a lot. I'll be praying next week goes better. Oh and your friendly elephant needs some more friends. Hugs.
Friends for the elephant!
I have a favorite quote from pope Francis: Instead of a problem to be solved, life is a mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise. ❤️
Thank you Margaret for jumping into our community with two feet, arms wide open.
Forestry management used “controlled burns” to reduce undergrowth/fuel to prevent wildfires. Bear with me. Once I took part in such a burn to reduce the material in a field of grass that had never been burned. A slight wind strengthened the fire, producing a sound like a growl. A roar. Today’s conversations and resulting synergism recalled the fire’s exuberant energy for me. So I am still amazed and thankful for how you’ve inspired such a group of wise and creative people. I feel privileged to contribute.
CURE!
I have noticed that our daily contributions to the thread have grown to 20 or more thoughtful responses. 😊
What a joy to see readers connecting with each other!
Yes! So true. I want to tell on myself a bit. As 3mm grew and blossomed there were times I lacked a sense of connection with certain readers. Then I thought I sensed changes in those followers. Ha ha. Perhaps the change has been in me!
If true change has occurred, I believe there has been an outpouring of love during your C treatment. Encouragement. Kind words. Messages of support. Caring. How can that not be love?
I am so grateful for you, 3mm, and the band of sisters and brothers. 😁
😊💜💚♥️
Smiling… and lacking words. Sometimes they are unnecessary!
Reading todays blog and all of the comments warned my heart. I love the elephant! I like Gary couldn’t see the smudges. I didn’t think I need an eye exam but maybe I should schedule one? I am thinking about bringing the picture of the elephant with me for reference. All I see is your beautiful drawing! Maybe that is just something inside me, always looking for the good in everything. Not avoiding the bad, or rosy colored glasses only but being a person who just finds the weeds as magical as the flowers.
I love the note your friend said about Holy Thursday. You are blessed to have her.
And the Ted Lasso quote made me smile!
Xoxo
I've gone back with my kneaded eraser and taken care of those smudges!
Looking for the good in everything is a wonder-filled way to go through life. I tend to get a little down on myself when I can't pull it off. Then I remember I am human and try to give myself some grace.
Visions of Easter cut-outs dancing in my head! Have a wonderful weekend with family!
What a wonderful elephant you drew! Smudges? Hmmm. No wonder I’m getting an eye exam next week. 🙃
Earlier today you remarked that “surrender” seemed the best way forward. Yes. We humans love control, even when it’s an illusion. As this anachronism and his old jukebox are wont to do, I recalled John Denver’s song, “Sweet Surrender.” Perhaps a theme song for this leg of the journey? Pema Chodrin long ago wrote “Comfortable With Uncertainty.” Part an intro to Buddhist practice and definitions of terminology, and some helpful illustrations of how we might experience various situations. I found it very helpful.
Not intending to seem sacrilegious, a powerful illustration of uncertainty was Jesus calling out from the cross, “Father, father. Why hast thow forsaken me.” Outcomes can certainly dispel uncertainty, but often require walking through it.
Think of us all as elephants! A species with incredible social structure, long memories (you thought I was going to say trunks), and gatherings to share important events.
“World without end.”
The end.
CURE!
Two thoughts:
Ted Lasso: "Do you know what animal has the shortest memory? A goldfish. Be more goldfish."
And... a friend sometimes tells me to be more like a leaf.
Liked the JD song much. Thanks!
I just found out that an old friend of mine is now also dealing with the big C. We never know what is going to happen from one day to the next. This is why we need to just grab onto each day as if it is the last and enjoy what we have in life and the people in it. God always has a plan for us. Love the elephant head!
I'm pretty impressed with the elephant myself. 🙃
Why is the "grab onto each day as if it is the last" such a hard thing to put into practice?
I know it isn't always easy. But ever since my scare with the feeling of dying, I try to keep that in my head and repeat it.
{*{*{*hugs*}*}*}
BUTTON: “Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.” 😁
But sometimes the answer is right, it’s just the problem was phrased improperly. At some point your problem/answer juxtaposition will be in sync, never fear!
Thank you Jack!
Great work on the elephant. And smudges always go together with charcoal drawings. They can't live without each other for some reason.
Sorry to hear the chemo is being postponed for the moment. I can imagine the blow. But I do love to read how you keep changing your perspective. Cancer treatment is never a straight line and you need to adapt constantly to what happens next. You do it with much grace.
x
Thanks Marijke. Yesterday a man at the dig park told me his wife, sister, and sister-in-law all died from breast cancer. I guess if we’re going to be open, we have to take what’s volleyed back. 🤷♀️
What do you call an elephant that doesn't matter?
An irrelephant!
What do you call an elephant that can fly?
A propellephant!
🐘 😂🤣😂 🐘 😂🤣😂 🐘