Friday, October 23, 2009

My Nemesis

I enjoy games. Facebook has a game called Bejeweled Blitz. It takes one minute to play so it goes very fast and there is not much of a commitment. Yesterday a friend who plays the game had as his status on Facebook: Going to beat Nadine’s Bejeweled score if it’s the last thing I do.

It made me giggle because there are some of my friends that play the game and are very good. Every time I get a good score and I’m in the top 5, someone (my Bejeweled nemesis) comes along and beats my score. Actually there are about eight of them that do that, so I’m not naming names, but you know who you are . . . or do you?

Seriously it’s just my way of having fun. I laugh and sit there for the next twenty minutes trying to better my score.

Today, I’m sitting with Tom at the oncology office while he has his maintenance treatment of Rituxan. For the next two years, every six months for four weeks this will be what we go through. It’s not as severe as regular chemo treatments, but it does take up to six hours and it makes him really tired. The good news is that by the next day, he’s back to his normal self.

I love Tom . . . I hate cancer.

Since his diagnosis in 2005, we have taken this approach (or at least tried): Enjoy the good days, endure the bad, but keep moving forward. I know for Tom he doesn’t even think about cancer unless there is a doctor’s appointment or treatments.

My real nemesis is cancer. It is not a game, but real life. I hang on to the promises of God and hope for the future. We enjoy our time together. We treasure it. Even on days like these when I’m sitting next to him as he rests, I remind myself that God is good and He loves us.

Recently we picked up a plaque that had this saying on it:

Hope is the ability to hear the music of tomorrow: Faith is the courage to dance to it today.

May you all dance.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

11 comments:

Susan said...

It is our faith, and our faith alone in Jesus, that does and must sustain us in the good and the bad. I know that is true of you & Tom. I trust you know our prayers are with you.
Susan

KarenW said...

I love that quote!

I know Tom is glad to have you by his side - during this procedure and life itself. God bless you both.

Donna said...

Having you by His side is the best medicine for Tom. Frank and I used to have a poster of two polar bears standing up and hugging each other in the wintry cold. The caption read "The trials of life try to tear us apart, but the love of Jesus holds us together."
Justice is coming. Keep looking up. PS I know I will not beat your bejeweled blitz score, but I love playing that game too. It's fun. We can always use more fun.
You are in my prayers. Healing is the children's bread. We can have the whole loaf!

palmtreefanatic said...

love the plaque quote!
Thank you Jesus for Peace over your life! I feel you have it! Thats a huge part! that and Faith and perseverence! God bless you both! I think you're WONDERFUL!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! ENJOY GOD'S BLESSINGS!

Cindy Campbell said...

Tom is blessed that you are by his side, and Jesus is there for both of you! Love you guys!

chelle said...

Big hugs ... that is so not fun and not a game ... I do hope you and Tom win though!

Ginnie said...

I hear you, and I love the quote. I hate cancer too, but I love to dance. I'm on the sidelines for a few more weeks, but inside, I am leaping and jumping and praising God. I know you are too.( sorry to be your nemesis; seems we have a few things in common.) love you both. Ginnie

Dawn said...

Once again, a great analogy!

j said...

That saying gave me goosebumps. SO powerful.

I'll join you in hating Cancer and loving my Brother in Christ Tom (and you too Nadine). I'll stand in agreement with you that God does indeed love both of you. And I'm dancing to the music with you today!

Reva said...

What a nice post and close to the heart of many including me. My son had cancer last year and went through 4 months and 4 weeklong lamblasting sessions of a chemo cocktail that totally exhausted him. He also had surgery in the spring for another spot but has been cancer free since then. Of course, PET scans still to do for the rest of his life to keep on top of it, just like you and Tom are doing. Faith, hope and love to a long way to making life livable, loveable and even fun.

a woman who is said...

Beautiful post Nadine. Love your faith and your testimony. I miss your hugs!