Archive for the ‘Illness’ Category
Friday-Fly-By
July 10th, 2009
After thinking through my usual Friday-Fly-By, I happened upon a post (and the video below) at Blackfive which made anything political, humorous, or informational seem a bit insignificant.
Evan and his family serve as a reminder that no matter how bad things might seem in your life, you should always take the time to count your blessings.
If you would like to leave a message of encouragement for Evan you may do so by following the link provided by Matt Burden in the post acknowledged above.
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Prayer Request
January 2nd, 2009
Kate has posted a Prayer Request for her Grand-Niece.
Please stop by and show your support for this sweet little girl and her family.
Thanks.
A Little Common Decency Goes A Long Way
September 5th, 2008
Common decency. It’s not a new concept. It did not suddenly appear as a slogan used to market any product or person. It was not born out of a great speech. It has no copyright and none can claim it as their own.
When Robert Novak was diagnosed with his malignant brain tumor (as Ted Kennedy was) we posted here at ~J’s~ wishing him well. It’s not necessary to have the same political ideology with or even to like a person to feel compassion in a time of illness. Common decency. That’s all it is.
In reading this piece by Mr. Novak, both sides of this issue come to light.
First, the helping hand extended by the Kennedy family (who by his own admission Mr. Novak has shown very little kindness in his writings.)
My dear friend, the Democratic political operative Bob Shrum, asked Sen. Kennedy’s wife, Vicki, to call me about Dr. Friedman. I barely know Mrs. Kennedy, but I have found her to be a warm and gracious person. I have had few good things to say about Teddy Kennedy since I first met him at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, but he and his wife have treated me like a close friend. She was enthusiastic about Dr. Friedman and urged me to opt for surgery at Duke, which I did.
The Kennedys were not concerned by political and ideological differences when someone’s life was at stake, recalling at least the myth of milder days in Washington. My long conversation with Vicki Kennedy filled me with hope.
And then, this:
There are mad bloggers who profess to take delight in my distress, but there’s no need to pay them attention in the face of such an outpouring of good will for me. I had thought 51 years of rough-and-tumble journalism in Washington made me more enemies than friends, but my recent experience suggests the opposite may be the case.
But Joe and Valerie Wilson, attempting to breathe life into the Valerie Plame “scandal,” issued this statement: “We have long argued that responsible adults should take Novak’s typewriter away. The time has arrived for them to also take away the keys to his Corvette.”
Thanks to my tumor, the Wilsons have achieved half of their desires. I probably never will be able to drive again, and I have sold the Corvette, which I dearly loved. Taking away my typewriter, however, may require modification of the First Amendment.
How pathetically sad that in the face of death of another some take delight.
Mr. Novak is fortunate to have found friends in places he never imagined. Those with whom he has disagreed who have shown their common decency, they are to be commended. To the Plames and those who choose their path which is one of hurling nothing but empty insults, well, there is still time to learn. It really isn’t that hard.
All The Medicine I Needed
August 18th, 2008
We visited our local “Golden Arches” fast food place last Friday with our grandchildren.
It was one of those days when all of us appeared to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed and everyone was a tad (no, more like a huge wad) out of sorts. It must have been a rough day as it was me who suggested that we partake of the fine cuisine at Ronald’s place.
A few minutes into our meal a mother sat down with her little girl at the table directly across from ours.
It was immediately recognizable that the child had been through serious medical difficulties. Elizabeth’s mom struck up a conversation with us and proceeded to lay out a scenario which would break any parents heart.
Three years old was all Elizabeth was when she went in for an ordinary well check up. Upon tests ordered by her pediatrician it was discovered she had cancer. The doctors at Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia informed her mom that another week gone undiagnosed and she would have lost her precious little girl as the cancer had already affected her lungs, kidneys and liver.
We talked a bit about the wonderful care afforded at the hospital and the treatments this tiny child had already endured. She had been through chemotherapy and radiation beginning in December of last year and extending to the first of this month.
Several operations have occurred, one of the first resulting in the lost of a kidney. Elizabeth received her chemo through a shunt inserted in her chest (which she proudly lifted her shirt to reveal) and she is now in the process of fighting an infection discovered upon its removal.
As we spoke, our grandchildren and Elizabeth struck up a conversation also, all about whatever it is children these ages dream up at the moment. Never was there a word about Elizabeth’s lack of hair or the obvious scars resulting from so much trauma to her body.
Special pink bracelets for girls are made up at the hospital for those on the cancer ward. Her mom wore one with her name imprinted across the front and Elizabeth offered one to each of the two children she had befriended. In return they offered her their toy from their Happy Meals which she had eyed with great interest.
Three adults watched this exchange and all felt the same..what acceptance and simplicity. There were no judgments, no facades. In a matter of moments they had formed a friendship..one which may never have the opportunity to blossom but a bond of its own nonetheless.
While we cleared our tables I asked the Mom how she had managed to get through this unthinkable ordeal with her child. Her reply was simply ” Our Faith has gotten us through.”
Elizabeth receives her results this Wednesday which will answer whether she will face further surgery or require another extended hospitalization. While the chances are great I will never see this child again, I will pray that her little body is healed.
Next time I find myself in one of those wrong side of the bed days, I’ll think of Elizabeth.
She was just the medicine I needed to remind me that all those little inconveniences life throws at us are just that and nothing more.
Robert Novack Announces Retirement Due to Brain Tumor
August 4th, 2008
Robert Novak is retiring immediately due to the “dire” nature of his brain tumor.
Robert Novak has announced his immediate retirement following the diagnosis of a brain tumor, a prognosis the Sun-Times’ political columnist describes as “dire.”
“The details are being worked out with the doctors this week, but the tentative plan is for radiation and chemotherapy,” Novak said.
Our prayers and best wishes to him and his family.
Robert Novak Has Brain Tumor
July 28th, 2008
From the Associated Press:
Columnist Robert Novak was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Sunday and admitted to a Boston hospital.
“On Sunday, July 27, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I have been admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where doctors will soon begin appropriate treatment. I will be suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period,” Novak, 77, said in a statement to his publisher, according to HumanEvents.com.
Human Events magazine is published by the same company that publishes the Evans-Novak Political Report, Eagle Publishing.
The diagnosis comes less than a week after Novak was cited in Washington, D.C., for failing to yield to a pedestrian. Novak struck a man while driving his convertible, although the man did not suffer serious injuries.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
