Although I’ve thought many times about posting a blog to update folks about how I’m doing, over the past couple of years I’ve been finding it difficult to carve out the proper time needed. Today I’m making time.
Overall, my journey with cancer is going relatively well. I continue taking my original oral chemotherapy, Xalkori, (crizotinib), and my follow-up scans and MRIs indicate that my disease is stable. That’s the good news. However, I’ve recognized noticeable decline in my overall well-being. I feel weaker, experience more fatigue, and negotiate more days feeling generally crappy. Today, I’m blogging because I have wonderful news to share that has lifted my spirits and put my cancer on the backburner.
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| Nori, hours old |
Earlier this month, our son, Nathan, and his partner, Banshamlak, had a baby boy. They named him Nori Leeyu. “Nori” is a nod to my father, Noriaki, and “Leeyu” means ‘unique, different, or extraordinary’ in Amharic. Banshamlak is Israeli, but originally from Ethiopia.
We just returned from a two week visit to Israel to meet our grandson. I realize that it’s not possible to be objective about one’s first grandchild, but sweet Nori is beautiful.
Banshamlak, (right), is with her sister, Auntie Tova. Banshi is part of a large, tightly-knit family. It was so great to meet some of them for the first time on this trip, while getting to know others better.
...with Auntie Nina
Nearly ten years ago, when I began this cancer journey, I never – in a million years – thought I’d live long enough to be a grandmother. And yet, here I am.
Thank you modern medicine and research!
