From Mary Tyson

[Donna]

Donna told me y'all might be interested to know that I'm having a vacation from
treatments. After three surgeries, three courses of radiation and
I-don't-know-how-many courses of chemo, my doctors have given me a two-month
break to rest and heal. I am feeling a bit stronger, but wondering whether my
stamina will ever catch up to my ambition! Friends keep me going, you all keep
me up with our little feathered friends, and even if I don't wish y'all happy
birthday as the birthdays occur, please know I wish all of you (sorry: all
y'all) happy birthdays.

My primary oncologist says the life expectancy averages for folks with my
disease (epithelioid angiosarcoma) are not very good, but I look at it this way:
For there to be any averages at all, somebody has to live a long time -- and it
might as well be ME! And except for the stupid cancer, I'm in pretty good shape,
and physiologically a lot younger than my 71 years.

Besides, I have my silly PBGV dog Daisy, and my very silly Oriental cats, and
the silly battling mockingbirds outside, and they make me laugh every day. And I
have you all, and I thank you for good thoughts.

With love,
Mary in Charlotte (NC)


Be well Mary and know we are keeping you in our thoughts. Aren't pets amazing?

[MAK]

    Keep your chin up!   

[jeanne]

Mary, there is much to be said for positive thinking (and positive thoughts) and spunk!  Not to mention the healing animals provide! 

We're thinking of you and sending those positive thoughts!

[anneintoronto]

Dear Mary,

Thank you for bringing us up to date on your treatments and your amazing life.  For some people, it is relatively easy to spell out what's wrong with them and sometimes, for many people, it is very difficult to put such things into words.  I'm sorry that you have hit this wall in your life, but I can tell, from your descriptions, that you are knowledgeable and a fighter, both being equally important.  Not only are you keeping things clear for yourself, but you are showing others how to keep up the fight, even when others may say to themselves, "What's the point?"...

We are all afraid, some terrified, of getting something really serious wrong with us and the outcome is that such information becomes the stuff of pillows and backrooms.  It's a shame, for although what you are going through definitely is not pleasant, is in fact horrible, you have come out the other side, still a real human being, still a literate and pleasant person, still a wonderful friend, who is willing to share and even laugh about whether your stamina will catch up to your ambitions -- Mary has ambitions!!  If more people could see this and understand this and contribute to this way of sharing, the whole thing would be much less scary.  It's amazing what human beings can endure and still remain themselves.  I think it defines human beings...is the wonder of human resilience.  And it gives everyone who is ill hope -- that, if Mary can do this and still talk about friends, birds, dogs and cats, maybe I can still think like that a bit, too.  What a wealth you have shared, Mary!!  If you live to 71 or 91, you have already done more than most, to offer hope, happiness, laughter and just plain silliness!!
I can hardly thank you enough for your encouragement, for your ability to share.  I already know you are a wonderful person.  Please continue to let us know how you are doing, so that we can have a share in your hopes and fears, gain from your knowledge and send to you our thanks and love!

As always, my very best wishes and love,
Anne Clarke (Toronto, ON Canada)

[Carol P.]

It was so nice hearing from you Mary.  Rest and heal.  We miss you and hope you can join us again soon.  Get better soon. - Carol P.

[valhalla]

Heal, my friend 

[Tokira]

Anne, your note to Mary couldn't have been addressed to a more deserving person.  And YOU are SO fortunate to be able to express so beautifully what the rest of us can only feel.  No one is more deserving of this than my old Friend Mary.
Thank You!
Carol
WV

[Wing Goose]

Hi Mary,
Sending you lots of hugs and positive thoughts.  Your little guys are giving you everything they have.  They know that you cherish them.  And we cherish you!

                 Lola