Hope Keeps You Alive

I don’t even know how to say this. This is not a joke, it’s not a poem, it’s not a piece of fiction……my wife has cancer again.

This is the 3rd time now, and the mass inside her chest is even bigger than the last time.

To be honest it’s devastating. We are both devastated, and yet……a nurse recently told us,

“Hope keeps you alive.” And that’s so true….we have seen it many times.

I ask for your positive thoughts and prayers, for the one I love.

           

Writing © Copyright 2020, ancient skies

P.S. I will post some older work for awhile. It will help me to focus and remain active. If you leave messages I will eventually see them.

Yes, we will be taking good care of each other.

Peace.

 

Loving and Living with Cancer

It will change both you, in so many ways, unseen

running deep.

But if you hold each other frequently,

talk it through

being gentle always

God will continue to bless

your union. And it’s ok

to be afraid, either one of you

or to express you like this or that,

just never give up

on each other.

You can heal

some of the shattering.

Never walk away 

adding to the devastation.

Trust

and move forward.

Remember

to talk – alot.

Love isn’t just emotions,

love

is a choice.

         

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2019, ancient skies

Sometimes

Sometimes, I am a waterfall surging as my words overflow

into shapes only desiring

to bring a smile to her face.

And sometimes I write to her,

about her, to encourage

us both as we fight in the war,

as we barrel through

another holiday

holding on to each other

through the pain.

Note: A number of you have asked about how my wife is doing. Mostly she is doing well in spite of having cancer.

If you didn’t know this is the second time for her. We nearly lost her the first time.

The mass in her chest (not on her chest) is shrinking. Yay!

At the moment she has an infection and is on a lot of medicine, but this is not uncommon.

The toughest part of the battle is fighting – to not be afraid.

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers!

    

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Warm Hearts on Cold Nights

Hey y’all this is a quick update from the front lines of my wife fighting cancer (for the second time).

Many of you have been asking about her, thank you! We are so wonderfully blessed by your prayers, blessings, well wishes, and positive thoughts!

She has finished the first round of treatments, and the mass in her chest (inside at the rib cage not on her chest) has become smaller! Yay!

That’s the good news. But something is still there, and only a special scan will tell us if there is still cancer.

We have to wait though because the treatments she received are still working to fight this menace.

So how do we stay very much in love with such a big challenge? To be honest it’s easy, but we do make more of an effort to be with each other. After all, in many ways love is a choice.

We talk a lot more, about everything. And sometimes we hold each other and don’t say anything at all.

Our hearts are warm on cold nights.

Just being in the moment and being together has become more valuable than ever.

My wife and I could probably write a book on love over 50, and in overcoming health issues. But that would be another post, and probably another website all together. 🙂

Thank you again! We wish you peace.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Within My Arms

That night, all she really wanted was for me to hold her,

as if everything

was going to be alright,

as if

her pieces

would be brought back

together again

within

my arms.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

A Very Special Thank You

This is a very special thank you because you are a very special group of readers, thank you!

And thank you to all those across the planet, that have been praying for and thinking some positive thoughts for my wife. The mass in her chest (inside her, not on her chest) is actually smaller now, due to treatment. Yay!!

We are in a waiting phase now, for maybe a month or two, to see how it looks through special scans. Then another decision will be made as to whether or not more treatments are needed.

We are so grateful for all of our friends here and for your prayers!!

We wish you peace.

    

Writing and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

The Rose of Sharon are So Beautiful

As we pull onto the highway, she falls asleep again, head bobbing. I whisper, “Rest My Love, put your head back.”

She does fall asleep and I wonder, is this because she is awake at night, worrying? Or is it the treatment putting her to sleep?

Changing lanes, I do have a flash of fear, as I think of the magic marker and tape on and around her chest. So much has happened.

Somehow, and I don’t know how, a prayer is lifted up. It’s amazing how prayer is so easy to breathe in now.

As we pull into our neighborhood I whisper, “We’re home sweetheart….” She opens her eyes, and I notice how beautiful the Rose of Sharon are……this time of year.

Note: Thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers! If you did not know, my wife is fighting cancer again, and we have begun using the first weapon…… in the arsenal.

    

Poetry and All Images © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

In the Light of Your Eyes

Where does love dwell when shadows linger

within our frame?

Mostly within the holding moments,

the silence of embracing

and in the courage

to reach for each other’s hand

in the middle of the night,

and in the light

of your eyes My Love,

as we awake, being filled

with another sunrise.

 

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Not All Warriors Are Healed

Not all warriors are healed, having walked through the fire,

not all of them. It is in our spirits though where victory

is won. Only the brave can declare their freedom.

   

I found this post almost impossible to write. I should have written it days ago, but I did not have the words, and did not know even what my emotions were, and I still don’t. I am numb.

You see my wife has cancer again, the same one she had years ago. And this cancer has no cure. A bone marrow transplant helped her to live a lot longer than most people with this disease, and longer than doctors thought she would. She has a blood cancer, and a very tough one.

Yes, thank God she is still here on this earth. But she will have to be on chemo again, and then another, then another, until there are no more options. Right now, she is fighting some infections before she can even begin chemo.

I am right by her side. We have always been a team that cannot be broken, and we will continue to fight together. Is there any other way besides love? No, there isn’t.

We appreciate each of you, and we wish you peace.

     

Poetry, Narrative and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Our Kingdoms Will Rise Again

The darkest parts of the forest offer a refuge to the wounded

but only long enough to recover, until we are ready for the light.

And our kingdoms will rise again, banners waving,

carrying mercy to those still in the fight.

       

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2017, ancient skies