This morning was treatment number 29… only 1 day left! I am so happy to be heading home soon! I miss my family, friends and home.
It’s hard to believe it’s almost time to leave. This has been a long and difficult journey with lots of challenges along the way. There were times of anxiety and fear as well as inspiration and joy. I’ve learned a lot about myself and grown stronger from this experience physically, emotionally and spiritually. Even though I am physically exhausted and ready for a break in the pain I’m leaving Miami more inspired than ever. It will take some time for my body to catch up but the healing can begin now. There are great things are on the horizon.
Miami has been a perfect place to go through treatment. I am so grateful to Lois and Carlos for arranging the condo for me and for making sacrifices in their lives so that I could have a home to stay in. My quality of life has been wonderful with lots of art, architecture and dynamic energy to keep me going. Being here definitely lifted my spirits when I was tired and feeling down. Just looking out my window I saw the buildings of downtown Miami, traffic moving on 95, people walking and jogging in the park, planes flying in and out of Miami International, etc. There was always something interesting to engage me. Watching the light change the skyline throughout the day and night was uplifting in that it provided a constant sense of movement and change reminding me that whatever I was feeling was temporary.
I am also grateful for all of my wonderful family and friends who have been calling, emailing, praying and sending their love my way. Even though I have been here alone I always felt connected to my community and I know that connection played a large role in my successful treatment.
I look forward to settling in at home, spending time with my family, walking Macchiato and giving myself the time and space to heal. Making art and shooting jobs and teaching are also high up on my list of priorities. It will be important to find balance as I reenter reality and create a new life.
My goals were to make it through treatment without interruptions, without a feeding tube and with minimal narcotic pain medicine. As of tomorrow, I did it!!!