These are but the earliest stages of what I know will be the longest and fiercest of wars....
I was told that days 8 through 14 of my four 21 day chemotherapy cycles would be the most physically punishing.
Today is day 7......let's just say....they know what they're talking about.
I can feel the war being waged within my body. I am hopeful that the cancer has been weakened as quickly as I feel I have been.
My spirit is strong and there can be only one battle cry.......soldier on to victory....choose life!!!!!
B'simcha,
michael
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Tomorrow - Day 8 - predicted as the beginning of a "tough" period in the cycle. Remember that "8" is transcendent. You better than anyone knows how to do that! My prayers and my love are with you, my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteNaph
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYour strength and faith are inspirational. In any struggle, however, the monotony of continuous challenge can take its toll on one's focus. Know that you have a community thinking about you, davening for you, and energizing you. Much love to you, Lisa and the kids!
-Rena
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI was given the rare, yet amazing adventure of capturing the many wonderful thoughts and anecdotes of your closest friends and family. While compiling this one-of-a-kind video, I came to realize how easy the words and thoughts came to those who were interviewed . . the smiles and warmth that your name invoked . . . the sense of privilege of getting to know and love you.
I am lucky to share that privilege.
There are many comments on this blog quoting rabbis, holy text, Biblical sources and Torah . . . However, I would like to be the first to offer my favorite quote from a magnet on my refrigerator:
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
In this case, WAY more than one person!
B'shalom,
Norman
Michael - I don't have anything Talmudic, Rabbinic or profound to share - really just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and praying for your full recovery. Stay strong, stay focused and kick the cancer's *@!. Hugs and kisses!!
ReplyDeleteEllen
Right on brother! There's but one outcome. Victory to the rightous! Sunny, crisp! Another beautiful day outside of all your windows!
ReplyDeleteVisualize, visualize. Close your eyes and picture the chemo like little pacmen chomping away at the cancer. Notice the points building up on the screen. Smile, relax, you are winning! Hearts full of love, Janis
ReplyDeleteMichael, Just know that you are constantly in our thoughts. Praying for you and loving the person you are. For whatever his reason, have no fear Hashem has prepared you for this fight of and for your life.
ReplyDeletelove,
the walkers
Hi Michael
ReplyDeleteI just want to send the love and support from Ellen Bryce Sydney and myself.
I think of you daily and offer prayers for the safe and speedy return to health.
We are here as you need us.
Much love
Aaron
"Frieds"
Dear Michael,
ReplyDeleteMany times in recent years you have heard me quote the poem, "Come Along With Me, The Best is Yet To Be. The Last of Life for Which the First was Made."
Those words have resounded in my memory, a promise that in my case has always been true, and I am certain that as with me, it will be so for you. Your remarkable promise everyday brings you closer to that period, and may The Almighty light your path.
Love,
Dad
Glad Jon was able to talk with you yesterday. We are with you everyday!
ReplyDeleteall our love,
louise and jon
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI'll let the qualified scholars provide the Jewish wisdom and just give you this one little quote from Winston Churchill
"If you're going through hell, keep going."
We are thinking of you all of our days and nights. Stay strong and keep going.
Love
Elliot
You are with us and we with you every minute of this fight. Be strong. We love you!
ReplyDeleteLiz and Billy
BH"
ReplyDeleteMichael,
Tomorrow marks day eight. The significance of the number eight should lift you higher and pull you through this battle. G-d created the world in seven days. The Menorah in the Temple had seven branches. There are seven weeks between Pesach & Shavuot. But eight is symbolic of one more than the natural order, one step higher. Eight is one step above the natural order. We have a Brit Milah when the child is eight days old. The outnumbered Maccabees' fought on for eight days, showing that their resolve was above the natural order of things, that's why there are eight branches on a Chanukah Menorah. When we reach the number eight we are drawing on faith and courage not part of normal human nature. take the strength of eight with you tomorrow. It will propel you to greater heights that defy logic. Heights only Hashem can elevate us to.
Be well.
Michael
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYou're in our constant thoughts and prayers.
As Sun Tzu said in his “The Art of War”, “Know the enemy, know yourself, your victory will never be endangered.”
Stay strong. Get well soon my friend.
Fred
From Julia,
ReplyDeleteI love you Michael Michael Michael and hope you feel better.
Julia.
We counted 29 tonight - and we're all thinking of you - especially as 33 approaches. You are the Simcha of Lag Baomer and you share this Simcha with everyone. I will ask Rabbi Steinberg to say a special Kapitel of Tehillim Sunday morning (Lag Baomer) at Young Israel and I'll also mention it to Rav Couzens.
ReplyDeleteLove, Sherman
Michael:
ReplyDelete"Chazak v'ematz". Continue to be strong. We are praying for you every day and are behind you 100%. Your unwavering courage is inspiring. I pray that the next 3 months fly by. "Yeshuat Hashem k'heref ayin", which means: Hashem's salvation comes in the blink of an eye...and that's even faster than 3 months.
Love and hugs,
Roz Lipsitt, "Shkevin" (Mr. & Mrs. Bingo) and Aaron Tzvi Ross
Michael,
ReplyDeleteJust found out about you illness from the LMlistserve. May G-d has granted you strength, courage, and an amazing positive attitude and generousity of spirit. May he grant you long life and happiness. My prayers are with you.
Len Getz
dear michael,
ReplyDeleteas you enter your 8th day on this pretty blue sky clear day. Remember also that today is pesach sheni. A day of 2nd chances.
It is also significantly the yartzeit of rabbi neir ba'al ha-ness. the 16th century mystic and healer who was renowned for being a maker of miracles. We lit candles last night at the annual hiloulah for you and your father and the rest of those in need of refuah, shidduchim and prayed for the happiness and that their wedding should happen in an auspicious hour for the chatan and kallah and the well being of our families and klal yisroel.
This evening is the prelude to our annual synagogue lag b'omer event. This is our 20th year as a community. It does not surprise me at all that you have previously tapped into the light of rabbi shimon bar yochai and gathered your friends and family around the bonfire and so many in the blog refer to it.
With hashem's help you will get through this and do it again.
You are a gigantic light with immense clarity. Connect with the luminaries and our tzaddikim in your healing. Put all that light from the bonfire and your friendships on the cancer to dispel it with that bright light.
What we say when we light a candle for r. meir ba'al ha-ness. we say to hashem .. in to the g-d of of rebbe meir ba'al haness answer me. Let hashem hear our prayers.
Love
kim and raymond
gabriel and Ariel
Ilana and eli
i am lighting another candle now in my home