Hello everybody, I am back!
I initially wanted to challenge myself to something different this year to raise money for Dreams2live4, but I had surgery four weeks ago and I am still so worn out from recovery. I wanted to start building up my strength to be able to walk the distance of a certain Sydney fun run happening in a few months time, but realistically, I think that it's best that I don’t push myself this year and start to build up to it when get back to my baseline energy levels (I have a rheumatic condition, so my stamina sucks and my joints hurt all the time, I am also not 20 anymore).
I still want to do something, so this does mean that I am participating in Dry July again because it’s a great challenge in itself for somebody who loves beer as much as I do!
Now, I have been off the booze for 5 weeks because having and recovering from surgery means I couldn’t drink anyway (and didn't really feel like it), but I am slowly healing up and getting better each day. I hope to get to the local tonight so I can finally have a few schooners!
Just a warning, there is discussion of end of life care and trauma past this point, please be gentle on yourself.
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Dad’s second year anniversary is coming up in June. The first year of anniversaries sucked so much, and I am still traumatised from everything. I do find myself reliving Dad’s last moments when I visit the hospital for other things. The memories are so ingrained, and I know they’re in the past, but it sometimes creeps up, especially when I hear about pancreatic cancer or end of life care in media. I love to watch true horror and medical content on YouTube, but I have avoided any of their videos when there is talk of that bloody cancer.
My current G.O.A.T TV series, The Pitt, gave us a really intimate look at a terminal cancer patient in season 2, and what advanced cancer does to patients and families.
At the point of getting her prognosis, what was Roxie’s Dream? The obvious answer is that she wants to watch her kids grow up and grow old with her husband, but these weren’t going to happen, so what would she have wanted in that moment to make her last days a little brighter?
Dreams2live4 exists for people like Roxie, for people like my Dad, people that are faced with all that physical and emotional pain, the knowledge that they won’t be around for much longer because of cancer.
If their last moments can be filled with love, a sprinkle of joy, a little bit of distraction from reality, it doesn’t matter how big or small, Dreams2live4 can make those moments happen thanks to your donations.
I don’t know whether I would have successfully convinced Dad to watch The Pitt if he were still around, but I like to think that I can convince you to donate to Dreams2live4 through my Dry July campaign, so we can help more Dreamers find their happiness in the face of advanced cancer.
I will post more when I start really campaigning for donations, but until then, thank you for reading this so far and take care of yourselves.
Lara xx
