A post from the man himself
Amigo(a)s y Familia,
The waters have been relatively calm over the last two weeks and time has sped by! Being back home has been great. I was able to get back into a somewhat normal groove, going to work and writing my thesis. I was even able to get up into the mountains a few times to see the Aspen’s change, but I discovered that I am especially sensitive to the altitude.
The first few days out of the hospital, I was frequently exhausted, with bouts of mild nausea. As the week marched on, I was able to walk around town more and get out and enjoy the changing of the seasons here in town.
My body is acting differently as a result of these strange chemicals being pumped into my body. I’ll feel relatively fine throughout much of the day, but then I would get hit with waves of exhaustion and occasional nausea. Towards the end of my two-week break, I started feeling better more consistently, but then low and behold it came time for my next cycle.
Now I am currently undergoing my second 5-day cycle of chemo in the hospital and it is business as usual. I’ve been balancing visits with folks, working on my thesis and reading, and maintaining my addiction to the Food Network. And I even have time to sleep…
The website John W. designed has been quite effective at keeping people informed and an great way to receive donations. I am so grateful to everyone who has contributed! Every penny is well appreciated. It seems that a lot of people, from friends to friends of friends of friends, have been learning about my ordeal through the website. Watching this great social network unfold has been truly amazing. Hopefully, some day soon after I make it through this journey, I will be able to take what I’ve learned and give back to people who are going through the similar challenge of overcoming cancer. I think it would be especially interesting to work with an organization that helps young cancer patients at an international level, as a way to further understand how different cultures perceive and deal with cancer.
On a final note, BIG LOVE for all of the support. And, remember gentlemen, inspect yourself regularly to make sure there are no surprises lurking around! The sooner you catch any unwanted visitors the better!
Take care,
Jason Bush
Comments (9)
Jason
I so admire you…Your attitude is so upbeat and your courage so unfaltering.
May you move quickly through this phase of your life and surface with profound knowledge to share with others who are or will fight similar battles…
God Bless you
Hugs and much Love….Lanelle
B.B.! sounds like you’ll be a chef next time i see you! we’ll have a potluck when you’re in Terlingua, buddy…you can make the creme brule. Hike on, my friend.
PeaceMark
Such an anthropologist you are!
Thanks for the update and your thoughts. it was great “seeing” you yesterday on webcam – The brunch was a big success and I will write an update for your website, so perhaps other folks can be inspired to organize!
BIG HUGS,
Michelle
Hey, Jason – it is both curious and difficult to observe your body taking off in new (and often unwelcome) directions – a body that you thought you “knew” all these years now has a very peculiar mind of its own! Tough to understand and to deal with. Just keep telling yourself, “This, too, will pass.” It will, I promise you. Not even chemo lasts forever – although sometimes it feels like it!
love and hugs,
Melissa
Dear Jason,
My daughter Sofi and I are praying for you. Sofi asks her guardian angel every night: “te pido por el niño de Beth” (so cute!). You are a very special person, you have an incredible spirit and I know you’ll beat this! Cuidate mucho y recuerda que tienes una invitacion abierta para visitar Argentina y hospedarte en las casas de mi familia cuando quieras! Un abrazo, Victoria.
I have seen you lift boulders, crush rocks, and do manual labor with very little oxygen. You are STRONG in mind and body. You will pulverize this cancer until it turns into tiny grains of sand that will be whisked away in the wind.
I used to lift boulders, crush rocks and do manual labor with very little oxygen down in your neck of the woods, but those days are long gone. I admire your courage and good humor. Hang in there and I’m sure that you will conquer your problem. Watch your mail.
STill praying for you here in Austin:) Hubby and I are running the Livestrong race for a friend’s bro who has brain cancer. He is a strong being like yourself…gonna beat this BS!
Found a wonderful advocate group called Freedom Disability. They can assist you to apply for and win insurancewith the social security administration.