Aa
My Xmas Cactus
Before the beginning of my 6 month tx I did a big house clean and moved my plants around. My huge Xmas cactus had not flowered for 7 years and was too big for the inside, so I put it out on the deck, out of the sun, but in more light, to 'weather' the winter.
4 weeks into tx, I was sitting on the deck, all rugged up, telling my partner I 'couldn't discuss anything right now because I had a bubble around my head'. I was watching the thick cloud, feeling the cold, and wondering how I was going to get through the winter - I was terrified. Later that evening my partner noticed that the Xmas Cactus had buds coming through.
This beautiful plant flowered profusely right through my tx'g; throughout any sx's and throughout the rain and cold the cactus consistently gave me some joy and hope. I was counting the buds in anticipation of the new flowers coming through!! When most had died some six weeks ago, I felt a little sad, because the plant had represented light to me in the grim winter months, and on some days had given me me pleasure when little else did, and while the weather was warmer, I still had my anxious moments that the flowers had helped dissipate.
Low and behold 5 more buds came through and I knew they would manage to stay until my last shot!!! They have since flowered, one has died, and the four left are smiling at me like newfound bestfriends and will last the week.
I took my 24th (and last) shot tonight; 24 weeks is such a small number compared with what many on this site have done and are doing. I am humbled by all here, and so very conscious of our own individual battles, and the strength we give each other via this forum.
In the early days of tx, I didn't think I could do this, financially, emotionally, or physically. In the latter days of tx, I was anxious because I wanted to treat longer.
It is some small miracle to me that this flowering cactus has been so comforting.
I have learnt so much about myself, my family, and my fellow heppers and have gained a more enlightened empathy for anyone suffering from illness or discomfort. Stories on this site have broken my heart; others have made me envious; all have given me strength; all have given me valued information.
Come what may, my fridge is bare of meds; the cactus has finished flowering, summer will be watching me mop up any fall out, and I sincerely hope that 2009 will keep me as focussed on what's important... and what is not.
Thank you all, for getting me through the tougher days with your empathy, humour and knowledge.
4 weeks into tx, I was sitting on the deck, all rugged up, telling my partner I 'couldn't discuss anything right now because I had a bubble around my head'. I was watching the thick cloud, feeling the cold, and wondering how I was going to get through the winter - I was terrified. Later that evening my partner noticed that the Xmas Cactus had buds coming through.
This beautiful plant flowered profusely right through my tx'g; throughout any sx's and throughout the rain and cold the cactus consistently gave me some joy and hope. I was counting the buds in anticipation of the new flowers coming through!! When most had died some six weeks ago, I felt a little sad, because the plant had represented light to me in the grim winter months, and on some days had given me me pleasure when little else did, and while the weather was warmer, I still had my anxious moments that the flowers had helped dissipate.
Low and behold 5 more buds came through and I knew they would manage to stay until my last shot!!! They have since flowered, one has died, and the four left are smiling at me like newfound bestfriends and will last the week.
I took my 24th (and last) shot tonight; 24 weeks is such a small number compared with what many on this site have done and are doing. I am humbled by all here, and so very conscious of our own individual battles, and the strength we give each other via this forum.
In the early days of tx, I didn't think I could do this, financially, emotionally, or physically. In the latter days of tx, I was anxious because I wanted to treat longer.
It is some small miracle to me that this flowering cactus has been so comforting.
I have learnt so much about myself, my family, and my fellow heppers and have gained a more enlightened empathy for anyone suffering from illness or discomfort. Stories on this site have broken my heart; others have made me envious; all have given me strength; all have given me valued information.
Come what may, my fridge is bare of meds; the cactus has finished flowering, summer will be watching me mop up any fall out, and I sincerely hope that 2009 will keep me as focussed on what's important... and what is not.
Thank you all, for getting me through the tougher days with your empathy, humour and knowledge.
Once again, I would like to congratulate you on taking your last injection several days ago and I believe taking your last riba today. It is today, is it not?
(If it's the 22nd here in North America, isn't it the 23rd down under this very moment? I communicate DAILY with Oz and am still confused.)
Your personality has been a bright light for me. You remind me of my Australian daughter-in-law, a very accomplished (and tall, tall, tall) girl who is so modest and good-natured. I can't think of her without thinking that my son is the luckiest guy in the world to have been her snowboard instructor, which is how they met.
You stuck tx out and I hope I can be as brave and disciplined as you. Congratulations many times over.
Port
(If it's the 22nd here in North America, isn't it the 23rd down under this very moment? I communicate DAILY with Oz and am still confused.)
Your personality has been a bright light for me. You remind me of my Australian daughter-in-law, a very accomplished (and tall, tall, tall) girl who is so modest and good-natured. I can't think of her without thinking that my son is the luckiest guy in the world to have been her snowboard instructor, which is how they met.
You stuck tx out and I hope I can be as brave and disciplined as you. Congratulations many times over.
Port
I had so hoped to PM or message you individually, but Xmas pressure has taken its toll on my time.... so please forgive me for the group message; I've managed the Xmas Pressies (nb: Charm and Trinity - I didn't faint at the shops and will PM you both soon; love for Xmas :-)!!!), and have just some stuff to get at the supermarket but have organised a very low-key Xmas with no pressure.
SunQ and Marcia - I'm so looking forward to the end of your tx also and am also wishing you a relaxing Xmas with minimal sx's, and will be in touch soon.
Charm - am waiting anxiously on your green light for 'feeling some improvement' and same also to Fl-Gator; hoping you're doing well (and yes flowers do represent life and hope in so many ways :-)..
PortAnn - We haven't personally spoken; I believe you're about week 31 now? I've enjoyed your posts so much, and decided sometime ago that if you couldn't be my Mother or my sister, I would settle for you being my business partner... great mixture of emotion and common sense :-); love for Xmas.
Deb_430 - you are our mentor; if I complain to myself you make me brave
Debbie223 - I hope you're resigned to relaxing into the detox and enjoying the 'now' and that you and I can do a (slow) tandem dance together into the New Year
Izzy - I'm SO glad you feel better after shot 22... when you said it 'got you' I thought twice about the relaxed way I was about to take shot 24 lol!!! - All good :-)
Epiphany - Can't wait for coffee - we can let the site know if we 'look like' the people we 'write like' lol :-)
Ruth - good luck with continuing to be such a support, it is often as hard, if not harder on our loved ones.
Andiamo; OMG - there you go again with something just SO refreshing (thanks again :-).. I knew the Cactus had to 'starve a little' before it flowered, but I didn't know it had anything to do with the cold (I've since discovered the same with tulips - I didn't get it right this year - but didn't put too much effort into the nurturing - next year I will do tulips and sunflowers!!!!)
Zazza - resident 'Einsteiness' - I say the 'ess' because you have the nurturing AND the mathematical nouse!!! Thank you for all your input!!
Trish - Yep my mini-marathon is over (again :-). Last riba tomorrow (23rd) and EOT PCR tomorrow also - not too interested as it's not the biggie, but looking forward to my WBC being a little more respectable!! I hope all is well with you - last I heard your LFT's had magically normalised which was celebration indeed!!! You very much deserve a great outcome with this.
Child24Angel - What can I say but sincere thanks for being that Angel of encouragement; I always want you 'on my side' and wish there was some small thing I could do to be as supportive to you right now but much love and thanks xxx.
Hopefully I will not be too anxious about treading water and waiting waiting waiting. At this stage, I am just very very VERY excited that sometime, very soon, my tongue will no longer be 'objectionable' and my nasal passages will normalise. (Remind me I said that :-).....
Blessings for Christmas..
SunQ and Marcia - I'm so looking forward to the end of your tx also and am also wishing you a relaxing Xmas with minimal sx's, and will be in touch soon.
Charm - am waiting anxiously on your green light for 'feeling some improvement' and same also to Fl-Gator; hoping you're doing well (and yes flowers do represent life and hope in so many ways :-)..
PortAnn - We haven't personally spoken; I believe you're about week 31 now? I've enjoyed your posts so much, and decided sometime ago that if you couldn't be my Mother or my sister, I would settle for you being my business partner... great mixture of emotion and common sense :-); love for Xmas.
Deb_430 - you are our mentor; if I complain to myself you make me brave
Debbie223 - I hope you're resigned to relaxing into the detox and enjoying the 'now' and that you and I can do a (slow) tandem dance together into the New Year
Izzy - I'm SO glad you feel better after shot 22... when you said it 'got you' I thought twice about the relaxed way I was about to take shot 24 lol!!! - All good :-)
Epiphany - Can't wait for coffee - we can let the site know if we 'look like' the people we 'write like' lol :-)
Ruth - good luck with continuing to be such a support, it is often as hard, if not harder on our loved ones.
Andiamo; OMG - there you go again with something just SO refreshing (thanks again :-).. I knew the Cactus had to 'starve a little' before it flowered, but I didn't know it had anything to do with the cold (I've since discovered the same with tulips - I didn't get it right this year - but didn't put too much effort into the nurturing - next year I will do tulips and sunflowers!!!!)
Zazza - resident 'Einsteiness' - I say the 'ess' because you have the nurturing AND the mathematical nouse!!! Thank you for all your input!!
Trish - Yep my mini-marathon is over (again :-). Last riba tomorrow (23rd) and EOT PCR tomorrow also - not too interested as it's not the biggie, but looking forward to my WBC being a little more respectable!! I hope all is well with you - last I heard your LFT's had magically normalised which was celebration indeed!!! You very much deserve a great outcome with this.
Child24Angel - What can I say but sincere thanks for being that Angel of encouragement; I always want you 'on my side' and wish there was some small thing I could do to be as supportive to you right now but much love and thanks xxx.
Hopefully I will not be too anxious about treading water and waiting waiting waiting. At this stage, I am just very very VERY excited that sometime, very soon, my tongue will no longer be 'objectionable' and my nasal passages will normalise. (Remind me I said that :-).....
Blessings for Christmas..
Wow! I didn't realize you were so close to the end of your tx!! Congratulations on finishing the last shot and I'm glad you're done!! Here's wishing for your SVR. Thank you so much for all your support and caring to others here on the forum. I know I have personally been greatly encouraged when things have been difficult for me by your notes, pm's and posts and I thank you for that. I will be looking for your post tx results and I wish you a lovely Christmas!
Trish
Trish
I am glad to hear you are doing so well and ending your treatment. I wish you SVR in the New Year.
The Christmas Cactus blooms are triggered by a cold spell. If it didn't bloom in previous years, it was probably too warm. So good luck with your fight and, hopefully, many years of beautiful flowers.
Eric
The Christmas Cactus blooms are triggered by a cold spell. If it didn't bloom in previous years, it was probably too warm. So good luck with your fight and, hopefully, many years of beautiful flowers.
Eric
Dear Kristina,
I'm wondering how you are after finishing you last shot recently. You must be getting near your last ribavirin, in fact is it just around Christmas Day?
I am an amateur gardener and am sincerely wondering about your Christmas cactus and "if the four left smiling" at you "like new-found best friends" are lasting the week?
I didn't do my Christmas amaryllis this year and really miss it.
Thank you for sharing that story. Gardening makes me love life.
I'm wondering how you are after finishing you last shot recently. You must be getting near your last ribavirin, in fact is it just around Christmas Day?
I am an amateur gardener and am sincerely wondering about your Christmas cactus and "if the four left smiling" at you "like new-found best friends" are lasting the week?
I didn't do my Christmas amaryllis this year and really miss it.
Thank you for sharing that story. Gardening makes me love life.
That was beautiful, thank you. I have tears running down my face.
Congratulations on #24. I know I shouldn't feel sad but I do, kinda of like when you've been traveling with a friend on a long train ride and their station is a stop or two before yours...
But I know that you'll still stay in touch with the board and I am soooo looking forward to that day we're going to meet for coffee and a catch-up!
All my love to you, beautiful friend xxxxxxxxxx
Congratulations on #24. I know I shouldn't feel sad but I do, kinda of like when you've been traveling with a friend on a long train ride and their station is a stop or two before yours...
But I know that you'll still stay in touch with the board and I am soooo looking forward to that day we're going to meet for coffee and a catch-up!
All my love to you, beautiful friend xxxxxxxxxx
What a beautiful story. Definately tugged at my heart. Thank you so much for sharing.
Congratulations on finishing tx. I wish you a smooth road to SVR =)
All the best,
Isobella
Congratulations on finishing tx. I wish you a smooth road to SVR =)
All the best,
Isobella
I love your cactus story. Its amazing how we take things for granted but when we're sick everything is so precious.
Your last shot wow thats great. Does that mean your virus is undectable. I am always confused between SVR and UND.
I hope you will stay on the forum as I told Mike he has much to give and so do you.Its how we learn and stay encouraged and cared about.
You have alot to celebrate this holiday season so enjoy. Best Wishes, Ruth
Your last shot wow thats great. Does that mean your virus is undectable. I am always confused between SVR and UND.
I hope you will stay on the forum as I told Mike he has much to give and so do you.Its how we learn and stay encouraged and cared about.
You have alot to celebrate this holiday season so enjoy. Best Wishes, Ruth
You lifted my spirts today...thank you so much. I had a visual of the Cactus and it just made me feel happy.
Congrats on your last shot..I am right behind you.
Deb
Congrats on your last shot..I am right behind you.
Deb
What a wonderful thread, you are a special person, like a Christmas miracle! New begings, blessed!
Congrats on last shot, it is always so good!
Best of everything,
Deb
Congrats on last shot, it is always so good!
Best of everything,
Deb
Beautiful Kristina! Thank you for sharing this with us. You are a beautiful person. You have been such a great support to me, especially during those times when I was constantly hitting the wall. I am so happy that you are finally finishing and I sincerely pray that you will have your big fat SVR...
Much, much love my friend.
Marcia
Much, much love my friend.
Marcia
I love it when the smallest things turn into big gifts...and new blooms seem to be a sign that everything will go on and be grand.
That made tears run down my face! I was thinking of you so much yesterday and knew it had to be around your last shot day because we started so close to the same time. I remembered that you finish around Christmas eve. I was supposed to be done tomorrow.
Whenever I look back on tx someday, you'll always be the hepper who was so far away and yet so close in my heart. Shot 24 was the other day, and I can't even fathom how it felt for you. You just go get that SVR now, and I'll grab mine a little later!
Love and holiday joy to you!
C
Whenever I look back on tx someday, you'll always be the hepper who was so far away and yet so close in my heart. Shot 24 was the other day, and I can't even fathom how it felt for you. You just go get that SVR now, and I'll grab mine a little later!
Love and holiday joy to you!
C
You are a dear person, kind and considerate. And you've completed treatment - huge congratulations. I'm amazed it went so fast. Whew, it really happens.
It can seem so endless starting out but somehow one foot follows the other and now you're done!
Thank you for sharing the story of your Christmas cactus flowering after a seven year hiatus. And Merry Christmas.
Please keep posting and stay a part of the forum. I enjoy your input so much.
Hugs,
Port
It can seem so endless starting out but somehow one foot follows the other and now you're done!
Thank you for sharing the story of your Christmas cactus flowering after a seven year hiatus. And Merry Christmas.
Please keep posting and stay a part of the forum. I enjoy your input so much.
Hugs,
Port
Kristina,
You are a rare treasure. I am so very very happy for you to have finished tx. As did the cactus that brought you joy and beauty despite the circumstances, you have done the same for me with your kind and thoughtful words. Hoping you start feeling better soon and life is good again. Hoping SVR is yours.
Trin
You are a rare treasure. I am so very very happy for you to have finished tx. As did the cactus that brought you joy and beauty despite the circumstances, you have done the same for me with your kind and thoughtful words. Hoping you start feeling better soon and life is good again. Hoping SVR is yours.
Trin
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