Milagro

We got the best news today! The chemotherapy that Grandma Fosh underwent to treat the cancer that invaded her body, worked!!!

Grandma kicked cancer's ass!!! The doctor referred to her as "a miracle", hence the title of this post...

Below is a letter written by the great Latin American writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez as he was battling lymphatic cancer:

"If for an instant G-D forgot that I am just a puppet, and He gave me one more piece of life, I would take advantage of that time, the best I could.

I would probably not say everything I think, but definitely think all I say.

I would value things not for what they are worth, but for what they represent.

I would sleep less and dream more. For every minute we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light.

I would continue where others have stopped and I would rise when others sleep.

If G-D allowed me one more piece of life, I would dress simpler, would wallow in the sunlight, leaving uncovered, not only my body but also my soul.

I would prove to men how wrong they are to think that they actually stop falling in love as they get older, since they actually start getting older as soon as they stop falling in love.

I would give wings to children, but I would leave the child alone so that he could learn how to fly on his own.

To the old, I would show them how death comes not with the aging process but with forgetting.

So many things I have learned from you... I have learned that everybody wants to live at the top of the mountain, forgetting that how we climb is all that matters.

I have learned that when a newborn grabs his father's thumb, he takes a hold on him forever.

I have learned that a man has the right to look down on somebody, only when he is helping him to get up.

So many things I have learned from all of you.

Always tell what you feel and do what you think.

If I knew that today it would be the last time that I will see you, I will embrace you strongly to be the guardian of your soul.

If I would know that these would be the last minutes that I will see you, I would say to you 'I love you' and wouldn't assume that you would know it.

There is always morning where life gives us another opportunity to make things good.

Keep always close to you, your dear ones, and tell them how much you need them and love and take care of them. Take time to say 'I am sorry', 'forgive me', 'please', 'thank you' and all the nice and lovely words you know.

Nobody would remember you if you keep your thoughts secret. Force yourself to express them.

Show your friends and dear ones how much you care about them."

I think we would all agree that Grandma Fosh lives this day in and day out - She has always tried to instill all of these things in each one of us.

Let this letter and this miraculous day be a reminder that life is short - live it to it's fullest and it's greatest!!

As the Jewish New Year is upon us, I want to wish you all a happy, healthy and very sweet new year. May we remember the year behind us and pray for the greatness that the year ahead will bring. L'Shana Tova

That's life kid...






“If for an instant God forgot that I am just a puppet, and He gave me one more piece of life, I would take advantage of that time, the best I could.”
“If for an instant God forgot that I am just a puppet, and He gave me one more piece of life, I would take advantage of that time, the best I could.”

Grandma's New Look!

Hair today... Gone tomorrow.

It's been two months and two chemo treatments since Grandma Fosh was diagnosed with lymphoma and she feels terrific!! She has been so fortunate to not feel any side effects from the treatment she is receiving to beat this cancer!

Well, there has been one side effect... Sinead O'Conner and Grandma Fosh now have something in common... Last week Grandma's hair decided to start falling out. Grandma went to see the wonderful Diane Bell at A Flair With Hair in Athens. Diane measured and studied Grandma Fosh's head and hairstyle and ordered Grandma a fresh new look! We had a great time today at A Flair With Hair as Diane tried four different wigs on Grandma. We had quite the laugh!! The first one looked amazing! The second one, not-so-much - Grandma said that one made her look like George Washington. The third one, Grandma said, looked like Harpo Marx. The fourth one was nice but not as nice as #1!! Grandma looks wonderful - she looks young and vibrant! She said now she is a real "cougar"!!

Poppie just said that his knuckles are raw from "knocking wood" because Grandma has felt so great and has not felt any of the side effects that are commonly associated with chemotherapy. We all agree! I think it has a lot to do with Grandma's strength and good attitude - As long as you are positive, anything is possible!

I am sitting with Grandma Fosh and she wants to tell you this: "This has been the most amazing two months of my life. With all new experiences, I learn something new everyday (and everyone should learn at least one new thing each day). Thank you all for caring and sharing in my life."

"I Feel Grrreat!"

That is what Grandma Fosh said to me today when I asked how she was feeling!!!

Grandma Fosh had her first round of infusions this past Thursday and Friday. Aside from some shakes and chills (common side effect of Rituxan) the treatment was as Poppie Sandy likes to say "uneventful"! Grandma has said she has felt none of the side effects that are common to chemotherapy and that she feels wonderful! This was the first of 6 treatments!

For those of you keeping score at home:

Grandma Fosh - 1
Chemo - 0

Grandma Fosh is really showing cancer who's Boss!!!

She is very lucky to have a great medical team headed-up by Dr. Daniel Dubovsky. Poppie, you better watch out... I think Grandma has a new boyfriend in Dr. D! He has called and emailed to check in every single day (including Sunday). Grandma emails him daily to report on how she is feeling and will go see him on Thursday for a progress report.

Grandma has said how very fortunate she feels to have such wonderful children who are willing to spend so much time and engery to make sure she feels her best! She is staying at the luxurious hotel, Chez Schwartz in Sandy Springs - Dale and Susan gave her a great room rate and are providing exceptional service! I should notify Travel + Leisure of this hot new hotel!! I am afriad it will be hard to get Grandma and Poppie to leave!!

Editor's Note: i know some of you have had trouble posting comments to the blog. Feel free to email Grandma Fosh at Fosh1@aol.com. She is checking email regularly and would love to hear from you. You can also call her at Dale and Susan's: 770.955.1007

Cancer Schmancer...

Can't you just hear Grandma Fosh saying that with her New York accent that's still strong after 65 years in the south?

To bring you all up to speed, about a month ago, during a routine check-up, the doctor found two swollen lymph nodes that seemed suspicious. After several rounds of tests, lots of poking, prodding, x-raying and many doctors visits, it was confirmed that Grandma has Stage 4, Non-Hodgkin, B-Cell Lymphoma. This was as much of a shock to all of us as I am sure it is to you.

Grandma has made the decision to fight the fight and kick cancer's ass! She knows that it won't be an easy road, but as she told my brother last week, she wants to be here for our family and has work yet to be done!

Treatment will start Thursday, April 30...

As you can imagine, Grandma Fosh is facing this as she does most things, with a strong, winning spirit!

Follow Grandma Fosh on her journey - leave comments for her (she has already asked me to teach her how to blog) and cheer her on as she wins this fight!