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| Gloria Borges aka WUNDERGLO |
Every day is not a challenge
Every day is a CHANCE
to get better
stronger
to learn
to live
to love
to embrace the world and be embraced
and to prepare for another day
should we be lucky enough to
receive it
Every day is NOT a challenge
Every day is a CHANCE
WUNDERGLO's final blog post
It's hard to bitch about doing 8 rounds of chemo when Gloria completed 60. She was more than a warrior, she was the kick-ass cancer queen. And then she died. Three years after her diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer.
Fucking Cancer.
I can't spend a lot of time on facebook or twitter because most of you are projecting yourselves as living carefree. Instead, most of the time I'm on the colorectal cancer boards and following blogs of my fellow cancer warriors. Here is where I get the real information, not the speculation. Here is where I get the hard facts - what works, what doesn't, and our overall survival rates. Missing is the hype, the corporate bullshit, and the alternative and often dangerous "holistic" scams.
But when you lose one of your warriors, especially one as powerful as Gloria, it makes you question everything you are doing and why you are here.
All I know for certain is that I'm not doing enough.
Fucking Cancer.
I can't spend a lot of time on facebook or twitter because most of you are projecting yourselves as living carefree. Instead, most of the time I'm on the colorectal cancer boards and following blogs of my fellow cancer warriors. Here is where I get the real information, not the speculation. Here is where I get the hard facts - what works, what doesn't, and our overall survival rates. Missing is the hype, the corporate bullshit, and the alternative and often dangerous "holistic" scams.
But when you lose one of your warriors, especially one as powerful as Gloria, it makes you question everything you are doing and why you are here.
All I know for certain is that I'm not doing enough.
Fucking Cancer.
Sail on sweet sister. Sail onward and upward. Don't think for a minute that I believe you are gone. You are way too powerful of a force.
Gloria's first post - October 10, 2010
From the first moment I found out the news that I had been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer -- news delivered to me post-surgery by my parents and hubby -- I felt a charge in me. An excitement, if you will. Excitement is probably one of the last things you'd think I'd feel after realizing the very tough road I have ahead of me, and that life as I knew it was changing radically. But yes, excitement.
You see, dear readers -- and you probably know this already -- I love a good challenge. And I love achieving goals, especially huge, sometimes improbable ones. The challenge is throughly beating down cancer, and the goal is not only survival, but survival with gusto. I am unwaveringly confident that I will succeed, not just because of my inner strength and toughness, but because of the love and support of family and friends -- the wonderful people reading this very blog entry. Your positivity and belief in my ability to overcome any challenge will buoy me on those days when my spirits need a lift. Together, we will win.
This blog represents to me something I've always tried to do throughout these past 28 fabulous years -- to live openly, honestly, and to share my life and experiences with the people I love. As I keep you in the loop via this blog, I'm planning on being brutally honest, pretty damn funny, and hopefully quite entertaining. Because honestly, if I'm going to have to beat down cancer with chemo and a super major surgery followed by some more chemo, I'm going to have a good time doing it and I hope you'll have a good time watching me do it and reading about me doing it.
Much love,
GloBo
I think of you so often, Shannon, dear Monkey. I just want you to know that as you fight your battle with this horrible disease. Hugs hugs hugs, that is all I have to offer you. But they are BIG HUGS. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for your hugs and thoughts. It helps so much xoxo
DeleteThank you for sharing this video and the story of of awesome Gloria Borges. She is indeed a powerful force. Shannon, I think of you often and send you hugs and healing energy. Namaste.
ReplyDeleteShe really was an exceptional women. Thanks for the hugs and healing.
DeleteI feel like I have no right to cry, but I'm sitting here bawling. I have no reason to be angry, but compassion. I'm completely aware that life is unfair, even though things are finally going well for me. I love you, and would give about everything to see you care free. I wish I could do something. But if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you're still writing.
Let's skype, if/ when you want.
Jesse
I really miss you Jesse. MG and Me were discussing the logistics of 2014 burn. Must get my tail back on the playa... miss my family xoxo
DeleteYou're my hero, Shannon.
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxo
MG
you're just saying that because I made you coffee.. and then dragged you to church so you could pray for me. xoxo
DeleteYou would LOVE my FB posts... nothing but WTF? kind of days. Clearly not the WTF? days that you have, but WTF? none the less. Incidentally, I think this was the most I have ever used the phrase WTF? in one comment.
ReplyDeleteYou are also my hero. :)
WTF!!! :)))))))
DeleteShannon - I too haunted the cancer blogosphere, and the cancer nets, and did an inordinate amount of research during my bouts with cancer. That is to be expected. And I have witnessed the final days of many of my blogging heroes. It is hard duty - surviving cancer. But then I have more trouble with the alternative.
ReplyDeleteI too think of you often, and you are important.
Ed
thank you Ed. that means a lot to me. it's such a fine line. i just wish more people that are living with advanced rectal cancer would post.
DeleteI wanted to come back here today to tell you that NO ONE should be filling your world with hate or anger of any kind, my friend.... and to give you a ((((HUG))).
ReplyDeleteNo worries, the angry people are all damned to hell anyway. :)
thank you Juli..... yes, and its true...mean people suck
DeleteI think you said it best, "Fucking Cancer". Here's wishing you all the best in your battle. Fight on.
ReplyDeletewhy thank you my fellow green friend.
Deletedear Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, Gloria. I did not know about her blog, so I went to it and read and read and read. what a powerhouse she was - I can believe you were true soul-sisters. I hope you always feel her presence in your life. and I am here, cheering you on through the misery of chemo, sending you all my most powerful vibes for healing and for comfort.
much love and light to you, Shannon
Karen XOXOXOXO
Hi Karen,
DeleteGloria is not someone I ever met but you know how you connect with people via blogs. I did try and tap into her strength. It was unstoppable. thank you for the positive vibes, love and light, Shannon
Most people are full of crap on FB. It looks nice and pretty to have the whole family smiling even when you know there is some type of suffering going on behind those eyes. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elsie :))))))
DeleteI love warriors and I love you both <3
ReplyDeletethank you Ben :) love to you!
DeleteI have been thinking about you and sending you good thoughts across the miles. And HUGS!!!
ReplyDeletethank you Denise :) you're a good friend
DeleteI hope you are doing well, Shannon. I sometimes worry about silence on blogs... But I am also very nervous about my next blood work (CEA) and meeting with oncologist. Not sure why.
ReplyDeleteReally hope you are well.
Hi Ed, I hope your numbers are good. I am focused on numbers - odds of being alive in 5 years, reoccurrence... I am suffering. But I am not alone.
DeleteMy mantra - I am healthy today, I will live a long and healthy life, I am healthy.
DeleteI was lost in those numbers for a while. I am choosing to be found in my numbers. Thanks for replying.