It’s been almost two months since I’ve completed radiation, closing the “active treatment” chapter of this journey. It’s a new chapter now. I’m still figuring out what it is. It’s certainly not a “going-back-to-normal” kind of chapter. There is no going back in life, for me or anybody else, I find. When I shared with … Continue reading Journey Continues
July 19th. My oncologist came in to talk to me right before the third infusion. We discussed going forward with the same reduced dose—80% of a regular chemo dose and 50% of the bone marrow drug. He said, casually: “Even with chemo, there are no guarantees. So, we want to balance the treatment with the … Continue reading A C-word Journey: Chemo, Three Quarters
I came across a quote in the Russian-speaking internet space by M. Fray (a pseudonym for an enormously popular female author) that, in free translation, reads: “if you truly love life, you let it be what it is.” I paused. Typically, we say this about people or in the context of parenting. It was stretching … Continue reading A C-word Journey: Chemo Stormy Waters
October, a dance of light and color. The green becomes orange, then red, then deep burgundy. The trees are still till the ray of sun touches the leaves and the dance begins. It’s playful, it’s joyful, it’s powerful. It’s not the innocent joy of youth, it’s a mature joy of experience. Not as bright as … Continue reading October Light
In meditation, I received a message: “rejoice in the now”. There have been many “now’s” that I consider a gift, or a sign, or a miracle. I rejoice breathing in the air of a summery night, standing on my patio, looking at the vast starry sky. Some stars are large and bright, others are small … Continue reading Rejoice in the Now
In memory of Dr. Norman E. Wengert I am barely done grieving the end of my lilacs and I’m fully immersed in the coming of lily-of-the-valley. White bells on a seemingly fragile stem, surrounded by green leaves: the sight of innocence and perfection. Their scent is sweet, delicate, yet powerful. They may end up in … Continue reading The Times of Lily-of-the-Valley
For many years now, my life’s calendar revolves around the three seasons: fall semester, spring semester and the summer. The Fall semester starts when everything is still green, full, warm, blooming. Slowly the leaves begin to turn yellow, then orange, then red or gold. The air is soothing with the sense of abundance, beckoning the … Continue reading Three Seasons
In the south of the Appalachian Mountains, about two hours’ drive north from Atlanta, lies a magical forest. The mountains are becoming higher and steeper than around us in Pennsylvania, the mixed forest is becoming denser, the creeks are faster and larger. A wooden deck on the third floor of the old building served as … Continue reading Magical Forest
Katerina Bodovski Writings 