Together Forever...
This post was originally published on Corrina’s Caringbridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corrina
I'm sorry it's been a while since I last provided an update. This platform has been a crucial communication tool during tough times (and maybe I psychologically associated it with trauma), but it's just as important to use it to share good news as well...and we've had a LOT of that recently!!
Corrina and I were married on July 31st at the Webb Barn in Old Wethersfield.
Saying the day was perfect is a huge understatement. This day was very well-earned for a variety of reasons of which you all are aware.
We originally planned our wedding to be in June 2020, but then a little global pandemic derailed us. Having no clue as to how long Covid would offset our lives, we rescheduled for September 2020, but soon realized that was wishful thinking.
We set our date for this summer and weren't going to let anything deter us - even if we had to get married in the backyard with just our mothers in attendance we were going to. Up until a few weeks before, we were holding our breath on the travel-ability of our close friends and family coming from far reaches, but we got incredibly lucky. We seemed to have threaded the needle on Covid restrictions and comfort levels. Things calmed down in the weeks preceding providing enough breathing for family to book tickets and not look back. Had we waited 10 days later, the impact of the Delta variant would have made it a different story.
That being said, it was a long overdue reunion of loved ones, having not seen some of the closest people in our lives for years. The joy we all felt in being together - after being cooped up and most importantly after what Corrina (and we all) went through was immense to say the least.
Everything unfolded perfectly on the big day. The weather was the best New England had to offer (again, a stroke of luck considering it had poured on either side). It was as if the planet itself was celebrating with us.
Corrina being escorted down the aisle by her dad, David (Sr).
I've acknowledged my belief in the reality of pathetic fallacy in an early post (it is the identification of human emotion to non-human events, like weather). When Corrina was officially diagnosed post-biopsy with Grade IV GBM, it rained harder than I had ever known - as if the sky was crying with us. This time, the sky was clear and peaceful and everything vibrant and alive. It aligned with the fact that we can see for miles at this point, our future is known and in focus.
Corrina looked absolutely beautiful and I must admit there were very few dry eyes (including my own) as she walked down the aisle escorted by her dad and his beaming smile.
We laughed, we cried, we sang, we danced, and we loved without limits. We celebrated as much as we possibly could. I know I may be partial, but many people said it was the most fun wedding they had ever been to.
When our last visitors left town a few days later (I'm so grateful it was my brother's family who won the award), the joy of what we had just accomplished hit me hard and I filled with tears. I realized in that moment I hadn't yet allowed myself to soak in the emotion and process all the love shared over this amazing milestone.
So many milestones....
Claudia & Corrina
There were times throughout this long journey during when I didn't think we'd make it to this day. Well, here we are. Corrina is thriving, which means we are thriving. And we know Corrina is thriving not just by our belief in her and how she continues to astound us each day, but we've got science to back up her success.
Last week, Corrina had her first MRI in a year. Despite her strength, we still hold our breaths when she goes in for it (I'm not sure I'll ever fully leave my PTSD behind), but received the news we knew deep in our souls...she is ALL CLEAR.
Almost a year and a half into remission and there is no sign of the worst three letter acronym I know (GBM). It's as if Corrina's light has fully eradicated it completely from our lives.
I truly believe that. The Light which shines through my wife is the strongest force in the universe. Disease may try, but nothing which is not in alignment with her light lasts long.
Supporting that healing, our friends at Seacare have had some amazing recent confirmations in clinical trials which show the ingredients in their product have been shown to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This is an amazing validation for this product whose efficacy we believe in.
My wife (love saying that) is living proof that Glioblastoma Multiforme is not a death sentence. I write the words to take away its power. There is hope against the most dangerous of diseases so long as you believe, you question what doesn't feel right, and, bottomline, never give up.
I'm not sure when I'll write next. We are just so very happy to be living our lives and not fighting for survival. This peace, this mundanity is a gift. We are so happy to be bored (though we never are). There is always something to do or something which presents as an opportunity to enjoy life and our time together.
Corrina is very good at structuring and bringing forth these life-affirming moments. Our favorite activity is hiking at the reservoir (the same one we walked as we fell in love with each other) - Corrina on her bike, me on my skateboard, and Hugo between us.
Words cannot express how grateful we are for each and everyone one of you and the support you have shown Corrina and our entire family. Perhaps we'll run into you hiking. You'll see us with the sun shining on our faces, smiling with appreciation for the ability to be together - those actions are how we say thank you.
WE LOVE YOU.
D&C
