The Woman with an Appetite for Teriyaki Chicken.

The woman sitting next to my brother talked and talked on her cell phone to one person than another I could tell this wasn't her first day of chemotherapy but rather one of many. She talked about her plans for her bathroom, "Do you think tiling the bathroom wall is necessary, maybe we could have a free-standing tub and simply paint the walls… I think pale blue would be pretty… well, yes if we had grandchildren tiles would be practical but being practical is so boring…" Later she chatted with someone else, "… I always wanted to go to Tulum, I heard Cancun was too touristy… oh you think Tulum is too touristy too?… But those white sandy beaches I can see myself walking along those white sandy beaches picking up seashells… No, I do not want to go to Hawaii, I like Mexican food she laughs. I am teasing you. I would be happy to go anywhere and I wish I could say anytime."

The woman's spirit kept shining through during each conversation. Near lunchtime, her husband walked in, "… really peanut butter on a hamburger neither sounds good to me… no, I don't think I could stomach that not even on a good day… But the Teriyaki place around the corner certainly does… yes it is spicy, but it is not peanut butter on hamburger…". She leans over to us as if we have known each other for years, and chirps "If you want some lunch there is a Teriyaki place around the corner it is fast and good. Just thought you might like to know that for the future, the cafeteria is good too, but after a while, you might like a change." She doesn't tell us where the peanut butter on hamburger place is.

She spent her day making plans, dreaming, writing lists with various colored pens, in pretty notebooks. Between bites of her Teriyaki chicken she said, "Honey, we need to go to TJ Maxx… yes I want to go there again… I know we were just there yesterday she laughs… I want to find some new pillows and something pretty for spring. Doesn't it feel like spring is in the air?… No, nothing is wrong with our pillows… Oh, Honey, she winks it simply is something I can change.

Her spirit was contagious. Healing. A light in a dim place leading a way for the newbies to follow.

My brother Marty's chemotherapy dripped into his veins ten hours worth, later he would go home with a forty-eight-hour drip hooked to his port (Hickman line). It was his first day and the mental notes he wrote went something like this, "…What will this be like?… Will I lose my hair? … Am I going to be sick? … Is this feeling I am having normal? How much longer is this going to last?"

The nurse hooked up another IV sack to drip through his port, "This might give off a metallic sugary taste in your mouth." As she said that I flashed back to my own time with cancer. That metallically sugary taste I despised to the point that sweet things do not appeal to me, but vomiting was much worse than that taste. I pitied my brother. 

After eating her Teriyaki chicken the woman sitting next to my brother woke her husband up by asking, "Maybe, we should move, do you want to move?… No, I am not talking about walking around the clinic, but moving from our home to a smaller home along the river?… Oh, your funny she giggled, "Of course, I still want new pillows!"

As the day slowly went along, and patients came and went, IV dripped, buzzers went off, the sunset, the woman gathered her pens, notebooks, and positive spirit and went home. We sat alongside my brother watching his new path take shape with stage four pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to his liver the path that I wish wasn't so.

Now my prayers include the woman with her appetite for Teriyaki chicken.

Please pray for my brother Marty.



Comments

92 responses to “The Woman with an Appetite for Teriyaki Chicken.”

  1. He is now added to my daily prayer list!

  2. Please give his hand a gentle squeeze for me.

  3. Praying for you all, and wishing you comfort and peace.

  4. Cindi Sheahan

    “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
    all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.
    The Lord will send his faithful love by day;
    his song will be with me in the night—
    a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:7–8)
    May the Lord continue to guide, comfort, and flood Marty, you and your family with His love; may He be a balm to your souls.

  5. My prayers for your brother and everyone facing the challenges of cancer or any illness.
    God bless everyone suffering through it all
    My prayers are for you dear Corey and your family.
    Know many are with you and prayers continue for you all.
    Much love and many blessings for strength and courage, and faith.
    Love Jeanne

  6. Been streaming prayers for days now for every Amaro on the face of the earth. Since
    i did not have a first name, I trusted God to sort it all out. 😉 Sending love to all.

  7. Thank you for sharing this impossibly difficult time with us. I will pray for your brother and and his and your family and the Teriyaki chicken lady who exudes hope and healing.

  8. Prayers for Marty, his family and yours dear Corey.

  9. Jackie Lantry

    Oh, Corey, I’ve never met your brother, but I feel like I know your entire family from reading your blog all these years. I am bereft. My heart goes out to you and your entire family. Please hug Marty, cup his face gently in your hands, and look into his eyes, then tell him that all of your readers, from all over the world, are thinking about him, praying for him, asking and hoping for a miracle.
    jackie, praying in Boston…

  10. As you know I’m already praying for him. Now will add that delightful teriyaki lady too. Xx

  11. Maryann McCool

    Corey: You have shared so much love with us for years.
    Please know I am sending your brother, you and all of your family healing energy every day.
    Much love,
    Maryann

  12. Debra Paper

    so very sorry to hear of your brother’s illness – as another reader above commented, after all these years, we feel that we know your family so well. I am sorry that he has to walk this path and fight this fight. Thank God that he has you next to him. Many prayers and much love to your family during this time.

  13. Donna Boucher

    Ten hours is a long time. Being there is a beautiful expression of love.
    God bless Marty and your whole family!
    Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

  14. One of my favorite Psalms when life looks bleak. Praying for Marty and all of your family.
    love and blessings,
    Trisha
    Psalm 34 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
    By David, when he pretended to be insane before Avimelekh, who then drove him away; so he left:
    I will bless Adonai at all times;
    his praise will always be in my mouth.
    When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
    the humble will hear of it and be glad.
    Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;
    let us exalt his name together.
    I sought Adonai, and he answered me;
    he rescued me from everything I feared.
    They looked to him and grew radiant;
    their faces will never blush for shame.
    This poor man cried; Adonai heard
    and saved him from all his troubles.
    The angel of Adonai, who encamps
    around those who fear him, delivers them.
    Taste, and see that Adonai is good.
    How blessed are those who take refuge in him!
    Fear Adonai, you holy ones of his,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
    Young lions can be needy, they can go hungry,
    but those who seek Adonai lack nothing good.
    Come, children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of Adonai.
    Which of you takes pleasure in living?
    Who wants a long life to see good things?
    [If you do,] keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from deceiving talk;
    turn from evil, and do good;
    seek peace, go after it!
    The eyes of Adonai watch over the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their cry.
    But the face of Adonai opposes those who do evil,
    to cut off all memory of them from the earth.
    [The righteous] cried out, and Adonai heard,
    and he saved them from all their troubles.
    Adonai is near those with broken hearts;
    he saves those whose spirit is crushed.
    The righteous person suffers many evils,
    but Adonai rescues him out of them all.
    He protects all his bones;
    not one of them gets broken.
    Evil will kill the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
    But Adonai redeems his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

  15. Healing energy is headed his way.
    Blessings on you all.
    Xoxo

  16. Sorry ,Corey, that this is happening. Wishing it wasn’t. You and your family are strong and loving and will find the bright spots here – like the Teriyaki Lady. My best healing thoughts are with you and your brother.

  17. Deanna Bailey

    Dear Corey~ Am holding you, your brother and your family in my thoughts. Sending love & healing hugs your way.

  18. Ann of Avondale

    Dear Corey–very sorry for Marty’s diagnosis. A tough road for sure. I lost both my parents to cancer and spent many hours with them in the Cancer Center waiting until their treatment was over. I talked to many patients and it is something I cannot describe adequately. I remember one 80 year old woman all dressed-up with white gloves, beautiful flowery dress, and the most pleasant smile waiting for her treatment. With every patient I talked to, my heart would break listening to their stories about their families, etc. Last year I lost a close friend to cancer. I spent time with him and his wife at his last Christmas and so glad I was able to and basically say my goodbye.
    Sorry for this long post but my heart breaks knowing what Marty, you and your family are going through. Sending prayers your way.

  19. Sending many prayers for peace, comfort and healing for all your family.

  20. Many prayers for your brother, Marty.
    May your love and your family’s love envelop him and carry him through this difficult time.

  21. My head and heart are in your corner. And in your brother’s. May he outshine this prognosis and flourish.

  22. Praying for Marty now, and for you and the rest of your family as you love and support him.

  23. Sending prayers to your brother, Marty and your whole family. Holding you close in my heart…thinking of you.

  24. I pray for Marty to feel God’s healing touch and pray for His love to surround you all. I pray for you and all your family, to have the strength to smile that impossible smile of hope and optimism in the face of your anguish.You reached out to me many years ago in my hour of need, know that your words lifted me from a dark place.I pray my prayers for Marty and you and your family will be heard by God and felt by you.Praying without ceasing.x

  25. One of the hardest….

  26. I pray daily for Marty! There is something about a positive outlook that makes everyone’s picture brighter. I am sending Dem over to read this story she is just as witty, bright and optimistic as your new “Teriyaki Girlfriend”

  27. Oh Corey – May you all find the strength needed to maneuver through the emotions you will all now share.
    I hold his hand with you …
    much love from canada

  28. Cancer survivor here. Many people prayed for me then, and I certainly will and am now praying for Marty. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

  29. Lorna Hankin

    Sending light ,love, prayers and hugs to you Corey, Marty and family.
    Stay strong ,Lv Lorna

  30. Corey, I will pray for Marty and your family and the teriyaki chicken lady, too. I will also gladly drive up from Tiburon to take you to the teriyaki restaurant. Keep the faith. It can happen. I don’t know you but yours is the first blog I ever read years ago and you’ve all become so familiar you feel like family (familiar and family must come from the same root word). You have a friend in Tiburon who is pulling for Team Marty.

  31. I can’t say it any better than Jackie Lantry did. She is praying in Boston…I am praying in Vancouver, Canada. We are holding you and your precious family gently. lean on us for a while.

  32. Corey, holding all your family in my thoughts.
    So very sad, I’m so sorry.
    Ali

  33. Margot Kiss

    Loving thoughts and prayers to you and your family on this journey. It’s a tough one. Wonderful that you can be there with them. 🙏

  34. Darlene Schueler

    Your amazing spirit weaves these two stories together. The positively charged teriyaki lady and your new to the process brother helped us learn the news in such a gentle manner. I am sending good loving vibes to you and your family.

  35. Hello Corey. My apologies, I had no idea why you had traveled home. I am here in Willows, living on Joy Way. I would be glad to be of any assistance. You can call / text me at 530-520-7284. I am a simple cook, Sicilian, lots of vegetarian and would be glad to bring a meal or any support. I am blessed to have known you for so many years. Please let me know how I can be of help, Vicki 🙂

  36. Praying, adding my prayers to all the others. Courage, Comfort, Peace. A rock-solid assurance of being held in Grace.
    Prayers for the whole family. Lord, be near.

  37. I am so sorry to hear this. Marty, you, your extended family are in my thoughts.

  38. Leslie in Oregon

    I add my prayers to those flowing to, and on behalf of, Marty, you and all of your family. As I was with you in becoming a grandmother last summer, I am with you in grappling with cancer and all it brings. Here, it is my wonderful husband who has cancer, a very aggressive one. He has had two localized types of treatment (surgeries and radiation) and two systemic types (immunotherapy and targeted therapy; chemotherapy is not effective against his type of cancer). We hope that recent mega-doses of radiation are killing a very stubborn tumor and that he will be able to visit our twin granddaughters in Berkeley soon. I’m so glad that you are able to be with Marty and the rest of your California family now. May you experience an abundance of the grace notes that can accompany coping with cancer. If you ever want to vent or talk with a fellow traveler, send me an email and I will email you my telephone number. Courage and every best wish, Leslie in Oregon

  39. JENNIFER PHILLIPPS

    All my best Kiwi wishes are winging their way to you and your family, but most particularly to Marty….he is in good hands all round!

  40. I Van Straaten

    Thinking of you😢. Wishing all the best

  41. My heart and soul goes out to you and your love ones..
    Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

  42. Cynthia Thompson

    Prayers of comfort and love. Hold to God’s unchanging hand. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.

  43. Oh gutted to hear this news,thinking of you all,your poor Mother to see her son suffering through this too,my own Mother fought it too,so I have been there,prayers being said for your dear brother,his family and all of you!

  44. Praying for Marty and your family. I’m so sorry. Sending love.

  45. I will pray.

  46. So sorry! Life certainly isn’t fair. I’m sure your faith is of comfort now.
    Wishing for peace and comfort for your brother.

  47. Prayers for you and your family

  48. Oh Corey I knew it was bad! Just unthinkable, you must be wanting to trade places and take his illness away. Stay strong, practical and supportive! Keep the home fires burning. Stability for his family will be very important to hm. Go well and strong Corey xxx

  49. Evelyn Jackson

    Prayers winging their way heavenward for Marty & all your family.

  50. I promise

  51. Teddee Grace

    With the power of this many (mostly women) readers behind him, Marty probably has more support than any cancer patient on earth! Tell him that when the going gets rough, we have him in the palms of our hands.

  52. Blessings and prayers to Marty and you, your family, Marty’s family and everyone in sitting in cancer centers receiving a little bit more or a lot more life. So glad you can be there with Marty.

  53. Praying hard Corey

  54. Bette Lee Collins

    Dear Corey,
    I join your many readers in sending you my sympathies and love knowing
    that your loving family will be with you through this sorrowful time.
    My special prayers to your mother,
    Bette Lee

  55. Yes, of course we will pray for your brother Marty and your entire family during this difficult time.
    Prayers are answered everyday and I believe ours will be as well.🙏

  56. for all …. non-stop-united with all the prayers here there….

  57. Paula Tyner

    Sending healing thoughts and loving hugs.

  58. Lifting Marty up in prayer 🙏

  59. Dear Corey, our prayers are with you and He is with you!

  60. I am so sorry to hear this news. Prayers for your brother Marty🙏 How reassuring it must be for him that you are there.
    Blessings to you and your whole family.❤️

  61. So that’s it. Of course prayers for your brother, Marty and for all who love him.

  62. Susie Hamilton

    I went thru chemo 30 years ago. I know I am one of the lucky ones to still be cancer free, but reading this post brought back so many memories, feelings and emotions. The first chemo is the worst, right Corey? So many questions, so much unknown. The anxiety level is high and fear lurks behind everything.
    I am praying for Marty, for God’s healing, for courage and strength for all of the family. I’m so glad you are there with them Corey.

  63. Teresa Young

    God bless you, and may your brother experience healing and remission. Let us all pray for a permanent cure for cancer. Teresa & Dave

  64. Stephanie M.

    Thinking of you, Marty and your family here and across the pond. God bless you all😢

  65. Sandy Thomas

    May God heal Marty, body and soul. May his pain cease, may his strength increase, may his fears be released, May blessings, love, and joy surround him. Amen.

  66. Julia Peeples Causey

    Corey,
    So sorry to hear your news but please know that Marty will be on my daily prayer list. Special love to your beautiful family and his family. Much love, Julia

  67. Elizabeth Schaeffer

    Dear Corey and family,
    I just now found the newest posts from you and am feeling so hopeful that the great doctors and nurses have in this country will be able to sustain Marty throughout his treatment.
    Please let him know that all of your readers are thinking of him daily with our prayers.
    If you meet the Teriyaki lady often, you should tell her that we include her also in our prayers.
    What a joyful countenance she has.

  68. Prayers and healing energy to Marty, his family, and the whole family.

  69. Amanda Martin

    I’m so sorry that your brother (and all of those who deeply love him) has to go through such an ordeal. Prayers and love heading your way.

  70. Linda McDaniel

    my prayers for your brother and your family.

  71. Angela Vular

    Dear Corey, I will keep your brother in my prayers as well as your mom, you, and your family. I lost my brother to a rare form of cancer when he was 39 yrs. old. I hope your brother stays positive and fights with all he’s got. There’s always a chance he can beat it!! Sending you a huge hug and lots of prayers.

  72. Oh, Corey, how I ache for Marty, you, and the entire family. As you know, my family has been down this road. It was sometime ago, so I am hopeful that recent advances in the medical world will be helpful to Marty. Love and hope are sent to the entire family.

  73. cheryl liberty

    my heart aches for you and your family. continued prayers for you all.

  74. When I was on chemo, I got all kinds of weird cravings. Worst was Kraft Mac and Cheese, the kind with the powered cheese you mix in. I would eat three boxes of it at a sitting. My doctor said he had never seen a patient gain weight on chemo before.

  75. Have been praying and will know how better to do so-love to all your family as you begin this journey.

  76. I’m so sorry that your brother is having to face such a battle, Corey. I will keep him in my prayers, as well as your family.

  77. Dear Marty, dear Corey, and dear Marty’s entire family. Prayers are with you.

  78. RebeccaNYC

    I know how much comfort you are bringing Marty. Sending you love on love on love.

  79. Yes, I will pray for your Marty!
    For you.
    For your family.
    For his family.
    Healing light is being sent to surround him from so many.

  80. Praying for your brother, Marty. Dear Lord, touch Marty with your healing hands, guide his doctors and caregivers, and bring peace to his family.

  81. My prayers for Marty,you and all who love him. And for the woman who loves teriyaki chicken.

  82. Christine F

    Many prayers for your brother, your family and you as you walk this journey with him.

  83. You will all be in my prayers. Stay strong, Marty.

  84. Sharon Kasner

    Oh, Corey,
    I am praying for you all. Sending a big hug, so hug the one you are with and breathe deep, when you exhale, it will take some of the worries with it.

  85. Aching, Corey, for your Marty and your entire family … praying for healing, strength and peace … all blessings. You have our hearts … and now all our heartfelt good wishes.

  86. Jamie Vowell

    Sending love and prayers ❤️

  87. Always in my prayers. ❤️ Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 🙏🏻

  88. Suzanne Geere

    Dear Corey,
    I have no faith , but have offered a prayer for you, Marty, and the lady who can take some control of her life, by changing her pillows.

  89. Just catching up with your blog. Always hate to hear this news of another fighting this sickness.
    I believe in miracles and I believe in prayer. Please share with Marty, Psalm 103. There is a Great Physician, who has the definitive say and we are reminded of HIS heart towards us in this Psalm. Especially take note that we are not to forget HIS benefits and one of those is HIS healing of all our diseases. BELIEVE this Marty, despite what may be said or what you see or even your feelings. Trust in the LORD, nothing is too great for HIM. BELIEVE in a miracle!

  90. Prayers for his beautiful life and his beautiful family. And for you, Cory.

  91. Betty Anderson

    I am looking at the May/June issue of Bliss Victoria that l have drooled over before and found again the article about you. A sweet surprise since l had forgotten about it. I do so enjoy your blog and your family stories.
    I love France so much and have been a few times.. not enough, so I live vicariously through you. Thank you for sharing.
    Hope your family is safe. I include you all in my prayers too ❤️ Betty

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.