Perspective 

I am trying to wrap my head around all the sweet comments and replies to my first post. Of course I am so flattered by all of you who think I am “amazing”, your words not mine. Here’s the funny thing… you guys would do the same dang thing! I know it. There really is no other option. I want to be real clear, if there was another box ‘Check Here’ for NO cancer or chemo… Then I would have done that for sure! But there was no opt out box, so you have to opt “ALL IN”. And you would do the same. Life is SO SO good, that basically you will do whatever it takes to get back to it!

Now, due to those sweet comments and “atta girls” I had a little spring in my step this week. One only has to walk into an oncology waiting room to quickly realize : You aren’t that special kid.. take a seat. It’s the perfect potpourri of people…. just like me… waiting to see what’s next. The line from a Sunday school song pops in my head ” red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight” .  There we all are. Precious people waiting in a room , catching glimpses of each other and passing sympathetic smiles.  Seems as though all of us  are sitting in groups of two, and all of us seem  to be silently engaged in a game of “Which One Is Here To See The Dr. And Which One is Here To Make Sure They Do”. In most pairs it’s obvious which one is the patient and which one is the “spotter”.  Everyone has a spotter; that person who gets you there, makes sure you fill out the paperwork,  and anchors you to the chair so you don’t flee. Looking around the room, I feel a certain camaraderie and kinship with these people, and if a group hug wasn’t so weird and germ infested I would have totally suggested it because Jesus really does love all the children of the world right?

Perspective really is everything.   For some ridiculous reason, I currently know THREE kids, who are battling cancer. These are families in our social circle who are watching their children battle treatments and side effects. THREE!!! CHILDREN!!!!  Now THIS makes me super grouchy. These kids should be on the playground ,skipping around , and eating marshmallow bunnies.  So when I have to get up and go to chemo on Monday, I will absolutely be thinking of these kids I know. One little warrior girl is on treatment #25…. So really I don’t have anything to complain about. Doesn’t mean I won’t complain (just ask my Spotter)  , just means I shouldn’t.

Packing My Parachute

A few years ago I heard a story that I loved. Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”

“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.

“ I packed your parachute,” the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, “I guess it worked!” Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”

There are so many people that help us pack our parachute, some we are aware of and some we don’t even know will have a crucial role in our survival. This week I am in awe of the medical community , specifically the people who CHOOSE to go into oncology. I am grateful for each of them and thankful they chose to study and specialize in exactly what I will need packed in my parachute. How great is that.

And then there are the people that have helped me pack this week. Calls, texts, e-mails, meet-ups and hugs. All helping me pack. For all who have said ” if you need anything” please know you are on the list, and you maybe called this week or in August , hard to say.  As Bette Midler sings ” You Gotta Have Freinds” and man is she right on the money.

Twas The Night Before Treatment ….

Well , before I tell you abut the day I have to share the night before. It was about 10 and everyone else was sleeping. I had “night before  first day of school ” jitters. So I went to hang out in the guest room in  my comfy chair where I  opened my e-mail to find a video of my tiny friend Cate, who was holding the sweetest candle of two angel friends. Cate is a  7 year old  tough cookie-warrior-princess who is awaiting treatment number 25. Can you believe the night before I was to start my number 1 – that dear family made a point to drop ME a gift on my porch? The video message  was of Cate holding the gift and telling me I was going to do great and that she is praying for me! Seriously, there should be rules for being that cute and thoughtful. Within seconds of watching her video message – I had the gift on my lap…and just sat in humbled awe and total admiration of all that this gesture represented. Thankful for a gift of strength and love straight from God himself through an Angel named Cate.

Chemo Day One ~ Trading Parachute for Fanny Pack

I saved Chase’s birthday present to use for treatment days. Not sure how or where he got it. But Whoop there it is!

Day One had a fun unexpected twist. First few minutes in the lobby , I ran smack dab in Dr.Fanta. My guy. My knight in shining dockers. He was carrying a 12 pack of diet coke , which I found rather ironic for a Dr.Fanta. And also was a bit star struck to be seeing him coming into to work. I always assumed they have a VIP back door entrance or maybe one from the heli-pad.  And since I was heading to the “Infusion Center” I wasn’t planning on seeing him today. So it was a pleasant surprise when we said good morning and he put down his 12 pack and starting chatting me up. We got a great pep talk – no white coats on just person to person. Like the Great and Powerful OZ , he somehow knew of my 2 opinions elsewhere. I enjoyed seeing his confidant and possible competitive side come out , and he bragged on why his plan is the best, and there is no one in town that can do what his surgeon can do. So there. All of this while we stood on a staircase. He wished me a great first day and I turned around to follow the yellow brick road.

Day One was overall very smooth. Loved my two nurses. One who accessed the port, like a Boss. I cautiously asked her if today was her first day too? She laughed and said “Oh no hunny I have been doing this since before time”. Perfect then you’re hired! She was literally right on the money and port has been great. She passed me off to Daniel my fabulous Chemo nurse who said he had been doing this for 30 years. (Packing many many parachutes) . I will be reserving and requesting these two experts for next time.

This was my first treatment ever – where I was able to sit up and wear my own clothes. Like an upgrade to first class. I  was doing decent until little pink spots starting appearing on my face and body. Only noticed by me when taking a chemo -selfie for a friend (no thanks to  Jason or nurse Daniel)…..  Hives. SO very fitting for Easter. So they stopped the current treatment for an hour while doping me up with Benadryl. Then I was Zombie Mom from there out. But spots went away and we resumed treatment. Daniel introduced us to my new 48 pump and fanny pack. At first I wore it like a shoulder bag, but then I kept feeling like I was going out somewhere. So I switched it to a fanny pack , which made me feel like a safari leader or dog trainer, both of which I would like to be so that works. Two of my tribe people bought me fanny packs because apparently they are all the rage again – how perfect is that. One even plays music…. Can you even? I picture my self rolling  back in for my disconnect appointment , hat on to cover the greasy hair and playing Beastie Boys or something.

Day one DONE and I was home by 3.

I came home to my dear friend cooking in my kitchen, and fresh sheets on the bed. A little bit of heaven.

There is no place like home and Tuck is clearly aware of his new job.

Today is day two  and man do I have busy plans …..  to stay on top the side effects. Drink water , and possibly talk a walk down the driveway.  Rest and heal and be thankful for every tiny swish I hear from my fanny pack, knowing this is exactly  what  I need do to the job at hand.

I am so thankful for the prayers and positive vibes from all of you. The village is in full effect and Jason and  I am being propped up daily. The kids are being lifted up and loved too- so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks for letting me blog and blab. It is helpful to me and an such an easy way to keep everyone who wants to be in the loop.

Hon we go…. In amazement that we are already one step closer to taking this down

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer. Take courage; be confident certain and undaunted. For I have overcome the world. ” John 16:33