As Monday began to pass, I found myself longing for my bed. Instead of the 1500 tc sheets, a day of cheering for my favorite 82lb. wrestler lay ahead .
Wrapped up my 2nd day of this round today, short and sweet! Stopped at Starbucks for my *free* macchiato (received the special cup from *bux 4 Christmas!), roamed Barnes & Noble @ Vanderbilt, then bought my first pair of skinny jeans! The poor sales girl... Explaining the difference between skinny jeans & jeggings.... she finally just came to the fitting room with me. She did thank me though, for taking the step to buy the proper pants to wear with boots, so that I would not have "the mom poof," and look like I was wearing jodhpurs with my jeans in my boots.
Hoping for same succession of "easy post chemo days" after today, should be. Have some issues to call about first thing in the morning, but knew they were possibilities, so will address, respond, and move forward.
If you have called, texted, emailed, questioned, and I have not responded.... please know that my intentions are not to be rude. Cancer bites, plain and simple. To tell that many times a day, share my daily health repeatedly, hear stories of people who knew/know someone who had or is going through chemo, well....it is HEAVY on the heart and the mind. Think of me. Think of my children. Think of my husband. Think of my sisters, my mom, my brother. My oodles of nieces and nephews. My amazing cousins, my precious aunties....
Cancer has weighed heavily on my family all the way back to the 70s when my dad was diagnosed. Then my Uncle John, next Uncle Chris. Then me, next my sister Pam, then me, and now me again. I. KNOW. THE. STORIES. I know about clinical trials, I know about culturing a cancer cell to test chemo response rates...
I also know that YOU might not know what to say. That is okay, neither do I! You do not have to say anything if it is uncomfortable, a simple everyday hello is great! I love good jokes, corny ones, and dry humor! If you want to share your concern / love/ support Possible Suggestions: "I'm sorry....Thinking of ...Praying for ...." I'm feeling fabulous, and hope to keep it up! If I look like I am lying to, just let me, 'kay? and please, I beg of you.... no death. No asking about staging, prognosis, nothing.
John Michael and Mary Elizabeth DO know. I am very honest about treatment with them, and they "seem" to be fairing well. JM was ticked because he only asked for TWO thing from Santa, and a cure for cancer was one of them... Anyone got connections for two Super Bowl Tickets?
Our children are rockstars across the board.
JM continues to excel beyond expectation academically, yet struggles at time to find his passion. I'm thinking of teaching how to "code" on a computer, just need to dust off my own knowledge. He LOVES technology, so it may be a win! He just received his High Red Belt in TKD, now working for his recommended black belt, so big! Wrestling continues wonderfully, and he is also busy studying for his lower school academic team.
Mary Elizabeth is now in her 3rd year of competitive cheer, and is better than ever. We are so thankful for the organization! Also, she has finally discovered a love for independent reading. While still quite enamored with storybooks, and being read to, I've found her numerous times snuggled with her flashlight friend and a book, post bed time. She is working very hard in school and has done well. She LOVES to count coins, master her spelling words the first night, and any arts and crafts activitiy she can find. She has added another child to her family. American Girl Doll Marie Grace joined her this Christmas. While Rebecca is still her favorite, Mary Grace has made friends nicely with Molly and Rebecky, her bitty baby. She LOVES her dolls and plays with them daily. Dressing, roleplaying, socializing, planning, plotting, designing... her American Girl Dolls, Barbies, cheer, and crafts ( and now reading!) are her passions.
John has transitioned into a local job as a civilian instructor. He has added a goatee to his repertoire, and I'm enjoying seeing him so nicely dressed each day. I've taken to packing his lunches, along with the kids :) He also received a new fire pit for Christmas and has enjoyed building one nightly. I think the kids and I have eaten our weight in s'mores!
Teaching STEM is still a gift. Having 600 kids to know is not a challenge, it is a blessing. Their smiles, stories, hugs, and amazing successes are all that I need to know that I am where God needs me the most.
Well, no chemo until the 15th.... I'll try to check in before then.
Be strong, be joyful, be amazing, be kind, be blessed.
I am thankful for each and everyone lifts my family and myself in thought, wonder, in prayer.
Wrapped up my 2nd day of this round today, short and sweet! Stopped at Starbucks for my *free* macchiato (received the special cup from *bux 4 Christmas!), roamed Barnes & Noble @ Vanderbilt, then bought my first pair of skinny jeans! The poor sales girl... Explaining the difference between skinny jeans & jeggings.... she finally just came to the fitting room with me. She did thank me though, for taking the step to buy the proper pants to wear with boots, so that I would not have "the mom poof," and look like I was wearing jodhpurs with my jeans in my boots.
Hoping for same succession of "easy post chemo days" after today, should be. Have some issues to call about first thing in the morning, but knew they were possibilities, so will address, respond, and move forward.
If you have called, texted, emailed, questioned, and I have not responded.... please know that my intentions are not to be rude. Cancer bites, plain and simple. To tell that many times a day, share my daily health repeatedly, hear stories of people who knew/know someone who had or is going through chemo, well....it is HEAVY on the heart and the mind. Think of me. Think of my children. Think of my husband. Think of my sisters, my mom, my brother. My oodles of nieces and nephews. My amazing cousins, my precious aunties....
Cancer has weighed heavily on my family all the way back to the 70s when my dad was diagnosed. Then my Uncle John, next Uncle Chris. Then me, next my sister Pam, then me, and now me again. I. KNOW. THE. STORIES. I know about clinical trials, I know about culturing a cancer cell to test chemo response rates...
I also know that YOU might not know what to say. That is okay, neither do I! You do not have to say anything if it is uncomfortable, a simple everyday hello is great! I love good jokes, corny ones, and dry humor! If you want to share your concern / love/ support Possible Suggestions: "I'm sorry....Thinking of ...Praying for ...." I'm feeling fabulous, and hope to keep it up! If I look like I am lying to, just let me, 'kay? and please, I beg of you.... no death. No asking about staging, prognosis, nothing.
John Michael and Mary Elizabeth DO know. I am very honest about treatment with them, and they "seem" to be fairing well. JM was ticked because he only asked for TWO thing from Santa, and a cure for cancer was one of them... Anyone got connections for two Super Bowl Tickets?
Our children are rockstars across the board.
JM continues to excel beyond expectation academically, yet struggles at time to find his passion. I'm thinking of teaching how to "code" on a computer, just need to dust off my own knowledge. He LOVES technology, so it may be a win! He just received his High Red Belt in TKD, now working for his recommended black belt, so big! Wrestling continues wonderfully, and he is also busy studying for his lower school academic team.
Mary Elizabeth is now in her 3rd year of competitive cheer, and is better than ever. We are so thankful for the organization! Also, she has finally discovered a love for independent reading. While still quite enamored with storybooks, and being read to, I've found her numerous times snuggled with her flashlight friend and a book, post bed time. She is working very hard in school and has done well. She LOVES to count coins, master her spelling words the first night, and any arts and crafts activitiy she can find. She has added another child to her family. American Girl Doll Marie Grace joined her this Christmas. While Rebecca is still her favorite, Mary Grace has made friends nicely with Molly and Rebecky, her bitty baby. She LOVES her dolls and plays with them daily. Dressing, roleplaying, socializing, planning, plotting, designing... her American Girl Dolls, Barbies, cheer, and crafts ( and now reading!) are her passions.
John has transitioned into a local job as a civilian instructor. He has added a goatee to his repertoire, and I'm enjoying seeing him so nicely dressed each day. I've taken to packing his lunches, along with the kids :) He also received a new fire pit for Christmas and has enjoyed building one nightly. I think the kids and I have eaten our weight in s'mores!
Teaching STEM is still a gift. Having 600 kids to know is not a challenge, it is a blessing. Their smiles, stories, hugs, and amazing successes are all that I need to know that I am where God needs me the most.
Well, no chemo until the 15th.... I'll try to check in before then.
Be strong, be joyful, be amazing, be kind, be blessed.
I am thankful for each and everyone lifts my family and myself in thought, wonder, in prayer.
2 comments:
Beautifully done! Your internal beauty shines so wonderfully in this blog. Hugs and LOVE!
I am continuing to pray for you and yours daily. I know you are loved, and you continue to amaze me.
I think you are due for another round of chocolate from Germany too. I head home on Jan. 8., so your chelate will arrive after the next round.
I love you to the moon and back!
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