Wow! Nearly a month has passed since my last update here. In my mind, I've updated many times, but in real life, apparently not so much!
I have been busy, busy, busy!
I WAS able to make my "girls" weekend in Michigan. When I say girls, I'm not talking 2 or 3. I'm talking 20-30 of my smokin' hot sisters from college. Women I lived with, some for 4 years. Most of the women I have not seen in nearly 20 years. Due to our closeness and friendship in college, and our sharing a "HOME" for years, a decade or two may pass, but it seems to be only a moment. My sorority is not one that you see labeled on cars, spread across the country. 'Tis one encased in history, legacy, and uniquity.
Soronian, Iota Kappa Omicron, is the oldest inter-collegiate sorority in the US. Our House,
Sperry Hall, is a historical landmark, that encompasses beauty from the 1st to the 3rd floor, and keeps the fun down below.
Sperry Hall
Some of "my pledges" Tiffany & Me reminiscing!
<3 Mary Margaret Dean Ellis... we hold so much love
Peanut, Tiffany, and me... wondering why Mott still looks the same 20 years later!
This weekend was what I needed, I just did not fully realize this until I saw my girls.
On my way to MI and home, I was beyond lucky to steal some time with my parents, my sister Pam and her girls, and my sister Laurie and her family. While all too short, I'll take the moments. Plus, Grammy cooked. Something about my mother's cooking fuels the soul, warms the heart, and refills my strength. Somehow I cannot get enough of her time.
Had some adult fun, 2 weekends ago. While I did not win the $10,000 I was close! As my pal Foster said, "bullshit" is how I felt when my name was the 189th drawn... rat bastards! I had my fun, enjoyed some Pirate Punch, and was thrilled at the opportunity to attend. Grateful for our friends that bought our ticket for us. It was medicine the doctor had not ordered, but much needed!
Cancer tx has been a bumpy ride as of late. Another round of neutropenic precautions, but this time, I pushed the system and was able to work, just in isolation. I had a fun time working at Central Office. Made lovely friends, and accomplished many tasks for others while working on restoring. My platelets continue to be a pickle, but came up enough last week for me to have chemo.
Ah, chemo. My last tx was 2/12/14. All was going well, until.... the switch to my Carboplatin. Nothing like a good anaphylactic reaction to get you going. Despite having it 2 times prior, it seems that my system is not a fan. Quick response nurses, and a doctor that must have sprinting experience, most everything was remedied within 5 minutes. The multi doses of Benadryl knocked me out for several hours. I may have to wear a tee next tx that says "sorry I snored like a truck driver" as an apology to the other patients. I (hopefully) will continue to receive this drug, as it is what I need, but will go through
chemotherapy desensitization. Good times.
I say hopefully, as I have labs tomorrow, to see if I can have tx Wednesday. Wednesday is just Gemzar, so easy as pie!
A scan should come soon. Not a PET, but a CT. A check of disease status. Have my spots shrunk? Maintained? Progressed? These answers will drive my medical plan.
"Celebrated" Cancer a versary #1 last week and #2 is tomorrow.
My sister Pam just had her 1st! Woot! Woot!
Cancer a versary is an odd word, but one that I will celebrate for the rest. of. my. life.
My kiddoes are GREAT! Rocking the academics, cheering yesterday and this coming weekend, pressing forward on academic team, and prepping for elementary state wrestling tourney this weekend. We are loving all that we do, and have even more time doing what we love most, being together. Children of cancer are a unique bunch. They have compassion and empathy of those 10 x their years, but still have the ability to just be kids.
So thankful for my friends, near and far. I pray for each of you daily, and thank you for thinking of me. Please remember to think of others as well. Not just those that have, or have had this egregious disease, but those also touched by it. A slight touch, or a punch in the face, it is all the same.
This Saturday, my dear, dear friend lost her father to cancer. My children's pal lost his grandfather. Mr. P was a gem. From the first meeting of him and his wife, I secretly fell in love. His quiet demeanor, the love in his eyes held for his wife, the caring and love he so quietly showed his daughter, his grandson, his friends.... His hugs were gentle, but true. His words soft, yet honest and direct. He made me smile, and giggle. He warmed my heart, and the hearts of my husband, and my children. In his own quiet way, he welcomed my family, into his. I was able to share a moment with him while I spent time with my friend. I whispered some secrets to him, laid my hand in his, and prayed from the depths of my being for him. I changed that moment, for this I know to be true. I sent a message, and will patiently wait. I am honored to have known him.
Life is tough, it is. But there are days, when you see (as my kids call it) the Jesus sun. The rays splaying individually as if each separate one held a secret or a power for one special person. I saw a bit of Jesus sun today, and for a brief moment, I felt one of those rays was coming towards me. My hope is that my family feels those rays, that you feel those rays too. Strength from my family, my friends, my God... all encompassed in some sparkly light.... The best medicine of them all.
Be well, be kind. Help someone, apologize to someone, forgive. Hug, smooch, hold hands.
