All the resting this week paid off big time. Not that it was really a choice! After over four days of nothing but rest, ignored rings of the phone, and neglected emails, I was able to enjoy a Friday night with my family. There is nothing like snuggling up with my 4-year old Cookie on the couch, singing our hearts out to the show tunes of High School Musical 2. When O came home from his play date and my husband got home from work, we rounded out the night with a family game of Wii bowling. After the week I had, it could not have ended better. No fine wine, no fancy dinner, but the best company a girl could ask for.
After a solid 9 hour slumber, I woke up this morning with a slight spring in my step. Finally the fog was lifting and I felt inspired to do the things many moms do in suburbia on a Saturday morning. Bake pumpkin bread. Unload the dishwasher. Order stuff online. Work on the Star of the Week poster with Cookie. Stop by CVS for the mega-sized bag of Dum Dums. (Side note: nothing gets rid of the metallic taste of chemo like a Dum Dum. :-) )Run to the dry cleaners. Make a Starbucks run to pick up my renewed favorite Skinny London Fog earl gray latte and a iced skinny latte for my hubby. (Side note: almost a week without java -- that's major!) Between basketball tryouts and soccer games, it was a full day for sure. I'm not sure if I was actually feeling better, or auto-pilot kicked in. It's these Saturdays in suburbia that give me the energy and fulfillment that I live for. Oh how times have changed!
I am glad that I was able to schedule chemo for Mondays. It seemed like a very long week, but the misery was worth it to be able to have some fun on the weekends with my family and friends. I'd rather be feeling like crap when my husband is at work and the kids are in school having fun with their friends and going along with their normal routine. We would not have made it through the week without our moms, my sister, and our friends. They checked on me, prepared meals, helped with the kids, and kept the machine running.
While I could not physically find the energy to answer the phone or reply to emails or texts, reading the messages and hearing the voice mails filled my heart with joy beyond belief. I have so many people who are supporting me and my family, and caring for us in the midst of their own chaotic lives. These are the same people who fought this battle with us less than a year ago. It was personal for us all last year, and even more so today. Last year was filled with fear of the unknown. This year is filled with strength, hope, and resolve to kick this beast once and for all and to move on.
Everyone's selflessness is humbling and reminds me to be a better person every single day. And to count my blessings, and give thanks. Whether it's helping the flustered mom with the screaming tot in a crowded Starbucks, or helping an elderly woman with her bags, every day presents itself to take time for random (or purposeful) acts of kindness.
I am hoping each day brings renewed strength from the inside out. Nearly one week down...eight to go.
Amen.
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