Monday, May 21, 2012

Relay, Roses, Rejoice & Recover….

I originally started this blog to document our family’s journey as my dad battled cancer.  While cancer remains in the forefront of everyone’s mind we also have some really good times and days together as a family.  So I think it’s only appropriate to document some of those times as well.  It is my blog after all….and hopefully the few of you that read it will indulge me this one time.
Relay -  This past weekend was absolutely busy, wonderful and sometimes highly emotional!  We kicked off the weekend on Friday evening in warm and windy Decatur, Texas.  Amy and I signed up to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life as part of Hunter’s high school team.  Originally our participation was to celebrate dad’s 5 year remission mark but soon after sign-ups we learned of dad’s newest cancer diagnosis thus making this Relay even more significant to us.   We were very fortunate to have good friends and family make donations to ACS on our behalf for which we were very thankful!   At the last minute Cameron decided he wanted to participate as well.  Luckily Aunt Amy had an extra shirt so he could fit right in…and I think he put us to shame by completing more laps than us!   The opening ceremony was very poignant as the Survivors and Caregivers began the initial lap at the end of one track and began walking in opposite directions to meet at the other end of the track.  Upon meeting at the other end of the track each survivor linked up with their caregiver to finish the lap.  It was a very touching visual and proved that cancer does not discriminate against age, gender, or race.  Tears streamed my face as I watched the survivors make their way with their caregivers….I am certain I was not the only one with a tearstained face.   The Luminaria ceremony was also touching.  The stadium lights were dimmed and the track was lined with luminaria that paid tribute to honor and remember those have been touched with cancer.  Overall the night was a unique experience filled with luminaria decorating, laps, laughter and a little looting!  With teenagers you have to learn to expect the unexpected….for us it was finding kids sitting in our chairs helping themselves to our snacks!  We somehow managed to stick it out until closing ceremony at 6:00 am the next morning.  It was poetic to start the relay during the light of day, continue through the darkness of night and complete it as the sun was rising.  It’s similar to the cancer battle itself…diagnosis comes in the light and the real fighting seems to take place in the dark, but when morning light comes we are reminded of hope of another day!





Roses- This weekend also happened to be Prom weekend!  Zak’s senior prom!  I was so excited to be able to share in the excitement of this special occasion with Zak.    My little boy has turned into a young man and I treasure this time with him.  We shopped for his tux together, though he could have easily done it on his own, he has pretty good fashion sense…for a boy.  He picked out the corsage for his date on his own.  It was made of dark red roses and it was beautiful. The best part is he was sweet enough to let me tag along to get pictures of him with his date….and all I can say is ADOREABLE.  They made a very cute couple!




Rejoice-  It’s not about winning or losing but how you play the game.  Who am I kidding?!  I want to win!  Cameron’s baseball team has been on a bit of a losing streak and it makes it hard to be excited at the games.  He had a doubleheader on Saturday and of course I had to miss the first game…..prom preparations and all.  I get the call on my way to his second game that not only did he strike out 9 players in a row but that they won the game 11-1.  What??  I wasn’t there to see!!  Thank goodness they pulled out a win in the second game that I DID get to see!

Recover- Now after this crazy busy weekend I get a few days to try to recover before it starts all over again.  Graduation activities start next Sunday!  So stay tuned for more updates!

This is the day the LORD has made: We will rejoice and be glad in it.  ~Psalm 118:24




Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Six months later....seems like forever...or not!

Where does the time go?   Friday marked six months to the day that we learned dad had an inoperable brain tumor which was quickly diagnosed as cancer.  Sometimes that feels like a lifetime ago and other times it seems like just yesterday.  The mind can play funny tricks on you that way.  I can so vividly recall those early days of fear and worry and details surrounding the brain biopsy, port placements, MRI's and cat scans.  So why is it that I cannot remember where I put my keys an hour ago??   Regardless, I choose not to dwell on the darker times but instead I like to let my mind stroll down the lane of happier memories. Those memories would include coming back to home-sweet-home after lengthy hospital stays, being home for the holidays with family,  memories of great nurses and techs who went out of their way to be kind and cheerful, and or course cherished  memories of friends and family who showed their support with phone calls, cards and frequent hospital visits, etc.   You know who you are!  :)  A big shout out to our cousin Roger and his wife Teresa who made a special day trip from Houston to visit with dad....definitely a good memory! 


So as we continue this journey I hope, no, make that expect, that we will continue to make many more good memories. You know the everyday kind that we would normally take for granted....Sunday lunches at mom and dad's, visiting on the patio, watching dad fidget with his iPhone or iPad, memories with the kiddos like watching Cameron's baseball games, checking on Hunter's current girlfriend status and quizzing Zak about his first job.  To us, even the simplest and most mundane things are things to be celebrated....people watching from the patio, hopping on the John Deere to mow the lawn, and mow and mow and mow again (inside family joke) or even washing dad's truck  No one can wash a car like my dad... at least not to his specifications.  Note to self--keep that in mind before offering to do that chore! 


Right now dad is undergoing daily radiation.  He wraps up his 10th  treatment today leaving 15 more to go.  If all goes as planned he should be finishing up on May 30th--the same day Zak graduates High School!  That will give us two wonderful reasons to celebrate…..High School Graduation for Zak and Radiation Graduation for Dad.   I wonder if we could get dad in a cap & gown?  Lol!   He may have to settle for just a diploma!  :)


So you see, we are expecting many more good times to come!


As the days pass and the seasons change I am thankful for all the days we have had together as a family and continue to look forward to all the good times still ahead.


This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24


P.S.  Our cousin Roger made another visit on his way back to Houston on Sunday--a surprise visit! Two thumbs up!  I can only assume since I have the 'Favorite Daughter' title all wrapped up that maybe he is gunning for title of  ‘Favorite Nephew'? ?