Is it true? Does absence really make the heart grow fonder? If so, then you must REALLY love me now. Sorry, it's been so long since I've blogged. Things have just been...well...not great lately. Work has been overwhelming, extra-curriculars for the kids have been exhausting, and my health (although still stable on the leukemia front) has been iffy at best (upper respiratory infections, an ear infection, acute gastroenteritis, and just overall yuckiness). Suffice it to say, I haven't had blogging on the brain much. Not that I haven't tried. I've sat and stared at a blank screen on many occasions. I've even started numerous blogs that I just didn't think were blog-worthy after all.
Work is still overwhelming, I'm still not feeling great, but we're on a bit of a hiatus from the extra-curriculars for a while, so I thought I'd try to catch up a little bit.
Some thoughts on absence:
Absence can be a breath of fresh air: a break from your kids that you love, the rare day that the most difficult and annoying child in your class is absent (because those are always the kids that have the best attendance), the moment your pain (physical, mental, emotional) goes away
Absence can be a strain: having your spouse work an opposite schedule and not be around to help with the kids and chores (I don't know how single parents do it), taking a day off of work (even if it's truly needed, it's such a pain to prep for a sub), the absence of money
Absence can be annoying: absent-mindedness (especially your own...it's so frustrating when I can't seem to remember anything), the absence of manners
Absence can be heartbreaking: the absence of faith (I think that would just be a very sad and lonely way to be), the death of a loved one
So, is it true? Does absence make the heart grow fonder? I think it depends on the situation. What do you think?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Movie Mash-Ups...
So a while ago, there was this episode of Cougar Town (one of my favorite shows) where they played this game called Movie Mash-Ups. Of course, they used it as a drinking game, but I still thought it was a pretty awesome idea. Basically, you pick 2 movies that have a shared word in the title. But one of the movies has to have the word at the end, while the other has to have it at the beginning. Then you briefly describe the plot of the new combined movie for people to guess. For example: A single woman tries to stop her friend's wedding from being disturbed by 2 uninvited guests. ....(My Best Friend's Wedding Crashers)
Here's a clip you can check out if you want.
So, I thought we could give it a shot. I'll try to come up with some for you to guess:
1) An arrogant and outrageous leading man on a San Diego news station covers the story of a disfigured recluse who befriends and mentors a young boy.
2) A group of middle-aged men create a college fraternity that leads a group of children to compete in a battle of the bands competition.
3) Three bachelor's are left with the task of caring for a new baby who is then adopted by a successful business woman who moves to the country and develops her own brand of baby applesauce.
4) A group of office workers hate their jobs and while facing layoffs, they decide to rebel against their mono-toned boss. But then they must rescue a princess from another planet before the villain sucks all the air out of her planet's atmosphere.
5) A aging patriarch of a mafia family passes control of his empire to his reluctant son whose plans for his daughter's wedding get out of hand with the help of a flamboyant wedding planner.
6) A depressed middle-aged father gets a crush on his daughter's beautiful friend who has been held in an enchanted castle and has fallen for her beastly captor.
Now you give it a shot. Post your answers and some movie mash-ups of your own!
1) An arrogant and outrageous leading man on a San Diego news station covers the story of a disfigured recluse who befriends and mentors a young boy.
2) A group of middle-aged men create a college fraternity that leads a group of children to compete in a battle of the bands competition.
3) Three bachelor's are left with the task of caring for a new baby who is then adopted by a successful business woman who moves to the country and develops her own brand of baby applesauce.
4) A group of office workers hate their jobs and while facing layoffs, they decide to rebel against their mono-toned boss. But then they must rescue a princess from another planet before the villain sucks all the air out of her planet's atmosphere.
5) A aging patriarch of a mafia family passes control of his empire to his reluctant son whose plans for his daughter's wedding get out of hand with the help of a flamboyant wedding planner.
6) A depressed middle-aged father gets a crush on his daughter's beautiful friend who has been held in an enchanted castle and has fallen for her beastly captor.
Now you give it a shot. Post your answers and some movie mash-ups of your own!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
THE Moment...
So, I was watching one of our many TV shows last night. The younger brother was asking his older, wiser, married brother, "How did you Know?" You know, when was the moment when you knew that the person you're married to was the one you wanted to be with for the rest of your life. The older brother, of course, replied with a story about an ordinary, nothing special moment when he "just knew" she was the only woman he wanted to eat chili dogs with for the rest of his life. Totally cliche, but still very sweet.
Here's my moment:
It was the summer of 1999. Kevin and I had been dating for 3 months. I don't even think we were Cakes and Cakes, yet.
We went to see Notting Hill at the movie theater in the mall in Abilene. (I know, romantic right?) It was the first of many Hugh Grant movies that we would enjoy together. Something happened during that movie. I don't know if it was the scene where Julia Roberts said, "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." or the one where Hugh Grant was reading to a pregnant Julia Roberts on that park bench at the end...or maybe the one where we get to see half of that really weird roommate's butt hanging out of his underwear. :)
But when we came out of that theater and got to the car, there was a moment. Not just A moment...THE moment. Call me a walking cliche, but we both just KNEW. Yes, it had only been 3 months, and it's not like we didn't wait another 15 months before getting engaged, but it is the moment that we both knew we'd be together forever.
So, how 'bout it? When was YOUR moment? How did you KNOW?
Here's my moment:
It was the summer of 1999. Kevin and I had been dating for 3 months. I don't even think we were Cakes and Cakes, yet.
We went to see Notting Hill at the movie theater in the mall in Abilene. (I know, romantic right?) It was the first of many Hugh Grant movies that we would enjoy together. Something happened during that movie. I don't know if it was the scene where Julia Roberts said, "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." or the one where Hugh Grant was reading to a pregnant Julia Roberts on that park bench at the end...or maybe the one where we get to see half of that really weird roommate's butt hanging out of his underwear. :)
But when we came out of that theater and got to the car, there was a moment. Not just A moment...THE moment. Call me a walking cliche, but we both just KNEW. Yes, it had only been 3 months, and it's not like we didn't wait another 15 months before getting engaged, but it is the moment that we both knew we'd be together forever.
So, how 'bout it? When was YOUR moment? How did you KNOW?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
October...
October is a very important month for 3 reasons that have a special place in my heart. The first of which we are all very aware of:
Breast Cancer Awareness
This is a cause that is very important to most of us. It can be seen everywhere from batteries to yogurt and from soda to professional football. Susan G. Komen is practically a household name. I think it is WONDERFUL how aware we all are about this disease, especially given the statistic that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. My Godmother, Eileen Roth was diagnosed with it 5 years ago. Thankfully, they caught it early, and she is cancer free now. My mother-in-law, Beth Prickett, died from it 19 years ago...when Kevin was only 14. I think about her often, never having met her. I can't imagine what it must be like for Kevin, his brother, and sisters (and everyone else who has ever lost someone to this disease, or any other for that matter). We must continue to pray for and support this cause.
The next 2 causes are not as well known:
Domestic Abuse Awareness
This covers so much more than just a husband hitting his wife. Yes, that is the most talked about. But it technically covers a much broader spectrum: physical and/or emotional abuse used by one person in a relationship (married, dating, friends, family, living together, or not, any age) to control the other. Going with this definition, I'm sure that many of us know people or may even be people who have been affected by this type of violence. 3 years ago this month, my Aunt Pam was shot and killed by her husband...a tragic end to a long abusive relationship. It has had an imeasureable affect on my family. My mom, sister, and I will be participating in a walk-a-thon to help raise money for this cause on Saturday, and thanks to many of you, we have each met and surpassed our fund-raising goal. Thank you for your continued prayers!
Diversity Awareness
As an educator, I see the importance of diversity awareness and acceptance in the school setting. And as a human being, I see the importance of it in life on a daily basis. This typically isn't something that people raise money for or wear ribbons for, but it is something that I believe in. Most of us know about the Beatitudes from the Bible (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc...), well these "Beatitudes for Diversity" were included in my church's Sunday bulletin, and I thought they were quite moving:
~Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech,
for you help us persevere until we are understood.
~Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers,
for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.
~Blessed are you who never bid us to “hurry up,” and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us,
for often we need more time—rather than help.
~Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures,
for the delight we feel when we surprise you outweighs all the frustrating failures.
~Blessed are you who ask for our help,
for our greatest need is to be needed.
So during the month of October let us remember our losses; pray for awareness, progress, and healing; and celebrate our successes and differences!
Breast Cancer Awareness
This is a cause that is very important to most of us. It can be seen everywhere from batteries to yogurt and from soda to professional football. Susan G. Komen is practically a household name. I think it is WONDERFUL how aware we all are about this disease, especially given the statistic that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. My Godmother, Eileen Roth was diagnosed with it 5 years ago. Thankfully, they caught it early, and she is cancer free now. My mother-in-law, Beth Prickett, died from it 19 years ago...when Kevin was only 14. I think about her often, never having met her. I can't imagine what it must be like for Kevin, his brother, and sisters (and everyone else who has ever lost someone to this disease, or any other for that matter). We must continue to pray for and support this cause.
The next 2 causes are not as well known:
Domestic Abuse Awareness
This covers so much more than just a husband hitting his wife. Yes, that is the most talked about. But it technically covers a much broader spectrum: physical and/or emotional abuse used by one person in a relationship (married, dating, friends, family, living together, or not, any age) to control the other. Going with this definition, I'm sure that many of us know people or may even be people who have been affected by this type of violence. 3 years ago this month, my Aunt Pam was shot and killed by her husband...a tragic end to a long abusive relationship. It has had an imeasureable affect on my family. My mom, sister, and I will be participating in a walk-a-thon to help raise money for this cause on Saturday, and thanks to many of you, we have each met and surpassed our fund-raising goal. Thank you for your continued prayers!
Diversity Awareness
As an educator, I see the importance of diversity awareness and acceptance in the school setting. And as a human being, I see the importance of it in life on a daily basis. This typically isn't something that people raise money for or wear ribbons for, but it is something that I believe in. Most of us know about the Beatitudes from the Bible (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc...), well these "Beatitudes for Diversity" were included in my church's Sunday bulletin, and I thought they were quite moving:
~Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech,
for you help us persevere until we are understood.
~Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers,
for we find havens of relaxation in your companionship.
~Blessed are you who never bid us to “hurry up,” and more blessed are you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us,
for often we need more time—rather than help.
~Blessed are you who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures,
for the delight we feel when we surprise you outweighs all the frustrating failures.
~Blessed are you who ask for our help,
for our greatest need is to be needed.
So during the month of October let us remember our losses; pray for awareness, progress, and healing; and celebrate our successes and differences!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Blog About Nothing...
So, I'm sure many of you remember the show, Seinfeld..."the show about nothing". Well today's post is going to be a "blog about nothing"...pure randomness. ENJOY!
* Seinfeld was a show that I didn't fully appreciate when it was on. I watched a few episodes here and there, and then I finally started watching it every week towards the end. I always thought it was funny (I mean, pirate sleeves, the Elaine dance, Kramer winning the Tony Award, and the soup nazi?! Super funny). But it wasn't until I started watching reruns, that I truly began to appreciate the brilliance of that show.
* If I was pregnant, I would have a lot more to blog about. (There goes that baby fever thing, again!)
* My sister-in-law was recounting the slumber party she threw for her 11 year old daughter and said that she heard enough "I know, right's and OMG's" to last a life time. I remember when I was in middle school, it was "like this...like that...like totally...like, like, like"
* That reminds me of that Snoop Dogg song lyric, "It's like this and like that and like this and uh. It's like that and like this and like that and uh. It's like this." I know, lyrical brilliance isn't it?!
* I saw Charlie St. Cloud a couple of weeks ago, and I must confess...I've got a bit of a crush on Zack Effron. I never got what the hype was about when he was all High School Musical. But now...he's older, buffed up, and quite dreamy!
* I am in desperate need of a date night.
* Who decided that football games at 8:30 on a Saturday morning where you have to be across town by 8:00, which means we have to leave the house by 7:40 were a good idea? Did I mention that it's a Saturday morning...the one day that I'm supposed to be able to sleep in? Ugh.
* I wonder why Mason feels the need to inform me every time he needs to poop. He can be in the middle of doing something in another room, and he'll just stop and yell, "Mommy! I need to poop!". Not that he needs help or anything. Maybe it's just because he takes so darn long that he doesn't want me to worry if I don't see him or hear from him for a while. Who knows.
* So, I did my 30 days of excercise with my DVD. I really liked it (Not the excercise part. But just the knowing that even if it didn't show in numbers, I was doing something good for myself). I even did it for the first week of school. But I haven't since. And I don't feel bad about it. So unless you: have 2 school aged kids who aren't old enough to drive, work 50 hours a week, have to cook and clean when you get home, have more work from your job to do at home, have football practice & church class, have groceries to get for home and work, and have leukemia...I don't want any lectures about it.
* Wow! That was much more attitude-y than I had planned for it to be. Oh well. I meant it to be light-hearted snarkyness. So, please take it that way.
* I'm $14 short on my Domestic Abuse Walk-a-thon goal. So, if you're reading this and you're interested, you can send me a check made out to "Noah Project Walk-a-thon".
* I am really wanting to settle down and read a good book. I can't imagine when in the world I'll actually find time to do that in the near futures, but I'm feeling the need to. I can't see it happening before Christmas, but who knows...
* I've got to go...Grey's Anatomy just started. Peace out!
* Seinfeld was a show that I didn't fully appreciate when it was on. I watched a few episodes here and there, and then I finally started watching it every week towards the end. I always thought it was funny (I mean, pirate sleeves, the Elaine dance, Kramer winning the Tony Award, and the soup nazi?! Super funny). But it wasn't until I started watching reruns, that I truly began to appreciate the brilliance of that show.
* If I was pregnant, I would have a lot more to blog about. (There goes that baby fever thing, again!)
* My sister-in-law was recounting the slumber party she threw for her 11 year old daughter and said that she heard enough "I know, right's and OMG's" to last a life time. I remember when I was in middle school, it was "like this...like that...like totally...like, like, like"
* That reminds me of that Snoop Dogg song lyric, "It's like this and like that and like this and uh. It's like that and like this and like that and uh. It's like this." I know, lyrical brilliance isn't it?!
* I saw Charlie St. Cloud a couple of weeks ago, and I must confess...I've got a bit of a crush on Zack Effron. I never got what the hype was about when he was all High School Musical. But now...he's older, buffed up, and quite dreamy!
* I am in desperate need of a date night.
* Who decided that football games at 8:30 on a Saturday morning where you have to be across town by 8:00, which means we have to leave the house by 7:40 were a good idea? Did I mention that it's a Saturday morning...the one day that I'm supposed to be able to sleep in? Ugh.
* I wonder why Mason feels the need to inform me every time he needs to poop. He can be in the middle of doing something in another room, and he'll just stop and yell, "Mommy! I need to poop!". Not that he needs help or anything. Maybe it's just because he takes so darn long that he doesn't want me to worry if I don't see him or hear from him for a while. Who knows.
* So, I did my 30 days of excercise with my DVD. I really liked it (Not the excercise part. But just the knowing that even if it didn't show in numbers, I was doing something good for myself). I even did it for the first week of school. But I haven't since. And I don't feel bad about it. So unless you: have 2 school aged kids who aren't old enough to drive, work 50 hours a week, have to cook and clean when you get home, have more work from your job to do at home, have football practice & church class, have groceries to get for home and work, and have leukemia...I don't want any lectures about it.
* Wow! That was much more attitude-y than I had planned for it to be. Oh well. I meant it to be light-hearted snarkyness. So, please take it that way.
* I'm $14 short on my Domestic Abuse Walk-a-thon goal. So, if you're reading this and you're interested, you can send me a check made out to "Noah Project Walk-a-thon".
* I am really wanting to settle down and read a good book. I can't imagine when in the world I'll actually find time to do that in the near futures, but I'm feeling the need to. I can't see it happening before Christmas, but who knows...
* I've got to go...Grey's Anatomy just started. Peace out!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
An Ode to Fall...
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways (in no particular order):
1) Football: OK, so maybe my Cowboys lost last night, but that's OK. It was a crappy game, and #71 (whom Jerry Jones needs to fire, by the way) was probably about 1/3 of the problem. If not for his penalty on the last play of the game, we could have (would have) won. That's not to say it was all his fault...there were a lot of mistakes made. But anyway, at least the Longhorns have won both of their games. Even my high school team, the Cooper Cougars, has won both of their games. It's early, and I have faith in the Cowboys. I just love the excitement of it all!
2) New TV: Yes, I watch too much of it, but I don't care. It makes laundry, grading papers, and even the rare times I get to just lay on the couch much better. Although 2 of my all-time favorites (LOST and 24) are not coming back, I am still looking forward to the return of: Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Parenthood, The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, How I Met Your Mother, Desperate Housewives, Community, Fringe, Private Practice, Glee, and I'm sure there may even be more that I'm missing. I'm so excited!
3) Cooler Weather: Don't laugh. I know it's still plenty hot. But at least we're not in the triple digits anymore! And besides, this is only the beginning. I love a crisp chill in the air and wearing jackets & sweaters. So yes, it's not cool yet, but it won't be too much longer...I can't wait...I hate being hot!
4) Soups: I can eat canned soup and soup from restaurants all year long, but I just don't feel right about making my delicious homemade soups until Fall and Winter. My stand-by's are Bacon Cheeseburger Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup. But last year Ialso found pretty good recipes for Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup and Broccoli Cheese Soup. I just love all of the chopping that's involved. Yum...I can almost taste it now.
5) Holidays: 2 of my 3 favorite holidays are in the fall...Halloween and Thanksgiving. I just love how excited the kids get at Halloween. I enjoy planning and making (at least partially) their costumes. And I love the colors and decorations, too (although I don't have much). As for Thanksgiving, it's a close 2nd to Christmas. It has all of the same good food and the same good family time, but it's a bit more relaxing...plus it's got the Cowboys. (But Christmas is just Christmas, and it just doesn't get better than that.)
Those are some of the reasons why Fall has become my favorite season (and let's not forget the colors and scents that come along with this season...they're delightful)! Yes, I know it's not technically Fall yet...but it's close enough.
So now it's your turn...tell me about your favorite season and why you love it.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
4 Years and 7 Days Ago...
I know, it's a clever title isn't it? But it's not exactly accurate. I just thought it sounded better than 4 years and 11 days ago (that doesn't have the same Gettysburg Address feeling, does it?). And it also goes to show you that in the hustle and bustle of the first two weeks of school, I let my 4 year anniversary date go by unnoticed. Now, that's not to say that I forgot that I have Leukemia. It's just that I was too busy to notice the technicality of it being 4 years since I was diagnosed.
This realization has made me reflect back on that day and the week that followed.
I briefly summarized that day on my second ever blog post (along with the months that preceded and followed it), but I'm feeling the need to reflect in more detail. But here is what I posted then: August 25, 2006 = The first day that our new insurance goes into affect, I get myself to the doctor. I'm not that worried. I get in at 3:30. I tell him about the mass and about my bruising. He starts asking me questions: "Have you been having headaches?"--yes, but I haven't had my eyes checked in 2 years...I probably just need glasses. "Have you been having night sweats?"--sure, but isn't everyone...it's been 104 degrees outside. "What about fatigue?"--of course...I'm a teacher and a mother of 2. By 4:00, he's testing my blood (so they can rule out anything serious). By 4:15, the hematologist/oncologist is telling me that I have leukemia. By 4:30, I am being admitted into the hospital to have my first bone marrow biopsy done.
This time, I'd like to start at 4:20 on that day: So, I had just been told that I had Leukemia and that I had to be admitted into the hospital. The doctor's office was connected to the hospital, so a nurse was just going to walk me in to the ER. What's the first thing I think? "Wait, what about Kevin and the kids?" Kevin had dropped me off so he could take the kids to the pediatrician down the street. He would be back soon to pick me up. (Looking back, I'm still not sure I went about this the best way, but I still can't think of an option that would have been better either.) I knew I didn't want him to get there and have to be told by a nurse about what had happened. I didn't want him to hear it from a stranger...I wanted him to hear it from me. But they wouldn't let me wait for him. They said I had to go right away in order to get the necessary tests done that day. So, I decided to call him. (Now, I'm thinking about my husband who had already had to deal with losing his dad to a heart attack and his mom to breast cancer. How do I possibly tell him that now his wife has leukemia? It seemed like too much.) I didn't know how else to do it, so I just took a deep breath and tried not to cry too much when I told him. The pediatrician and nurses kind of kept the kids while he collected himself, and then they met me at the hospital while I was getting ready for my first bone marrow biopsy (having no idea what to expect, or really even what that meant). When I remember the look on his face when he saw me, it makes me cry every time. I had just laid so much on him, and then I had to leave him to call in to work, keep the kids, and call my parents to let them know. (I can't imagine what that conversation must have been like...having to tell your mother and father-in law that their daughter is sick...getting that call from your son-in-law.) But throughout all of that, I never really thought much about me. I had a very peaceful feeling about that for myself. My fears and sadness only came in when I thought about how much this was all going to affect the people in my life. I can only imagine how I would have felt if the situation had been reversed, and I'm so sorry about that.
That evening, I was told that I would have to be in the hospital for at least 5 more days (Saturday through Wednesday). I wasn't worried about the kids. (My parents, my sister, my little brother, Kevin's sister, and Kevin's brother were all on their way. And my parents were going to stay at least until I was home.) I was worried about school. The next week was only going to be the 3rd week of school, and you just don't miss days like that at the beginning of the year. I didn't have anyone's phone number, so I just had Kevin call my friend, Tosha, because I knew her number was in the phone book. And that very night, I was visited by my her and some of my other besties from school who assured me they had everything taken care of (lesson plans, copies, helping the sub, and anything else that would come up that week).
In case I had forgotten, or had taken it for granted, I was vividly reminded during the days that followed my diagnosis of how blessed I was (and still am) to have such wonderful people in my life who care so much about me. I truly don't know how we would have gotten through that week without everyone. From taking care of the kids, the house, and groceries, taking care of school things, keeping our spirits high, keeping our minds occupied, and even decorating my hospital room, Kevin and I really couldn't have done it without our friends and family.
So, here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us through that week and who continues to help us in any way they can...the biggest of which is prayer! But I'd like to give a special shout-out to a few (in no particular order): Kevin, Mom & Dad, Sheila, Jaime, Josh, Joel, Tosha, Katie, Karen, Kristin, Melanie, Angela, Lisa, Micah, Elliott, Sandy, Sheila W., and many others. I love you all and appreciate everything you did (and still do) more than words can say.
This realization has made me reflect back on that day and the week that followed.
I briefly summarized that day on my second ever blog post (along with the months that preceded and followed it), but I'm feeling the need to reflect in more detail. But here is what I posted then: August 25, 2006 = The first day that our new insurance goes into affect, I get myself to the doctor. I'm not that worried. I get in at 3:30. I tell him about the mass and about my bruising. He starts asking me questions: "Have you been having headaches?"--yes, but I haven't had my eyes checked in 2 years...I probably just need glasses. "Have you been having night sweats?"--sure, but isn't everyone...it's been 104 degrees outside. "What about fatigue?"--of course...I'm a teacher and a mother of 2. By 4:00, he's testing my blood (so they can rule out anything serious). By 4:15, the hematologist/oncologist is telling me that I have leukemia. By 4:30, I am being admitted into the hospital to have my first bone marrow biopsy done.
This time, I'd like to start at 4:20 on that day: So, I had just been told that I had Leukemia and that I had to be admitted into the hospital. The doctor's office was connected to the hospital, so a nurse was just going to walk me in to the ER. What's the first thing I think? "Wait, what about Kevin and the kids?" Kevin had dropped me off so he could take the kids to the pediatrician down the street. He would be back soon to pick me up. (Looking back, I'm still not sure I went about this the best way, but I still can't think of an option that would have been better either.) I knew I didn't want him to get there and have to be told by a nurse about what had happened. I didn't want him to hear it from a stranger...I wanted him to hear it from me. But they wouldn't let me wait for him. They said I had to go right away in order to get the necessary tests done that day. So, I decided to call him. (Now, I'm thinking about my husband who had already had to deal with losing his dad to a heart attack and his mom to breast cancer. How do I possibly tell him that now his wife has leukemia? It seemed like too much.) I didn't know how else to do it, so I just took a deep breath and tried not to cry too much when I told him. The pediatrician and nurses kind of kept the kids while he collected himself, and then they met me at the hospital while I was getting ready for my first bone marrow biopsy (having no idea what to expect, or really even what that meant). When I remember the look on his face when he saw me, it makes me cry every time. I had just laid so much on him, and then I had to leave him to call in to work, keep the kids, and call my parents to let them know. (I can't imagine what that conversation must have been like...having to tell your mother and father-in law that their daughter is sick...getting that call from your son-in-law.) But throughout all of that, I never really thought much about me. I had a very peaceful feeling about that for myself. My fears and sadness only came in when I thought about how much this was all going to affect the people in my life. I can only imagine how I would have felt if the situation had been reversed, and I'm so sorry about that.
That evening, I was told that I would have to be in the hospital for at least 5 more days (Saturday through Wednesday). I wasn't worried about the kids. (My parents, my sister, my little brother, Kevin's sister, and Kevin's brother were all on their way. And my parents were going to stay at least until I was home.) I was worried about school. The next week was only going to be the 3rd week of school, and you just don't miss days like that at the beginning of the year. I didn't have anyone's phone number, so I just had Kevin call my friend, Tosha, because I knew her number was in the phone book. And that very night, I was visited by my her and some of my other besties from school who assured me they had everything taken care of (lesson plans, copies, helping the sub, and anything else that would come up that week).
In case I had forgotten, or had taken it for granted, I was vividly reminded during the days that followed my diagnosis of how blessed I was (and still am) to have such wonderful people in my life who care so much about me. I truly don't know how we would have gotten through that week without everyone. From taking care of the kids, the house, and groceries, taking care of school things, keeping our spirits high, keeping our minds occupied, and even decorating my hospital room, Kevin and I really couldn't have done it without our friends and family.
So, here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us through that week and who continues to help us in any way they can...the biggest of which is prayer! But I'd like to give a special shout-out to a few (in no particular order): Kevin, Mom & Dad, Sheila, Jaime, Josh, Joel, Tosha, Katie, Karen, Kristin, Melanie, Angela, Lisa, Micah, Elliott, Sandy, Sheila W., and many others. I love you all and appreciate everything you did (and still do) more than words can say.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
