The Sunny Side of Life

The weather has been so dreary here in St. Louis lately. We've had days of snow, rain, and bitter cold. As the snow melted, the kids spent more time outside, which of course, means mud tracked through the house, filthy loads of laundry (because they just HAVE to change outfits 20 times a day it seems!) and kids with schnotty sniffles because they think it must be summer if it "heats up" over the freezing point. It also seems that the missing glove travesties begin around this time of the winter. The problem with gloves lying around in the Jones house is that our beloved dog, Andre, eats them! He eats dirty socks too, but I'll save that lovely story for another day.

Well, yesterday the sun came out! I actually had to wear my sunglasses to chemo! There's something about the sun just makes crummy days tolerable. Well, yesterday was a good day at the Siteman Cancer Research Center for me! I had an appointment with my oncologist prior to my chemotherapy. I haven't seen her in some time because I've been being followed by the radiation oncology, surgical and neurology departments since the end of last year. My doctor walked into the examining room and was surprised! She said that she had been contacted during her family vacation to be told that I had gone into acute renal failure (which, in fact, was true.) She was worried that I would not be well at all. Instead I met her with a smile. She was happy to hear that I was actually feeling very well. The good news is that my creatine level is down below a 1, my blood counts are perfect and my hemoglobin is above an 11! My normal on hemo is a 9! She looked at her notes and said, "Well, I guess I'll go ahead and approve you to start chemo today!" Well, apparently she wasn't aware that I started last week! Oops! That made her even more pleased with my numbers. I'm going to zap the well, stuff, out of this cancer!

Anyway, I stopped at the hospital cafeteria for a very good lunch. Five dollars bought me two wonderful slices of turkey roast, cornbread dressing, green beans and a yummy cranberry salad! With a full belly, I headed back up for my chemo. As I was being prepped I chatted with a lovely lady next to me and her husband. I couldn't help but think of my mother as we chatted. She had the same shaped face, blue eyes and bald head as Mom! Only moments later, as she was heading towards the restroom, Mrs. B lost her balance and came crashing down onto the floor, IV pole and all. Her head hit the supply cart in two different places, causing a huge laceration and a goose egg the size of an orange. I tried to stand up to catch her, but I was helpless and not fast enough. I felt just awful not being able to help, but fortunately she was surrounded by nurses and doctors in only seconds. I hurt for her as I watched the EMT roll her out on a stretcher to be taken across the street to the ER. Please pray for Mrs. B and her husband. She's trying so hard to fight this cancer, and now she's fighting for her life again.

When I got home I was worn out and was not looking forward to preparing a full meal for the kids. An old high school friend (well, he's not old, not really) ;-) sent me a gift card for the kids' favorite restaurant, O'Charley's. I took advantage and we all went out to eat!!! The kids had fun, and I enjoyed watching them while I sat back and smiled. So often my life seems to be chaotic. Something is always waiting to be done. But moments like last night are cherished moments. I'm blessed. God gave me such a beautiful family, full of humor, laughter and compassion. Last night we forgot, for just a moment, how sick I've become. We just enjoyed being together, sharing our food, and being a family. I came home with my 5 stuffed children who were ready for baths and bed by 7! What a perfect night!

This morning is my "morning off". ALL of my kids are in school and my house is SILENT! Alyssa and Brandon will come home on their little school bus by noon, so I best go take advantage of this peace, do a little reading, and maybe even take a nap! I think about and pray for all of you ... friends, family and those who know me through my blog that I don't even know! Have a blessed day!

Until Tomorrow,

Kathy ... 2 chemo treatments down ... taking on cancer and trying to keep on the sunny side of life