Happy Sunday, one and all! This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Yesterday was my Greg’s birthday and it was so delightful to be able to have the energy to cook him one of his favorite meals: Braised beef, scalloped potatoes, caprese, salad and birthday berries for dessert. Spending the day in the kitchen was my happy place, and to have the ability to be the “old me” delivering my love through cooking, was as much a gift to me as it was to Greg!
Then last night, we celebrated Greg and also my Father-in-Law, Jim, whose birthday is coming up on August 6th. Knowing chemo is coming on August 4th, I’m not sure if I will feel well enough to throw him a proper 89th birthday party, so we did a double celebration last night. It was such a fun night! Marcia and Bryan, Valerie and Michael, Jim and Irene, Greg and me and our 3 doggies, all had a wonderful time, laughing, sharing stories and, of course, making much of our birthday boys!
Yesterday morning, I had made up my mind that today was the day I would shave my head. I do still have hair, but it is very, very thin. It is not coming out in clumps, as advertised by those “in the know,” but it is coming out many strands at a time. After all, yesterday was day 20 after chemo, and all the literature says that chemo hair will come out between day 12 and day 20. I feel pretty darn blessed that my hair has lasted this long, even if it is barely there.
My friend Gail, always piping up at all the right times, texted me that while it was hard when her hair came out, she focused on the fact that that meant the chemo was working, and for that she was glad. Thank you Gail! Once again, you gave me a different, better way to think about this journey, and it ALWAYS helps so much!
Anyway, back to my decision yesterday. To shave or not to shave? That was the question. I called my mom to let her know that my cousin’s beautiful prayer shawl had arrived in the mail (Thank you so much Lynn Scott!) and I showed my mom the “damages,” and let a few tears go. Then Marcia came over at about 1:30, armed with a new shaver and tons of supportive love. When I showed her my little pin head, she offered that it may not be time yet. Greg, also, doesn’t want me to rush to shave before its time. Valerie was also with us, hugging and reassuring me. The decision needed to be made (and I didn’t have a lot of time to ponder things, after all, I had a chuck roast I had to get in the oven for the big party!! Hahaha!)
But when it came down to it, I just wasn’t ready. (A compelling reason to shave is because when the hair is falling out, the scalp hurts a bit, like a sunburn, and shaving will alleviate the pain.) But my scalp doesn’t feel too bad, at least not yet.
So that brings us to today. I still have some hair. I want to shave it before I look like Lord of the Ring’s Gollum…but that day is not yet here.
On a much happier note, Sarah flew in last night, after a very successful few days in Las Vegas, speaking in front of hundreds of people, training them to use the “Showpad” software. Man oh man, am I ever proud of our girl! She will be here until Friday, the day after my chemo, so my week will be full and so will be my heart, being with my beautiful family, as I go through my last, few energetic days before Chemo #2.
Today, I decided to risk the germs and return to Mariners, my beloved church. Watching online is just not the same. I’m so glad I did! Kyle Zimmerman preached on James 5 : 13-16:
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
It was a message that was so uplifting and full of comfort. Afterward, I was anointed with oil and prayed over by Kyle’s wife Holiday. I love that today was the day I returned to church! Perfect day, perfect message for me!
I wish you all a wonderful Sunday and hope you feel God’s presence and love for you!
Until next time! xoxox
P.S. Just thought you’d like to know that my Grand-Doggy Dallas isn’t too fond of my wig. Noticing “Vanessa” perched on her styrofoam head on my bed, Dallas felt the need to protect our family from this stranger!
Navigating "New" Normals 