This is it. The final day of a long, long journey. Paula the pump finished her job overnight, and today Mom goes for one last weekly visit to Southlake to have the pump taken off, and the PICC line removed.
She’s done.
Everyone together now… exhale.
We’ve made light of it along the way, celebrated family with cupcakes and told cancer where to go – all at the same time. I think every person in my family has used the line – “we’re really good at cancer” at least once. We’ve picked a disease to stick with, but we come out swinging every time and today we can celebrate that we’ve kicked it once again. If you can’t laugh, you’ll cry, so we’ve chosen to laugh as much as possible.
The O and M on top were for the littles… we try and maintain some sense of appropriateness
We haven’t done it alone. The outpouring of love and support on this blog, to our emails or on coffee dates has been overwhelming. Whether it’s dropping by to check in, calling every single day when you’re supposed to be on vacation, or flat out insisting that yes you will be driving to the next appointment, no it is not a bother, and yes you will gladly wait for hours and hours while the chemo slowly pumps through – it has all been appreciated not just by Mom, but by everyone in our family.
Bringing smiles with a touch of flare
Through it all, I have often thought (and I know she has too) how people can possible fight this fight alone. It’s beyond me.
Everybody on 3 – 1, 2, 3 – Fuck Cancer!
There have been hundreds of comments about Mom’s strength, perseverance and determination. And I’ll agree, the Olympians we celebrated last month have nothing on her. She’s been asked over and over, “how do you do it?” Her answer, always with a smile and soft chuckle – “I don’t really see any other option.” But I’m here to tell you as we start the long process of putting this horrible experience behind us what her secret has been.
Happy Mom.
It’s you.
She has drawn on your strength, on your support and on your friendship. You have made sure she knows that she is loved and she is needed and she is not alone. And by extension you’ve made our whole family feel that love too.
And so from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for being there, for cheering her on, for checking in, for keeping track and for counting down right along with us.
Thank you for being our silver lining.
Silver lining
A friend of Mom’s sent this to me last week to be included in our #lovefor60onthe4th countdown. I thought it was an excellent way to wrap this whole thing up.
The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things
Love is powerful. It can change everything in an instant…and for a lifetime. But, it’s something that’s not to be taken for granted. In fact, it’s often the little things, the compliment, the extra hug, the special effort to make your loved one smile that makes love grow. It’s not the most expensive gift, but the gift of heart that makes the difference.
Onward and Upward – right Molls?!
The Ginger & The Giant 