Life is normal... ish. Thursday I talked to my principal about possibly working half days and told her I wasn't seeing my kids, etc. She completely understood, she's awesome, and we called a sub to come talk to me about the possibility of him filling in for a while. My dad doesn't want to work everyday, I wouldn't want him to, I hope I don't have to when I retire. :) Anyway, Thursday at work I took my nap and felt great all day. I was awake and not sick that night, played with the little dudes, everything was rosy. Friday, same thing, rosy. Today is Saturday, I haven't taken any anti-nausea since last night and I've felt good all day. Hmmmm, maybe I will have normal-ish days. So I did talk to the sub about working for me half days maybe part of the week after chemo, more if I needed it, less if I didn't. Here's what the most recent thoughts are. And I'm sure after chemo and the whole "everyone handles it differently" thing this will again change, but I like to have plans for some reason. So, my dad will work Fridays for sure (maybe 1/2 of Thursday too for acupuncture) and the following Monday. We'll see how I'm feeling. If I'm feeling functionable, then I'm going to have other sub work 1/2 day Tuesday, maybe Wednesday as well, and see what's happening in the puke world. Its probably going to be hardest on my students, they'll have me sometimes, dad sometimes, and teacher #3 sometimes. They'll live. My after lunch class is the regular skippers anyway. Most days they don't know if they're in the right class at all, so it probably won't phase them. The last period class is Freshman. They're too hopped up on caffeine and hormones by that time that the teacher standing there yelling at them is really immaterial. So, I'll get to see my kids a normal amount, maybe even more, and sort of teach.
So, chemo #2 is Friday. Anytime I'm feeling nauseous from this stuff, the word "chemical" makes my stomach turn. I watched "How It's Made" the other night and they were making some plastic-y thing with all sorts of chemicals, and I couldn't handle it. I went to bed. I could, however, finish an entire peanut butter mildshake with ease. I promised half to dad, he didn't get half. There's still a lot of normal in my life.
This is the first weekend in a while that we have been able to hang out as a family, just the four of us. It was over a month ago that I had surgery, and we've had people coming to visit and help out, and make food, etc. I have absolutely loved having everyone here and been totally spoiled by all the food and the helping with diapers, but I thought about it today and we haven't been together on a weekend with nothing to do since like early August, maybe even before that. We went to Corvallis today, had lunch and played in the fountain by the river. People at the bakery where we had lunch were making faces and smiling at my adorable children, and I got to feel like a normal happy family. Aw, so nice. Cannon of course had food all over himself and was thrilled. He waved his arms and yelled what I'm sure he means as hello. Max of course didn't say anything to anyone other than, "no." Tomorrow we have more big plans of nothing. Probably a trip to the playground, and some other seemingly boring things. We certainly have a new appreciation for the normal day, I couldn't be more excited to have them.
I also got a call today from my "project H.E.R." person. I'm supposed to know what that stands for I'm sure, but I don't. Its the person that's sort of assigned to me, to check in with me who has been through it all before. Other places its called Reach to Recovery Volunteer. Anyway, she's been talking to someone else as well. Don't worry, I'm not the jealous type. This other woman is about to go through the same surgery I went through, with at least one of the same doctors. She had some questions and wanted to know if I'd be willing to talk to her. I was excited! She was on her way out the door, but I'll talk to her tomorrow. Look at me, being the boob expert, saving the world. I love it!
7 comments:
Project H.E.R, which stands for Help, Enlightenment, and Resources, is a network of breast cancer survivors. They provide support to women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mo said " working for me half days maybe part of the week after chemo, more if I needed it",Bob Says"good idea"!
Hey boob expert - Matt and I did the walk for the cure this morning. However, because of the thousands of people walking it was no longer a walk. It was a try not to step on the heels of the person in front of you shuffle. After walking about 1/8th of a mile in a half an hour Matt and I snuck out of the crowd, gave Lauren a loving 'peace out' sign, and walked back to our car. So...don't hate us because we didn't REALLY walk :) We definately thought of you. It was great to see everyone in pink (my favorite color ever!). I don't think I've seen so many guys in pink in my life. I loved it. Glad things are going better! Love you Mo Klumph Boob Expert.
I experienced another amazing day in "cancer-land" when I participated in the Race for The Cure in Portland today. And, yes, I did walk (along with some more of "Mo's People") the entire distance. It was a bit slow, but I was fascinated by the variety of people - male, female, young, old - and the survivors all wore pink while the supporters wore something other than that. At the end of the race people separated into two lines and the survivors (that will be YOU next year, Mo!) walked through one set of arches while the supporters walked through a different one. Sheryl Kelly (she walked with us) and I got a little 'misty' watching that happen.
The coolest thing, though, was when Sheryl and I offered to buy two pink capes from a couple of young girls that were in the Dick's Sporting Goods booth. We explained that we had been too late to get some before the race (they ran out) and . . . get ready for this, I played the cancer card . . . that my daughter-in-law was undergoing chemo and her two little boys would love the capes. They GAVE us the capes which really did make us cry. I'm sure they thought we were severely hormonal :). And then we also scored on the foam pink bunny ears at another booth (no, we didn't have to cry for them!). So, Max and Cannon have some sweet pink capes and bunny ears to play with or chew on.
So, it was a great day - kept some pretty cool company, completed the entire race, and got some good pink stuff (Sam's favorite color!) for Max & Cannon! Go Mo go!
I'm with Debbie. It was a great day. Just walking I obviously knew there were a lot of people and I heard that there was an estimated 45,000 but I didn't realize what that looked like. We were walking up Broadway and you turn around at the Broadway Bridge so the crowd kind of goes uphill there and you can actually see how many people are in front of you and behind you. I've never seen anything like it. So cool. And people had hats, balloons, pink feather boas, decorated bras on the outside of their shirts--all kinds of interesting ways to show their support in their own individual way. Portland's race is (from what I have heard) the second largest in the country, they raise an estimated $3 million each year, and 75% of that stays in Oregon to fund local programs. Those stats are for you math people. For us sappy liberal arts people, it was just a really good way to spend a day and a truly amazing thing to be a part of. So next year Mo, we are going all out--pink wigs, feather boas, maybe some capes, and any other way we can think of to drape more pink on ourselves because I will be doing this for years to come!! I'm supposed to send my best to you from Warren and Nikula and their two kids and Dave Morrison, all of whom walked with us today. Their oldest, Carter, gave me a pink carnation to give to you but it didn't make the whole trip and according to Lauren they don't dry well anyway, but its the thought that counts. Long story short, thanks for giving us a reason to do something really cool today.
Hey Mo!
Just wanted to say hi and let you know the Porter's are praying for you and the fam. Of course, I think you should bag the teaching and just go fly fishing with your "boys". :) Tell your Dad he can suck it up and teach those little dorks for a while. ;) On a serious note we are all pulling for you and so glad you are on the road to recovery. Clinton has been keeping us informed and just gave us the link to your blog tonight.
Take care!
The Porter's (Dusty, Holli and Maisen)
So glad you had a fun, normal day with your family! It sounds like you guys had a great weekend.
The walk yesterday was fun - I'll send you some pics. I'm looking forward to next year when you're walking with us!!
I love normal...is there such thing? I am so glad that you have found it! The boob expert is awesome, I bet that gal will be so thankful that she gets to talk to you! I didn't realize you had chemo again so soon. I pray it goes better and less puking! Is Cannon crawling all over now? Has be attacked Max's toys yet?
Love ya Mo!
Rachel
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