Nothing is in concrete. Just when we think we have a plan it falls to pieces. Today the Lawton plan fell to pieces, BUT we got it put back together, I THINK. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is that we’ll have to stay here and do the chemo treatment on the 10th and then go home on the 11th. I’ll have an appointment with the oncologist in Lawton on the 13th and then we’ll do treatments every Thursday after that. Whew. That’s what we’ll do for 8 weeks, then we’ll go into a 12 week program of a different chemo which we’ll do only one treatment every 3 weeks.
That sounds like we have it all planned, but I’ve figured out that they subscribe to a thing I read not long ago: “If there is bad news, it’s best to give it in small pieces.” Just when I think I have the plan straight, they tell me another detail that kinks the whole plan. They aren’t big into seeing that I have no stress; that’s for sure! I’m sure there will be kinks along the way, but I’m committed to going with the flow and I refuse to let it get me down. Big talk, huh?
My head is itching and when I go there to scratch I find little sores. That’s what happened before I lost it the last time, so I really believe this is the last few days of hair for me. I’m putting pictures of hair on the blog tonight because I may wake up with it all on my pillow any day. I hope it goes that quickly. Ha! Maybe a picture on the blog soon will be Don buzzing my last wisps. These pictures are cool because notice how curly my hair is. It used to be mostly straight, maybe a few waves, but certainly not curly. I think God is cool to give me a shot at curly hair at this stage in life. Think about it; He doesn’t even have to give hair back at all, but I got curly, even! My friend, Judy says I should use lipstick with some color and she’s probably right, so that’ll be a new adventure for me. Watch for the new me. :)
Thank God for cell phones, oncologists, caring nurses and staff, and wonderful family and friends who support us in so many ways. Thank you for being one of those. I love you.
That sounds like we have it all planned, but I’ve figured out that they subscribe to a thing I read not long ago: “If there is bad news, it’s best to give it in small pieces.” Just when I think I have the plan straight, they tell me another detail that kinks the whole plan. They aren’t big into seeing that I have no stress; that’s for sure! I’m sure there will be kinks along the way, but I’m committed to going with the flow and I refuse to let it get me down. Big talk, huh?
My head is itching and when I go there to scratch I find little sores. That’s what happened before I lost it the last time, so I really believe this is the last few days of hair for me. I’m putting pictures of hair on the blog tonight because I may wake up with it all on my pillow any day. I hope it goes that quickly. Ha! Maybe a picture on the blog soon will be Don buzzing my last wisps. These pictures are cool because notice how curly my hair is. It used to be mostly straight, maybe a few waves, but certainly not curly. I think God is cool to give me a shot at curly hair at this stage in life. Think about it; He doesn’t even have to give hair back at all, but I got curly, even! My friend, Judy says I should use lipstick with some color and she’s probably right, so that’ll be a new adventure for me. Watch for the new me. :)
Thank God for cell phones, oncologists, caring nurses and staff, and wonderful family and friends who support us in so many ways. Thank you for being one of those. I love you.
Hey Little One....Whether you lose a little or a lot of hair, no matter how it comes back, and no matter how many kinks are thrown into your plans, I know you will handle it all with grace and dignity and thankfulness! You are a winner and keeping us all smiling as we stay by your side on this journey. Dot was again sharing with me after church tonight what an awesome person you are; and I'm so richly blessed that you are MY awesome sister!!
ReplyDeleteJust keep hanging on and ride out the little bumps in the road!
We love you! Ruithie & Phil
Thanks for your confidence in me. It's because I have all the great support that I can handle this journey; I felt so sorry for the lady last week who was in class to learn how to change her own bandage. Her husband just can't stand to look at it? My heart breaks for her; I know our God will provide for her, too if she believes and trusts, but I'm concerned about her husband!!! I wonder how he believes?
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to be your sister. I'd be in a fix if I hadn't had you to show me everything when we were growing up; I'd have to be making things up as I go, but you prepared me well.
Riding out the bumps; maybe Phil taught me that. Bless your hearts; you both had the patience to teach me how to drive!
Thanks for loving us!
MJ
You are such an inspiration, Sissy. I know you will take each obstacle and roll with it. Ruthie is lucky to have you as a real sister and I am so blessed to have you as my adopted sister. You are the best! I love you. Terri
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful with your curly hair, you looked beautiful when it was straight, and you will still look beautiful with no hair! You are one of those people richly blessed with inner beauty that shines so bright people probably won't even notice your baldness. Those hats or a wig may boost your confidence but the rest of us will only see the lady with grace, style, love, courage and and then some! You're the best. Love, Patty
ReplyDeleteSweet Sis, Ruthie remembers me terrorizing her room; never could I keep anything neat. We have lots of good memories, but I'm sure she remembers what a pain I was, too. God love her!
ReplyDeleteYou and I can just make memories and that's sure fun! We're blessed to have each other, too. Thanks for loving me like you do!
Love you,
Sissy
Patty! How sweet of you to keep coming back with great support! Judy and I have thought of you and missed you so much in our time together recently!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments; you know I heed them! I'm thinking no matter what, I'll enjoy the no hair. I've had the opinion for so long that the best hair is gone hair, so I'm going to get to have a real swing at it. The curls have been intersting. Whatever I get will be fun.
Thanks for sticking with me! I love and miss you! I feel like I went through a really important stage in life with you and Judy when we were 12 and 13. Now I'm certainly going through a new stage in life and it's really a comfort to have you two close for it. Mary Jo
Jo,
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving a nice message on Kailan's webpage. My mom told me you had a picc line now and how changing the dressing was also unpleasant for you. Kailan absolutely hated the alcohol! She was so brave getting her chemo, but having that thing changed was a nightmare. I enjoy looking at the pictures on your blog...your hair is really wavy. Kailan's looks like it is coming in wavy too. Maybe when it comes back the color will change too...you never know.
Lots of love,
Rene' www.caringbridge.org/visit/kailanhaught
It's so good to hear from you, Rene, but I don't know how to accent your 'e.'
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying keeping up with your family. Brenna looks so much like you. Kailan is my role model!
Thanks for all your updates; I'm keeping a close eye on you all and pray for a wonderful time at the beach and a great school year!
Love,
Jo
Mary Jo,
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration to even as you were so many years ago in the Land of the Rising Sun. I came close to writing you last night as my strength and faith wavered at around 3:45 am our time (EDT). As night approaches I become increasingly agitated but unfortunately it is a manifestation of my little problem. Even with medication nighttime is becoming harder and harder for me. But last night I read your blog and your upbeat attitude and unwavering faith actually made me feel better.
When I get to feeling this way, at least when I can remember the episode, I like to read D.H. Lawrence’s poem titled Self Pity:
"I NEVER saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop dead frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself."
Martin Luther, the father of the Lutheran movement, made many profound statements on religion but he made lesser known comments. One I have often found amusing but yet…Luther said, "Experience has proved the toad to be endowed with valuable qualities. If you run a stick through three toads, and, after having them in the sun, apply them to any pestilent tumour, they draw out all the poison, and the malady will disappear."
Mary Jo, there might just be a chance I can go find all the world three toads apiece but since I can not, I’ll leave you with these three words, God Loves You!
Gene (64)
Gene, you couldn't leave me with any better than those three words! You amaze me. I know it's not easy for you to write on the computer and then you write such a lengthy note! What awesome support you are to me, and I surely appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad if I can encourage you and help you to get through some long nights. I sleep like a brick, but tonight I think my hair will be dropping on my pillow because it's coming out by the gobs. So tonight if you're up reading this imagine me sleeping in a ball cap. That should help you to smile.
We get accustomed to women with hair, and I'm used to having lots of hair, but I keep it short. I'm not crazy about hair, so I've always said the best hair is gone hair. I'm about to have gone hair, so I'm going to get to either have some real fun or else eat some words.
You know, whether I have hair or not I feel like all my supporters will still support me and love me and like you said, God loves me. Who can be against me with suppport like that???
Thanks so much for being on my team. You surely inspire me to hang tough!
With a cobra hug and love and prayers,
Mary Jo