Things are falling into place for our treatments in Lawton. Whew! My chemo is scheduled for Friday at 10:30, so we should get away from the hospital around 1. The chemo drip only lasts for an hour, but they have to weigh me and then drip in other meds (to dilute the chemo and prevent reactions) first, so it takes a while to get it all done. It’s all an easy process, though. We’re going to pack up the car and be ready to head for home right after the chemo. If we can leave by 1, we think we can be home by 10 or 11, depending on how much we have to stop. It’ll be so good to be home. That will give us all day Saturday to acclimate to being home, get the house cooled down, etc. It’s our style: push.
I know Don is really eager to be at home and so am I, so if he’s up to the drive, I’m up for the ride. We can always stop on the way and spend the night if we get too tired, but I think we’ll make it fine.
I tried to brush out all my hair today and there is really a lot that still wants to stay. Now, I’m looking like my granddaddy! All gray, curly hair; never in my life did I ever expect to remind myself of Granddaddy. It’s another honor to me, though. If I could have some of his personality and character qualities, I’d be so pleased. Actually, his hair was beautiful, too, so I thank God for even reminding me of him. It’s pretty shocking on me, but this is a fun trip I’m taking with this hair transition. I thought sure I’d be bald by today, but I may make it to church Sunday without a hat. HA; we’ll just see.
The blog pictures today are the ones of Judy and I at MD Anderson yesterday. You can see that we thoroughly enjoy every moment together. Again, I thank God to get to share this time with her. My wildest dreams would have never put me here to share such a great time with her. We’ve dreamed of doing a spa trip together sometime; I guess this is a version of that? Well, it’s as close as we’ll get for a while, so we’ll enjoy it for all it’s worth! Counting the blessings! Our God is so awesome!
PS: Today 3 of our grandsons considered shaving their heads to support me, but as much as they love me, they decided that was too far to go. J The consideration was an honor to me, but I don’t want anyone to go there! (Except Bob Clark and Joe DeSantis; I love their support because they shave their heads all the time and I love being in their club!) If for some reason you choose to wear your hair gone, or it happens for you like it has me, then I think you should enjoy it all the way. That’s what I’m doing my best to do. The only support I need is for you to love me with or without hair; that’s awesome support for me. Aren’t grandsons GREAT!!!
I know Don is really eager to be at home and so am I, so if he’s up to the drive, I’m up for the ride. We can always stop on the way and spend the night if we get too tired, but I think we’ll make it fine.
I tried to brush out all my hair today and there is really a lot that still wants to stay. Now, I’m looking like my granddaddy! All gray, curly hair; never in my life did I ever expect to remind myself of Granddaddy. It’s another honor to me, though. If I could have some of his personality and character qualities, I’d be so pleased. Actually, his hair was beautiful, too, so I thank God for even reminding me of him. It’s pretty shocking on me, but this is a fun trip I’m taking with this hair transition. I thought sure I’d be bald by today, but I may make it to church Sunday without a hat. HA; we’ll just see.
The blog pictures today are the ones of Judy and I at MD Anderson yesterday. You can see that we thoroughly enjoy every moment together. Again, I thank God to get to share this time with her. My wildest dreams would have never put me here to share such a great time with her. We’ve dreamed of doing a spa trip together sometime; I guess this is a version of that? Well, it’s as close as we’ll get for a while, so we’ll enjoy it for all it’s worth! Counting the blessings! Our God is so awesome!
PS: Today 3 of our grandsons considered shaving their heads to support me, but as much as they love me, they decided that was too far to go. J The consideration was an honor to me, but I don’t want anyone to go there! (Except Bob Clark and Joe DeSantis; I love their support because they shave their heads all the time and I love being in their club!) If for some reason you choose to wear your hair gone, or it happens for you like it has me, then I think you should enjoy it all the way. That’s what I’m doing my best to do. The only support I need is for you to love me with or without hair; that’s awesome support for me. Aren’t grandsons GREAT!!!
I think you are going to be a beautiful person without your hair just as much as with hair! Your face shines in the pictures today and you look so happy! I'm amazed at all that I have learned about you and your spirit......I thought I really knew my mom......I'm so proud to be your daughter. Keep up your spirit and inner beauty and your outer beauty will shine just like it did today in the pictures! You are so brave and special. I LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteJILLY
WOW! Jilly, you blow me away! It's me, Mom. I'm the same old Mom. It's wonderful that you think I'm brave and you're proud to be my daughter. You've made my day!!!
ReplyDeleteMy face is shining in those pictures because I'm with Judy; you know she is my special friend. Remember when she called the house and you answered the phone and gave her the office number? Then you called me to warn me that someone asking for Mary Jo would be calling. That was a turning point in my life. Without her support and the support all my Itazuke friends have given me over the last nearly 20 years I would have been a very different person. How blessed I am to have her so close at this time.
God has been so good to me to give me tremendous family and friends. Thanks for all you mean in my life and for this sweet note! I LOVE YOU, TOO! You make me very proud!
Mom
Wow...those are two very hot looking women in that picture....not a day over 49 or 50 at the most. dana
ReplyDeleteHay Mary Jo - OK this is my first attempt to respond on your blog, hope I'm doing this right. Have been consumed with things on my end but just went to check out how things were with you. First of all, Happy Belated Bithday, sorry I missed it. Had no idea you were soooooo much younger than me! - I was 59 in May. The pictures from the last week are great and I want to say that you look absoulutly radient and beautiful in the ones from today. Really, the more hair you loose the better looking you get. Please don't take that comment the wrong way as you have always been nice looking but really, the pics today with Judy, you really look great. I can say this and know that Don won't be jealous, in fact he's a lucky guy!
ReplyDeleteMary Jo, you are such a continuing inspiration in my life as I know you are in so many other lives with your attitude - I want to be just like you when I grow up! You and Don have been such a blessing to me over the past year with your encouragement and support while all along dealing with your own struggles. Better friends no one could ever hope to have. God has been so faithful to bless me with your friendship and wisdom and I am so greatful for the bond we have formed. You both remain in my thoughts and prayers and I will try to stay in closer contact.
God gave me a verse the other morning and I know it was not only for me but for you and another close friend that has cancer too. Read Exd.14-Vs'13&14, replace the word Egyptians with struggles (NIV).
I'm gald you are home and that plans have been worked our for your treatments. Keep your head high and stay focused on God and His never ending grace. My love and aloha to you and Don - Bob
Wow! What beautiful comments from your daughter and Bob to add to your long list from others!! I'm not only inspired by you, but by others in your life as well!! I read Bob's scripture reference using the word "struggles"...a good thought to cling to! I will just say "amen" to everything Gretta said...You and Judy do both shine with happiness and love for each other in those pictures! One more thing for a trip down memory lane...if your hair is like Grandaddy's, I need to come comb it before you lose it! Do you remember what a favorite thing it was for me to stand and comb his hair when I was a little girl? Those waves and curls were so neat!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are having so much fun with the transition and how sweet of the boys to consider shaving their heads in your support! Have a good trip home and remember I'm going to be there on your shoulder making sure you say "no" when you need to!
I love you,
Ruthie
Dana, you are such a hoot! What would we do without you? You should have been there the day that we were at WalMart and I took Judy over to the MacDonald's to get a senior drink. She was horrified at the idea of getting a senior drink, but the idea of getting a bargain intrigued her. I asked how much would a senior drink be and the girl said, "For YOU, it'll be 42 cents, but for HER it'll be 75 cents. Don was with us and the three of us busted up in laughter! Don said, "She rests her case," as Judy was doubled over in laughter. I persisted that we are the SAME age, so the girl said, "Okay; I'm sorry, we just always go by the hair color." It was another memory to treasure. Judy pled with me years ago to not let my hair go gray because it would make me look older. Duh. She's right, AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Mary Jo
Bob, did you ever do responding to the blog right! I'm glad I read Gretta's note last night because she made my day yesterday. Now, you've made it for today!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm beginning to wonder if this gray hair is the hair that replaced what fell out in Hawaii and maybe it won't fall out? See, I guess I've gone to dreaming; maybe it's the chemo brain thing! Anyway, it is hair and it is here, so I guess I'll wear it and enjoy it. It's so nice of you to make me feel good about it. It's kind of fun to me to be shedding; it reminds me of the good time we had at your house the last time I was shedding!
I kind of hate it that this Hawaii trip didn't work because we really were looking forward to spending some time with you. It's going to be good to be home, though. I hope we can get done with these treatments and we can use those tickets to come and celebrate in Hawaii late next spring.
Thanks for sharing the scripture. I don't have an NIV with me, here, but my King James worked, too. For anyone reading this without a Bible handy, it goes(remember to replace Egyptians with struggles) :
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
With God, family and friends . . . goodness, we're in great shape! Thanks so much for being in that group, Bob! We love you lots!
Mary Jo
Oh, Ruthie, no I don't remember you combing Granddaddies hair, but I can imagine it! By all means come quick! Meet us in Hobart just as soon as you can get there, because this hair will surprise me if it is here through Sunday. It is really surprising me, though, that it's here today! The odd thing is that the dark hair is what's falling out. I'm wondering if this is the hair that came back in after I lost a bunch of hair in Hawaii. Maybe these hair folicles are tougher and will STAY???
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. I think it will all go, but it is lingering. HURRY. Go pack right now. We're leaving after the chemo tomorrow, so we'll be home tomorrow night around 11:00. Can you come, now??? It'll be perfect timing for us! Come if you can!!!
Yes, I'm so blessed with a wonderful support group! God is great to give these folks to me in abundance, just like all His blessings!
Love you, (go pack, but pack light; we can wash!)
Mary Jo
It was me who left the ROAR message! I remember when I was little I thought that was awful strange. Funny how things change....I love going to Yoga and doing the "roar". No one can do it as good as mamasan there though, and thank God everyone is dressed there! :) Elena is rolling over. She weighs 12 pounds and 4 ounces. I can't believe she will be 6 months old in 10 days! I'M DYING TO COME SEE RAYNE! Only 2 more months maybe!
ReplyDeleteJIllY
Jilly, Ruthie and I figured it had to be you with the ROAR message. How cute that you know others doing it, now, but you remember that Mamasan did it the best! She was quite the trooper and LION!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Elena is approaching 13 pounds! I can't wait to hold her, again! Today I got to hold Colter, and he's a chunk at over 14 pounds, so I'll still be able to handle Elena when she gets here. Besides, she's such a big girl, she'll be sitting up, soon.
I can hardly wait to get home to the pictures you sent! Those blue eyes are calling me!
Love you,
Mom