75: Little surprise blessings make everything manageable; how I survived my son's chemotherapy.
4-09-2018 Benjamin finished the induction period for his chemo!!! His little body gets two weeks off to recoup!
At first when he started chemo the thought of it was pretty terrifying, But Ben is working really hard at being brave and he is doing well. I am so excited for him that he made it through induction (the most intense part of treatment) and he gets to rest for two weeks.
We are counting so many little blessings every day it is amazing. A funny one - this weekend there was a potluck fundraiser, and nothing tastes good to Ben anymore so he examined all the fancy homemade food not finding anything at all he felt like he could eat- and at the end of the table (his plate with one mini cupcake on it) someone had brought burritos from Taco Bell! ((The only food he reliably still likes)). He took one and ate (a few bites) with the family and played and had fun all night- and Bob and I laughed that whoever brought the burritos probably never imagined what a sweet blessing that it would be for Ben. So, thank you to whoever brought the burritos and for everyone who has blessed us along this rough journey! The little blessings make everything manageable.
Blessings can come in the most unexpected ways! Think back… what is a nice surprise or unexpected pleasure you have experienced recently?
Also, time to recoup is wonderful. If you had a weekend to go and do anything you could dream of – what would you do to refresh your body and soul?
What if you had one HOUR tonight to recoup – what is the most relaxing and rejuvenating thing you could do with your hour?
What is standing in the way of you doing that rejuvenating activity tonight?
What can you actually do to recoup tonight?
(I hope you find a way to squeeze some time for relaxing and refreshing into your night)
This is just one of a hundred tools that helped me including:
A: BEFORE DIAGNOSIS
B: Diagnosis and PRE-SURGERY HOSPITAL STAY
C: SURGERY D: RECOVERY in patient
E: At home recovery F. CHEMO
70 I was terrified, and it went wonderfully …
71 life was unfair- understanding & compassion for another
72 EVERYONE HATES CHEMO -
73 Do not despair.
74 Unknowns in the future affect each of us differently.
75 The little surprise blessings make everything manageable.
76 Life is fragile. Create a special moment with a loved one.
77 We cannot be perfect; don’t push yourself past your limits.
78 Excitement about physical activity.
79 Motherhood: HARD uncomfortable and overwhelming.
80 What group could you join for support?
81 Wishes are magical things.
82 Refusing to acknowledge fear only creates more pain.
83 Remembering your best journey can be a nice distraction.
84 What dreams do you have for yourself?
85 hard to watch a little heart break.
86 Feelings can bring our needs to our attention.
87 Anticipating an upcoming trip can give us joy.
88 VIP treatment sure feels good, thank you Make-a-Wish.
89 Worry - listen to your fear and take steps to protect yourself.
90 The resilience of kids is just amazing.
91 Devote time to things that really matter to you.
92 We MAKE time for the things that are truly priorities.
93 Don’t let worry for the future rob TODAY of nice moments.
94 We have help and people on the sidelines cheering us on.
95 The good we throw out in the world always comes back to us.
96 A mom who cares and does her best (not perfection).
G. FAILING CHEMO H. WATCH AND WAIT
I. NEEDING NEW TREATMENT
J. END OF NEW TREATMENT / watch and wait
** Living life one day at a time.
Topics I have thought and talked a lot about over the last few years include:
#momguilt #PediatricBrainTumor #Neurofibramatosis
#Glioma #Astrocytoma #PilocyticAstrocytoma
#BrainTumor #OpticNerveGlioma #PediatricBrainSurgery
#NF1 #ParentingChronicIllness #watchandwait
#copingskills #ChildhoodCancer
#Carboplatin #Vincrystine
#nevergiveup #thereishope #PediatricBrainCancer