Finished

Yesterday was the day that we finished chemo and thus finished the last leg of this particular journey in life.  I say we because Andy has been in this as much as me.  When we “became one” during our marriage vows, Andy never knew he was signing up for a wife that would be balder than he is.  We joke that he thought the “sickness and health” meant a cold, not cancer.  Don’t we all.    Anyway, scans and follow-ups are in the future, but those will be their own stories.  For now, this is the end of this journey. 

The day was perfect.  Of course, the beautiful 70+ degree sunshine weather alone made it perfect.  But along the way, there were some extra blessings that just made it feel like God was smiling with me. 

It started with me getting up and spending some time with Him in His Word, followed by doing all the dirty dishes in both the restaurant and the residence.  (I was just plain to tuckered to finish up the dishes from Sunday’s cooking classes.  They were washed, but needed sanitized.)   I worked on getting loads of laundry done, showered, made some lunch for my nurses, and even had time for a short little workout before we had to leave at 7:30am.  I felt in control. 

Of course, I took a teeny, tiny snooze on the way up, but no major drool or anything occurred.  When we got to Ascension St. Vincent in Indy, we got a perfect parking space and went walking into chemo for the first time without a coat and sporting flip-flops.  That alone was freeing.

When we got to the chemo department, we were half an hour early, which meant we got one of the two private rooms which was also the one closest to one of the two bathrooms.  Score!!!  The other 11 rooms are partitioned by curtains and aren’t so private.  This was good because I had big plans for getting some work done on the computer, but after the Benadryl they gave me, I was out in a HEAVY sleep while the first round of chemo was administered.  This time with drool.  So, needless to say, I didn’t do any work during that 2 hours of chemo coma. 

Of course, I took the cold pack socks that Michelle Cannava told me to get for neuropathy.  If you know of anyone going through chemo, make sure they have a pair of these socks.  I ordered mine through Amazon.  I was starting to get neuropathy in my feet, but these cold pack socks not only kept that at bay, it also has helped with my plantar fasciitis.

When we were all done, the nurses all came out and took a photo of me and Andy ringing a school bell that signified the end of chemo.  They clapped and even folks in the adjoining waiting room clapped.  To be honest, it got me a little emotional.  When we got on the elevator, a lady got on and said, “Congratulations.  I heard them clapping for you.”

Seriously, I don’t know why it made me emotional.  Truly, I just showed up.  The nurses did all the work.  They were all so kind and professional.  Although I am not a good patient as far as making sure I know everything they are doing to me and what they are giving me, I do try to be a good patient by being kind and positive to my caregivers.  They need to have a good day, too.  Plus, why be remembered for being nasty when it’s so much nicer to be remembered for being positive?

After we left the hospital, we dropped off some honey to Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream.  You know, the folks who make the crazy delicious Honey Graham Ice Cream just for us.  Miera, the owner, was there and came up and gave me a big hug.  They are just the sweetest family.  Of course, we had to get some ice cream to celebrate while we were there.  (Oh, who am I kidding.  We always get an ice cream treat when we go to Sundae’s.)  And wouldn’t you know it- they had my absolute favorite ice cream in the case- Strawberry Road.  It really was a great day!

Before we headed home, we stopped at TJ Maxx and Homegoods in Indy.  There I got some of the baking cups and even the ones with bees on them that I told some of our pie baking students about over the weekend.  Cha-Ching!!!  These little cups are great for making mini quiches and protein souffles for catering gigs. 

This journey has made me more aware of other peoples hiccups in life.  We all have them.  We’re all hurting or struggling in one way or another.  If you haven’t been blessed with a hiccup yet, don’t worry, you will.  It’s all a part of life.  You don’t have a testimony unless you have a test.  I am definitely not perfect.  The big hiccups in life I feel like I can see them more as a test.  It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine that make me loose my Jesus and make me ugly.  I need to work on that and take time to breathe before I react. 

We have a quote hanging in The Cottage that says, “We’re all just walking each other home.”  Throughout this journey, this quote has become more real to me.  It has gotten into my bones.  For years, I have thought it was good to be transparent in relationships.  None of us are perfect.  None of us have it all together.  When we share our hiccups and struggles, I think it brings us closer together.  I think it is the soil and fertilizer that grace needs to grow. 

I am so appreciative of all of you who have come along side me “walking me home”.  So many people have cheered for me, prayed for me, encouraged me, and have just been gracious to me.  Thank you.  Your kindness has made me a better person.  You are part of my testimony as I tell my story.  And although this phase is over, our stories are not finished.

Blessings,

Jodi