Today, she had an appointment with her Oncologist. My dear mother flew other there yesterday morning, returning today, to go with her. She's great at moral support and it's good to have another set of ears to translate information. More on my mom's trip in a bit.....
The news is inching it's way towards being great news. The doctor said that the mother lump (gosh, when I say those words, I giggle...no disrespect Kimmy. It just sounds funny. It perfectly describes how I feel somedays) is getting smaller! (Insert high kick here!) The report is that everything is going smoothly, her white blood cell count hasn't been affected, she is handling the treatments well, and has been encouraged to stay the course that she is on. I believe the prayers, great emails, care packages, cards, loving notes and humor are really helping Kimmy out. Thanks to you all...big group hug everyone. There certainly is more to come, but for now, we celebrate small victories! This is a blessing to surely be counted.
Next up, Erika will be heading out for a week starting on Leap Day, Veronica will be visiting as well, and an early birthday celebration for Nathan will take place. His birthday didn't line up well with treatments but Kimmy and Duane will find a way to celebrate. As any kinder child would naturally be concerned, he was worried that not having a party meant that he wouldn't actually turn 6. Kimmy has assured him that March 9 is still a date on the calendar, he will absolutely turn 6, and most certainly receive presents. If you can, post a birthday note to Nathan to make his day extra special!
I'm looking forward to my visit for her 4th treatment in March. On my own personal note, I learned a big lesson the other day. While we all try to shield our children from unpleasant and hard to deliver news, sometimes the best route is to be honest and upfront. I finally told Megan (8) and Mia (7) about Tante Kimmy. Megan has heard tid bits here and there and was persistent in asking "What's wrong with Tante Kimmy?" I wasn't upfront with her and feeling guilty. On Valentine's Day, as our family sat around a fire for an evening pow wow, she asked again. My simple explanation wasn't cutting the mustard so I finally said "What Kimmy has is a big word. It's called cancer." Megan gasped audibly, Mia just stared.
Megan:"She has cancer just like Teddy?" (a child that was in her kinder class, had cancer, doing great now, by the way)
Mia: "Mom, how long have you known about this?"
Megan: "Is that why you've been sitting at the computer and crying alot?"
Mia brought me tissue for my tears, they both leaned in to give me a big hug. Wow. I underestimated them big time. There is freedom now, to talk and share. Feels good.
Guess who is excited about getting their pink shoes? I will make sure to post theirs when we get them!
************************
Back to my mom. As Kimmy puts it, this was technically mom's shortest trip to Phoenix but it felt like the longest. Apparently, the drama started on the plane ride over. Sitting next to a seemingly harmless individual, mom engaged in conversation. He asked her where she was from and she said, "Originally, Chihuahua, Mexico". The response from the old, white man from Kansas was, "Are you here legally?" HAHAHAHAHA! Sorry mom, I can't stop laughing. Stick to, "The Long Beach Area" when next asked!
Yesterday afternoon, she kindly picked up a lunch shift at school. She passed a child who needed to throw out his trash and he yelled "Old lady, come back!" That's almost as bad as calling her Abuelita.
THEN, clearing a group of boys by about 8ft., she got whacked in the back, square between the shoulder blades with food! As her daughters or co-workers can attest to, don't tick this woman off! She turned around, saw the boys turn back to their food, and picked out the most scared looking child. As Kimmy tells the story, mom interrogated the scared one, who quickly pointed the finger and ratted out the culprit. Mom told Angie the Cafeteria Lady (she deserves caps), and Angie told the VP Ms. Carrol.
7:30 am this morning and Duane answers a knock on the door. VP Ms. Carrol made a personal delivery of a bag of bagels as an apology to mom. Kimmy loves Ms. Carrol, even more so after the delivery. She says she works SO hard. 3 Cheers to Ms. Carrol!!!
The cafeteria boys were 6th graders....back in so cal, Megan told me yesterday she didn't want to ride the bus anymore because the 6th graders are mean to the little kids. What's up with 6th grade? I have a new favorite quote from Steven Tyler's American Idol last night that seems fitting...."We are all posers on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves". Love it. Best thing he's ever said. Whether the bus or the cafeteria or in life, we are all trying to find our way...
************************
Thanks to mom for being a roving Where's Waldo?! She has taken a few pictures sending great messages to Kimmy!
This is at an event in Long Beach with 3 members of the Marine band. She got the clarinet player in the picture in honor of Nikki! The note says Best Wishes Kimmy! (make sure to log on to www.ournewpink.blogspot.com to see the pics!)
Next up is Mom, Dad and Supervisor Knabe. Now, that is some professional sign! It's a beautiful picture, except for the obvious. heehee...sorry dad!
Sunshine, sunshine everywhere. Off to Cerritos College for a baseball game. Pray for a victory, they aren't doing so hot in preseason, otherwise I'm going to have to bring in Kimmy for some motivational speaking or bring in the cafeteria boy to do some pitching.
Love to all,
Jessie
No comments:
Post a Comment