I had the pleasure yesterday of enjoying lunch with a sweet friend and then meeting one of my MOPS mentor moms who has previously been through breast cancer. She was so encouraging and had some great suggestions for dealing with chemo. Oh, and we talked about cruises. I’m ready to be back on a ship. Anyone want to join me?
Also, the news is out. . . Sent out a big email yesterday, posted on Facebook today, posted on my blog today. . . Sigh of relief.
It’s really amazing to have your in box flooded with messages from friends, old and new. It was hard to scroll through my contact list yesterday and see the names of all the people who I would be telling with just one click of a button. Then to enjoy the sweet notes, verses, songs of encouragement, gifts, chats with parents, aunts, my second parents from growing up, friends from childhood and friends from just a few months. Seriously, it’s fun. (Well except for the part where we are talking about cancer.)
Why is it that we all don’t do that more often? We all get so busy with life and except for the occasional FB comment or email, lose touch with good friends. None of us mean to do it, but it happens. There are so many people I miss and would love to see!!
I commented to my friend Jen today that we should all have our funerals before we die, when we are healthy. Doesn’t that make more sense? My Mom would have LOVED her funeral. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much on the night of her memorial service from all the sweet family and friends who gathered to celebrate her life, without her. Why do we do that? If it looks like I’m getting close to dying, someone please throw me a party, call it some fun name, invite everyone I know and let me enjoy it. Don’t wait ’til I’m gone! 🙂
On another note . . .
I had an echocardiogram today. Just a check of my heart before they start the chemo. No pain (YAY!).
I also got a prescription for a cranial prosthesis AKA wig – lol – who knew there was a prescription for that! So I will be looking into that before I lose my hair (which the Dr. said would happen soon.) I also got my first hat and signed up for a makeup class on December 7th.
Jennifer, you amaze me with your ability to articulate your feelings and share your life in your blog and on FB. I’ve been keeping up with you for a while now… When Todd sent me this news today I didn’t even know what and how to think. Todd and I will keep you and Tom and the girls in our thoughts and prayers here on the east coast.
Thank you Tonya. I’m the one with the diagnosis and I still don’t know what to think. It still just doesn’t seem real, yet I sit here with a port in my chest, ready for Chemo on Wednesday. It’s just crazy!!
Sending lots of love and prayers your way!
Thanks friend! 🙂
We are praying each day for you, Tom and the girls. Thank you for posting each day. “God is our refuge and our strength an ever present help in time of trouble and need”. PS 46:1
Thank you Nancy. 🙂 So glad He is always with us!
Loved the post. I agree that we do not celebrate life enough with friends and family. It is that all too busy thing. Ugh! On another note my mom bought a wig before starting chemo, back in the 80’s when cancer wasn’t talked about much. It was very similar to her hairstyle and she wore it before it was needed. It was her experiment to see if we recognized anything different about her. We (her children and grandchildren) had no idea she was wearing a wig. In this regard her transition was seamless. i smile thinking what a clever woman she was. I don’t think they had makeup classes then but what a great idea!
That’s a fun idea about the wig. I’ve never thought of that. 🙂
Jennifer, you amaze me! And you are so right – we all wait too long to connect with the people we love. I have been so blessed to be your friend for 22 years! I’m thankful we’ve managed to stay in touch over the years even if distance and schedules and everything else makes it challenging.
And I, for one, plan on helping throw the best ever “Jennifer Beat Cancer’s A$$” party with you there smiling. You are one of the strongest women I know. You are a fighter. You are amazing.
We are holding you, Tom, and the girls up in prayer constantly.
Great. You can be the official party planner!! 22 years is a long time! How did we get to be 41???
Oh, and let’s plan it in Hawaii!
Praying many times throughout the day for you, sweet friend! New Living Translation Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” Hugs
Thanks Amanda. I’m sure I’ll be saying that one a lot in the weeks to come as I need strength to get through the day!
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with all of us. My heart sank and my eyes leaked when I read your email. I know that you will walk through this with strength, grace, and dignity. Most importantly, I believe the Father will always be with you and you will experience His love in deeper, more intimate way. As far as the “before you die funeral” idea, we had one! It wasn’t planned that way, but it sure felt like it when our church sent us out before we moved to India in 2011. Lots of tears, great stories about how much we meant to people and the ways God used us to touch others. It was such a gift and weird all at the same time.
I remember many great conversations on our couches at APU when Seth and Tom were both gone. I treasure those memories and the time we got to spend down the hall from you both. It was such a unique experience and we loved it!
It bet it did. Wish we could have been there to send you off.
So many great memories with you two. I still remember the day you guys pulled into Bowles with your Jeep and trailer and we met as you were moving in. So long ago, but I can remember it like yesterday!! What a blessing married housing was that first year!