For many people, Thursday, was just another day. It was the reminder of a Friday about to happen, or perhaps it was the day you always go grocery shopping to avoid the weekend crowd. Myself, I went to work with an anxious heart that was split between the responsibilities that come with this time of the year in my school district. Being a teacher is being a mom. I don’t have children, but have taught for 20+ years, and MY definition of being a good teacher implies the use of maternal instincts.
Five years ago I adopted my first child, and was MORE than ready, as I’d had dogs in my world since I was 10 years old. By age 43, I’d better be able to do this thing on my own, and figure out how to find others to help me. The day I got Gerry he wouldn’t sit down, and barely would look at me.
and then one week later, he was a relaxed boy who would come to the couch and keep me company.
Well, this Thursday was an ordinary day, but it also was pretty important for Gerry and me. No one knows what is to come; we fool our selves by working hard, but life happens to ALL of us in different ways. My post comes from my heart, my life, my experience, and I know that there are others that have harder lives than mine, but finding out what the word osteosarcoma meant, and what it implied, I cringed on the inside during a phone with my vet, the first week back to third grade, as the carpet was yet again pulled out from under me. However, this Thursday, was the end of my boy’s experience under going chemotherapy.
Although I was touched by the hand made sign, and balloons, can you understand when I say that it wasn’t the kind of thing I wanted to really celebrate with a memorable event? I just wanted it to happen. I’m so beyond being naive, but I am relived that Gerry doesn’t have to have poisons pushed through his body to kill an invasive enemy that I have no control over. I just want to keep celebrating his love of sweet potatoes, and his ever resilient spirit. I just want to live my life with my boy and not dwell on inevitable realities.
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I’m so glad your sweet boy is done with chemo, and I totally understand not wanting to celebrate. We only have 1 of 6 treatments down, and all I want is to get through that awful process. I know how much relief you are feeling – I hope you and Gerry can resume a “normal” life full of sweet potatoes and no chemo now. 🙂
Congrats Lynda and Gerry! I understand not wanting to recognize and validate cancer; but this also denotes survival and overcoming the enemy. Gerry doesnt really know or care about any of this. He knows he’s loved, and cherished – we could all take a page out of that book. Enjoy your boy my friend.
Paula and Nitro
Congrats, Gerry! On to more couch cuddles and sweet potatoes!
Cheers,
Kat and Astro
Thank you Paula,
It is a victory of survival. God forbid it had taken me one, or two more weeks to notice that limp! “Life” STILL meant for me to find out about his cancer in enough time to be active and careful. Now there is maintenance, and regular living, all the while trying not to paying too much attention to the fact that he’s with me.
A car accident could have taken him from me in an instant. This diagnosis is far more haunting, if I let it be….which I work on each day NOT TO. ALL life is indefinite, but when it gets pointed out to you…it’s harder to ignore and face the day with a brave face. Thank goodness for me, I have HIS face to kiss and rub each day to remind me that if he can do this, so can I.
A@righty then Gerry! Today we celebrate SWEET POTATOES and we CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR RESILIENCY! 🙂 🙂
Oh, and we also celebrate the fact that you are so darn loveable and cuddly! 🙂
And you bet Gerry can handle this, and is! And you can bet, because of your love for Gerry, you can handle this and you are! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
You and Gerry are BOTH winners. The best you can do in life is to care and hold on to those you love and enjoy the time you have together. WHICH YOU ARE DOING!! Congratulations you are both smiling!! Kisses
i love you mom! Everything I learned was from you and our life of canine love…with Shep, Toby, Jack, Molly, Cassie, and Ralphie boy!