Motivation Monday...digging deep, Relay and hugs from the Afterlife.
Have you ever had a moment where time just stopped? A moment where things slow down so much you think the Earth has stopped spinning? I had that moment this weekend.
I was driving down to my parent’s house on Saturday morning to spend the day with them and then head over to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life later than night. I was just driving, drinking my coffee and jamming out to some tunes as I do on my road trips…and then my cell rang. It was my Dad; he wanted to let me know that they were at the Emergency Room. I asked what happened and he said that my Mom was not feeling well. But that she would tell me more when I got there… and in that moment I knew. I felt that all too familiar punch to the gut. “Mom has cancer again” he said. Tears began to roll down my face. He told me she’d be ok and not to speed. Time had stopped. I could see the lines on the road flying by, but time inside my car...was at a stand still. I didn't know what to do- I called The Amazing Jeff and told him. "Where do you want me?" he asked. I didn't know.
I spent the next hour fighting the inevitable emotional tornado that happens when you hear that word. I kept telling myself to keep it together…since I was flying down the freeway at 75 miles an hour. I had words with the universe…why does she have to do this again?!?! Isn’t 4 times enough?? That hour was a very bumpy emotional rollercoaster…and I know the ride is not over yet.
When I got to the ER, she was all drugged up since she was in so much pain. Not related to the cancer thank goodness. She had a bowel obstruction…still dangerous and scary. She spent all morning in the ER loopy on pain killers for the pain in her abdomen, and puking her guts out. The Doctor decided to admit her- just to be on the safe side. She of course, was much bummed. She really wanted to go to the relay for life. Once she got up to her room- she was doing much better. Dad and I left to go get a bite to eat, since it was nearly 2pm. After lunch we went back to the hospital and sat with her. I fully anticipated spending the night in the hospital; but amazingly enough- her pain went away and the surgeon looked at her and saw no reason why she should stay if everything as worked itself out. Awesome!
So she was officially discharged at about 6:45pm- opening ceremonies begin at 7pm… a quick stop at the house for a change of clothes (since it was almost 100 degrees out…we all smelled) and off to the fairgrounds to be at the opening ceremony! Whew… we got there just in time for the color guard. Mom got her shirt and pin- and we headed to the stage for the Survivor announcements. My Mom wanted me to help her on the stage, so I walked up with her and let her do her thing. She had a hard time talking, but made it through. When we stepped off the stage, and were waiting for the rest of the survivors to speak- I noticed that one of the survivors looked really familiar…it was the nurse from the ER earlier that day- her name is Vicki and she is an 8 year breast cancer survivor. Serendipity I tell you.
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We did the survivor lap together, and then she was done. Mom and Dad stopped to say hello to some friends and then headed home. Mom was ka-put, but still smiling...
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I forgot to mention the cupcake!
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I hung out to take some pictures of the Lumineria. And other things that made me smile. As I was walking around the track…I heard a familiar tune… “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” by Mel McDaniel. My Grandfather used to sing that to me when I was very young. I loved my Lee jeans as a toddler, and this was his “Grandpa loves you” song. My “papa” passed away when I was 7. He lost his very short battle (about 4 months) with pancreatic cancer in the summer of ’89. We (My mom, grandmother, younger bro and me) lived in a hotel across from the Mayo hospital in Rochester that summer. He pops in to say hello every once in a while…and I REALLY needed him that day. Sometimes it’s a smell, or an old man who looks like him stopping to tell me I have a nice smile. But this time it was the song…so I KNEW it was him. Yeah- you’ve got goose bumps doncha? Me too.
When we got back to the house- my Mom noticed this:
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A random petunia. There are no other flowers in bloom at the house. In fact, they are all dead thanks to the heat and lack of rain. But this one, which was NOT there on Friday, or even when my Dad and I stopped at the house on Saturday before going back to the hospital…all of a sudden- there it was. In full bloom. In the gravel, next to the driveway. Hi Grandma and Grandpa! They were both there to encourage my Mom and I. I had to smile…I could not be sad anymore after that.
A random petunia. There are no other flowers in bloom at the house. In fact, they are all dead thanks to the heat and lack of rain. But this one, which was NOT there on Friday, or even when my Dad and I stopped at the house on Saturday before going back to the hospital…all of a sudden- there it was. In full bloom. In the gravel, next to the driveway. Hi Grandma and Grandpa! They were both there to encourage my Mom and I. I had to smile…I could not be sad anymore after that.
So far she is doing good- not in too much pain. But it comes and goes. We hope to find out the plan of action today, and then we can begin yet another journey.
NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
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