Checking In Again
Not too much to report, actually. Which in some ways is probably a good thing.
The Storytime idea I brought up last week is still evolving into its final form. I have an idea for it that I really like, but I need to clear a couple of things with my agent first. This may or may not work out, but I’ll keep folks informed one way or another.
Over in Cancerland, my wife completed another round of chemo. She’s got a minimum of 2-3 more to come, and possibly as many as 5, before we head back to Detroit for the bone marrow transplant. This last round came with the traditional nausea and weakness, but after a week and a half of recovery, she’s doing pretty well again. (Just in time to go back in on Monday to start it all over again.)
In the midst of all this fear and uncertainty and wishing cancer would just go back to hell, I’ve also noticed how much closer Amy and I have been these past few months. No relationship is perfect, and ours has had its speed bumps and potholes. Cancer has a way of shaking everything up and recalibrating your priorities. There’s a lot more appreciation and gratitude and tenderness.
There’s also the simple fact that we get to spend more time together. Take yesterday – I took her in for a blood transfusion, which was supposed to start at 9 in the morning. Thanks to the lab mislabeling one of her blood tests, it didn’t actually start until past noon, and we didn’t get out of there until about 5 or so.
Which meant, essentially, we got to spend a day together just hanging out. A hospital room isn’t much fun, but we watched a bit of TV, read some of A Wind in the Door, went for a couple of walks around the unit, and just got to be together. I can’t remember the last time we were able to do something like that back when we were both working and running all over trying to keep up with everything.
If all goes well, we’ll be going out as a family for a belated birthday dinner for my son, and maybe even sneaking away again to see Captain Marvel before Amy starts back up with chemo. It’ll be nice to have a couple days of relative normalcy.
Mike
March 21, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
I wish you both strength and luck.
Heather
March 21, 2019 @ 5:37 pm
Thank you for the update–I think of you walking this path with your wife and your son, and hope that you all find much love and kindness on the way.
Jennifer Dian
March 21, 2019 @ 11:28 pm
It takes a damned fine person to find the upside in cancer. Most hopeful thoughts possible going out to you and yours.
Eleanor C Ray
March 22, 2019 @ 3:39 am
And remember, just being there is caring, and it does not escape the one undergoing treatment that you made the time and hoarded the energy to do that. Been through this with my fiance a few years ago. You are her rock, even when there aren’t words, because you are with her for her treatments, and blood tests, and all the rest. You show up. And that can be the best support of all.
Avilyn
March 22, 2019 @ 10:43 am
All the best to you & your wife, and your family.
Danielle
March 23, 2019 @ 10:02 am
I understand your world right now too well. My mother has been fighting leukemia for the last 4 months. Next month we have the scary yet hopefully helpful stem cell transplant. It’s amazing what quickly become the new normal isn’t it? I won’t pretend our situations are exactly the same because of course they aren’t. This is your wife and mother of your children. I just wanted to remind you that you aren’t alone. I’ll send all the spare good wishes your way, and let’s all be darn grateful that medical science has come as far as it has.
Jim C. Hines
March 23, 2019 @ 2:00 pm
Danielle – I’m so sorry for what you and your family are going through. It may not be exactly the same, but it sounds like there’s a lot in common. Sending strength and hope and healing your way, too.
A friend of ours went through the bone marrow transplant process a year or so back. He said it made a world of difference. The process itself sucks, but he’s doing so much better now. I hope things go just as well for your mother and for my wife.
KatG
March 23, 2019 @ 6:12 pm
We wish you all good things and medical success. Your wife has a goblin army rooting for her health. 🙂
Dana Lynne
March 23, 2019 @ 9:55 pm
Thank you for the update. Wishing the best for you all.