I made it through the weekend okay

Dear Family,

As most of ya’ll are aware, I had my first round of chemo last week.  Although things started out okay, Thursday and Friday were rough, to say the least.  I had this constant nagging sense of nausea to the point I couldn’t think of anything else.  Friday was particularly rough.  However, by Saturday I was feeling better and Sunday I was able to go to church.  I now have a couple of weeks off before the next round of torture.  Even thinking about it makes me queasy.  

Guess what my precious sister, Lisa, did for me yesterday? Robin returned home from taking care of her mom in Patterson and, before Robin left Patterson to return to Richmond Hill, Lisa brought to her a big container of macaroni and cheese,  homemade ground-up turkey soup, and a big container of bananna pudding.  It was truly a treat to set down and each such good, comfort food.  In fact, it was the first real food I had eaten and was absolutely what I needed.  Today I woke up feeling much better and was actually able to get out and run two miles.  Not bad for a chemo-laden cancer patient.

Elizabeth graduates from GSU this coming Saturday at 10:00 AM in Statesboro.  Mollie graduates from Richmond Hill High School later this month.  Both of them have done exceptionally and I am very proud.  Elizabeth indicates she want to go to DO School and become a Doctor of Osteopathy.  So she will be preparing for the MCAT exam this summer.  Mollie, will begin attending Valdosta State University in the Fall.  Imagine that …. my baby …. a college student.  Mollie is a fixture around the house and helps out so much.  I am going to be very lonely without her.  Mollie is the only one that will go with me to Lowe’s or Home Depot, or Sunglasses shopping, or to Hirano’s for a Japanese lunch, or to Dillards to buy new Daddy-sized underwear.  Mollie is always there, always the sport.

I finally got my home A/C replaced, and in due time.  I had a whole house air infiltration system installed to keep the virus issue down.  What with chemo, cats and everything, I thought it would be a good add-on.   Now if I can get my lawn mower and my car repaired, I will be okay, hopefully, for a while.  Trust me, this has been a tough, tough, 6 months, financially speaking.  Very tough; and again, my deepest and most humble appreciation to those of you who have unselfishly and generously helped me out.   I’ll have to say that I am a bit ashamed about all this, but this cancer thing completely blindsided us and has wreaked havoc on our finances to the tune of at least an additional $1200 to $1400 per month beyond our normal family expenses.  It the Fall, it will be about two to three times that amount.  All  I can do is stay on my knees and know that God will continue to provide.  My objective is to concentrate on my health as much as possible.

One more thing.  We have the best Mama in the world.  I owe her so much, and she just continues to give of herself.  She sets the standand for all Mama’s that ever was and ever will be.  Mother’s day is coming up and I am ever so reminded of what she has done,  not just for me, but  for all of us.  I love her so dearly.

Another thing.  I am not dying.  I do admit that I am chronically ill and I do understand that I have a hard row to hoe ahead of me, but I am going to make it.  Period.  Case closed.   There is no other option.  I plan on being around for several years.  So please don’t feel sorry for me.  All I ask is that ya’ll walk with me through the next coming months and give me the emotional support I need when I find myself too ill or too down.  I truly enjoy your  calls and your emails.  For sure, humor is not lost in this family.  Thank God.  

Keep me in your prayers, dear family, and I will continue to move ahead.

Love ya’ll,

Mitch  

I made it through the weekend okay

Dear Family,

As most of ya’ll are aware, I had my first round of chemo last week.  Although things started out okay, Thursday and Friday were rough, to say the least.  I had this constant nagging sense of nausea to the point I couldn’t think of anything else.  Friday was particularly rough.  However, by Saturday I was feeling better and Sunday I was able to go to church.  I now have a couple of weeks off before the next round of torture.  Even thinking about it makes me queasy.  

Guess what my precious sister, Lisa, did for me yesterday? Robin returned home from taking care of her mom in Patterson and, before Robin left Patterson to return to Richmond Hill, Lisa brought to her a big container of macaroni and cheese,  homemade ground-up turkey soup, and a big container of bananna pudding.  It was truly a treat to set down and each such good, comfort food.  In fact, it was the first real food I had eaten and was absolutely what I needed.  Today I woke up feeling much better and was actually able to get out and run two miles.  Not bad for a chemo-laden cancer patient.

Elizabeth graduates from GSU this coming Saturday at 10:00 AM in Statesboro.  Mollie graduates from Richmond Hill High School later this month.  Both of them have done exceptionally and I am very proud.  Elizabeth indicates she want to go to DO School and become a Doctor of Osteopathy.  So she will be preparing for the MCAT exam this summer.  Mollie, will begin attending Valdosta State University in the Fall.  Imagine that …. my baby …. a college student.  Mollie is a fixture around the house and helps out so much.  I am going to be very lonely without her.  Mollie is the only one that will go with me to Lowe’s or Home Depot, or Sunglasses shopping, or to Hirano’s for a Japanese lunch, or to Dillards to buy new Daddy-sized underwear.  Mollie is always there, always the sport.

I finally got my home A/C replaced, and in due time.  I had a whole house air infiltration system installed to keep the virus issue down.  What with chemo, cats and everything, I thought it would be a good add-on.   Now if I can get my lawn mower and my car repaired, I will be okay, hopefully, for a while.  Trust me, this has been a tough, tough, 6 months, financially speaking.  Very tough; and again, my deepest and most humble appreciation to those of you who have unselfishly and generously helped me out.   I’ll have to say that I am a bit ashamed about all this, but this cancer thing completely blindsided us and has wreaked havoc on our finances to the tune of at least an additional $1200 to $1400 per month beyond our normal family expenses.  It the Fall, it will be about two to three times that amount.  All  I can do is stay on my knees and know that God will continue to provide.  My objective is to concentrate on my health as much as possible.

One more thing.  We have the best Mama in the world.  I owe her so much, and she just continues to give of herself.  She sets the standand for all Mama’s that ever was and ever will be.  Mother’s day is coming up and I am ever so reminded of what she has done,  not just for me, but  for all of us.  I love her so dearly.

Another thing.  I am not dying.  I do admit that I am chronically ill and I do understand that I have a hard row to hoe ahead of me, but I am going to make it.  Period.  Case closed.   There is no other option.  I plan on being around for several years.  So please don’t feel sorry for me.  All I ask is that ya’ll walk with me through the next coming months and give me the emotional support I need when I find myself too ill or too down.  I truly enjoy your  calls and your emails.  For sure, humor is not lost in this family.  Thank God.  

Keep me in your prayers, dear family, and I will continue to move ahead.

Love ya’ll,

Mitch