First of all, I never thought ‘normal’ could feel SO GOOD.  For the past 2 weeks or so I have felt like a normal person, acted like a normal person and actually looked like a normal person.  It has been FABULOUS.  My oncologist allowed me to postpone my chemo start date until after our family takes a vacation, which has afforded me extra time to heal from all of my surgeries.  It’s incredibly thrilling to not be on any type of medication but also to not wake up worried about how I am going to feel each day.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift of time!!!!

Feeling good has allowed me to do so many things that I have missed doing the past few months.  I was able to experience my middle son’s baseball World Series, where his team ended in 2nd place with a final score of 14-13.  It was an exciting series and I absolutely love watching him play.

Please note the pink laces are still on his shoes (insert lots of heart emojis here).

Jennifer’s mom, Jane, was able to join us for the final game and it was so fun to experience her signature “sports clap” during Hunter’s game.  Jane never missed one of Jen’s basketball games in high school, and you’d always know she was there because of that enthusiastic clap.  Thanks for being there, Jane!!  You too, mom!

Not only did I get to watch baseball, but I also got to reunite with my oldest son who returned from 2 weeks at Kanukuk the following weekend!  Two weeks away seemed like an eternity to me, and he looked like he had aged 5 years when I saw him.  I’m so thankful for my friend, Catherine, who offered to bring him home for me so I didn’t have to do the 16 hour round trip drive.  GOD BLESS MY FRIENDS.

My two oldest kids are not the most talkative kids in the world, but Hudson talked my ear off for 2 straight hours after he got home from camp.  I soaked up every single minute knowing as soon as he got sucked back into social media I might not have another conversation like that with him until he’s 25.

On Monday, I went to Dr. Potter’s office for a follow up visit from my latest surgery.  I actually forgot I had the appointment until the night before, so I didn’t plan ahead on having anyone accompany me.  The day of, I texted my friend Casey and asked her if she would like to join me.  That way we could catch up and I could check yet one more doctor’s appointment off the list.  Efficiency makes my heart sing.  My appointment went well and apparently everything is healing nicely.  So nicely, in fact, that I received another inflation.  Hello, what?!  Thank goodness, these are old hat by now and I was unfazed.  The same could not be said for poor Casey.  (I’m so sorry you had to witness that bizarre exercise, my friend.)

Then Tuesday rolled around and my friend, Melanie, came in town to drop off her daughter at SMU soccer camp.  Thank goodness she didn’t want to go back to San Antonio for the week, so she stayed with me and we’ve had a blast this week.  It was somewhat of an unconventional visit in that we skipped many meals, drove back and forth to SMU, branched off and visited other friends, and shopped at Northpark.  I believe we’ve never done any of these things on our previous visits together, but it proves that friendships over 20 years don’t need traditional entertainment to qualify as a success.

On this day, we actually had lunch with our friend, Sheaffer, and my sister Jennifer.  It might have been the only time in 72 hours Mel and I weren’t in our workout clothes, pjs or robes.  Let’s just say that laughter truly is the BEST medicine, and these girls know just the right dosage.

The Lord truly has provided me with so many amazing people in my life, and for that I am eternally grateful.  Being with friends makes my heart so happy, and helps make the road ahead less scary.

Speaking of friends, Trevor and I had the opportunity this week to visit with our friend Kay who is battling stage 4 double hit lymphoma.  Kay currently lives in Arizona, but was in town for a few days visiting her family, so we took advantage.  Trevor and Kay went to high school together (along with her husband, Brandon), and she and I have bonded recently over, well, cancer.  Blah.  This gal is a FIGHTER and such an inspiration to me.  We were able to sit on the couch and talk about life, treatments, God and hope.  It was such a special time for me, even amidst intermittent tears, and I literally could not be more grateful for her presence in my life.

I have approximately 12 days before starting my chemotherapy journey, and I am looking forward to spending those with my family in the mountains.  I pray that the strength I get from the Lord and from all of these beautiful people in my life will continue to carry me.  And even though I have no idea what to expect in the future, I feel as if my spirit is being renewed daily.  And for now, that is all I need.  Thank you for praying, for caring and for loving me so well.

Until next time…much love to you all & make every day count,

Jamie

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10