Wednesday, May 21st 2014
After having yesterday off, we arrived today at CTCA at 1:00 for mom's first appointment of the day, radiation therapy prep. It's Wednesday and 180 Degrees Farm was at CTCA with their organic produce, plants, nuts and seeds. Mom purchased some organic Savoy Cabbage and a couple of other items. We met the wonderful people of 180 Degree Farms last week when we picked up about two pounds of organic flax seeds. Their charitable organization is wonderful so check them out here: http://www.180degreefarm.org/
After having yesterday off, we arrived today at CTCA at 1:00 for mom's first appointment of the day, radiation therapy prep. It's Wednesday and 180 Degrees Farm was at CTCA with their organic produce, plants, nuts and seeds. Mom purchased some organic Savoy Cabbage and a couple of other items. We met the wonderful people of 180 Degree Farms last week when we picked up about two pounds of organic flax seeds. Their charitable organization is wonderful so check them out here: http://www.180degreefarm.org/
We didn't have much time to waste to get to mom's first appointment for radiation therapy prep, or so we thought, it turns out today was mom's first actual radiation treatment. I guess we misunderstood what therapy prep meant because we were under the impression that the actual radiation treatments would begin tomorrow. As mom and I walked down the hall alone, my mind filled with many different thoughts and emotions. Even though CTCA has given our family everything we need in order to conquer this battle, I still began to wonder. Once we made it to the patient waiting area, mom and I met a nice lady named Denise who was also waiting for her first radiation visit. We spoke about her journey through breast cancer and shared our story of how and why our family ended up going to CTCA. It turns out Denise is from Virginia and her family couldn't be there today. I explained to her that I would be here at CTCA for next seven weeks, Monday through Friday, and I would give her my contact information if she should need anything. We hugged and thanked God for the care she and our mom are both receiving. When we exchanged email addresses I found out her personal email started with Zoe, named after her black lab that she had to have put to sleep on July 2, 2012. As I am typing the letters of her email address into my contacts list, I had chill bumps come over my entire body as she spelled out z-o-e. I explained to Denise that my email address started with Zoe and that I had named my email address in part after my black border collie who had to be put down on July 1st, 2006. At that moment I knew why I had decided to walk mom back even though there wasn't any need for me to. She told me she was fine and she would be back. God had intended on Denise and I meeting today. She said it was obvious that God was trying tell her that everything was going to be okay and that He was taking care of this battle. They took mom back for radiation first so I asked her if she would like me to stay with her until she was called back too. Within minutes she was called back, once again we hugged and I told her it was all going to be okay! She said "Thank you" and walked away.
About thirty minutes later mom came out of her first radiation treatment and felt great so we headed over to speech therapy with Jennifer Cargile a little earlier than scheduled. As I am walking into the room for mom's appointment I hear my name called. It was Denise, she stopped me to tell me her radiation treatments actually start tomorrow, she found out after I left that today was just for prep. I also got to meet her brother who had just arrived from up north unexpectedly. We shared our daily schedules and we plan to see her again soon.
During our appointment with Ms. Cargile, mom was taught a series of oral and vocal exercises that she will need to start doing three times a day in order to combat the effects of the radiation treatments. Mom is also required to keep a daily log of her exercises and turn in her results once a week so that Ms. Cargile can monitor the effects and changes during her seven week radiation treatment plan.
Today was a great day! Mom has handled her first chemotherapy and radiation treatments like a champ! I believe God touched us today in some way that I cannot explain. Was God reminding me to open my eyes to the fact that our mother isn't the only one He is there for? I just don't know, but I do know I was reminded today by Him just how much he loves each and everyone of us.
The Charm of The Day; The Pink Ribbon
For so many women and families.
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