Saturday, January 29, 2011

January 29

Between now and Thursday, there’s nothing to do but wait.  I’m anxious and not anxious to get started. I don’t want to rush the time right now where I’m feeling great, enjoying being with my husband and baby, and spending time with my family. But I am anxious to have this be behind me and get on with regular living. Although saying that is funny because how do you go back to normal from here? I’m interested to find out. Maybe it’s just a different kind of normal - a normal with a whole new appreciation for how wonderful normal is. I will appreciate it. When we were waiting to find out the results of the first liver biopsy, where I was convinced the pregnancy was to blame for a false positive on the PET scan, Jeff and I spent a lot of time (in between worrying) promising that we would never take anything in our lives for granted ever again. It was like one day the universe saw we were getting lazy, slapped us across the face, and said “HEY! Look at all of the wonderful things you have in life – perfect love, a fabulous baby, amazing family and friends, an awesome house, great jobs, and your health. And you sit around all day just taking it all for granted and complaining about meaningless things like traffic and the weather, so now I’m going to take one of those wonderful things away to make you realize how lucky you are.”  And do you know what?  It worked.  I have never felt so lucky in my entire life. I have never fully appreciated all that I have, not until I’ve been faced with the possibility of losing it. They say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. It may be a cliché, but it’s true. It’s so very true. And it doesn’t even have to be gone, just the possibility of things changing made me realize what I have. I have everything I could ever want in life. I am truly happy. I am honored by the love that surrounds me. And I will remember that each and every single day.
I’ve spent a decent amount of time in hospitals because I’ve had asthma since I was 3 years old, and more recently with the melanoma surgeries and giving birth to baby Kai. I think of them as places of healing, places that you go to feel better. This time is going to be the opposite experience.  I’m going to feel great when I enter and get sick while I’m there. I will come out feeling worse than when I went it. Ultimately the treatment will make me better (it will, it will, it will), but to do that it first has to make me sick. So if I am the fighter and the IL-2 is my trainer, it’s a little bit like taking orders from the crazy masochistic Russian from Rocky IV.  While of course I’m not looking forward to feeling awful, I am confident that I am in good hands and that numerous highly-trained professionals will be watching over and caring for me.  And for that I could not be more thankful.
One of the wonderful things about this experience is how much time I’m getting to spend with family. My mom has been staying with us for weeks to help with the baby, my dad and step-mom are here now and will be again in two weekends, Jeff’s parents are coming on Thursday to stay for a couple of weeks, my uncle and cousin are coming next Monday, and my cousin and family are coming for a week at the end of February. I’ve been talking with aunts and uncles, cousins, sisters, nieces, nephews, and good friends much more than usual. And I am now back in touch with childhood friends with whom I’ve lost touch but still love just the same as I did when we were younger. It’s really a fabulous gift and makes me wonder why do we put off visiting, or even just speaking with, people we love? We always say we don’t have time, or now isn’t a good time, or we’ll certainly have to do it sometime soon. But we do have time, now is the perfect time, and there is no time sooner than now. Even if you are the healthiest person alive, there’s still not enough time in life to waste.  I have learned that the absolute most important part of my life is the people who fill it. Without my family and friends, I have nothing worth living for, there is no point in fighting.  I don’t worry now about all of the things I might leave.  I am not going to miss my car or my clothes or my TV. None of my furniture sits with me in the hospital or visits/writes/calls me to offer support and encouragement. So I vow, from now on, to always have time for others and to be extremely grateful for every second of that time.
Today I am thankful for my wonderful family; renewed and strengthened friendships; and, as always my absolutely perfect husband and sweet, sweet baby.  I treasure this journey because it has made me realize just how much I love you.

10 comments:

  1. I am so glad that your family is rallying around you in this time! You remain in my prayers.

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  2. Jamie, everyone's talking about your inspirational attitude. Thanks for showing us all how life should be viewed. You're writing the book on how to beat cancer---and we all can't wait until the last page when you get to say, "...and I lived happily ever after." I'll be reading the blog :)

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  3. Thinking of you this quiet Sunday. Reading your blog is always so humbling. It puts perspective into my own life. I thank you for being here and being you!

    You know how I love my quotes:) Here is another one for you:

    “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”~Ashley Smith

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  4. Thanks for blogging everything, Jamie! This is such an important reminder of what really matters in life - so important to be reminded of! Adi's chattering in her bed now, post nap, singing the bingo song :)

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  5. And, Jamie (and Kai and Jeff and Linda and Carmen) we DO love you! You are the most amazing women and I am so proud and fortunate to be your Uncle. Love, Love, Love, Uncle Q/GranB.

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  6. I'm thinking of you Jamie! You are truly a very amazing and exceptional person. I am so proud to be your sister. You put so much in perspective; the stupid little things people shouldn't worry about and the things people really should cherish and be thankful for. I don't know what to do or how I can help ... but please let me know. I'm not far away, I can be there anytime. Love you! Tina

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  7. Jamie, remember Milton's words: "They also serve who only stand and wait." Right now that's your job. Oh, yes, you can hang out with Kai and Jeff, and the rest of the family. Oh, yes, you also have to keep blogging. Your writing is wonderful--and it's not just a friend talking, it's an old lady English teacher!

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  8. Thank you for reminding us (me) that no moment should ever be taken for granted and or wasted on fretting over petty, petty things. You got this, sister. xo

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  9. Jamie-
    I can't tell you how often I think of you and your brave fight. You put your thoughts and emotions into words beautifully allowing us to travel this road with you. You are an amazing young woman and an inspiration to us all.

    Yes, life is lived right there in all the normal activities- all the small things we do and take for granted-until we see them fade. Then we yearn for nothing but getting back to normal. My prayer for you is that you get through this and get back to normal. Every day is gift but we live such fast-paced lives that we often do not recognize it. You are reminding all of us of this.

    Carol

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  10. I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
    liver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
    reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
    became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
    ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC there website is https://ultimatelifeclinic.com in March, 2020. Their
    treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
    the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
    treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.

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