I am so glad that this phase of treatment is over. Now I have a month off and then I will begin the next round of chemo. During this month off we also have vacation!! My father in law's cousin gave us their house for a week in the Poconos!!! It is so beautiful there and peaceful. We will be right on the lake and it is going to be a great time of family and relaxation!!
We start our vacation on a Sat when we go to my Aunt Catherine's party and then Sunday to my sister in law's parents church and then to the Poconos. On Friday we will pack up and head down to my Aunt Linda's house near Lancaster, PA! Monday we head back home and Thursday I start chemo.
This weekend was an AMAZING weekend!! My dad, who I haven't seen in 12yrs, came down and arrived here at 2:30am on Sat morning. When we all got up in the morning we had breakfast and chatted for awhile. My dad had called me the week before and when he left a message he said "Hi, this is Bob from Maine..." I told him that he could say "This is your dad..." He wasn't sure as he wasn't around for so many years. I told him " You are here now!" He was happy about that. Around 2pm we took the kids to my inlaws and they watched them while Bob, Dad and I went to the Relay For Life. Bob drove his car and I rode on the motorcycle with my dad. It was so much fun!!! I don't want a motorcycle, but I surely will ride with my dad anytime!!!
At the Relay we walked the Survivor lap and then went to the Survivor dinner. Before the lap I was able to meet up with a friend from my Breast Cancer board. It was great to meet someone who has traveled the path that I am on. It was good talking with her.
Bob and my dad were my "Caregivers". I thought about this and realized that there is no way I could have ALL of my caregivers with me. I have had so many people that I consider my caregivers. There are all of my friends and family that have been here physically to help with my care, the kids and the house. There are also all of my friends and family that couldn't be here physically but where there emotionally for support. And then there are all those friends online that sent me cards and gifts and provided support online. I have been blessed with so many people that have taken care of me in so many different ways. I am so thankful for all of your love and support through this trial. I love you all.
My dad and Bob walked over to the dinner, while I got a ride in a golf cart as my feet were sore. As I passed my dad and Bob, my dad pretended like he was racing us. It was too funny!! He is a riot! The speaker was very good and the food was great! We walked around the track again after dinner and then headed for home.
We got to my inlaws house and chatted with them for a little while before bringing the kids home and getting them in bed. Once they were out we chatted some more and headed to bed as we were all exhausted. What a great day it was!
Today my dad had to head home. I made breakfast as my dad played with the kids. It was such a joy to hear my kids and dad playing and laughing. They fell in love with him from the get go!! We were concerned about how Abby would do with her sensory stuff but she did great!!
After breakfast the kids and Bob got ready and headed to church. I stayed and got ready and my dad got ready to go. We chatted some more and then it was time to say good bye. It was hard as I had so much fun getting to know my dad and I know that he had a blast with us too! As he got ready to leave we hugged and I told him I loved him. He said he loved me too. I think this was one of the first times I was able to tell him that I loved him. We waved as he drove away and on my way to church I was in tears as it was such an amazing weekend and I missed him already. Robert cried at church as he missed Grandpa Forrest already too. We are looking forward to him coming down in the fall!!
Cancer is a horrible disease but through this trial, God gave me my dad back and if nothing else good came out of this, getting my dad back would be enough. I am so so blessed!!
