I haven't been here in a while. I apologize. When I realized Ric was reading my blog, I panicked. I really didn't know if I wanted him to know my every thought. He said he really enjoyed reading my blog and the positive outlook. But still....I panicked! So, this will be a lengthy one....grab a snack!
Anyways, here I am again. First things first! After Rituximab (chemo) treatments, Ric has been pretty stable. Numbers have fluctuated a bit, but they are in the safe zone. His white blood cells are the most stubborn of them all, but I think we have found a "new normal" around 2.6 wbc. He survived strep as any other of my kids would. He is still on prednisone, but a very mild 1.5mg/day. His cheeks are not swollen anymore!! He looks like pre Evans Ric! He also made the Freshmen Basketball team at his school and has been very physically active since around July. Which, of course, makes me (and our doctors) wonder if physical activity has anything to do with his numbers being stable or if we are just seeing the results of Rituximab. Whatever it is, it seems to be working and I am very happy about that. His last check up was Nov 25 and we go in again on 1/20. This has been the longest period of time without a CBC and I wasn't comfortable with this at first. However, he looks fine, there are no symptoms and I have learned to be a little patient.
As this year comes to a close I can't help but to look back. This year has kicked my ass. It has been very difficult at times to choose to stay calm and move forward with Evans and cancer (my mom) in my face the whole freaking year. 2013 turned our lives upside down. But, as I've stated before, I think it really has made our family stronger.
There were many great moments in 2013 too. I want to be fair to 2013. These are a few of those moments:
1) Goofy weekend
2) a week in the mountains of Blue Ridge, GA with my family in a wonderful cabin
3) two trips to PR (even though, these exhausted me emotionally)
4) Ric's first Summer with us. He usually spends it in PR with his dad.
5) Lots of beach days with my boys
6) great first semester in school for all the boys
7) both Josh and I have great jobs and very supportive bosses
8) New York City Marathon weekend and all running related endeavors
9) less bullshit
10) stronger marriage
11) stronger friendships
12) new perspectives
13) stronger children
I was watching Six by Sondheim yesterday. I love Sondheim! The first song they talked about was Something's Coming, from West Side Story. I have always loved this song. I think people get all caught up in the big numbers of this musical and this song doesn't get the attention it deserves. As the lyrics are flowing in my mind again, I can't help but to think that is going to be my attitude towards 2014.
Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!
.....Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
I have no clue what 2014 will bring, regarding health. All I know is that, regardless of what it brings, 2014 will not kick my ass. 2014 better watch out! I am a stronger person and I will lead the way to take it by storm! Something great IS coming!
