Life Goes On… Wait…

While she was at the beach, before we arrived, I got a call from Mom and she said “You know, I really don’t appreciate you leaving these ‘Flamin’ Hot’ Cheetos Puffs here!” I was thoroughly confused as to why she was so upset about that. She clarified by saying “I can’t stop eating these! Cheetos, Beer, Repeat!” I died laughing (pun intended). She then added “I started to say ‘life goes on’… Well, I guess for some people it does.” DOFL

Ben & I were talking the other day about how incredible it is that Mom has gotten to enjoy nearly all of her favorite things: the mountains AND the beach, Bethel and Lobster. And Ben pointed out that she is likely more elated that she’s gotten to do all these things with her kids! *blushing* The fact that a good bit of our family was able to join us along the way was gravy! We are grateful beyond words for all those who have made these things possible! At the beach, thanks to my former boss, we got to enjoy sand in our toes, salt air in our lungs and to pet deer’s velvety antlers! This guy is my new friend. 😊

Her consumption of the Cheetos was decidedly abnormal as compared to her typical lifestyle choices. My cousin, Lindsay, brought this up a few weeks back. How is it possible that Mom is the one who dies of cancer in our family??? A question we have all asked a number of times over the last few months! Mom was always been the most health-conscious of her family and arguably her in-laws too! Growing up, it was 100% whole wheat bread for us 100% of the time… even when all I wanted was a cheap white bread grilled cheese with individually wrapped american process cheese food product! We never… ever… EVER had sugary cereals, ice cream, *gasp* Cheetos or other sweets in the house. Chips and dip were a rare treat! Some form of greens (probably organic) cooked with just a touch of EVOO and salt were pretty much always in our fridge and we were required to eat every detestable thing from Asparagus to Zucchini on a regular basis. My cousin, Leisa Marie, said it was mom who introduced her to the concept that “everything seen in the grocery store can be made at home” when she spotted Mom’s yogurt maker sitting on the counter. (Yes, Mom used to make her own yogurt.) This machine resurfaced during their recent move and was, again, the topic of some questions and laughs (Thanks, CJ). Dad, Leisa Marie said you helped her on her food journey with donation of tillers, bulb diggers and advice. 😉

Back to the subject at hand; Mom took it a distinct step towards the extreme for the 5 years prior to her diagnosis she had been following a very strict no sugar, no grains, no gluten “anti-cancer” diet then BOOM! She, of all people gets diagnosed with cancer. Terminal cancer. Thanks to our ancestors, Adam & Eve, our bodies are imperfect as is the food we have access to. (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 5:12 “…through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin…”) Thus, if I’ve learned anything through this ordeal it is that we have to just strive to live our lives in a balanced way. Don’t jump on the latest health-craze train. There’ll be a new one that pulls into the station in a month anyhow. Yes, eat your veggies but every now and then “Cheetos, Beer, Repeat” because life goes on… for most of us and it should be enjoyed.

As many of you have pointed out, I’ve been behind on blogging! I blame Mom. I told her she just needs to up her comedy game because she just hasn’t been nearly as funny lately! 😉 Just kidding! We’ve just been super busy!

In addition to concern for Mom, naturally, people are also concerned about her family too and ask how we are holding up. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I can’t really figure out how to fully describe this strange, unnatural feeling. At times it feels like I’m talking about someone else’s mom, NOT my Mom! Almost like an out-of-body experience, looking at this poor family from above. At other times it feels too real. Fortunately, our parents instilled a deep faith in us. Hebrews describes faith as “…the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.” I am sure that what we hope for will come even though we can’t see it now!

Some of the symptoms Mom has experienced have been increased fatigue and swelling of her feet/legs. Recently she told her nurse “I can’t even see my ankles anymore!” I couldn’t resist and clapped back “Now you know how I’ve felt for the last 30 years!” My family has always teased me for my “cankles” since my calf pretty much just slides right into my foot, bypassing the ankle altogether. DOFL To answer the inevitable question: No. She says the swelling in her feet doesn’t hurt. Now, the fluid build-up and tumor growth in her abdomen… that’s a different story. A markedly uncomfortable one, so I’m told. In an effort to find the right cocktail of meds to control both the pain and nausea (which we have fortunately found, it seems) Mom took one med that not only made her sleep 24/7 but also induced vertigo. I reminded her of just how savage of a person she can be. A few years back I got vertigo from allergies. She claims to not remember the day I called to tell her about the diagnosis or her response: “You know, the people who usually get vertigo are old people or people with Downs Syndrome? Which one are you?” and then laughed maniacally. (Don’t get up in arms, she wasn’t bashing any with a mental disability or the elderly! 😉 ) That’s my Mother for you! This is also the lady that laughed when I broke my arm. Admittedly, I tend to also laugh out of awkwardness in situations where I shouldn’t be laughing. 😀 But hey, at least I’m not crying! 😉 Speaking of not crying… press play:

Mom asked if we could re-write the lyrics to be “Not Dyin'”? lol Any takers?

In light of her increasing fatigue Dad and I suggested we put a kindly worded sign on the door requesting that friends keep their (much appreciated) visits to 30 minutes or less. Mom passionately objected. Being the beautiful person she is, in consistent form with her character, she insisted that since these friends have traveled from HOURS awaw (some as far as 8 hours) to see her they deserve the courtesy of not asking them to leave so soon. While we are talking about her unassuming nature, did you know that the diamond in her cherished engagement ring came from a dumpster? My grandfather somehow found the diamond in the garbage at work. Dad had it mounted and Mom said yes! Guess you could say Dad found himself a trashy girl, huh? 🙂 If you have a moment where you want to wallow in your feelings, at the request of Dad, listen to this: 

Remember, don’t cry too much. Play the 1st song “Not Crying” as needed until the tears turn into tears of laughter. And keep laughing cause Mom still is and she says life goes on… for most of us.