Friends

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

I have written many times over the past few months how grateful I am to my family and friends, and the help they have given to me while I undergo thyroid cancer surgery and treatment. 

As the days progress, and I am now in my seventh week after my thyroidectomy and neck dissection, still without any thyroid replacement hormones, I have had to rely on my family and friends more than ever.  

I literally have to get through the days, hour by hour, because waking up and facing a whole day in its entirety is too overwhelming. I honestly don’t know how I am going to make it hour to hour, let alone an entire day.  I have found though, in these hours, my friends have stepped in and made them manageable and give me that extra boost I need to make it through to the next hour.

I could have never imagined after all these weeks that have passed, the friendship and love that continues to flow my way.  Today I had an exceptionally hard day-  I just had no energy, and I mean none.  Sitting in a chair was making me tired.  During the last week or so, I have developed an insomia- I am so tired I can’t keep my eyes open, but yet I am unable to sleep.  I can sleep for about 30 minutes at a time and then I am awake for hours.  I am sure it is hormone related, and will clear up, but this has taken its toll on me, physically and emotionally.   

Over the weeks, my friends have cooked, brought over meals, cleaned the house, mowed the lawns, and have sent me notes of encouragement. Some friends make me laugh, some friends don’t let me feel sorry for myself, some friends encourage me.  I am so grateful for all these kind acts shown to me.  It is like a bouquet of flowers- each flower adding something unique to the bouquet. 

Today I received a sweet message from one of my oldest friends, J.  She was my best friend in middle school, and we have been out of touch for years.  We have recently been in touch via Facebook.  We actually live in the same state and have been trying to get together.  But because of my health right now, I can’t.  She wrote me such an encouraging note, and she hasn’t seen me in 20 years. 

One of the moms in my mom’s group is battling breast cancer.  She is in her final round of chemotherapy, and she sent me an e-mail saying she had missed that I had thyroid cancer.  She has gone through so much more than I have, and she took the time out to send me a note of encouragement.  I was in tears reading her words.  We have only met a few times, as we live in different cities, but I was so touched by her strength and encouragement.  It was like a shot of pure confidence that I can and will get through this. 

My lawn was severely overgrown.  It was budding with weeds.  It looked awful, and there is a lot of lawn between the front and the back yards.   It depressed me every time I saw it.  Seven weeks ago, I was mowing the lawns myself. 

My friend, Melissa (NatureDeva), and her husband came over.  Melissa mowed the lawns in 90 degree heat, and then asked what else she could do for me.  Her husband, M., came over too and built window well covers for three basement windows, and cleaned them out, so the boys would be safe while playing outside.  Then he tried to fix the garage door opener for me.  They have a son Ryan’s age, and they could have been spending time with, but they helped my family today. 

My spirits instantly soared when I saw the mowed lawns- it was like that symbol that everything is going to be okay, and for now things are.  I can’t thank Melissa and her husband enough.

I also can’t think of all that my friend, Amy (Crunchy Domestic Goddess), has done for me without getting tears in my eyes.  From the day I told her I could possibly have thyroid cancer to the present, she has been right there with me.  From letting me vent, to calling me, to offering her help, to cooking, to organizing, to visting me in the hospital,  to thinking of ways to help me-all the while she has been battling some very tough issues herself, and being a full-time mom. 

One of the most unexpected things Amy has done, was she entered us in a contest to win an all expense paid trip to New York City next year, to attend the annual blogging conference by BlogHer.  We both made plans to go this year, and obviously I couldn’t, but Amy went last week to Chicago for her first BlogHer conference. 

Her roommate told her about a contest, Mabel’s Labels was having- the Wish You Were Here Contest. An attendee to BlogHer this year had to submit a video of themselves saying who they wished could have been there with them.  Amy’s entry explained why she wished I was there with her, and the reason why I was not. 

Yesterday she found out that her video made the finals!  They only picked 10 finalists and will hold a random drawing on Tuesday to determine the winner.  I was so excited to hear that we made the finals- it has been a great pick me up, and has been a fun distraction imagining if we really won- all the fun we would have together in New York next summer!  Even if we don’t win, I am so touched that she took the time to do this- I know she did it more for me than for herself. You can click here to see Amy’s video entry- she is the last one. 

Thank you doesn’t cover it, but right now that is all I can say- Thank you to all my friends, for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I know you all are busy, and have your own families to take care of.  But for the time you have given to me and to my boys, when I can’t do it myself- thank you.  It means more to me than I will ever be able to tell you or thank you.

My inner spirit is rekindled every day by your actions, words, and positive thoughts you send my way.  I would not be able to make it through this without all of you. I am so lucky to have such a beautiful bouquet of friends.  I love you all.