Thursday, July 3, 2008

Life Is What Happens...

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy, (Darling Boy),” 1980


I was planning on staying late at work Thursday night, loading Blogger with photos taken during my previous visit to the lake in preparations for upcoming vacation posts next week, when I can’t access a computer with my photos.

You would see images of my lake a sunset and the beautiful view I often see. The town in which I vacation that turned Alpine in the ‘60s in an attempt to build tourism (fortunately or unfortunately, that was somewhat successful). The farmers market I where I enjoy shopping, the sheep and fiber farm I was planning to visit and whatever else might catch my fancy.

I would do my best to capture the fireworks shot off directly across from my cottage and if the photos weren’t too bad, share them with you.

I may still get there for a day or two near the end of next week, but this Saturday I will be waiting in a hospital surgical lounge as the 22-year-old boy we love to bits (yes, they’re always boys, even when they’re young me) has surgery to remove his thyroid and the lymph nodes, where the cancer has spread.

We’re told it’s the best cancer to have, if you have to have cancer. It’s treatable. There are wonderful success stories. Terrific percentages. Small recurrence rate. This is good. Better than good. It gives us great hope. We are optimistic and fully expect the universe to cooperate, both for a successful surgery and thorough recovery.

I share this mostly to say thank you to the many friends and family who already know about this and have expressed their concern, good wishes, prayers, positive energy, support and encouragement and offers to help in any way they can.

I have always been blessed with amazing friends who have hung by me through the best and worst of times. We have shed tears over lost loves and shared our grief over lost loved ones who have left us far too soon. My friends (and I include family when I say “friends”) listen patiently to my frustrations and they share in my joys. I hope I do equally as well in listening to them.

When I first began blogging about seven months ago, one of the things that impressed me from viewing others’ was the sense of community and support. Even in a short comment, one gets this sense of energy from afar that is, if for only one brief moment, thinking about you – that is, perhaps, touched by something you have written or a photo or piece of art displayed. They share that thought and it is energizing.

Through reading many blogs I have seen other readers “step up to the plate” offering encouragement, assistance, prayers and support, and I’ve always thought this might be one of the most amazing elements of the blog, something that transcends having a forum for sharing our activities, hobbies, and talents.

We skip from blog to blog, but occasionally may stop during our day and think about someone we “know” who is going through a tough time. I know I do. I may worry a bit about them. Or, I may think of something that we saw that simply made my hearts sing. A recipe we must try, a decorating idea that I’d like to incorporate or a technique that is new.

In the course of commenting and replying to comments, I’ve come to know some of you off-blog a wee bit, and we may have shared thoughts or feelings. Some of you know what’s going on in my topsy-turvy world right now, and you have been “so there.”

I want to tell you that your support means so very much to Rick and me, and to our 21st century anti-nuclear family that will find Greg's mom and dad, stepdad and me, and brother as we wait on Saturday. Your good wishes, prayers, positive energy and helpful stories from your own experience help ground me. I carry this with me in my heart as I go through my day, and I know you will be there with me in spirit on Saturday morning.

We are encouraged by all we read and know about this type of cancer. This “boy” really is a young man and he has become even more so since getting this diagnosis. It brings with it a loss of innocence, a way of changing things that will never be the same, and this is often as much an emotional shift as it is a physical one. I know this, because I’m old. I lost that a long while ago. I didn’t want him to lose that innocence because of this.

We know we will be fine, and I don’t want those of you to read this to worry too much about this.
But oh, all the positive energy you can send will help give us strength.

Believe me, we are most grateful.

15 comments:

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Oh my your poor baby. Best of luck with him, and you are right, I hear this one is curable. Please keep us posted on how he does.

Sandra Evertson said...

Sending you and yours Good Thoughts and Well Wishes!
Sandra Evertson

anno said...

Oh, I wish you didn't have this ahead of you, but I am glad to hear about the promising prognosis. You & your family -- all of you -- will be in my prayers this weekend.

JessInFocus said...

I am so sorry about your "boy". Cancer is such a scary thing, but he can beat it. Know that I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Best wishes to you an your family. (((Jeanie)))

Rosa said...

As I've said, my prayers are coming your way Jeanie. He is young and will come through with flying colors! In the years to, you all will be watching fireworks explode and be thankful that it is all behind you. Big hugs to you all. xoxo

jet1960 said...

I will be keeping him and all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jeanne said...

Best of luck~
Love you darling one
Happy 4th of July~
Be well be safe

Shelley said...

Greg will do well, Jeanie. I've already put in an order. You'll see.
God bless you.

Becca said...

Loads of positive engery from here, Jeanie.

All will be well.

beth said...

I've been thinking about you every day since you told what was going on and I'm sending even more prayers and positive thoughts your way knowing that the surgery tomorrow will be a tough day for all of you.

Hang in there...we're all here for you and your family.

Joanne Huffman said...

I'm reading this on Saturday afternoon and hoping that you are all now relaxing with good news and the relief that the worst is over. Hugs and comfort to all of you.

Joanne

Becca said...

Stopping by on Saturday evening, hoping everything went well.

Hugs to all of you :)

Anonymous said...

well this is a wonderfully happy/sad post my dear jeanie. i am so there with you. the day is done and you surely now are either at greg's side or home resting up for tomorrow's visit. i have come to care for you more than i anticipated when i also began blogging 7 months ago. i feel so blessed and cared for by you. you are such a giving, smart, kind and loving person. and funny too. let's not forget that. that is of the utmost importance at this time. blessings of love to you, rick, greg and all the family and friends who are there to support you.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Cami said...

Sending all my best plus prayers galore... And love.

Tina Leavy said...

Sending great big cyber hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery!

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