Chemotherapeutic treatment for people with leukemia can last between 2.5 and 3.5 years. I got out early on good behavior and only had treatment from August 2013 to November 2015- ages 21 months to two days after my fourth birthday- a little less than 2.5 years. I don’t remember much.
What I do remember is what I did last week and what I did this summer and all I have to look forward to. I know I’m one of the lucky ones. That I made it through the treatment generally unscathed and with little memory of the hard parts of having cancer.
I still hate all medical gloves (even the ones at the dentist) and don’t like having my blood drawn- but- even some heathy people don’t like those things.
I may have some longer term side effects and I’ll learn more about those at my next and last visit with my oncologist next month- things like memory loss and bone fragility. But really, overall- I know I’m pretty lucky. There are families out there- unlike mine who have a hero in heaven now because of cancer. It’s important to remember them. This journey has taught me to appreciate life.
Mostly, I remember the good things about my cancer journey - the friendships we made while being part of the HOT unit, the way the community supported us and prayed for us, and the snuggles and special family time that was mandated by my weakened immune system- that really gave us time to truly learn to love one another- no matter what trials we faced, no matter how many chromosomes we had.
There’s a really cool T-shirt my mom has that says, “Love doesn’t count chromosomes.” It’s true.
What my family has really come to understand since I came into being, I think, is that “All life is precious.” Mom has a T-shirt that says that too. It’s a lesson I plan on continuing to teach- to help people learn that we are all God’s children- all precious- all valuable- and all capable of leaving a positive impact on this world- all precious.
So, here’s what I’m doing these days with my precious life. Just typical fun summer stuff before I start first grade in the fall.
How has your summer been? I wish only the best for you and yours. I’m still counting my blessings.
So far this summer—-
I’ve been swimming:
Spending time with Otis, a therapy horse and SMILES
volunteers:
Mini golfing:
Catching and playing with toads:
Visiting Texas:
Spending time with my GranMary and Grandpa Cliff:
Sailing:
Participating in Game On day to help other kids through their cancer journeys:
Swinging:
Spending time with my sibs:
Here’s a pic from 3 years ago- 100 days left in 2015:
Spending time with my friend Nicole:
Cooking:
Spending time with my sis and her friend and my Nannu and Nanna at the church festival:
Gardening:
Visiting Mr. Amon’s Rose garden:
And playing with Massimo, my favorite dog in the whole world. Mom promised we could get a dog once cancer was through and it’s been long gone for 3 years now. I love my Massimo.
