My Cape

Gypsybobocowgirl recently left a comment on my blog regarding the cape I have around me. She is so right. Over the last few months, even though I have had things thrown in front of me that have made for some rough roads and detours in my route, I am a good traveler. I always find a path back to the main road. I am also a fighter. These traits have been a part of me since I was young. But there is much more. More than at any time in my life, as I travel this new journey of fighting cancer, I am very blessed to have an excellent support group; “my cape”. I can not imagine going through this current journey without them. Each person is special for individual reasons. Each person has done their own, very exceptional things over the last few months. I always try to show them how much this means to me, but I want to also put it here in my blog. They deserve recognition. They are the people that help make this journey all worth while.

Ed, my husband – He is wonderful. He has been to almost every single appointment with me from the mammogram on, only missing a few of the most recent appointments due to work. He was at my side and held me tight upon my diagnosis. He held my hand and hugged me while my remaining hair was shaved off. He stood by me and helped me when I couldn’t keep food down after chemo. He has searched out information online. When I stated I wanted to start walking to help with my recovery, he has been right there at my side, walking with me. These are only a small number of examples of what this man has done.

Often, I think and worry that my diagnosis has been harder on him than me. I have watched his face and can feel his pain and hear his unspoken words. His love for me is unconditional and he shows it every day in many ways. We were still newly weds, still are for that matter, when the cancer diagnosis was made this May….just five months and three days after our wedding day. While it is difficult and would be hard on any relationship, our relationship is still strong and growing.

Along with my husband, my cape is made up of others that are constantly showing just how much they care.

My Family: Mom, Dad, my sister, and my brother – I love them. They are great!

My Daughter, who brought me two dozen roses the day I was diagnosed. Who drove me to my first chemo and who has been here from the beginning of this new journey. Our relationship has evolved over the years and we are not only mother and daughter, we are best friends.

My Son: The quiet one. Yet he has made sure I know how much he cares.

Kim: Who always finds a way to put a smile on my face! Friends, yes, but as time marches on she has become more than that. She is like a sister to me. The world would be a terrible place without her.

Dana: Among other things that she does and has done, she also checks often to see not only how I am doing, but how I am REALLY doing.

Sue: I mentioned Sue in another post, but she needs to be mentioned here also. She has always been a fantastic friend. Life has often grabbed us up throwing us separate ways. Yet, even though we don’t talk or visit as often as we should, our friendship is still strong. We have had a lot of great times over the years.

Kay and Jerry: Our newest neighbors. Great people with great hearts.

Jerry and Cathy: More great people with great hearts. They too, call often to see how things are going.

Various people in the village (yes, it really is classified as a village) we live in: Always a smile, always kind words and thoughts. Many have put me in their prayers. Some have sent flowers, cards, food or done other things that have let us know they care.

Then there are those I have “met” online since my cancer journey began. These people have each made an impact on my life regardless of the fact that I have never met them in person. They too, have become a part of my cape.

Gypsybobocowgirl loves life and is great at sharing her experiences and outlooks in writing. Her comments on my blog have always been uplifting, often at times when I needed it most. She has done the same in emails as well as being very helpful.

Jeannette Her blog, Two Hands, was one of the first cancer blogs I came to. She is a breast cancer survivor and has done an excellent job of sharing her journey. She is also one that leaves very uplifting comments on my blog and from time to time I have emailed her with questions. She has always taken the time to reply along with being very supportive with her words.

TK Smith is another blogger that loves life and loves to enjoy life. She shows both her humor and her serious side in her blog and has sent very supportive comments and blogging my way.

Even the person who sent me the angels to wrap their wings around me has become a part of my cape.

There are more, and even if they are not mentioned here, it does not mean I have forgotten them. I feel very blessed to have these special people in my life. With them, the road for my cancer journey is smoother. For this I say Thank You with all of my heart. I am looking forward to winning this fight and becoming a long term survivor.

My cape is beautiful.