Quote of the Day: “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they have a second.” William James
Sue O. texted me: “You more than anyone knows that you have a second wind- and a third and a fourth.” I’m grateful for the vote of confidence. When I woke up 5 months ago today, taught school and then headed to IMC for a mammogram “call back” I never dreamt that I would need that many winds! It’s kind of funny how life twists and turns. I always thought I was doing marathons kind of like a hobby where you collect medals and chalk up the number you’ve completed but it’s becoming clear that the lessons to be learned from marathoning, for me, are really more about believing you can endure more physically than you think you can, that time will pass, the road changes and pretty soon you’re much further down that road than you imagined. Doing chemo was like looking down a long, straight road not really knowing what was ahead but realizing that the road would not be straight at all- there would be many bumps and up-hill battles but knowing somehow that you would get through. It’s like that with a marathon too. You always know that in a few hours, your trial will be over.
Exercise Log: I picked up Jen and we drove to Rattlesnake Gulch in Millcreek Canyon. Patti was waiting for us and couldn’t go walking but had this beautiful basket full of flowers, candies, and magazines, perfect for after surgery- Thanks Patti and Linda. We then met Sue B., Sue O. and Melissa after their run. We walked to the Millcreek Inn. 3.57 miles round trip. When we got back to the cars, Sue B. suggested we have a prayer so we walked through the woods for some privacy, made sure we weren’t knee deep in Poison Ivy and then Sue O. delivered the most amazing prayer. What a strength these friends and sister are. I could really feel their concern and love and have felt so calm because of the power of prayer. Joe, Nate, Alex and Mike also put their hands on my head last night and offered a beautiful prayer. I’m sure that’s why I feel so calm today.
Yesterday, while shopping for a dress, a woman approached me and said something about my bald head. She too had been bald just 8 months ago as she finished chemo in October 2010. I was so glad that she made the contact and I loved talking to her. In a few short minutes, I learned some very important things about cancer. She also was diagnosed with breast cancer, triple-negative, and had a tumor 2 cm but nothing in her lymph nodes. She experienced the same chemo as I had and was now on the mend. We truly had a bond! I love what she said: “You realize how amazing your family and friends are, when you go through cancer treatment”. Oh, how true, what a blessing to have all these people reach out to you, to know with certainty that they are on your team, to benefit from their love, hope and support. The other thing she told me which I understand a bit- she said that after all her treatment, she went through a period of time where she was a little depressed. She said that you start to worry about all the cancer coming back, every twitch you feel in your body you wonder if that could be something bad. When you’re in the process of treatment, that takes all your energy but when you’re through… She also said that she knew she could do it again if needed. I don’t think I could. I don’t even want to go there. But her hair was darling, curly and short, it came back totally different than it had been. It’s something I’m looking forward to- watching hair grow back on my head!
So off to surgery, one more big thing to check off my list!
Hi Mrs. Daily!
I was just wondering how life has been and how your treatment has being going. Are you teaching next year, by the way? Or is Mary going to teach again?
I was also wondering if I could use you as a possible reference in my hunt for jobs. If you could it would be great. Beginning of last year, you wrote me a great letter of recommendation, which I greatly appreciated.
I hope you see this comment.
From,
Jake Polaco
I have been thinking about you all day. I saw Sue B. at the temple this morning and so I know that you have had at least 2 people put your name on the prayer roll. (both of us) It is an amazing thing to think not only about friends and loved ones praying for you but about receiving the blessings of many other faithful people in a much broader family praying for you! Joanie, you are an amazing woman, a strength to all who know you. You will come through this to bless the lives of others. Right now, soak up all of the love and bask in the prayers of the faithful as you heal and regain your strength. I have a friend whose father always used to say, “We cast our bread upon the waters and it comes back CAKE.” Isn’t that the truth. I certainly experienced it through Connor’s illness. I always receive much more than I give, and it strengthens my desire to give more and more and more. Such a blessed cycle! You are in my prayers. You can jump through this hoop, little dog, you have done it before and you can do it again!