Goodbye Chemo!

GOODBYE CHEMO!

We are moving on to the next step.

No part of me is ready but I don't have a choice. 

These beautiful girls need me, so I will push through my fears and attack this next step head on.

Michael

Meet Micheal.........

I met Michael's mom last week in the infusion room when his mom stopped me and said "another younger person,  we were so excited to see a young person, how old are you?"  When I told her 31 she was surprised.  I think she thought I was younger.  I told her I was receiving chemo for breast cancer, she told me Michael was receiving chemo for a brain cancer.  I asked when he was diagnosed and she said 10 years ago.  I left the conversation (I really had to use the restroom) by saying "Wow, that is amazing.  Keep fighting).  

I refuse to say I feel sorry for anything any longer, I refuse to tell someone I am sorry for what they are going through.  It still comes to my mind sometimes but I refrain from saying it and I find other words.  Words to lift them up, words of encouragement.  Sorry is useless!   It doesn't help anyone!  

 Today Michael was back and he sat next to me and said " you ran off so fast last week I wasn't able to meet you." I told him he was on the phone and I really needed to use the restroom.  So as we chatted today I learned that.............................

 He has been fighting brain cancer since he was 15 years old.  
He is now 27
His mother is single and no father, he couldn't handle a "sick" child and left the family.
He has undergone something like 5 brain surgery's.
He has been told on more then one occasion he would vary well die during his surgery.  
He has been through different medical studies.

Traveled multiple states and hospitals for treatments/
He has been through chemo treatments more times then he could count.
His mother has walked into the hospital with a Chaplin more then once.
He has had a procedure performed where they basically killed him. and screwed into his brain to see what they needed to remove.  

He has had multiple friends die, WHY?  because he spends most of his time in infusion rooms.  His friends also have life threatening disease.  

HIM AND HIS MOTHER ARE THE MOST AMAZING PEOPLE I HAVE MET.    

They came into the room with such a presence and laughed.  His mom said at one point "you have to laugh that is the only way you can make it through this." I agreed with her 110%.  She asked questions about me.  I can't say that after dealing with this for over 10 years that I would really care about anyone else's problems.  Micheal laughed and he joked with me.  He told me something about them cutting out parts of infected brain.  He said " Oh don't worry, they only cut out some pieces" and laughed. 

You could tell that Micheal's brain has been damaged.  He talked really slow, walked with a cane and sometimes couldn't get all of his words out.  His vision was mildly effected.  His one eye drooped a little and when he looked at you you could tell it was difficult for him to focus.

  I was in awe of his strength and motivation.  I wish everyone could meet Micheal and his mom. They would touch you, they would make you a better person.  They did me today!  

  What I also learned about Micheal is tomorrow he will go in for yet another brain surgery.  He has a shunt and it has not been working.  So tomorrow they have to go in and repair it.  It's really not a routine surgery.  They don't know if they can repair it, they don't know if Micheal will come out of surgery.  

TODAY THEY WERE SMILING. 

 Tomorrow he may face death yet again and 

TODAY THEY WERE SMILING!  

So tonight I ask that you pray for Micheal.  

Tomorrow I ask that you pray for Micheal. 

 If you don't pray just learn from him.  

Tomorrow he faces death and 

TODAY HE IS SMILING!

Hold your babies and loved ones a little closer and work really hard to be like this young man who has faced every odd.  

He has not lived a normal adolescence or adult hood, but he is 

STILL SMILING!  

Be grateful for your every day.  The good ones and the bad ones!  

I gave Micheal my phone number and he said we could chat.  I hope he reaches out, but if he doesn't I don't think I will ever forget this family.  There Strength, Courage, and Wisdom,  He is a true warrior and I want to be just like him when I grow up!

Please keep him in your hearts.  I don't have a last name but you see his face and you know his name. Just keep those in your heart while you go about your day tomorrow!  

Reconstruction.......and other thoughts