Today was a good day! It was the last day! It was a long day! It was the final day for my hubby’s Chemo treatments and after 5 1/2 months, he was ready for this day to finally arrive. I still remember walking into the Cancer Institute back in early December and having my stomach in knots! As we walked out today, I had those same kinds of feelings…maybe just a little different though.
It’s kind of special; when you finish with your treatments; on your final day, there is a big bell on the wall with a rope pull that the nurses let you ring. They all gather around and watch you ring it. Earlier in the day, when my hubby’s nurse found out this was his last day, she asked him if he was going to ring the bell? He waited just a second and then said, “I’m gonna rip that bell off the wall!” But he didn’t… he was nice, and didn’t even want me to take his picture doing it. The nurses all stood around and clapped and gave us hugs and shed tears just like us. I guess it’s just as joyful for them as it was for us…
We were kind of quiet on the way home. I was driving and my hubby was just kind of looking out the window. Guess how we celebrated when we got home? We got in our pajamas and went to bed…at 3:00 in the afternoon! We both were tired and had gotten up early for his labs before treatment and nothing sounded as good as a nap. When we got up there was a box on the front steps. I opened it and it was another blessing…from a wonderful person who has showered us with gifts and cards the whole time my hubby has been going for treatments. This time we were blessed with 2 pans of homemade Magic Cookie Bars!!! Can I hear a YUM? Sometimes when we come home my hubby is too sick to eat, but he wanted to try a cookie bar and it went down just fine. He was happy! (I had one too and it was DELICIOUS, which made ME happy!)
I was kind of melancholy the rest of the evening… I guess the end of something does that to you. I thought back of all the kind comments and cards and prayers that have come our way and just wanted to say thank you again to all of you who have helped me (us) remember we aren’t in this all by ourselves. My sewing room has been my haven… when I walk though the door, it feels safe and familiar and like the way things used to be. It’s where I feel normal and like my old self and where I can be creative and not have to worry about anything except what trim to use or what ribbon looks best on a certain fabric. All of your dolly talk and chatter helped me more than you’ll ever, ever know. You all have been so kind to me (us) and sometimes when I felt scared, I’d just read your comments over and over again, knowing that you all cared for me.
One person in particular, I wanted to recognize…not by name, but because of what they did. Every week since we started going to the Cancer place, back in December, this person sent a card, or a box of something or sometimes both… there have been gifts and notes and every kind of little trinket you can imagine. Their name became a household word in our house, as every Tuesday or Wednesday, another card would arrive. Her kind gestures deserved to be recognized and I’d love to shout their name from the mountain top, but I won’t. They did it as unto the Lord and as she felt prompted… I have never met anyone as kind and generous and will always remember these times. When I grow up I want to be just like her! :o) I’ve told her thank you every time, but it just didn’t seem like enough.
I rounded up as many cards as I could find… my hubby cut some of the fronts off of them and used them for book markers and some were personal notes so I didn’t use them.
Thank you again, _________! There are some really special people in the world and you happen to be one of them. May you be blessed abundantly by the Lord, for all the time and effort and money you have invested in my family! I wish I could express just how special you are and how you made us feel!
I took Addy’s skirt with me today and I did get both hems finished, but that’s not very interesting to show. Susette asked about how the sleeves were done and I told her I would gladly share it, but it’s now 11:30 and I’m sorry but it will have to wait until tomorrow. (I had to run to Walmart for “grape popsicles” for my hubby a little while ago.)
Just consider this a gratitude post and we’ll get on with sewing topics very soon! I’m not the most eloquent writer, and wish I could make this more heart felt, but I just wanted to really say, Thank You, everyone, for your love!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a beautiful tribute to all the wonderful people who have helped you and George along the way! I can feel the love! I am SO happy and thankful that George has finished his chemo treatments, and is ready now for the next step in his road to recovery!
What a special person this must be to have showered you with something every week! That is a lovely idea to send a card to someone to give them courage to go on and hope for better days. We have a program like that at church which I belong to, and we send a card every month to someone who is sick or undergoing therapy. It does help!
I love the way you are so caring for others, and see? It comes back to you!
Hi Linda,
I truly meant every word I wrote. I can’t imagine these last 6 months without all of you!
The kindnesses we give to one another really do make a difference.
Thank you, Linda, for all your encouraging words and cards!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sending you all hugs and good thoughts and prayers!! (((HUGS))) I just had to say it. You are just wonderful people and I look forward to reading your blog every day. I wish there was no cancer in the world, as good people like your family should not have to go through such nasty business. I will be praying that everything went great with his treatments and now that they are over, you can enjoy the sunshine of spring and summer. 😀
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your long distance hugs! I can almost feel them. It’s nice to be the “blesser” as well as the “blessee!”
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m left speechless by your friend’s kindness and thoughtfulness. And here I was asking about sleeves. Oh, dear. You are so much in our thoughts. Thank you for keeping us posted on your journey together. We all love you.
Hi Susette,
Don’t worry a bit about asking how the sleeves were done. I loved your inquisitive questions and will be glad to show you.
It’s much more fun to go on a journey with others than by yourself. Thanks for tagging along.
Blessings, Jeanne
How special to have such a good friend. It serves as a good reminder that little acts of kindness add up to a whole lot of love.
I’m glad the day went well for you two.
As for your writing, you are eloquent.
Have a good day!
Take care.
Thank you, Charlotte,
You are very kind thinking that I write eloquently… maybe it’s not so much eloquent as it is just open or from the heart. Sometimes I have a habit of maybe sharing too much.
But I appreciate you coming back day after day!
Blessings, Jeanne
Cheers for George, you too, on completing treatments. And a round of applause for your wonderful card/gift friend as well as the others.
Keep on writing, we love it.
Thank you, Joy,
I’ll keep writing if you’ll keep reading…deal?
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, I loved your gratitude post! We ALL care about you! Your sewing room has truly been your retreat, your refuge, and your sanctuary, and I am so glad you have had it. George was so right to encourage you to continue to do what you love! And your blog is a highlight of so many of our days, but I hope it is a blessing to you, as well. Amidst our chatter of sleeves and slips and heirloom sewing, we’re able to say, we’re thinking of you, praying for you, caring about you! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to reach out to you, and thank you for all that you mean to us! Rejoicing with you on the completion of George’s “spa days,” and sending heartfelt wishes for joyful days ahead!
Thank you Anne,
From the very beginning, George told me he wanted me to carry on as normal as I could…sewing was my norm, so I tried to keep that up! He was right and I’m so glad I had sewing and sharing and showing with all of you as a part of my daily activities.
I will always remember “spa” days and think back on them with memories of all of you right beside me.
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
I agree with Jeanne that asking about sleeves and sharing our everyday concerns is a great help. When I was doing chemo, one of my friends shared her family — they live in California and I live in Colorado, so they didn’t come here, but they all wrote — the mother about her classes, the son about starting college, the daughter about the books she was reading, the mother about how they were coping with a dangerous situation at school. In times like these, you need to feel involved in life. Even hearing about problems lets you know you aren’t alone in facing them.
Still, good things are definitely good things. I found this on AGPT the other day. Which Doll Has Held Your Heart All These Years? Why? I was hoping this would link, but it looks like you’ll have to try it as a search. It’s nice to read all the good stories about beloved dolls.
HI Marilyn,
Absolutely, the questions were and still are some of my favorites and sometimes I even make a post out of them! :o)
That’s sweet how your friends brightened your day and helped you think of something outside of yourself during your chemo treatments. I bet you couldn’t wait to get letters from them all!
All the Beloved Dolls…. what a fun topic to consider! I was thinking of doing a question post and already have my question written down… and will use it one of these days!
Thanks so much Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
So glad George is thru with his chemo! Bless his heart. You both support each other so well…that doesn’t always happen. You have a strong marriage which also doesn’t always happen. You have gained so many friends by sharing your talents and Christian living. We love hearing your stories …you set such a good example. Love seeing all the cards and whoever your friend is that has sent something every week….all I can say is “WOW!”
Take care, have a good week!
HI Kathie,
It’s weird to think that Chemo is over… I’m sure when next Tuesday rolls around, I’ll be thinking we have to go…
I have gained SO many friends since starting this blog and it’s wonderful! I love every one of them!
Wow… was all I could each week!
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
How grateful I am to hear that George has made in successfully through his “spa days” and is continuing on the road to recovery. What a wonderful blessing your “friend” has been in your lives. I care about you and George as well as Kristoffer and Rebecca, we all do. I have gotten to know you through your blog and enjoy reading your post each day. George was so right to encourage you to continue sewing. Everyone needs a refuge when things seem out of control. God is our refuge , but an earthly hobby etc. helps as well. Hugs and continued blessings.
Laura
HI Laura,
Just as you all think you’ve gotten to know me, I’ve gotten to know all about you too! It’s been glorious and fun for me!
I’m glad I know how to sew…it’s the perfect hobby and I get to share it with all of you, which makes it doubly fun for me!
Thanks for your sweet comments, Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne