Thoughts For You (You'll Know Who You Are)

Having any type of illness makes it difficult to think about anything else - but there are times when I am alone and the strangest memories and thoughts pop into my head.  Here it is after midnight, I am exhausted and can't sleep (my typical evening) so I decided to write down some though provoking memories..... Can you fill in the blanks with the details I left out?

* When Bradford decided to try a bike trick at SVDP and slammed into a brick wall. Our neighbor went with me to the emergency room. Through his pain, when the nurses came in for a parental signature, Bradford decided to tell the nurse we were his "lesbian mothers."

*When Sr. Caroline had to read Andrew's mad-lib to me over the phone because he was so scared when he read it to me that I couldn't understand a word he said when he read it.

*The only sport I enjoy is horse racing (thanks to my Uncle Mario).  The race several years ago, Maria (Doodles) says, "have any horses died after these races.?"  Damn, 60 seconds after the winning horse crossed the finish line, another horse slowing down to a gallop, dropped dead on the track.

*Maria (Doodles) having her bath as a baby and the whole block listening to her scream.

*Over 90 degrees outside, took the kids to baseball game.  Left money so I could call and have pizza's delivered and Chris could pay for it before we got home.  We walked in the house and it was like an inferno.  We thought, "OMG, the central air broke."  - Well, not quite, Chris piped up and said, "NO mom, I turned it off so the pizza would stay warm."  I won't tell you how old he was but he was way over the age that he could stay home alone.

*Cousin Tammy telling me she wanted short hair - well, you said you wanted it short :)

*Caitlyn's trip to New Jersey.

*Asking Pootie, "where did you get that bruise on your butt - OMG, it's huge."

*My brother Albert sprinting down Interstate 95 at age 3.

*My brother Nicky cutting his own hair the night before school pictures.

*Trips to Va. Beach, The Chamberlain - oh, those were the days.

*My mothers' attempt at cooking on Hegeman Ave.

So many memories - so many laughs.

Weekly Update

Thankfully, it has been a quiet and calm week.  No significant side-effects to report.  I am relentless in taking my anti-nausea medications twice a day to make sure that doesn't become an issue.  But, in exchange, all the medications and chemotherapy drugs make me very, very tired.

I am sleeping about 12 hours a night and then 1-2 naps per day - sleep is overrated when you sleep this much :)  Last weekend, we had Cameron for one night and that wiped me out - but it was soooo worth it - who can't resist this face

What does concern me is 2 nights ago, my sister told me I got up at about 11:30 pm, opened the front door, walked out, and came right back in.  I DO NOT REMEMBER that at all.  I was asleep that night by 11:00 pm.  Certainly a question for the doctor tomorrow when I go to get my weekly bloodwork.  I have never had a sleep walking issue in my life - but I suppose from all the therapy and drugs it could be an issue.

The one confession I have is - I quit smoking 9 weeks ago and was doing GREAT... but approx a week ago, I have been having one cigarette each night.  By evening, I really, really, want one and it seems after having one, I get a nasty taste in my mouth and don't want another - until the next night.  I know I should not even have that one, but if one "nasty" cigarette keeps me from smoking regularly, then I'm okay with that.

And finally, this week was a week for connecting with relatives.  My aunt's 90th birthday was this week and when I called, I was pleasantly surprised to find my cousin and her daughter were there.  Talking to Aunt Diana, Annette and Diana Marie brought back so many memories and filled my heart with love.  Aunt Diana - HAPPY 90th Birthday - she is a true example of living life and enjoying every minute of it - something we all need to do <3

WRITTEN BY: My 8th child - Maisey Cachat

"Just breathe. Take in all the air your lungs will let you and hold it. Let your lungs taste the oxygen filling you with life. Because despite your illness, you are filled with life. And when the treatment takes your hair, feel the warmth on your skin. Know it comes from the blood pumping through your veins. Accept your situation with patience and peace, but never stop fighting it without discretion or hesitance. You own your body, it does not own you. It merely houses your soul."