Maggie told me yesterday that with some of my writing on this blog I tend to have a flare for the dramatic. The words shot like ice daggers from her lips into my ears, splitting my skull on their way to my heart. As shame and passion overcame my soul, I rended my shirt, crying aloud “Why?” as the lashing my lover had bestowed found its final resting place, deep in my psyche only to be uncovered years later by a psychiatrist, paid well for her mental spelunking. Hmmm… Maybe Maggie’s right.
Maggie’s back in Houston. Shocker, no? I delivered her to the Angel Flight pilot. He delivered her to Houston. And someone there delivered her to MD Anderson. Amazing. And wonderful.
The airplane she road in was nice – four seats and one propeller. She said the flight was fine. A little bumpy on the take off and landing but otherwise it was 45 minutes of uneventfulness. The drive to the hospital, she said, was worse than the flight because of Houston’s atrociously bumpy roads.
After treatment is complete (1-ish) a lady is meeting her out front to drive her back to the airport where she’ll catch her return flight at around 2:30PM. It’s like magic fairies just pick her up and drop her off where she needs to be, when she needs to be there. Angels, I’m sure they prefer to be called.
Getting back, however, may become more of a challenge. I just spoke to Maggie who told me she’s still waiting on her first blood draw (10:50AM). Yikes. She was supposed to be finished with that about 9:30AM. That causes her treatment schedule to slide substantially. If everything goes smoothly now she won’t be done at MD Anderson until 2:30PM at the earliest, just when her flight is scheduled to leave. Leave it to them to screw up a perfectly good plan. Grumble.
Here’s the schedule we have had:
9:30AM – draw blood, wait 1.5 hours for results
11:00AM – start treatment
11:30AM – finish treatment, wait 1.5 hours for observation
1:30PM – done for the day
Add in the randomness of “we may have a doctor come give you a brief exam before your treatment and, if we do, it’ll extend your visit by about an hour.”
Wow, these next weeks are going to be… uh… replete with opportunities to learn.
Ironically, life forces us all to learn patience by INSISTING that we practice it RIGHT NOW! Of course, as is true with all new habits, we sometimes slip back into the old ones when pushed to our limits.
I think you and Maggie have been pushed to your limits more times than anyone can count. We all stand in admiration of you both because even at your limits, you demonstrate love and compassion for each other, courage under fire, and a strong hope for the future that may bend from time to time but never breaks.
One of your blogging friends always says it so well, “Hold fast!”
Much, much love; prayers unceasing; serenity for you both.
Mom
Chris, loved your humor about being dramatic. I’m looking forward to your first novella. I’m sorry the day has been delayed, but maybe the wind will calm down by the time Maggie’s plane touches down, it looks to be bumpy out there now. I guess with anything having to do with hospitals and labs, we should allot a couple extra hours.
Much Love, prayers, and strength to you both,
I know it is tough, would hope a little venting helps but believe a calm, clear and respectful message is more productively heard.
Hold Fast, You are a loving husband and a good man.
Don MacLeod
It may not be the best advice, but I say write what you feel like writing. One day when one day’s memories get mixed up with another, you may look back to these words for your own inspiration. I know your words have given others courage to face problems of their own, even though their problems may not seem as big as what you and Maggie have faced. May God bless you and all the family that have been on this journey with you and may he continue to give you strength to get through whatever comes your way.
Dwayne
One of the good things that came from George W Bush’s presidential reign was a succint and fantastic quote that I have adapted into my life. It arose on the morning of 9/11, but I think it is apt to apply to your HUGE support system and to remind both you and Maggie, and all of us in this situation…”We will never tire, we will never falter, and we will never fail.”
We are your family, all of us online or otherwise, and I think we ALL have the same mantra: For Chris and Maggie …”never tire, never falter, never fail”.
We love you
Ditto what Nickie and Carrie said!
Love you guys!
Shawna
Taking my pre-nursing exam (PSB) today!
Chris, I think your writings are right on the money and very informative to say the least. I’m thankful Maggie has you to not only help her through this incredibly trying time, but to take all of us along with you so that we can understand and learn. You both are simply amazing. Especially you Maggie.
All I can say is that I feel your pain. I am dealing with the CTRC now and my 1:00 appt actually happened about 3:00 pm. Last week my noon appt was actually 4:00. We are quickly learning not to get in too much of a hurry and carry a good book!
I love the flair you put in these stories, Chris!
Dear Chris…
I think that your writing is spot on..and the you show your heart and how you feel as you go through this battle. Please don’t change the way you write. Also I think that you should publish this blog eventually in book form because it could bring a lot of comfort and information to people who will eventually go this this battle as well. You don’t know me..we met briefly in austin..but you are in my thoughts and I read your blog every couple of weeks. I send you many prayers and healing energy. You are both really strong people and I admre you.
Love and Light. Karen