Like most families we go around the table and say what we are thankful for and the very thought of describing what I’m thankful for had me choked up. Luckily, crafty Aunt Paula incorporated a pack of tissues into the placecards – she’s so damn clever! Needless to say, the tissues were used!
Well. What are we thankful for this year? I blubbered a few things at the table today as I tried not to cry but in all honesty I think I could write a list that lasts for days. In our attempt to really think about what we are thankful for we pulled together some things we are especially thankful for this year, in no particular order, and of course not all inclusive. But a few sentiments for this Thanksgiving:
- Our Nurses/Doctors/Technicians/Hospital, Office & Clinic Staff: The patience of these folks is truly remarkable and there are people in the world who have truly found their calling. It has been incredibly powerful, and a privilege, to be around that type of energy for the past two and a half months. A handful of these people have become like family during this and we are forever grateful.
- Our Family: You never know the power of your family as a unit until you are in a time of crisis. Our families have been our strength on rough days, smiling faces and shoulders to cry on. Whether it is in person, a care package, a message, FaceTime or any other means of communication it has been remarkable. Love and gratitude doesn’t even begin to describe this feeling.
- Our Friends & Support Network: We have had support at every turn, from every imaginable person we know. The outpouring of love and support at times would overwhelm us to the point of tears because we feel there is never a way to repay all the love that we have received. From people helping us with referrals, meals, cards, etc., we are forever in your debt.
- Our Marriage: When we got married three years ago I never thought we would be spending days on end with each other holed up in a hospital room, or our house, or me being a primary care taker. I am so thankful that we have the marriage, and partnership, that we do. Tom has not let more than a few hours go by without thanking me and we’ve actually had quite a bit of fun despite our situation. We are stronger for it, and for that I can’t be anything but thankful.
- Humor: We truly believe laughter is the best medicine, and I believe that mindset has helped us get this far. Some days I think our humor made this seem easy – though trust me it’s quite the opposite. I also think you get back what you give, and having a positive mindset made it easy for our doctors and nurses to communicate with us in the same way.
- Science & Medicine: Tom has said it repeatedly, but thank goodness he got cancer in 2015. I have been blown away by the power of the human body and all that it can do/tolerate in addition to the medical capabilities that support it all. We are not foolish to think cancer free means this will all be over; in the years following his “all clear” there will continue to be many scans, and tests so we can avoid a situation like this again – and we plan to have many thankful days of clear scans ahead.
- Our Employers/Bosses: We both work for two incredible companies that have shown us such grace during a dark time of our lives. Tom’s company has been absolutely amazing and supportive while he has been away and constant cheer leaders for him and making sure we have everything we need. My company has been equally phenomenal and provided me with flexibility and support that has rendered me speechless at times. I’ve continued to work full-time throughout this entire endeavor, but working for an organization like mine that knows the importance of family, and being present for your family is an incredible gift.
- Rough Patches of Life: Let me be clear – I wish that Tom didn’t have cancer. However, this diagnosis has given us more than it has taken away from us. Many people say “Seize the day” or “Live life to the fullest”, but not often do people live that way. We are forever changed. At the age of 28 and 30, in a matter of hours, our lives were literally ripped from us and months of intense, scary and life limiting events followed. We will never be the same – and I know we will live life differently for it. I wish it wasn’t at the expense of Tom having to go through this – but we are forever grateful for our new perspective of our lives.