Cancer-FREE

Cancer-FREE

Saturday, June 26, 2010

The first thing neglected when tragedy befalls you: the feet.

Since this blog is all about honesty, I have another admission: it hasn't bothered me a bit that people have seen my tired dogs (feet) and the ghosts of care that once was. The slivers of polish were reminiscent of the days when I actually cut my toenail cuticles, exfoliated, and polished. BUT, there is something wonderful about having feet that do not have the same consistency and texture as concrete...

News: My toes are happy and bright thanks to two of my oldest and dearest friends (and I mean "oldest" in that we have been friends forever), Kristen and Jaime. They drove out west from my hometown of Milford and have spoiled me rotten. I am now officially a brat. We dined at Food Dance Cafe and they had a foot intervention and pedicured me up at a spa nearby in downtown Kzoo. Mmmmm... lovely, lovely fluorescent pink toenails are happily peeking out of my sandals now. Once we were home, they forced me to take a nap while they played with Brody and Gideon was still sleeping. I thought there was NO WAY I could fall asleep (especially since I took my dosage of grape "Five Hour Energy" today), but my head hit the pillow and it was magic!

Other magical moments included the fact that Gideon slept through the night without pain, but woke up around 6 am. He is getting braver and braver when it comes to taking his medicine. We have a red chair that he sits on and he whimpers up until go-time. Then, he puts his game face on and swallows the grossness with gusto! When I say, "Medicine time!" He begrudgingly moves his little red chair into the kitchen and watches me as I concoct his shark-fighting elixir. His little eyes look at me with a sad little shadow, but he knows we are doing all of this out of love.

He also begged me to attach a smiley-face paper clip to his shirt. He said, "I will smile more with it on." The paper clip is WORKING. More glimmers of sweetness have been gracing us than hauntings by Chemically Altered Gideon. I think the paper clip will be on every shirt he wears from now on. It's the little things... Remember? I believe in magic and miracles. The pegasus will happen (one day).

For now, Gideon's tummy is still really bothering him and it breaks my heart the way he paces (waddle-paces) around the house while grimacing and quietly moaning to himself. I am doing all I can to distract him from the pain, and somehow we will overcome the hurt.

I always feel like I need to balance sad news with beautiful news... Sarah Rypma had her school of ESL grade students make Gideon cards -- SO MANY CARDS! They are pieces of art with beautiful messages inside. Gideon and I poured over every single one... It took us two hours to go through them all, but Gideon never got bored or distracted by anything else. His little face lit up as he pointed out smiley-faces, swing sets, balloons, hearts... he had a comment (or ten) for every single card. I was (silently) sobbing to see his cheerful smile. Thank you, Sarah. Thank you, students! We will treasure your art bursting with love!

Brody capped off my great day with a bike ride - just the two of us (I know you know that song...sorry. It'll be in your head all night). He said to me, "You go first, mommy. Know why I'm letting you go first? 'Cause you told me it's nice to let girls go first. I'm doing it like you said." He also warned me about upcoming puddles so that my new toes wouldn't get dirty. What a honey. I am so lucky and feeling lots of love...me and my pink toes.

6 comments:

  1. So thankful for pampered feet and a night FREE of pain!! Thank you, Sweetie for keeping us updated. We are keeping up the prayers as we read each day about our brave little warrior. Keep taking care of you as you take such wonderful care of him and Brody. And keep looking to Jesus. He is with you! Love and prayers, Aunt Bets

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  2. Amanda,
    Your faith, strength, and optimism are truly inspirational. Thanks for the updates and way to go new found spider lover!
    My thoughts, prayers, and positive energies are with you,
    Julie B

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  3. Thank goodness for the new toes...now for the hair:) So happy they made you pamper yourself, you deserve. And so glad to hear that Gideon is having some better days. It's amazing what the familiar environment of home can do to help a situation!

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  4. Amanda,

    I haven't posted anything until now but please know that you and your family are on my mind everyday. Thank you for the updates, and if you need a babysitter, food, ANYTHING just let me know!
    Alaina Scott

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  5. Oh giiiiiirl! Wish I had been there to spoil you too. I am thinking of you all, all day long!!! You are incredible and your kids have followed suit, clearly. Hope to see you soon. xoxoxo

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  6. How incredibly sweet that your friends made that trek to pamper you so!!! I got goosebumps thinking about what terrific friends you have, helping you cope with all this and being there to lift you up when things get tough. What a blessing, eh?

    I'm so glad that more of the beauty that is Gideon is shining again through all these trials. Just proves what I've always felt - you CAN'T keep a good kid down for long! He is such an adorable, loving child, much like his mother was at his age... I'm still praying hard that things go easier as you go along!

    Doesn't it give you a thrill when your kids suddenly come out with those little tidbits that you've instilled in them over the years? Sometimes you think they'll never take hold, then suddenly, out they pop... gotta love Brody and his 'big kid' attitude! My heart goes out to him as he struggles with his new position in the household - big brother, mom's protector, 5-going-on-25 years old. That's a toughie for him too.

    Loving all the terrific updates that you share so beautifully. Srsly, you really need to think about publishing this when all is said and done - and the vicious fishies are DEAD!! I just know that this would give a boost to any mom facing what you're going through now.

    Much LOVE, PRAYERS, THOUGHTS, HUGZ & EVERYTHING!!

    ~~Aunt Nancy~~

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