Rocky Road

I was able to go home last week for mom’s last day of radiation. It was great having the family together for a few hours that morning before Mom, Dad and I returned to Sedalia for the week. It was quite emotional watching mom come out of her last treatment to ring the bell signifying the end of her cycle of radiation. Everything that went into completing the radiation is what was so emotional yet so satisfying. The determination of our mom, the time it took, the changing of her physical appearance, the worrying from the kids, it all adds up. We are all so proud of her and can’t be more excited to have her in the comfort of our home for a while.

Once we got out of the hospital and back to Sedalia is was straight to the couch in the new makeshift bedroom/family room. Mom’s iPad is always on, the phone is always buzzing, and the tv is on either The Food Network (she’s still getting cooking ideas) or Jeopardy. She takes her baby steps around the first floor of the house to get around, sneaking into the kitchen to make a grilled cheese for lunch or to satisfy her large sugar tooth. Rocky Road ice cream, peanut m&m’s, and oreo cookies are the drug of choice.*

*If anyone from Apple or Breyer’s is reading this, send iPads and ice cream.

I find it a little more than ironic that mom’s ice cream of choice is Rocky Road. We all know this process is not going to be easy. There are ups and downs just like anything in life. Right now though, we seem to be having more ups. Just for her to be walking on her own is a huge victory. I can’t help but think that this is leading up to the mother/son dance at Adam’s wedding come Halloween. I can’t wait!

Also, a lot of people have been asking how our dad is doing. It appears to me that he has turned into some sort of a Michael Keaton hybrid of Batman and Mr. Mom. He’s busy working, fighting crime, doing the occasional load of laundry, paying bills, making sure mom is comfortable, and getting sleep when he can. I'm always amazed at how little sleep he seems to get by on. Things are going to be much more settled now that mom is home. Exhale.

See you in 5 weeks mommy.