This has never really been an issue for me personally, but apparently being so darn cute people can’t stand it keeps your schedule pretty full.
We have the Cure Kids Cancer Challenge on the 29th.
We’ve found out that Peyton is going to be a Hero of Honor for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their Pennies for Pasta program. Each school that participates in the coin drive gets a child with cancer to be their “Hero” that gives them a real person to represent their hard work. The Olive Garden treats the school that raises the most money to a big dinner. The Olive Garden staff has decided to come on board with a coin drive of their own this year and Peyton will be their honored hero. Sounds appropriate because the kid has eaten so many black olives in that restaurant her skin gets this slightly oily, black sheen during steroid week.
Last year we participated in Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, and my thought had been that this year I’d get more involved in the organizational aspect of our local Brandon Relay. Ok…. sometimes you have to step back and figure out how many different ways you can stretch yourself. So, I really figured that with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation already in my plans, I would put the Relay on the list of can’t-do for this year.
Then they called.
And they pulled that whole “Your kid is such an inspiration, we’d like her to be our Honorary Survivor. And we’d like you to be our Mission Education person” thing. Can I say no to that? Are you kidding me? So, guess where we’ll be in the spring?
Seriously, if I can find a job that will work around my volunteer schedule, that would be fab!
Peyton has had a pretty decent week. She’s been tired, her appetite has been a little light, she woke up last night twice in pain…but her spirit has been good, she’s been playful and happy and the potty thing is rocking and rolling!
It’s hard to believe how far she’s come through all of this. I remember the day we found out she had cancer and all I could think was that we would lose her. Every fear in my life paled in comparison to those feelings. When I meet newly diagnosed families, which is happening at a disheartening frequency, I relive those fears in their eyes. I remember how it felt to be paralyzed with the overwhelming “what if” of it all.
When there are new families to meet, at the clinic or at the Children’s Cancer Center, the most phenomenal thing happens. It happened to me and I’m sure it happened to all the other families. Someone comes up and says “I understand what you’re going through” and when you talk to them, you feel like you’ve this life raft when you’ve been drowning. I am so thankful every day for the support we’ve found through the CCC, through the families who’ve become our friends, and for the opportunity to be there for others. It gives a special purpose to having experienced what we’ve gone through.
f.r.o.G…fully relying on God
–Anissa
