New Chapter and the Holiday Season

Fresh Start/New Chapter

I have been thinking a lot about how this life swerve will likely change my perspective, permanently. How could it not? I have a new appreciation for my life, for Brad, for my friends, colleagues, and family who have rallied around me. Recently, a friend going through a similar situation had a stressful situation at work, and she said it’s ok because she was there for the good stuff, for the good she could do. That resonated with me. I want to be here for the good stuff and to do good. To give back, build others up, cultivate joy, love fiercely, learn all that I can, see more of the world. I have time for little else.

I sincerely appreciate working for Charlotte and was recently notified that I have been the lucky recipient of lots of donated sick time from my colleagues. This is a gift that totally humbled and overwhelmed Brad and me. I'm not sure how to show appropriate and full gratitude for this. I recently told a colleague that you don't want a brain tumor to validate a job decision, but we love it here and may never leave.

My buddy cleaning gutters while I'm on the Peloton - one of his sweet, motivational, daily bike messages for me.

Thanksgiving – Change in plans

I think I mentioned a few posts ago that my family and stepdaughter were going to travel down for Thanksgiving. But, with Covid numbers spiking across the country, we have decided to forgo our plans in lieu of safety for ourselves, our communities, and our friends working in healthcare. We would rather sacrifice this Holiday season, in order to hopefully spend many more together with everyone present.

That said, I’d love to hear what other families are doing to make Thanksgiving and Christmas feel more connected while we are physically separate. Obviously, facetime, zoom, etc. are options for seeing each other, but we are also trying to get creative.

We have so much to be grateful for this year and if our biggest issue is that we can’t eat cinnamon rolls together and open presents in the same room on Christmas morning, we will survive. Don’t get me wrong - I haven’t seen any of my family since March, before I was diagnosed. I would love to hug my parents and tell them in person how much I love them, but everyone is sacrificing right now to stop the spread. We can do our part.

With health systems overwhelmed, mobile morgues being put back in use, asymptomatic covid-positive healthcare workers ok’d to work and our country nearing 300k dead Americans, I sincerely hope that we all take a hard look at the choices we are making in regard to the Holidays. This is no longer political – the election is over and this virus is still very much ravaging our country.

Other Updates:

My next scan is this Wednesday, Nov 18th, though we won't be meeting with a doc about it until Friday. But every doctor has managed our expectations about this first scan. It likely will not show us much - still lots of swelling, etc. I'll probably get another in a month or two that will be slightly clearer.

Between chicken parenting, keeping up our home and building a financial literacy program at UNC Chaarlotte, Brad has continued writing his dissertation during all of this - often writing at night, after I fall asleep at 8 or 9pm. He is setting his defense date for Spring semester - Dr. Yeckley... coming soon!

I love being bald so far. I am sure the growing out process will be awkward but I love how little time it takes to shower and get ready. Who knew - should have shaved it sooner!

Brad's favorite hangout with the girls

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