"An old friend, and a Rosary from a stranger..."

“An old friend, and a Rosary from a stranger…”

Tonight I went over to visit my sister and my mother for dinner. I’m finding I treasure every moment with family members and savor every word. It’s tough trying to maintain a conversation when your mind is preoccupied with an urgency regarding your future.

My husband is out of town attending a business meeting in Destin, Florida, and I’m glad he had an opportunity to get away, attend meetings, and get some rounds of golf in. He has been a rock through this journey, and without him, my wonderful sister, and tremendous friends, I could have easily burrowed into a hole and hid.

As I approach my impending radiation and chemotherapy, I’m bombarded with questions for myself. I find that I’m trying to avoid thinking about the results, the effects or anything related to my upcoming journey. I still haven’t googled a single thing regarding the chemo drugs I’ll be on, the effects of radiation, and anything regarding lung cancer and statistics. I’ve garnered what information I need to know from the Doctors, the Nurses and the few friends I’ve seeked advice from. I need to remember what the lovely school nurse at AHS, Janelle Carrigan told me: ‘This story is 100% yours” so disregard any information or statistics. Those of you who know me well know I’m a unique, goofy individual. I don’t know how things will evolve, but am hoping and praying my results are as pleasant, goofy and unique as I am. It would be a wonderful coordination and sweet surprise that’s par for the course for my existence!

A very dear friend of mine stopped by tonight. Teri Ramsey and I have been friends for over 30 years. She works at a funeral home in St. Joe and has been following my blog. She brought me a KU rock, an Angel of Hope, gifts from she and her sister, and the most special gift, a Rosary. What’s amazing is she had printed off my blog at work and a co-worker, Judy, happened upon it. I don’t know Judy. However, this tremendous woman read my blog and then excused herself. She returned and handed Teri a Medugorje Rosary to give to me. I felt blessed a complete stranger provided me with such a token of love and hope. When your life is in upheaval, your mind distressed, your body weak and your heart is broken, the smallest tokens provide smiles and happy thoughts.

I’ll end this blog with a sincere “Thank You” to all who have sent gifts, cards, plants, flowers ,food, gifts, e-mails, texts and Facebook messages. You know how much I appreciate and love each and everyone of you. At some point, you know I will reciprocate.
Love and Prayers,
Julie