Going to Aruba!

All is well in Michigan!!

Radiation is still going well. I am scheduled at 7:00 AM, Tuesday through Friday and on Mondays I go at 5:00 PM. I requested a later appointment time Mondays for the weeks I go home. This schedule allows me to fly out Friday and return Monday!

The process hasn’t change, rather improved since the first day. I wake up at 5:30 am Michigan time, shower and hit the road at 6:00. On a good day, I’m in clinic just before 7:00 am. The whole process is much like a short vacation to Aruba, Caribbean or Hawaii! …. The view from the beam table is of a sandy beach with flowing trees, deep blue water and the kind of sunshine that needs sunglasses! (It’s an insert in the ceiling instead of ceiling tiles, haha) The Radiation Team then brings me two warm blankets and turn on reggae music (my choice). I then lay very still and imagine dancing on the beach, hair blowing in the wind as the sun (aka the radiation beam) burns my skin, giving color! Ahhh, yes Aruba is in my daily agenda! The only thing I can’t vision is my swimsuit! I’m still not sure what kind I will wear this summer, maybe a Tankini that covers my belly and scar, or maybe one that exposes my scar, allowing others to see my battle wounds…a battle I won if I am in a swimsuit on a hot Summer day! No matter what I wear, I have a lot of workouts on the upcoming agenda if I am going to wear a swimsuit! Haha!

On that note, I joined a gym today! It’s just for the time I am here but it’s across the road from Sonia’s house and it’s the perfect set-up! Ironically, we found it after we had lunch nearby.

The girls are doing awesome! Home with Grandma, Grandpa Paharik and Mike. It sounds like they are on a vacation themselves! Well, that would be the kids! Their days filled with nail paintings, shopping trips, mall fun, parks and more! I am so at ease in Michigan knowing this. I love returning home to hear stories and see new ideas, thoughts and teachings they acquired from Grandma and Grandpa! One day, Elena woke up and came to our bedroom so excited. She said, “Mommy, come here, you have to see this!” She was so excited! I went to her bedroom and she said, “Look, I made my bed all by myself!” I must say, she did a great job too! I asked, “Where did you learn how?” She said “Grandma showed me.” I was so proud of her and so happy to hear “grandma” stories! Dottie is amazing! Having raised four great children of her own, she has experience and runs circles around me! Always organized and stress free! Grandma does everything, from girly stuff to educational things. She’s the backbone of Mike and Carl, holding it all together and still having time for the fun stuff!

I often find it hard to watch Carl with the girls. I’ve known Carl since Nov. ‘98. A funny guy with loads of energy! Much like me, unable to sit still, allowing time to relax. Always asking about your next step. Your future. “So Eva, when are you guys getting married?” “So Eva, when are you having a baby?” “So Eva!…Will you go back to work?” “What type of work?” Often challenging you if he had concern for your decisions. And Mike…“How’s work?” “How are you and Eva?” “Did you get any “orders” today?” A serious side, a side of him that shows his caring feelings. Legitimate concern as a parent. But with the girls he’s different! The girls jump in his lap to hear stories. They tease him and tell him stories. He goes along with their pretend play, offering him coffee in their play cups. He holds their hands when we are out, his large hand, callused from the golf club (haha, JK!) wrapped around their tiny hands, soft as their bottoms. Often confused with what shoes they should wear and which shoes make a pair. Sometimes giving up, “Ask Grandma, she will know.” These memories with Grandpa and Grandma allow me to accept cancer and help me to see a bright future for everyone. The girls knowing Grandma and Grandpa on a different level and they knowing the girls and the details of their life! Creating a bond that will never be forgotten!

This may sound like the simple pleasures in your life but we live so far from family that they are the special pleasures. The girls hadn’t seen Grandma and Grandpa Paharik since Sept. 2006. We let “life” keep us apart. I believe that’s what saddens me most, it took cancer for us to make time for each other. But what if there was no cancer or no tomorrow? Alexa and Morgan had never met Loa until cancer. (Aunt Gloria) Yet, Aunt Gloria was so very close to Mike. We had no plans to see Aunt Emily and Uncle Mark (Mike’s brother) in 2007 or even 2008, but cancer allowed an unplanned visit. A visit everyone was willing to make in an effort to help us. But why didn’t we have plans for a visit? How do we live our lives with “other” priorities than family? Why do we take the most important people in our lives for granted?

Our family knows there may be no tomorrow. We know life is precious and today is most important. Most of all we know we all need each other, as each family member is a piece of the puzzle that creates a beautiful image! So today, we strive to live our life making time for visits and calls!