Tuesday, Sept. 16th
Today was Beth's second treatment. I worked a 13 hour shift so I couldn't go. Beth is a warrior and probably doesn't need anyone there with her, but Jean and Phil accompanied her. I know they were both happy to be there. I was very glad they were.
I neglected to capture a picture of the Adriamycin being administered during the last treatment, so Beth kindly supplied one:
That is the real nasty stuff that forces us to treat her like a leper for 48-72 hours.
We had a great afternoon this past Sunday, getting together with some friends for lunch, and letting all the offspring terrorize each other.
The venue was Jamie and Max's house. Their home has many wonderful family pictures taken by another friend Joy Holdmeier. Remarking on how much she liked them, Beth said to me that she wanted to have our family's pictures taken by her, "when this is all over." Literally seconds later, Jaime entered the room (with Joy having just arrived) and announced that Joy would be doing a photo shoot with us. Unknown to Beth, the previous day Jamie and Max had met with Joy to have their own family pictures taken. Thinking Beth might appreciate the same thing, she asked Joy if she was available to stop by and take our pictures the next day. She was, and generously spent some of her Sunday afternoon with the Wilburns. Tears were shed and being unprepared for photos, clothes were borrowed and hair was tussled.
I was in on the surprise and was thrilled to hear Beth's earlier words, desiring this. Not knowing how to ready her for pictures without blowing the surprise, all I could do when she stated her uncertainty about her outfit, was to respond, "Are you sure you want to wear that?" Total dude comment.
I have only viewed a few of the resulting images, however I already have a favorite: (I'm not sure I should share it, as it doesn't 'belong' to me yet, but...)
Today was Beth's second treatment. I worked a 13 hour shift so I couldn't go. Beth is a warrior and probably doesn't need anyone there with her, but Jean and Phil accompanied her. I know they were both happy to be there. I was very glad they were.
I neglected to capture a picture of the Adriamycin being administered during the last treatment, so Beth kindly supplied one:
That is the real nasty stuff that forces us to treat her like a leper for 48-72 hours.
We are now in countdown mode waiting to see when her hair follicles will show signs of attack from the drugs. Beth behaves like she is prepared for the loss of her hair, but I anticipate it will be a rough transition. A voluntary change in your appearance that turns out to be an unwelcome choice is easy to cope with, because you can fault yourself. Changes which are out of your control, I envision can be a challenge. I regard the loss of Beth's hair to be just another (temporary) battle scar. I am standing with her in this fight, so we'll both shave the same day. She has agreed to allow me to shave her head. How many guys can say they got to do that?
I considered instead of shaving my head that I would refrain from getting a haircut, until Beth is cancer free, but at the rate I'm loosing my hair and going gray, it's probably best if the world doesn't have to witness my attempt at looking like George Carlin. I've settled on shaving my head and growing a beard. Which is really just filling in the 1" space between my chops and goatee. The beard has nothing to do with her cancer, I just feel like it. She does not approve.
Joe stopped by before Beth left for treatment to let her admire the shape of his skull:
He still cannot comprehend the feeling of natural male pattern baldness...Yet.
I considered instead of shaving my head that I would refrain from getting a haircut, until Beth is cancer free, but at the rate I'm loosing my hair and going gray, it's probably best if the world doesn't have to witness my attempt at looking like George Carlin. I've settled on shaving my head and growing a beard. Which is really just filling in the 1" space between my chops and goatee. The beard has nothing to do with her cancer, I just feel like it. She does not approve.
Joe stopped by before Beth left for treatment to let her admire the shape of his skull:
We had a great afternoon this past Sunday, getting together with some friends for lunch, and letting all the offspring terrorize each other.
The venue was Jamie and Max's house. Their home has many wonderful family pictures taken by another friend Joy Holdmeier. Remarking on how much she liked them, Beth said to me that she wanted to have our family's pictures taken by her, "when this is all over." Literally seconds later, Jaime entered the room (with Joy having just arrived) and announced that Joy would be doing a photo shoot with us. Unknown to Beth, the previous day Jamie and Max had met with Joy to have their own family pictures taken. Thinking Beth might appreciate the same thing, she asked Joy if she was available to stop by and take our pictures the next day. She was, and generously spent some of her Sunday afternoon with the Wilburns. Tears were shed and being unprepared for photos, clothes were borrowed and hair was tussled.
I was in on the surprise and was thrilled to hear Beth's earlier words, desiring this. Not knowing how to ready her for pictures without blowing the surprise, all I could do when she stated her uncertainty about her outfit, was to respond, "Are you sure you want to wear that?" Total dude comment.
I have only viewed a few of the resulting images, however I already have a favorite: (I'm not sure I should share it, as it doesn't 'belong' to me yet, but...)
The essence of everything I love about Beth was captured here.
Thank you Joy. Thank you Jamie.
I also want to thank again and will continue to thank, all the people who have contributed to Pedal the Cause on our behalf.
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