We've had good days since the last blog entry. It's a predictable routine: chicken caesar salad upon waking up in the AM (8 AMish), various appointments during the day, lunch at Puppy Love, errands in the afternoon (back to school shopping), delicious dinner in the PM (THANK YOU!!!), 3 or 4 chicken salads in between.
Today I had a long talk with Sammy. Obviously, we are all very upset and scared because Sammy's cancer is taking up residence in Sammy's body again. Sammy and I discuss cancer's return quite a bit. We have conversations that no parent should ever have to have with a child. We talk about the possiblility of brain surgery. We talk about heaven. We talk about many other difficult things.
Today, however, I asked Sammy for HER advice. Lately, I've been getting a little short tempered with people. I lose my patience in stores that are not wheelchair accessible. I lose my patience with people who stare and I lose my patience for many other reasons which I should not write about.
Sammy had some great advice, including to look away when people stare. She pointed out that I overreact in many situations. I overthink things.
One of the main reasons we started this blog was so that all of our friends and acquaintances in Bow and Concord have the same information. The information we share with Sammy and Becca and the manner in which we share it is how we ask it be shared with your children. As parents, we completely appreciate how natural it is to elaborate on what is read. As Sammy and Becca's parents, however, we implore you to respect our desire to narrow discussions to what is outlined in the blog. We are in a situation where we live day by day. Sammy's medical condition could change tomorrow. Accordingly, the conversations we have with our children are based on TODAY.
TODAY, Sammy went out to lunch with a friend. Then she forced me to test drive cars. Then we went to paint some pottery. Then we ran an errand. TODAY, Becca woke up at a friend's house; then she went to a water park with another friend.
We continue to live life to its fullest. Sammy looks forward to waking up to a "cancer free" day every day (that is, a day in which she doesn't spend her time worrying about the cancer). If our friends don't treat us like we are having a "cancer free" day, then we really aren't having one, are we?
So that's it for now. I have rambled on more than I would have liked to ramble but, as the social worker said, this blog is therapeutic for me. Sometimes I want to tell those social workers just to "zip it" but, tonight, I'll take their advice and write.
This is a very unusual situation, this childhood cancer thing. We all learn as we go. Thank you for learning with us. And for your prayers, and for checking in...
Shari and David
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13 comments:
Hey Sammy!
I'm glad to hear that you are having some fun days before school starts! Can you believe it's already that time again? Of course I'm sorry that things are not always as great as we could hope, but I will always admire your strength. It sounds like you're having a great time and hopefully you'll enjoy school once that starts too. I'll be praying and thinking about you!
- Hannah (your Nitzanim)
We can all learn a thing or two from the very wise Rotman family. TODAY I'm going to enjoy the beautiful blue sky and perhaps a chicken salad for lunch.
Wonderful advice to live for TODAY. To some it may sound like a cliché, but as one progresses through life and experiences ups and downs, it truly is a relevant saying.
TODAY, I'm going to try to be a better parent and not overreact to situations that in essence are meaningless. It is worthless to expend my precious energy to unimportant things. TODAY, I'm going to try to positively expend my energy to my daughter and husband!!!
Thank you!
(CYJ - RN)
Shari you're an incredible writer....
you've made all of us who read your blog more aware of how to live each day....
I hope writing provides you with comfort as you and your family go through this journey...you and David are amazing...all of us admire, respect, and love you....
Sammy,
What great advice. You have gained so much wisdom and strength with this HIDEOUS disease.
Please have Mom call me when you are up for a short visit. I have a little something for "the girls in the family"
Sorry Dave, maybe later.
I enjoy riding my bike now more than ever, knowing that I am riding in "your honor"
I am off to bring some checks in for the ride.
If any would like to donate money towards "Pedaling for Payson" Please go to my web site. Shari has it posted on the
blog.
Thank you in advance if any one that decides to donate in Sammy's Honor.
With lots of love,
Lisa
xoxox
Hi all, I hope this finds everyone having a blast doing something fun. I too live day by day and take things as they come, I understand the frustrations of others "getting under foot" and Sammy is a smart girl, I know you all will continue to grow from this and be better people, if that is possible. I love you all.
Ash
Hi Sammy!
Sounds like you've been doing a bunch of fun things! I'm a big fan of the caesar salads, good choice. Are you getting excited for school? I had my first day of classes today. I can't believe that I am already a junior in college, it's really weird! Keep enjoying yourself--I miss you!
Love your favorite table counselor,
Jen Kracoff
p.s. Shari--I think you are amazing, you are such a talented writer and it's so clear that all of your words come straight from your heart. You are an inspiration to all!
Hi all,
I hope this finds you all having a blast doing what you Rotman's do to have fun. I miss you all and Shari I understand frustrations of others, just remember people react to things in negative ways because of thier ignorance. You are so much better than that and Sammy is a smart girl with great advice. Love to you all.
Ash
Hi Sammy and Family,
I read this and re-read this and feel that I can learn a lot from you and your family. It is all about today, and the moment, because that is what we have. Tomorrow is tomorrow and in the moment of tomorrow, I will be there.
thank you for the insight
Larry
Hello Rotman Family,
Here is to the fist day of school !!! Good luck tomorrow. Enjoy the day and each one as they come. Sammy is a wise young lady and will guide all of us parents to remember, keep it simple. Overthinking is not healthy.Salads are healthy but for some reason I do not eat many!
Thinking of you.
Ann P.
Hi girls,
It's the first day of school I hope everyone is happy and excited today. I hope you have a great first day, have fun.
Love,
Ashley
So let's talk pottery!! Ariel worked all summer at You're Fired so we have a house full of painted ceramics! I went for the first time last week and found painting pottery to be one of the calmest, coolest things I have ever done! I am going to pick up my treasures today! Glad you got to enjoy some of that peace, quiet and paint! Love to you all -- we think about you every day! The Cohen Family
Hey Sammy,
I am really glad to hear that you are doing some really great things. I wish I could go test drive brand new cars.. that sounds like a blast! I has my first day of school yesterday. I got to meet 22 new first graders. I even remembered all their names after the first day. I was proud of myself. I was planning having a chicken ceaser salad for lunch, but I forgot it in my fridge. Oh well, cafeteria chicken nuggests are just as good. haha! Are you excited for your first day of school? I am sure it will be great! I am always thinking about you and your family. Be sure to tell Becca that I say hello. Stay positive and keep smiling.
Your friend,
Sara Zakar (Head of Girls Area at CYJ)
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