Yesterday, for five brief minutes, I was in heaven. Heaven turned out to be the infusion lab at MeritCare's Medical Oncology Clinic. Funny, but there weren't any puffy white clouds, golden gates or winged cherubs flying around playing trumpets but I heard Drew Carey from a TV across the hall asking people to "come on down" so maybe?????
We were there to get Mike's "port-a-chemo" changed out. They pull the needle from the port, clean the site and insert a new needle every week. What this means is that there is a small window where he doesn't have tubing or the pump hanging from his body. There is no tape, no tubes, no needle...just skin. I asked our nurse Erin if she could just let me hug Mike for a few minutes before she put all the paraphernalia back on and she said yes and left us alone for a bit.
It's hard to believe that two and a half weeks ago I was all bent out of shape because his port was in my way. Yesterday the little bump didn't matter not even a little bit as I ran my hands over and over Mike's skin where it's been covered with tape and tubing for the last 14 days. I wrapped my arms around him without worrying about pinching the tube or bumping and dislodging the needle. There was no medicine bag to move and I was able to close my eyes and nestle my face into the sweet pocket of his shoulder. For a few brief moments there was nothing between us but skin and I could forget there was cancer. It was heaven. This one little bitty thing...was heaven.
So, now, for the next three Wednesdays I have five minutes of heaven to look forward to. That is, if Mike continues to tolerate the chemo. And if it all goes well, August 21st will be a day of celebration when he is scheduled to be done with treatment and I will have all of his skin back and for the next two months all that will be between us will be skin.
Peace,
Karen
4 comments:
You are too sweet.
Niiiicccce! I'm happy for you, and Mike of course ;-)
Hey wini,
Tell 'Becca I am slow to read and respond to the comments. So slow my responses are usually out of context. Basically I am responding to the previous blog. No worries. You did not wear me out that much. I have to have a life too. I am doing well these past few days and even though I am not eating sticky mac'n cheese, I am eating easy comfort food tonight.
And yes, just like on good fried chicken, skin is the best part, (of life and love). How's that for a contextual segue?
Love, Mike
Very sweet. You two make me blush :)
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