oLiViaRz

5 months ago i made an emergency trip home

it was 116 degrees in tulsa / my dad had a 105 degree fever / he was going on 2 weeks in the hospital and no one could tell him what was wrong

then we got the news

fast forward to today and take a look at the smiling face above (sporting a belt buckle he got from friends for his bday a few weeks ago….yeah, a real Okie now). 12 rounds of chemo are done. there’s been pain and some struggle and lots of sacrifice, but really it has been amazing.  amazing to see what subdued (but 100% there) determination in the head and heart can do. he’s been back at work for a few months, his hair is growing back and he’s stronger than he’s been in years.

we’re not done yet - and are all feeling anxious about the transplant that is the very likely next step. but today, i am SO happy for my daddy. in his understated and gracious way, he’s totally dominated chemo. it’s been so amazing to see his progress each time i was able to go home…his smile and muscles seemed to grow at equal rates, matching the pace of his quickened steps.

and mom? you are a lifesaver, literally. through it all, you’ve kept a business running, our home loving and our daddy’s belly growing. everyone wonders where you get the energy…i just wonder how we got so lucky.

today my small family celebrates. tomorrow we prepare to kick the next steps’ ass.