5 down, 30 to go !

Wow , what a day! What a long day for Pop.....he started out around 7:45 this morning and wasn't finished with all of his treatments until around 2:30 this afternoon.
As I was sitting in the waiting room this afternoon ever so patiently waiting on him to come thru those exit doors, I couldn't help but taking in everything around me. There were men and women of all kinds coming and going.....husbands supporting wives, wives supporting husbands, father and daughters or sons, mothers with their daughters or sons. You can't help but wonder with every person that passes, "What's their story?" Knowing that some have been battling cancer for a while because of the tired look in their eyes, and that some were just being introduced to it because of the look of fear in their eyes! But everyone smiling, or laughing, or holding hands in support of each other. There is amazing love everywhere you look here at the Moffitt Center. Like Terry said before, God has this place in his hands with a good firm hold. God has the ball and there will be no fumbling!!!!! He is an awesome god, if you ever doubt it just come to Moffitt Cancer Center!! All I can say is WOW !!!!
There was one sight that I saw today that touched me in a way that I couldn't hold back the tears. There was a woman that was in her mid to late 40's that came in pushing a wheelchair. In this wheelchair was a girl that was probably 16 or 17 years old if I had to guess. I automatically assumed that this was a mother and daughter. The mother pushed the wheelchair to the edge of the chair and came around and lifted the girl out and helped her in the chair. The mother left the room for a short moment to take the wheelchair back to the lobby. I couldn't help but make eye contact with this sweet, frail little girl..imagining what life has to be like for her! No volleyball games, no softball games, no cheering on her football team in the stands with her friends! No homecoming dances, proms, not even just the basic things that kids at her age love to do.....My, oh my, the things we take for granted. Even though she looked like she barely had the energy to hold her head up and her eyes lined with dark circles, she smiled at me so preciously as if to say "I'm Ok"! Ok, her comes the tears....or so I thought. About that time, back in walked her mom, and sat down beside her. This precious teenager laid her head over on her moms shoulder, grabbed her by the hand and told her "Thanks Mom, I Love You". You see this is how I knew it was mother & daughter. Now the tears really started flowing....thinking all of the teenage girls, Everywhere!, needed to see this sight! So much love and appreciation this little under-priviledged girl had....but then I started thinking! She's not so under-priveledged....she knows God ! and because of her disease, whatever it be...learned to love and appreciate the small stuff.....you see, he has his way of teaching us that its not about material things! It's about our love for him and treating and loving the people around us the way he loves us! Unconditional Love!
Now, while sitting there waiting on Pop, and being nosy(yes me) listening in on someones conversation about finding water on the moon, my chair moves....and it moves again...all I can think at this point is "I dont know what this boy in this chair behind me is doing but he needs to quit". And it moves again....Ok, now I turn around to look back at him to see whats up and I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye that just about scares me silly...and guess what..IT'S POP! He was the one moving my chair the whole time! So now the better part of the waiting room is laughing because of knowing what was going on!! Laughs on me.... Even going thru the treatment and the battles that Pop is going thru...Yes, he is still a prankster! Gotta Love It!
Upon our arrival back to the Hope Lodge we find that Terry has warmed us up lunch....Leftover round steak and rice & gravy. And yes it is still delicious! Pop ate it up!!!! But all of a sudden were headed to the dip in the rollercoaster...to the room he headed for it all to come back!!!
If we could just get rid of this nausea!! Just two weeks ago it was if we could just get rid of this cough, well the cough is gone! And I expect within the next few days the nausea to ease up! And you say, whats next!!! Not sure but I do know that we will be prepared to fight that battle also!

Well, while Pop was resting I thought I would have the bright idea to go to the cafeteria to see if they have any boost or ensure that is "fruity" and possibly have it made into a smoothie! You see I'm up for anything at this point to get him some nutrition!! Well, no luck, the cafeteria does not sell ensure or boost BUT....the sweet gentleman behind the counter says he can make a smoothie with protein powder( an extra 1200 calories) added to this smoothie, just pick a flavor! HA! So I pick banana, but its not just banana its kiwi banana! Sounds good to me and Pop loves banana flavored anything! Well, all is well until this sweet gentleman hands me the smoothie!!! It's PUKE GREEN! All I could do is laugh!!! I can hear it now, dad saying "You expect me to drink this ****" And yes that is what it looked like BABY ****! Needless to say, it is still in the freezer, I havent even had the nerve to show it to Pop yet, let alone ask him to drink it!!!!
I let him sleep until about 6:30! I woke him up and asked him to come down to dinner, not knowing we already had dinner cooked for us downstairs! Up he jumped, got dressed in a hurry like he knew something good was going to be taking place! Well, sure enough upon entering the dining area we were asked just to take a seat and we would be served! Turkey, Ham, Dressing, Corn, Sweet Potato Souffle, and all the trimings! YUMMY!
Once again there had been a special group of people that came in, cooked a full meal, and were there to share their survival stories....The name of this group "Eager Beavers"! This group was started by a girl that had lost her mother to breast cancer! Her way to pass on her moms love and message, by helping cancer patients of all kinds in their time of need! Thanks Eager Beavers!
Right now, Pop is down for the night! Had a great dinner, but most of all kept it down! And he is snoring, so I think that means he's sleeping good. *L* Looking forward to a easier day tomorrow!
Thanks to everyone for their love, support and prayers for Pop and our family! And as Terry says so often.....Love the people around you as God loves us! Unconditionally !
Goodnight!
Sonya