Is it October already?!
I still am in shock that it has already been a year since my
unexpected full knee replacement. September 26th of last year I went into
surgery expecting just a "tune up". Recovery time minimal and I would
only be down two weeks. When I woke up, they told me I had a FULL knee
replacement. My doctor said he was amazed at how I had been walking around.
When they opened me up my old replacement literally crumbled off onto the
table. CRAZY!! I mean, it was 12 years old but still. So, they did a full blown
knee replacement last fall. Fast forward a year later and I am fully recovered
and feeling so much better! Life full of work, laundry and cleaning can
continue!
I remember how hard it was last year, not only on me, but
for my family as well. When I am down things start to fall apart! Not that I am
this awesome superwomen and the world would stop if I wasn't in it! BUT, I am
MOM. As with any household mom's tend to keep "the world as we know
it" going.
So, last year our world was not only stopped but turned upside
down and backwards. We had just switched schools with our youngest. Not only
was that a transition for him but for us as well. I felt like I dropped him off
in August and didn't go back until November; Terrible. A year later he is
THRIVING!! God has answered so many of my prayers for him! He is such a bright
kid and is almost too aware of his surroundings at times. So with mom being
sick and "having a broke leg" he almost suffered along with me. He
was 3 and didn't understand why I couldn't make that long trek up the stairs
and put him to bed. He didn't want grandma then, he wanted his mama. Broke my
heart to hear him scream, "JUST BE MY MOTHER!". Hurts just writing
those words even now. Every day he would come home from school and climb onto
the couch with me and ask if my leg felt better. Even now there are times when
I walk he asks me if my leg is ok. Such a sweet boy who loves his mama!
I know that being a childhood cancer survivor has a price. I
was a child going through cancer. That was rough. No child should EVER have to
endure what I have lived through. But cancer at any stage in life is tough. I
know I didn't have to do chemo or radiation last year but I did have traumatic
surgery and issues similar to what I went through at 15. Both were devastating
but having been through this as a mother now, I felt the weight of my world
crumbling just like my replacement. I wasn't a child just concerned with
myself. I was a wife, a mother and a survivor; People depending on me. I was
beyond blessed to have family and friends step up to the plate and carry the
weight of MY world on their shoulders. I could not have made it through this
past year without every single one of you!
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted
to give a shout out to all those who have carried the burden of cancer while
having people depend on you. Cancer takes a toll on not only the patient but
the family and friends surrounding them. I applaud every caretaker who
tirelessly drives to and from treatments or who takes the kids, makes the
meals, and does laundry or dishes. To the person who has that shoulder to cry
on or makes inappropriate jokes to bring laughter when eyes are too dry to cry.
To the friends and family who show support in all the ups and downs- your constant, in a
world full of variables, is invaluable. THANK YOU. It could not be done without
you.
