ON THE ROAD, AGAIN

Earlier this week, I—surrounded by all of the women who’d positioned me to radiate the tumor in my neck with a laser’s degree of accuracy—rang the bell at Mayo, declaring my radiation treatments to be complete.  Small as the bell may be, its ‘peal’ resonated, loudly, clearly and deeply within me.

Yesterday, bright and early at 7am, Will and I began our drive to Calif. to celebrate my good fortune at having finished my second round of every-day-oral-chemo without incident of side effects other than fatigue and the fact that my nails are turning white as had happened with chemo in the past.

I’ll be off of chemo for at least three weeks, which causes me to wonder if my nails will have time to self-heal before the process begins, all over again.  As with everything of consequence—time will tell if radiation decimated the tumor in my neck—if any of my hair will fall out—if the chemo reduced the cancer cells traveling in my blood.  As always, living with cancer necessitates the patient to muster Patience with consistency …

The sun was rising east of our home when Will and I got into our car—I cannot remember the last time I witnessed a desert sunrise—beautiful … peaceful … as the birth of another new day offers the gift of possibilities—as yet unknown …

Passing Gene Autrey Dr. just before the turn off for Palm Springs—we see a God-given snow capped mountain standing tall in the background with man-made windmills harvesting electricity in the foothills below …

A casino stands alone in the desert as man leaves yet another large footprint in constantly shifting sands …

Six hours after leaving home, we feel grateful to have arrived, safe and sound, at Barry’s home, following an easy, uneventful ride.🙋🏻‍♀️😊🍀Annie