So Thankful that My Life is Awe-Full

November 7, 2011, I had my six month (and a few days past due to reschedule) follow-up appointment. I graduated to yearly checkups with my radiologist ... I should be ecstatic with this milestone. But I am happier that I opened the banking account for Will Give On Foundation and made a connection both business and personal in my plight. This date also marks the birth date of my son’s namesake my husband’s grandfather.

Now to share most memorable moment no.2 of my radiation therapy:

Radiation seemed a breeze compared to chemo, partially because I just did not have any preconceived ideas about it. Radiation was easier, mentally. Once it was done, I was just glad I no longer had to drive two hours (round-trip) for a 8:15 a.m. blast that lasted all of 90 seconds and this ritual occurred five days a week. The one fun twist with radiation was six days into treatment my baby sitter fell and broke her neck (not really funny at all but another wake -up call in my quest for the foundation.)

This snafu meant my “little man” waited for mommy’s turn and then watched me on TV with the wonderfully patient radiologist technicians. I have to send kudos to those radiation techs, since one day my son wandered over to my table after I was being zapped and touched something. This something caused my table came to a halt, a response that I thought occurred because the lady holding the lowering remote stopped the machine to protect him from being hurt. When she said “uh-oh” I started asking questions. My 20-month-old son had pressed the emergency shut off button ... my next session on Monday filled me with the information that my “curious” boy had shut down the system for 45 minutes after he pressed that big red button. I could not say I am sorry enough ... good thing my son had placed a soft spot in their hearts.

I have found connection after connection since my radiation ... Even the grandmother of a baseball team mate of my oldest child turned out to be one of my radiologist’s nurses. It took me a couple of practices before the “ah-ha” moment of who she was came about.

In retrospect, and now in looking as a visionary, I see a picture larger than me.

I thought I was a person of vast self-awareness until I faced my demise. I realized the true things of value were the things I could not place a price on. I knew I wanted to witness every notable moment in my children’s lives, to be apart of the love-of-my-life’s (whom I married) golden ages. I wanted to live ... Odd how looking at death, closely makes you assess priorities.

Once I met with the angel of death, I did not make an follow-up appointment. I told it to kiss my lily white! I hope my passion to live will encourage others with the “will” to live. Thus, by trial and error and then coincidence, the moniker Will Give On Foundation was conceived.

I left this insert about my son’s and mine adventure with radiation for more than six months ... Then the reason for it formed. Securing innocence, curiosity, and determination make death insignificant and conquer-able. It proves that life continues to be awe-full.