Chemo Birthday

My 37th Birthday was spent in a chemo chair. It’s not exactly where one wants to be on their birthday. It’s also gotten really bad in our area with COVID cases so it’s not like I missed out on a party or fun dinner out. It is what it is.

I was determined to make it a fun day regardless. I woke up to singing boys and breakfast in bed with ice cold eggnog that I knew I couldn’t drink later (thanks Oxiliplatin). My Mom came to take me to chemo and we stopped for a free birthday drink at Dutch Bros because #tradition!

I wore an awesome shirt my Mom made that said “Birthday shirt $20, Birthday Chemo- Priceless” and took my floor cupcakes to share!

I spent way longer in the chair than I should have. I arrived at 9:50 and didn’t get home until 6pm. Lots of mix ups and miscommunication and system issues etc etc led to the longest day of my life.

But I came home to gifts and my Mom brought my requested birthday dinner (taco salads and funfetti cake!) And I had loads of messages and texts to sift through as well as goodies at my doorstep!

I truly felt so blessed and thankful. I could choose to wallow, but I could also choose to think “My birthday was a day where cancer killing drugs are helping me live, where kind nurses wished me happy birthday and where God was with me despite the circumstances.

Am I always joyful? Nope. Do I get angry and sad? Yep. I will always share those moments because it matters to me to be genuine, but I will also share these moments of joy hidden in the dark because sometimes you have to look hard but it can be found... hope is always right there.