Like Daughter - 22

Well, another (and hopefully the LAST) surgery done. Janina was fantastic, as always. She was positive and firm about what she wanted and didn't want for her surgery, and she was not backing down. When she told the RN she didn't want any pain medication, the nurse looked at her like, "Are you nuts?" I couldn't help but smirk a little, because I knew that the lot of us would have given them hell if they went against Janina's wishes.

It was easier this time around with Janina, but it was harder at the same time. If anything happens to my sister, I always get really mad and upset, because she's just so good! She's a beautiful, strong, lovely woman who doesn't take any crap. She's worked her whole life for everything she has, and she never takes any of it for granted. Janina loves her family and friends with all her heart, and, God, is her heart big. I hated seeing her in that hospital gown, tired with a headache from not eating since 8:30pm the previous night. I had to look away at times because I saw myself in that chair and wished I was in it instead of her. Once everyone came out when she was taken back, I was relieved. I wanted it over and done with for her. She was anxious about getting it done. And now it's done. Time for recovery, then soon enough both Mom and Janina will be going through radioactive iodine treatment. I plan on baking and cooking (!) up a storm for them.

I was talking to my best friend Anne last night, and I joked saying, "I still can hardly believe this happened, but then again, everything happens in three's!" Have you every had a time in your life where you think something that happened a few days/weeks/months before was kind of like a foreshadowing of what would happen later in your life? I came to a funky conclusion with Anne: that all of those celebrities (RIP) who died were kind of a foreshadowing of this cancer deal. Think about it: all of the celebrities who have died in the last year died in three's. Farrah, Billy Mays, MJ. There was another tricolon (woohoo, I used a term from my Writing Argument class!) that I'm missing, but you get the point. I kept saying over and over again, "Everything happens in three's!" I hit the nail on the head.

I can't wait for this to be finished for both Mom and Janina. It's enough for all of us that my battle isn't done. My battle can keep going, but theirs can stop. God, can we arrange that?

Comments

  1. AdminJanuary 14, 2010 at 8:41 AM

    Let's see if my comment takes this time. Last time I was not successful. Wow, you ladies are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I have known Dorienne for about 3 years now I think and she has had a wonderful outlook - even though there have been ups and downs with her condition. I now have my own battle with cancer, and Dori came to my mind right away. I told myself, if this young girl can do this, then so can I!

    Have they found a genetic reason for all three of you to get this?

    Your family is in my prayers.

    Love,

    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  2. JodyJanuary 14, 2010 at 12:07 PM

    Your beautiful line, "God, can we arrange that?" puts everything in a nutshell for every person who has been affected by cancer.

    Thank so much for your wonderful example,
    Jody

    ReplyDelete
  3. HayleyJanuary 14, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Glad everything went well. Lets hope all of your battles can now stop and you can move on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. HayleyJanuary 14, 2010 at 7:48 PM

    Glad everything went well. Lets hope all of your battles can now stop and you can move on.

    ReplyDelete
  5. hayleyJanuary 14, 2010 at 7:49 PM

    Glad everything went well. Lets hope all of your battles can now stop and you can move on.

    ReplyDelete

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