Memoir—sneak peek...
A REAL BALLBUSTER: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together
“Fun Friday!” I shouted to Brindsley and Delaney. Winter break was coming to an end. I was determined to end the week with some fun. I wondered if I had let them down. They were sitting on the floor playing in the living room. I loved how they made up games with their stuffed animals.
My mom was on the couch waiting for me to get home. I just returned from dropping Jeff off at his last chemotherapy treatment for the week. I was eager to take the kids sledding. We had a great deal of snow on the ground and I knew the perfect place—the library.
It had the best hill. We would grab some books after to warm up. We got our snow gear on, grabbed our sleds, and headed to the library.
Brindsley dashed to the top with his sled and off he went. Delaney and I squeezed into a sled together and zoomed down. The snow flew up into our faces as we raced down the hill. Delaney squealed with delight and I laughed. I forgot how much fun sledding was.
It felt good to laugh but Aunt Phoebe chimed in with her squeaky voice, how can you be happy when your husband has cancer? How can you be having fun when Jeff is sitting by himself getting poison dripped into his arm?
GRR. This was my battle. Can I be happy when Jeff is sick? Can I have fun and enjoy life even during this challenge?
This was a struggle for me. I was glad my children allowed me to notice. I was happy to be aware of these thoughts. I wanted to show them we could still find joy even during the dark times. We didn’t have to mope around or deprive ourselves of the goodness and beauty in life.
Thank you for being here.
Take good care,
Julie
If you think this would help someone you know please feel free to share.
Life can be messy
“Responsible”
Has many facets
The trick, as I see it, is to keep all the facets polished and that begins with self-care. It is not Jeff or the kids, it is “Jules And” Jeff and the kids and .....
Aunt Phoebe is binary. You are multifaceted. Thanks for sharing your story. Yes, your actions create hope for all those who you touch through your actions, your words, your love❗️
You are writing what others also feel, but don't know how to say. That's precious.