Sidestep the "C" word

sneak peek into next book

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

           Sweet & Tough 

Apple slices lend 
A sweet crunch when life is tough 
Hint of cinnamon 

---

Jeff was scheduled to have his medical port placed on February 14th. Happy Valentine’s Day to us. They explained that the port would be placed under the skin at the upper part of his chest. This would be used for his treatments and blood draws. A convenient way to access Jeff’s vein without the constant needle pokes. He was grateful.

I figured I needed to have another talk with the kids. I wanted them to be prepared when they saw this quarter size protrusion in Jeff’s upper chest. It would also be an opportunity to circle back about the school counselor.

I chose the kitchen table and gathered them around with snacks after school. I didn’t know what I was doing but reasoned this news was best shared with food. I didn’t know why I picked the kitchen again but it seemed like a good idea. Deep breath.

“Brindsley and Delaney I want you to know that Ms. W is available to talk with you anytime you need her.”

Brindsley’s blue eyes met mine, “Why would we go and talk to her, because of dad?”

“Yes, if you would like someone else besides me and Dad, she will be another person you can talk with.”

“Okay” as he started on another apple slice.

“Dad will be starting treatment soon and he will have this little device placed in his chest, under his skin. It will help his care team give him the medicine he needs to get rid of the seminoma.”

I was doing my best to sidestep the “C” word.

“What is seminoma?” Delaney set down her apple slice and turned her eyes towards mine.

Deep breath.

“It’s a type of cancer. The type dad has is treatable and curable. Dad is going to be okay.”

She stared at me, “But I thought if you get cancer you die.”

“No honey, there are many types of cancer and many are curable. Dad has one of those types. He isn’t going to die.”

She looked relieved, “That’s good” and went back to eating.

Brindsley didn’t say anything while we sat gathered around the table. All I could hear was the crunch of their apples. I watched them for a while while Aunt Phoebe (my inner judge) squeaked in with her nonsense. “Is that all you’re going to tell them? You better be right that this is curable, wonder if it’s not.”

Deep breath.

I was determined to not let fear get in the way of how I showed up for my children. I closed my eyes and said a prayer— Lord please guard my heart and protect my mind.

I fixed my eyes back on my children.

“Do you have any other questions?”

I heard in unison “No.”

“Okay, but please know that you can ask us anything at any time. Your questions will never be met with anger or avoidance.”

They both nodded and then went off to play together.

Deep breath.

I was happy they had each other.

---

Thank you for reading.

Take good care,

Julie

---

Consider slicing about an apple, take a bite, and close your eyes…what do you hear? taste? smell? May you always have an apple available to you on the tough days of life.