Talking Stick is an amazing writer. I like the way he connects thoughts and words. He inspires.

This is the link to his latest post:

Talking Stick Post

Below is my response.


*****

I think I've mentioned this before, so please forgive the repeat. Last summer as I was returning to Tennessee I decided to take back roads the entire way home. It was divine. It was sweet. It was sad. It was serene. It was most beautiful. Nearly the entire time I was the solitary traveler on a cliche of tar that rose and dipped throughout the bucolic countryside.

My destination was Nashville. I was driving to Vanderbilt Medical where I would receive confirmation of a diagnosis I already understood. I'd spent an idyllic week in the Ozarks with a dear cousin and wanted to continue the tenor of my journey, so I took the road less traveled.

I tattooed experiences on my heart because I was concerned I might never have another opportunity. Watching cows lumber across a meadow or spying on a horse nibbling sweet grasses... would I ever see that again?

When first diagnosed I hit a patch of manic. Though given two years, I behaved as though I had two minutes. (Bex, I so agree with your opinion on these kinds of timelines.) I returned home and nearly wore out my printer as I frantically amassed journal entries I slipped into a binder. I started researching and documenting my art collection - all my art is valuable to me, but some is worth pennies and some is worth thousands, and in most cases there is no way to discern one from the other.

*****

My one year anniversary has passed. My doctor's timeline leaves me one more year. My clock could've been designed by Dali. My calendar could've been designed by Picasso. I plan to be around a long time. Yet I've continued to organize my life because that damn banana peel is lurking for all of us. *smiles*

There are some days I sense my health is slipping, but 99% of the time I forget that I'm sick. Isn't that fabulous! I forget!

*****

I had my last clinical trial infusion the other day. I was a bit anxious because the trial has been a focus of hope in my vision. I'm not eligible to continue with the same drug.

*bad word*

Crystal and Lisa have been my nurses at Vandy every three weeks for nearly a year. I felt as though I was saying goodbye forever to good people who have taken such tender care when I've been in their orbit.

Then: Wendi, a MOST amazing person on the research team at Vandy entered my room and enthusiastically talked about five new trials starting in September. In three weeks we'll review all possibilities. I'm jazzed. My denial-in-a-test-tube days aren't over quite yet.

I am one lucky woman. I love my life.

As always, thanks for listening.