Just the word “chemotherapy” strikes fear and anxiety into people’s hearts, and we were no different. We had even had a one hour “chemo education” appointment with our oncologist, where the LPN spent an hour telling us all of the seemingly millions of possible side effects a patient can have. Needless to say, we were very anxious leading up to my appointment.

Just to make things even more anxiety inducing, we got a call on Friday evening at 4:45 pm – right before both the doctor’s office and the insurance office closed – that insurance was still pending for the treatment I’m supposed to receive Monday morning, and if it didn’t go through, they would have to postpone, which is a terrible domino effect that messes up all the careful plans for all my treatments. I called and pleaded with the insurance, and then called the doctor’s office back – just barely catching the last person on their way out the door, and then prayed that some sort of miracle would happen over the weekend.

Well, not only did the prayers work, but the woman at the insurance company that I had talked to on Friday, had worked to push things through all weekend. She even called me at 8am, the second she got into work, to tell me that it was approved and to call my doctor’s office to let them know that I could have my treatment as scheduled. I was so grateful, that I totally started crying as I thanked her for all her help.

And so when Kevin and I arrived at the clinic, we realized that we were grinning like crazy people, especially because I was about to have chemo for the first time. Our gratitude for the fact that I was actually going to be able to have treatment, totally overwhelmed any fears or worries we had about the treatment itself. What a miracle! (Even though I could have done without all the intense stress and worry about the insurance approval over the weekend 😉.). We came into that treatment with a totally different attitude. And so we watched one of our favorite TV shows on Kevin’s iPad, held hands and laughed together during the four hours we were there.

Speaking of Kevin, what would I do without this guy ? He has helped me make this world shattering/life altering experience, not only manageable, but something I can face with faith, hope, and humor (like the quicksand joke, but you really have to be a child of the 80s to really get it ). He has been at every appointment and treatment (other than a few random blood draws with no doctor interaction). He is my partner, he’s my support, he is my best friend. I can’t imagine going through this without him.

We are still waiting to see how my body will tolerate everything, and what side effects I may have, but I’m not alone. I’ve got Kevin, I’ve got my family, I’ve got my Savior, and I’ve got all of my amazing friends . And the tender mercies keep coming from the Lord keep happening. Here are just a few:

On the Sunday night before my first chemo treatment, Kevin’s brother, Brian, just happened to have a business trip down to San Antonio, and so he came over on Sunday evening after flying into town. It was so great to see him, and an especially fantastic thing to life Kevin’s spirits.

Also on Sunday night, a basket “mysteriously” appeared on our front porch. I can’t remember if I told the story of having a woman stop me as I was taking one of my morning walks? Well, one morning a woman stopped and asked me if I was Mrs. Brown. I told her that I am, and she mentioned that her daughter is in my class this year. So awesome! We talked for a bit, friended each other on facebook, and I told her to tell her daughter hi (since because of my leave status, I am unable to communicate with my current class or visit the school).

I thought that was amazing enough, but she and her daughter, as well as some other students, put together a care package for me, and then figured out where we lived so they could leave it on the front porch 🥹😭. Oh my goodness, it was exactly what my heart and soul needed, especially all the wonderful letters from sweet kids who have never met me, yet they told me they missed me and that I am “the best teacher ever.” 😭

Lastly, when I first informed Arthur’s middle school about my diagnoses, so that his teachers and the counselors could know that he would have some extra stuff going on at home, the school psychologist called and told me about this amazing nonprofit in San Antonio called “Wonders and Worries.” It is especially for kids (ages 2-18) with parents who have a terrible disease, such as cancer, MS, etc. They do six sessions with a therapist, where they not only learn about their own parent’s disease and treatments, but coping strategies for how to process everything and deal with the stress. Arthur had his first session on Monday night, and we think it is going to be amazing. What an amazing blessing!!