As life moves forward, it is interesting to see what becomes your “new normal.” Right now, my new normal looks a lot like rushing to a chemo treatment as soon as school is out, and then grading papers while I receive my infusion and Kevin and I watch “Only Murders in the Building.” It is so different than my life a year ago, it is crazy to think about how normal it now feels.

Sadly, there are also really rough things thrown in, such as having to go to the emergency room because of pain so intense that I could not speak or really move. It hit me in the middle of church, and my throat started hurting terribly – almost like it was closing up or I was being strangled. There was lots of sharp pain as well, and then it started spreading up into my jaw, down my neck and into my sternum and back.

I came home and layed down to rest, hoping it would feel better, and it eased up for a little bit. However, the second I sat up from my nap, it hit me like a hammer, and when I stood up to walk, it felt like someone had a grip on my throat and was squeezing with all their might. It was excruciating, and tears just rolled down my cheeks, and so Kevin called my oncologist’s office, and they sent me to the ER.

After some CT scans and some meds, the pain finally came under control. After testing me for things like flu, Covid, strep throat, etc, and looking at my scans, the only thing they could surmise was that the tumor on my spine was causing these terrible muscle spasms. They sent me away with a script for muscle relaxers and a pain medication. Luckily, they take the edge off, so that I can function, even though the pain is still constant in the background.

One crazy thing, was when I was reading the report from the CT scans from the ER, I noticed that they talked about two other tumors in my lungs!! What?! Granted, they are super tiny, but I would really love it if I could get a scan where they did not find yet another tumor in my body. It seems like that keeps happening :/.

Thank goodness for constant reminders from the Lord that I am not in this alone. That my amazing husband and friends who are praying for me and watching out for me are angels sent to me by a loving Father in Heaven. Like this quote by Sharon Eubank says:

“When you can’t give more, when you’ve gone beyond your ability to give, then sit still. Call on the Holy Ghost to come angels to come to you. Be still and get full.”

And I also have my Arthur to come and spend time with me when I am feeling awful. He will cuddle up next to me to read a book or watch a fun Hallmark movie together, and it never fails to life my spirit.

And blessedly, even though I was still in a lot of pain, I was able to not miss a day of school this week. And it was a long week. We were able to get in some fun science experiments, which the kids loved – especially one about evaporation and condensation.

And we got to try out my new toy that Kevin bought for me – “Thirty Second Dance Party.” It is a big yellow button, and when you hit it, it says the words, “Thirty second dance party,” in a German accent, and then plays a fun techno beat that the kids think is awesome. They love it!

I was also able to read them the sweetest book, The Little House, as we were talking about how changes take place in our environment and impact the geography of places we live, since we are studying a geography unit for Social Studies. They loved it! (And when my amazing friend, Pamela, found out that I was borrowing a copy, she sent me this gorgeous hardback copy for my library.)

And between all three of my classes, we have also had a ton of birthdays to celebrate! They all love the chance to sit in my purple chair, wear the birthday glasses, and get sung to from their class while accompanied by my special doorbell that plays “Happy Birthday.” Good times, and definitely some happier times in the midst of the hard.