Last year when Kate, our lovely daughter-in-law, was going through RCIA studying to become a Catholic, my husband made her a promise. He would be there with her at the Easter Vigil in Washington, DC when she officially became Catholic. A few weeks later we paid for plane tickets. I even did something I’ve NEVER done before … paid for four days of hotel on hotels.com. Oh yeah … we were going to be there … or be square!
Shortly after, Rick got the kidney cancer diagnosis and it didn’t look like that promise was going to be kept. I knew Kate would understand but Rick and I were both really upset. We had quietly prayed for over four years that Kate’s faith journey would lead her in the direction of the Catholic Church and now it was going to really happen.
Dr. Campbell told us it was possible Rick would feel better after his first immunotherapy infusion. Maybe even well enough for the trip. Not sure I believed him. But we clung to the possibility. Except the first infusion was delayed five times and time was getting short. Every time I spoke with our son, Ricky, on the phone I would tell him to be prepared that we might not come. Personally, I really didn’t think it was even possible considering how bad Rick felt. We were to leave on Thursday, March 24. That Monday before, we were still going back and forth on whether we should go. On Tuesday, my hubby said, “We are going.” He was a little better … but wouldn’t be running sprints in the airport.
The trip was way more fun for me than for my husband. It was the first time in months that I had sat in a restaurant and held an adult beverage in one hand … especially one so darn cute with lots of fruity stuff poking out the top. After the first three sips, I was calling my Sangria … Sagria. It was a magical night!
We had to majorly slow things down for Rick. He took lots of naps during the day. I also rolled him through the airport in a wheelchair. Rick barely managed to get through the three hours passion service on Good Friday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. I don’t know how he did it. Well, it wouldn’t have happened without our son dropping us at the curb. On Saturday, Rick did have to miss the four-hour Easter Vigil. It wasn’t going to be over until 11:30 p.m. and I insisted on him hanging out at the hotel. Kate’s awesome mom recorded the big event on video for Rick to view later.
The day after we got back from our trip, we meet with Dr. Campbell right before Rick’s second infusion. The lump on Rick’s chest had turned from hard to soft and flattened out. Imagine going from a “D” cup to a “B” in two weeks. He is getting some of his stamina back and his blood levels look great. His doctor told us Rick’s improvement was “dramatic.” I love that word “dramatic.”
The second infusion went smoother than the first. Not much in the way of side effects. No MDA appointments for two weeks. We’ve got some home projects that need attention and I finally dropped off our income taxes.
This week I learned … it is lovely when you run into people you know at MDA like the amazing Ev and Joan Evans … oh and my daughter, Katie, is extra awesome. She drove her dad home from MDA when the infusion lasted longer than expected and I had to get back home for Mimi’s drop off by the day center bus. She is my hero! I also learned how much pleasure I get out of just getting the sheets washed when I realize I don’t have to be at MDA the rest of the week! I learned the simple pleasures of walking among the cherry blossoms with people that I love like Aleta, Sarah and Kate. I learned how much of an awesome adult my son, Ricky, has become. He took such great care of his dad and me on our visit. I got a little emotional when he dropped us at the airport. I also learned the priceless value of a kept promise.
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