At times, it’s overwhelming to have three toddlers and cancer, but on other days it’s so damn wonderfully distracting. My kids have very little clue what is going on with mama, and just want to play, and laugh and love. Oh, and go to the park. Every. Damn. Day.
Luckily, the weather is beginning to cooperate, and my energy levels are holding.
When I was diagnosed and scheduled treatments, there were a couple of events, I wanted to make sure I could do- major life events that I didn’t want cancer to take away from. A big one was Baby H’s birthday. Birthdays are a big deal in my family. With five kids, it was the ONE day, that was just for you. It was my chance to be special. I want my kids to have that too.
We went all out for the twins’ first and second birthday and Baby H deserved no less- I didn’t want cancer to take that. But at the same time, I needed to be pragmatic. There are limitations to my energy and time. My #1 must have, was me being able to make the cupcakes for his birthday. It’s something I love and something I can make just for him.
The problem was, when I originally scheduled chemo I was planning his party for the 26th, and that turns out to be Easter weekend, which meant the kids would miss out on Easter egg hunting- all of the kids, my nieces and nephews. That’s just not right. So we had to move the party – to the day after my newly revised chemo session. And day 2 is a rough one.
My limitations were thrown in my face. Chemo is what it is. I get tired. I get sick. I get through it, but not always well. I didn’t want that to detract from Baby H’s big party.
My family knew how important it was to me (let’s face it- a first birthday is really more for the parents), and my sisters and mom all traveled down early to set-up and help me stage an Old McDonald’s birthday party to die for. I’ll be honest, it was better than anything I could have pulled together if I wasn’t sick. It took many hands and ideas to make it special.
The most important thing, was the incredible turnout. 11 nieces and nephews, friends’ children. The kids all had fun.
Baby H was held and loved and celebrated. The twins loved the party and want to do it over and over again. After they go to the park, of course.
And for a short time, I forgot that I was sick.
Cancer Ever After 
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