Guess what? Cancer does not take the week of the 4th off for vacation. Still, my family made sure I had the perfect July 4th! 
Copa and I actually had plans for the 4th.
Real, true plans!
This is a big, big deal for us…..my chemo pretty much keeps us house bound.
So, when his parents invited us over for lunch and swimming on the 4th we were so excited!
It was such a relaxing afternoon. I swam once before since my surgery….swimming makes me feel normal and whole again. My body is trying to rally from the chemo and months of inactivity. Swimming gently exercises my lungs and chest muscles…and it helps clear out that chemo brain fog!
Here’s the deal: Being in a swimsuit in front of others can be intimidating. But, when your boobs have been cut off and you have no hair, being in a bathing suit can invoke feelings of vulnerability. It ain’t fun. BUT, when you have supportive family members with you, you can put all the cancer stuff aside for a little while and you begin to feel normal. And healthy. And HAPPY!
Sadly, we did not swim for very long. One of our notorious Florida thunderstorms came through just as we got into the pool.
Back to the thunderstorm……
It cooled off the afternoon which is oh-so-rare in Orlando in July. We all sat outside on the porch and watched the storm roll by. It was just perfect. We ate lunch and Copa & I headed home around 4:30ish. I was so tired….we tried to stay up to watch fireworks on tv but didn’t make it that long! Our daughter had prior plans with friends; the group caught Lake Eola’s big display in downtown Orlando.
Love this fact:
It was 25 years ago (1993) that I spent my first 4th with Copa’s parents! We were engaged to be married, and on that 4th Copa’s mother introduced me to a Floridian culinary wonder …Publix Macaroni Salad. Oh LAWD have mercy, I was hooked! We haven’t spent the 4th with his parents in a few years, so to to mark the occasion I made a batch of Copycat Publix Macaroni Salad. 
That side effect that plagued me from April-June from the AC chemo is practically gone now – whew! So, I participated easily in our conversations on the porch.
All of my family members make me feel so totally normal, and I can’t stress enough how important that is to me. Whether I’m on the phone with my Dad or relaxing on the porch with my in-laws, no one tip toes around the subject of my cancer. It is discussed openly and frankly.
Remember when I mentioned cancer does not take the week of the 4th off?
Well, thankfully neither do some of Orlando’s top oncology practitioners.
The morning of July 5 at 9:00AM, Copa & I were at Florida Hospital to meet my radiation oncologist. She’s incredible and I am so blessed she is part of my medical team. Not all radiologist have treated lobular patients, but she has and is ON THIS!
She spent quite a bit of time with us – we didn’t get home until 11:00AM. It was a quick turnaround; my daughter took me to downtown Orlando at 1:00PM for chemo.
Friday was a big day, too. My rectal surgeon (LONG story for another post…ugh…TMI!!!) cleared me from further treatment. Another chemo side effect conquered!
Two doctor appointments plus chemo in 24 hours……I like efficiency! This cancer is going to be GONE!!!
I hope you had a great 4th, too!
xoxo,
Heather
#JoyOfJesus
