Lemonade

So excited for today! Well...not really, but I'm feeling much better today! Checked back in up at M50 a few hours ago and now I am starting to wind down for the evening. I had only 2 hours of fluids before beginning the Doxorubicin (1st chemo drug). The Dox dripped for 15 minutes only, short and quick! Then came about 2 hours of fluids medicated with agents that help to pull the chemo out, prepping me for the Cisplatin. Just before 9, the two nurses came back in covered in their blue gear to hang up that big bag of chemicals. So, it's running, about 2 more hours (4 hours total) and then fluids all night. I'll be up every 2 hours to pee, so if anyone is bored contact me, I'll be up through the night. But, I plan to sleep all day tomorrow until the chemo starts again in the evening. So many nerves have been in my stomach today...these are the big dogs...the "rough" ones that start off cycle 2. 


I guess I do have something to celebrate...beginning this chemo treatment, although a week behind originally planned, marks the end of my first 5 week cycle! So crazy to think about how my life has changed in 5 weeks. The ups, the downs, the surprises, and the goodbyes of life that I have had the opportunity to experience really humble me and remind me of all the blessings me and my family share through this roller coaster. 5 is my lucky number for the time being. 5 weeks is one cycle and I have 6 (now 5!!!) more cycles to complete. 5 is the number of members of teamevans, my foundation where without each member, I would be lost. Todd and Jane, best parents I could ever ask for. Mackenzie and Joe, God blessed me with you to have some fun along the way. And then there's me. Emily. Haven't quite figured out my piece of the puzzle yet, my slice on what is planned for me in life. This curveball, this little c, all of it I know is for a reason. Someday, I pray I may be lucky enough to understand why. 


Life truly is a glass of lemonade because it's what we make of the lemons. The rough times, the down times, the sad times, the times when you don't even want time, it all makes some pretty sweet lemonade. Make some lemonade tonight and please just enjoy it. Think about your trials and your struggles as the lemons that make that sweet lemonade. That lemonade is victory, life is sweet. Life really is good. As my favorite artist of all time, John Mayer, says, "I know the Heart of Life is good."


We all have our struggles and our trials, things that put us through the ringer, but in the end, I will always believe there is a plan. Some guy upstairs is headed to bed right now with a lot on His plate too, might as well send your problems up His way, He will be up all night too. Much peace and love, yes my struggles will be hard with this chemo, but I am trying to take it one step of the time. My sister got me a book today, also the slogan on my phone cover, entitled "Keep Calm and Carry On" - Good advice for hard times. It's a book of quotes, something else I can share with you throughout my journey. 

(P.S. My shirt says "game on")

I am saying Goodnight to my beautiful mother, laying in the fold out chair bed right beside me, goodnight to my sister at her sleepover, goodnight to my brother and Dad at home. You all are the blessings in my life, the days I drink that sweet lemonade. Goodnight to my friends in St. Louis, you continue to be my motivation, goodnight to all my friends and family everywhere. Couldn't be more blessed. Please enjoy your lemonade, have a safe an wonderful evening. Much, much love and peace to all.