Last Tuesday morning, June 23, we followed our usual routine for a treatment day. We checked out of the hotel, dropped our bag off at the car and checked in for Wade’s blood work. By 7:30 a.m. we found out Wade’s white blood count was too low to receive chemotherapy that day. We were told to take a week off and come back the following Tuesday to try again.
Wade’s first reaction was disappointment. He didn’t want to have a lag in treatment and give the cancer an opportunity to advance. However, we continually pray that he will receive the exact treatment that God wants for him. We were told it would be more harmful to give him the chemo drugs and that we should not be frustrated. Wade made it through six aggressive treatments before this happened. The doctor said it is not unusual to see this happen after the second or third treatment. After a stop for breakfast we were home before noon with a complete week ahead of us without any chemo or side effects.
The break from treatments gave Wade an opportunity to build his strength up and enjoy an absolutely normal week at home. He spent most of the week on his tractor, at the barn, and in the garden. We didn’t have anything special planned for the week. He did his thing and I did mine, at the same time, together but separately. As I left to run errands on Wednesday, I stopped the car in the driveway and flagged Wade down on his tractor. He asked me what I needed and I told him I was just so happy that he was having a good day. He asked me, “How can you tell I’m having a good day?” My response, “Because you are working.” Relaxing really isn’t his thing.
On Saturday we visited Rural King to pick up some plants for Tyler and Kayla’s landscaping project. Of course, I found a few items that I thought would look nice in our moonlight garden on the northwest side of our house. For those who aren’t familiar, a moonlight garden is made up of white plants or plants with silver foliage, usually more aromatic flowers. The first time I saw one was at the Thomas Edison estate in Ft. Meyers, FL. They are supposed to be enjoyed in the evenings when the moon reflects off the white plants. I’ve been working on mine for about three years. After I checked out with two carts full of plants, Wade spotted a white flowering bush he thought I would like. He said he was familiar with the plant but couldn’t remember the name. The tag for it was gone so a helpful staff member brought me one that included planting and care instructions. When we unloaded it at home we read the tag and discovered it was a Rose of Sharon. I’ve added some pictures of our progress in the moonlight garden.
We left the plants in the garage until Monday morning. I decided I better get them planted before we left for St. Louis later that day. I saved the Rose of Sharon for last because it was the biggest and I wanted to take my time to think about where I wanted it planted. As I’ve mentioned in other blogs, I talk to God throughout the day about everything. Many times I ask Him to help me trust Him, to not worry or be afraid. As I dug the hole for the Rose of Sharon, I began to pray about Wade. I believe God gives us so many things in nature to make Himself evident. I regularly thank Him for sunshine, flowers, birds singing, etc. While admiring the beautiful blooms, God reminded me that Jesus is referred to as the Rose of Sharon in the Bible. He also reminded me that Jesus is with us and for us. I immediately recognized it was no coincidence that we picked the pretty white bush with no tag. As I dropped it in the ground and started piling the dirt back in the hole, I thanked God for the Rose of Sharon and the past week He had given us. I believe He wanted to remind us of what we were fighting for; that all the difficulties associated with the treatments are a trade-off for more normal days ahead. I told God that I was planting it in faith and as a monument to summer 2015. I prayed that Wade and I would sit in the swing in the backyard and watch our grandkids play by the Rose of Sharon and pick blossoms from it. I told God I would tell them about this summer and how God carried us through a very difficult time.
The change in treatment dates has potentially thrown things off for 4th of July weekend. However, we are going to make the best of it. Friday night we look forward to having a small group of friends over for homemade ice-cream and Saturday we will enjoy family at the farm for the day. Wade may catch a few naps here and there but we are looking forward to celebrating.
Hope you have a great holiday weekend –
Deanna