Chemo On Your Birthday

3
To: Tamika
From: William

Happy Birthday Tamika!  Well, how does it feel to be 37?  Did I mention that I’m still 36 – woohoo!  Seriously, I know I tease and joke, but I’m so happy to celebrate you on this day.  I love being the first one to say ‘happy birthday’ in the morning and seeing your smile in reply.

I love you and hope you have an amazing day!

-William

Chemo + Birthday = 🙁

Normally we would be getting ready for the big party – preparing to BBQ a bunch of tri-tip for all the people who would be coming over this evening.  The kids would be getting ready to spend the day swimming and entertaining all the other kids that would be here.  I miss this.  Its hard not to celebrate my wife on her birthday with the giant party and lots of friends and the late night bonfire and guitars.

Don’t get me wrong, we are still celebrating my wife – it’s just much more low-key.  The kids and I got up early to go get balloons and a cake for Tamika. It had to be German Chocolate – her favorite (i don’t like it).  She won’t eat any…but it doesn’t matter.  We just wanted to do something special for her on her birthday.

If you didn’t know already, Tamika is big on celebrating things on the actual day.  She loves getting cards and gifts from anyone whenever they send them, but the party, even if just a small family celebration, has to happen on the birthday whenever possible.  This is something that I’ve had to adapt to, but it is so much fun to make this a reality for her, this year more than ever before.

Today is day 6 of chemo round 2.  People keep asking Tamika if it is any better this time, and all I can answer is that it’s different.  Her bones don’t hurt as bad, and we’ve been able to manage the nausea a little better, but it still sucks.  It hit harder/faster this time.  So even though her bones don’t hurt as bad, there are a bunch of other things that do hurt.

I’ve decided that Birthday’s should NOT include chemo, but this year we have 3 that are going to be effected by this – Tamika’s, Julia’s & mine.

So, I’m planning a party – a make-up party – to celebrate the birthdays and all the days that sucked because of chemo.  Only 4 more treatments to go – and then we are going to do something special to celebrate Tamika!

 

AUTHOR

wsteffenauer

7 Comments

  1. William | June 1, 2014 at 6:15 pm
     

    Thank you all for your comments 🙂

    Reply
  2. Beth Waddle Brock | June 2, 2014 at 2:20 am
     

    Hey Birthday Girl! Came by to drop off a birthday surprise but you weren't feeling well 🙁 This inspired me to go home and finally sit down and read your bogs. I have a hard time sitting down for any period of time lol. I have to say I was brought to tears. I did not realize how many side affects you were suffering through. So Will also let me know that you won't be able to have a pedicure on our girls day out. Such a good protector 🙂 It's ok though. We can do something else even if it's come over and hang out in your bedroom, rub your feet and paint your toenails myself. Love you my friend. Just wanted to know I was thinking about you today and always. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  3. Marcia Casados Ricke | June 2, 2014 at 2:31 am
     

    Happy Birthday Sweetie I hope and pray that you will feel better soon love you.

    Reply
  4. Anne Trott | June 2, 2014 at 5:37 am
     

    Love the sound of that make-up party! Make sure to send the details our way! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Dale n'Angela Dixon | June 2, 2014 at 10:55 am
     

    Happy Birthday precious Tamika…..I am glad you got to spend it surrounded by those you love and those that love you 🙂 I read all the posts you and Will post…..all of them make me ponder life more deeply and my heart pours out to you and your family. I am praying for you and look forward to hearing about your make up party 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kathy Litten | June 3, 2014 at 12:35 am
     

    Tamika, I can only share that I know from my Mom's experience with cancer that prayer works and there are many joyful years ahead. Mom is now 87 years old and her prognosis was not good, what do they know! Many events to experience, Mom is awaiting the birth of another Great Grandchild, doesn't get better. You will be here to experience all of it, weddings, and babies and vacations with your love! I think of you daily and pray for you! By the way, you look beautiful!!

    Reply
  7. Kirsten Larsen | June 4, 2014 at 8:28 pm
     

    Love it!! A BIG MAKE UP PARTY!!! I love you all!

    Reply

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