2015

it's got to be better than 2014

By TEAM ANISSA

January 2^nd, 2015

WEEK 24

January 2, 2014

With all the planning and effort to make Christmas special for the kids we can’t help but greet the day after with a huge sigh of relief. We made it to the finish line, and yet the race is still going. Christmas, New Year’s Day and any of the upcoming holidays are waypoints and distractions as we continue on in this race. If there’s one thing we’ve learned throughout this journey – it’s not only to remain present in each situation faced, but to truly take it one day at a time. Easier said than done when you know that waiting just beyond the bend of the weekend are expansion visits, physical therapy, a surgery to remove expanders, to remove the port-a-cath and let’s not forget about five or six weeks of radiation.

I have this image of Anissa crossing a finish line, arms stretched out above her head and smiling a huge smile of accomplishment. Once over the line she briefly looks back over her shoulder. Behind her is all of the crap she's had to endure over the course of what is shaping up to be about 10 months. Ahead of her is a whole new world filled with after school games of tag with Jonathan, good nights with comfortable sleep in any position she wants, nail appointments shared with Isabella and days filled with love and appreciation for all that she has. This journey has changed us for good. Yes, for good in that it will never be what it was but I also mean for ‘good’. We see things with a wildly different perspective now. I can’t wait for all of this to be over – and I know Anissa does too. I can’t wait finish this chapter and start the next.

It’s only been one week of what is a seemingly interminable winter break. With Anissa’s third chemo treatment being the day after Christmas and knowing the side effects Anissa’s parents offered to take the kids for a few days to their house. The kids took off for a few days at Anissa’s parents house while Anissa and I, somewhat reluctantly, arrived at the Disney Cancer Center for her third treatment.