October 14

October 14, my daughter turned 18!  
She is already an amazing young woman, strong, intelligent, and beautiful.  She has gone through a lot over the last 18 years, and she knows we are headed into another obstacle course. This one we will navigate together.  


When she was 6 years old I had sinus surgery for the second time.  After a day surgery and a night at my parents, I returned to our town home.  She and I had set up the ground floor living room to accommodate sleeping for the next few days, as I was under orders to not climb the stairs to our bedrooms.  She had spent the day prior with her Dad and grandma, and as I settled in she came through the door dressed in a nurse costume and toting chicken soup that she and "pop-pop" had made for us, and some cookies to boot!  She was so cute, and also so serious about her responsibilities and taking care of me.  For dinner she heated the soup in the microwave, and wouldn't let me lift a finger.  I remember thinking then what an amazing young lady she was and now  12 years later she is even more wonderful than I could ever have imagined.  


I spent the day at the Mayo clinic, while Kate spent the day at school.  We had picked up bagels for her first hour class and I had dropped her at her Dad's the night before.  At 5 o'clock in the morning, I left my house.  First stop was picking up my friend, Doreen, who had offered to come along with me, even though it meant being up early enough to drive to Rochester and make a 730 am checkin.  Mayo was great, and their second opinion gave me confidence in my treatment decision.  When we returned home I wanted to spend the rest of the day, and the next, "cancer free".  It was my daughter's birthday and she deserved to have a light-hearted day free of "sick talk".  Then on Sunday, we discussed what I had learned and we agreed on Park Nicollet/Methodist for the treatment.  Finally, a plan we can start working.