Time Between Procedures
We head up to Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island to let Isabela run and to enjoy our “free” time. Greg has appointments for getting his chest port and his gastronomy tube, but we make the most of moments we have beforehand. Being back on Whidbey Island is a lot like being home. You know that sweet feeling that you get from being home? We are taking this as a happy sign. Not enjoying the weather so much, but when there is a break from the rain and snow, we venture out.
Having Isabela with us is wonderful. She is devoted to Greg and he to her. Love is happening here. Probably the only thing bothering us now is how unsettled it feels to wait for treatment to start. It’s cold too. And we’ve been away from Whidbey for six and a half years.
It’s fun to see the fir and cedar trees again, but did I mention how cold it is? Brrrr. Greg is borrowing Mike’s jacket and I have some of Janine’s warm clothes too. The thrift store offered some warm things also, and we bought new boots and socks. Both of us had boots when we got here, but the soles came completely off the boots from lack of use. Apparently that is a common problem. Who knew? The sales guy at REI knew. He’s seen it before. We’re bundled up and Janine gave us an electric blanket for the trailer. We snuggle and try to enjoy ourselves. One morning we wake up to snow. It’s pretty, but it’s not what I had in mind.
We spend a fair amount of time inside Mike and Janine’s home. It’s so beautiful and comfortable. They keep bugging us to just move inside, but we are determined to give them (and us) some space. This is going to be a long haul.
Finally the day arrives when Greg has his chest port inserted into his chest. He’s in good spirits and he even gives me an uncharacteristic smile in his pre-surgery way.
He looks so good to me in these moments. Even with that stupid hair net. I’m so worried about my guy. I remind myself that visualizing a good outcome is paramount to success. So I see it. I see him healed even before the treatments start.
Too bad I can’t hold on to that image when I need it the most. The future holds a lot of heartache and despair. But right now we don’t know that. Our expectations are that because he is so healthy, he can do this without much trouble. We couldn’t be more wrong.
