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35 Purple Balloons

Episode LXVI - 35 purple balloons fly by...


There was a knock at my door? I opened it to see a bunch of purple balloons. My brother drove in from out of town to surprise me after I finished treatment. Not only did he want to celebrate he wanted me to release the balloons as a way to let go. Let my radiation treatment fly away... far, far away...



35 purple balloons representing my 35 radiation treatments...


I printed a small message and we attached it to each balloons hoping that they would reach someone. It was a wonderful idea and so thoughtful of my brother. Plus, I was happy to see him!

That evening when the family was all home we went outside and let them go into the night sky. As with any moment it was real. My husband and brother were trying to take pictures on their phones. My son was wanting to hold on to the balloons the longest. My daughter got upset that she could not keep one as they flew away. It was a typical family moment... even in the letting go, there was still drama!


 

Up. Up. And Away!



As with most of my treatment it has been about all of us. I was not the only affected person. My husband had to step up and take on anything I could not do. My children watched and worried. Yet, I had forced myself to remain present and functioning and as normal as possible during the past year. My other family and friends had also been along the journey too. While we all had endured, I was glad that (for now) I was able to at least feel the constant medical treatments were coming to an end.


In my head...


So much love and support was shown to me. Not only was I watching purple balloons vanish into the sky, my daughter's class had made me cards. The sweetness shown by 1st graders...


There may be nothing better than handmade kid cards!

I was also brought home cookies from a friend that had a note saying congrats for being finished or as my daughter called it "my mom's no-more-cancer day". It was a great day and I was surrounded by a lot of love!


What a journey we have been on?!?!?!


“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” 
- Sigmund Freud


Episode Reference: 99 Red Balloons, Nena song
(how could I not use this song...)

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