Thursday, August 16, 2007

Cemeteries, Lost Wallet, Runway Rage--and yeh, I still have cancer.

Before I begin this, know that we are home, happy but tired. Now I get to complain.



So we get up Wednesday morning, me depressed that we have to come home and face reality, but happy at the thought of seeing my dog and sleeping in my own bed. We figure we need to get to Boston by 5:00 p.m., as we have a 6:15 flight. Decided to go say goodbye to Andrew at his hotel first.



Knock, knock, knock. Loving caring mother whispers into door: "if you want some money, you will get up." A minute later door opens to Black Tomb of the Stinky Athlete. Andrew: "Hey." Loving, caring mother: "we came to say goodbye." Andrew: "Bye."

With that dramatic scene done, we still have some time before we need to leave and since Ginger, who will now be called Crazy MIL (crazy mother-in-law), had learned of the actual cemetery where they filled Stephen King's Pet Semetary, we decided to go check it out. After driving out into Maine for about 15 minutes we find this very old, and I mean old, small cemetery with most gravesites from the middle 1800's. And yes, it was drizzling and raining but that didn't stop Crazy Mil and the rest of us from exploring. Actually, it was pretty neat to see the old names and read some of the tombstones, but Jim got creeped out early and kept saying "let's go...we shouldn't be walking all over these dead people!" I of course was reading names aloud and found a huge headstone with the name CLAPP on it, and as only as I can do, I say "Hmm...I wonder if she died of the clap?" Jim, at this point, says, "Geeze!!!!!!!!!! Way to tick off the spirits!" so he high tails it to the car, and locks the doors. (I did feel bad after I said that and said a quick prayer asking for forgiveness.) Anyway, that was neat but as soon as we got in the car, Jim says "we are probably cursed now."

So we head for Boston. About 2 hours out, Jim can't find his wallet so we stop at a rest stop and open all the luggage and go through it--dirty clothes, clean clothes, travel bags, you name it, we had it strewn all over the parking lot looking for the wallet. No wallet. I tell Jim he will have to live in Boston the rest of his life. He does not find me funny and pouts the rest of the way to Boston, mad at himself for losing it and a bit anxious about not having ID to board the plane.

Get to Boston--trip on Thrifty Rental Bus to Airport was just as traumatic as first ride. Boob screaming in pain from all the juggling...but we finally check in to see our flight is delayed. The good news is, no big deal about no ID for Jim so he doesn't have to stay in Boston forever. He does have to go through some extra security checks but we figured they may not have known who he was officially but he certainly didn't have any weapons or anything strapped under his t-shirt or Cubs hat!

We finally board the plane at 7:20 and ended up sitting on the runway for about 2 hours because O'Hare called a "groundstop" due to weather. That was awful--they did invite us to come tour the cockpit and gave us pretzels and water but it was still mind-boggling because of stale air and cramped seating. I was sitting next to a rheumatologist so we had quite the conversation the entire flight--and of course I told him about the cancer, to which he asked all kinds of intelligent questions being a physician and all, but didn't offer a cure or anything : ) He did however, suggest that I get my slides sent to some cancer centers just for more information. He was also a Harvard med school professor and was very, very nice. Once we took off, it was uneventful and quick, but we had no idea if we had a flight from ORD to South Bend.

Two good things happened at O'Hare--our flight had not left and Andrew had called with a message that they had found Jim's wallet at the baseball stadium and it was now in his possession. Flight to South Bend was 16 minutes, but of course they lost our luggage so I am waiting for that to arrive today. I think we got into bed at 2:30--boob throbbing but damn, it was good to be home.

Two doctor visits tomorrow. At 8:45 a.m. I see the plastic surgeon, Dr. Messenger for an hour consultation. Then I head to Dr. Nancy's at 11:30. Depending on what we decide to do, it is possible that my surgery might not be for another month. I have very mixed feelings about that, but they assure me it is safe to wait and necessary, since both reconstructive/mastectomy would be done at the same time, it will eventually save time. The good part of that is I will go back to work (hopefully Monday!!!!) until surgery. Also, Crazy Mil leaves for the UP on Saturday and she has been my co-hort in all of this and if we delay it, she may be back in time for the surgery. The bad part is it prolongs the mental side of this--which allows those little cells to keep multiplying and my mind to go crazy. Again, they are telling me it is not a big deal to wait if needed but if still freaks me out.

Lonnie, if you read this, today I received your flowers and they are beautiful. East Main hung on to them knowing I was in Maine --love that about a small town. Anyway, they are so gorgeous I am taking a picture of them. I will call you later but thanks so much. My other plants are doing well too--thanks to Mimi who I think watered them.

I am so lucky to have all of you. And when the luggage arrives, I think the curse of the cemetery will be lifted!

Molly

9 comments:

PK said...

Molly,
This is better than "All My Children"!
Will keep you in prayers tonight. Get all your questions written down for tomorrow & ask every one of them no matter how silly you think they may sound. (Even nipple placement or going 'sans-nipple'- after reconstruction is an issue!)
Will be looking for your posting tomorrow evening and sending you good vibes.
PK

altergott said...

Molly,

I'm addicted to your site and eager to hear what the news will be after the appointments tomorrow. I got a kick out of hearing the story about Jim in the cemetary as I remember what a Nervous Nellie he was when we all took a trip to Chicago for Andy's wedding. He wouldn't let us look at anyone for fear of being shot. Stay positive Molly!

Love,
Beth A.

Unknown said...

I'm with PK. This is great reading. Molly, why don't you write your blog and turn it into a book when this is all over. Maybe we can sellthis now to a network for a reality show. You already have better stuff than what I am watching on TV, except maybe the one on Gene Simmons. His show is pretty good. Your scene in the little 'pet' cemetary is the best. We could create content but the film crew would think it's real stuff that happens. Our luck, it would be real. We could even call it, "Brawley's Boobs". And a bunch of dumb men will watch simply because of the title. Think of this scene. One day, some of your friends could show up with like 10 different size boobs for you to choose from for reconstruction models. OK--I'm going to stop now because I can think of so many different scenes just doing the boob review. Especially when you take PK's suggestion about considering nipple placement!!!!!!

Oh well. My thoughts and prayers are going to be with you tomorrow, as they have been since I first learned of this interruption in our collective lives.

On the birght side Molly, just think of the T's you can wear next summer during travel baseball. You will be the envy of every woman around. And you will probably run into DJ again!

Post the info on how you can listen to the games on the computer.

Remember, when you walk into your doctor's office tomorrow, imagine the verizon commercial with all the people who are backing up the verizon user. That's you. You will be walking into that office with an army of people supporting you.

L.

L.

Unknown said...

I'm with PK. This is great reading. Molly, why don't you write your blog and turn it into a book when this is all over. Maybe we can sellthis now to a network for a reality show. You already have better stuff than what I am watching on TV, except maybe the one on Gene Simmons. His show is pretty good. Your scene in the little 'pet' cemetary is the best. We could create content but the film crew would think it's real stuff that happens. Our luck, it would be real. We could even call it, "Brawley's Boobs". And a bunch of dumb men will watch simply because of the title. Think of this scene. One day, some of your friends could show up with like 10 different size boobs for you to choose from for reconstruction models. OK--I'm going to stop now because I can think of so many different scenes just doing the boob review. Especially when you take PK's suggestion about considering nipple placement!!!!!!

Oh well. My thoughts and prayers are going to be with you tomorrow, as they have been since I first learned of this interruption in our collective lives.

On the birght side Molly, just think of the T's you can wear next summer during travel baseball. You will be the envy of every woman around. And you will probably run into DJ again!

Post the info on how you can listen to the games on the computer.

Remember, when you walk into your doctor's office tomorrow, imagine the verizon commercial with all the people who are backing up the verizon user. That's you. You will be walking into that office with an army of people supporting you.

L.

L.

Vikki said...

Hi Molly,
Glad you are back! I thought it was hysterical that Jimmy not only got in the car, but locked the door. Doesn't he know that ghost can go through anything? You always make me laugh. Tomorrow is a good day because you are reporting for active duty. To me cancer is like going to war. First there is the annoucement of war, second the strategy of war, third the fighting of the war and fourth putting up the victory flag. Molly we are all your soldiers and are reporting for duty with you. We will prevail over the little guy.

Vik

Maggie said...

Molly I love all your stories. Brian helped me with your blog and sends his prayers too. I am glad you will live to 102. I will keep reading.

kim said...

Hey,
This is soooo entertaining. I love to hear about other families and their lost stuff :) I Think chocolate would help with the mental anguish...We could use you at work too that would keep you busy. Loved Vicki's analogy of the war and also Yolanda's verizon idea. I am so visual that I can just see these happening for you.
Kim

sheryl said...

Hey Molly Brawley!! We are on our way home from Petosky. Went to Young American's last night. They sang a Garth Brook song. Made me smile thinking of you. We even got to see Bill. He had just gotten back from Japan. The show was awesome and can't wait for them to come to Niles.

I too loved Lonnie's idea with the reality TV show. The "tweeners' would love to help pick your new boobies out.

Will check back later. Happy thoughts.

XOXO

Mimi said...

Molly,

So glad you guys are home safe and sound. It feels "back to normal" with you back in town. After all that "bumper-to-bumper" traffic in Maine, it must feel so good to be back in good 'ol Niles!

I know you had to make a lot of decisions and plans today, but even having that done must feel like another step in the right direction.

Even though Ginger is going up North, don't feel like you have to go to doctor appointments and the like alone! You have so many people in your brigade (to borrow from Vikki's analogy) that there is always someone available to go with you. Just put it on your blog when you need someone, and I know all of these ladies reading away will heed the call!

We could be the BRAWLEY BOOBY BRIGADE! Maybe we could get shirts made. I think I'll call Baker's Needle tomorrow! Pink with BBB in the middle! I love it! Anyone interested? :)

OK, enough for now. I'll bring you the book tomorrow that I told you about.

Love you,
Mimi