More Like A Person Than A Patient

Today was a gorgeous day outside. Over the last month, I've watched a lot of rain and I've seen a few days that looked beautiful through the window, but today, I got to go outside and be in it.

I started preparing yesterday by taking a shower. As wonderful as a shower is, it is difficult. It takes a lot of work and I still need help because two surgeries later, I'm still healing. I can't do everything I'd like to be able to do with my arms and I have to be careful about twisting. Fortunately I have hair that just does its thing no matter what, so that is a non issue. It doesn't have to be straightened and it doesn't get offended if I ignore it and don't style it.

Stephen let me sleep really late this morning, so I woke up with plenty of energy. Some friends of ours were gathering this afternoon in Cary and a band we love was playing at Koka Booth for the celebration. I've been begging him to take me for weeks. So I brushed my hair, put on jeans and a Pittsburgh Steelers polo shirt and socks. I almost got dressed all by myself - but I did need a little help. The highlight was that I wasn't wearing the clothes I slept in and they weren't cotton blend stretch.
I wore REAL CLOTHES for the first time since September 9th.

I walked outside and enjoyed the gorgeous day. I stood up. I sat down. I walked around. I hugged friends (very gently). I felt like a person. Apart from very few friends, most of the people at Koka Booth didn't know that I had been battling breast cancer, so I was treated like a person, not a patient. We couldn't stay very long, but we got to hear the Katinas a little and we got to sing with the worship band. That was HUGE for me because I haven't been able to go to church in a month.

As we walked to the car, I breathed deeply. I thanked Stephen for letting me twist his arm and bring me out. I appreciated every moment of sunshine and fresh air. And as I got in the car it hit me - today I felt more like a person than a patient. That made all the difference.