18. C18

Week 3 half way done. It is July 4, 2024.

Owen has had a roller coaster of a week thus far. Physically, he wasn’t feeling the best but a few things happened this week that made him feel good. One was lunch a few days ago. Owen is an avid Jersey Mike’s fan. He chose sandwiches that day so I took him there. When he walked in, he was surprised to get a few of their staff asking him where he’s been. It seems our local Jersey Mike’s noticed one of their quiet regulars had not been in for awhile. I was surprised to hear that Owen shared a short version of the events that have occurred in the last two months with them (I was in the car waiting for him to procure his sandwich) while they prepared his regular order. And when it came time to pay, they told him that the meal was on them. Super sweet gesture. It moved the both of us. Another thing that happened was a card that came in yesterday signed by many of his extended family - aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a rather LARGE card! It brought him lots of joy.

Yesterday was a long day. I took him to his treatment at the hospital and somehow managed to get a nail stuck in my tire…. Just in a place that made it impossible to patch. Didn’t plan to buy tires in the near future but there we were buying new tires. 😣

Owen felt like we have been hammered by bad luck and bad events.

But here is what I have to say about it.

The seizures he experienced: Thank God there was an obvious sign that told us something was very wrong. Thank God they were not Grand Mal.

Having a craniotomy: Thank God we had providers that reacted swiftly. Thank God that we have advanced medicine, advanced technology, and skilled surgeons. Thank God that Dr. B removed the entire tumor. Thank God that it was a small tumor. Thank God that we have health insurance to cover much of this very, very expensive road we started on.

Having our expansion tank bust and flood our laundry room: Thank God for home owners insurance. Thank God for a home warranty. Thank God that we get new flooring on our first level and new baseboards.

Putting energy into finally obtaining a degree and then finding out he can’t work ever again: Thank God that he was able to have a full military career- that allowed him to achieve educational goals and to see the world. Thank God that he had an opportunity to achieve greatness in so many avenues. Thank God that he doesn’t have to work. Thank God that he can focus on time with family and friends.

Leaving Japan: Thank God for an ability to be back close to Mis and Kiyo. Thank God that we were blessed with time in Japan. Thank God for time we had with my parents. Thank God for the time we spent with life-long friends. Thank God for family and friends we have seen since we have been back. Thank God for my bosses and my co-workers, my other family. (And thank God for H-E-B and Costco. Owen will throw something at me when he reads this part.)

Getting a nail in a tire: Thank God it didn’t blow on the highway. Thank God for Discount Tire being on every other block lol. Thank God that it didn’t hinder us from getting to Owen’s appointments.

Being diagnosed with a level 4 brain cancer: No, I won’t ever say that we are grateful for cancer. I actually have other colorful words for cancer. But what I can say is that since this has been diagnosed, Owen and I have been able to downgrade things we thought were important but really weren’t, things that bothered us. And we have been able to focus on things that we have taken for granted.

My boss, Mr. M, and I have had a few talks about perspective and reframe. It’s important to realize that negativity can be extremely toxic. There is an art to being realistic - you can’t let it turn into pessimism. Once it turns to pessimism, you invite negativity to put its flag down. I have also learned the importance of being realistic and aware. You can’t be oblivious and naive… it sets you up for heartbreak. You just need a little reframing to keep moving forward. Hopefully, I help Owen reframe.