Take two

Jul is resting comfortably.

Jul goes in for one more surgery tomorrow morning. Shouldn’t be as intense as the last one although those stupid drains will be back. I’m hoping they will let us go home at night but right now they are predicting we will stay.

And our gut said, no chemo. But we didn’t trust our gut.

We journeyed to the woods, deep in the mountains. Walked through the mud. Floated sticks across the glassy lake. Stood in the sun on the ridge. The trees said, “Be still and strong. We have stood through fire and storm, drought and cold. We did not fight against it, and instead swayed in the wind. We have existed for thousands of years and will exist for thousands more. Just be.”

We journeyed to the desert, deep in Arizona. Walked through the dust. Piled rocks on the sand. Stood in the sun and heat on the ridge. The desert plants said, “Be still and strong. We have stood through intense heat and storm, drought and cold. We did not fight against it, and instead swayed in the wind. We have existed for thousands of years and will exist for thousands more. Just be.”

Jul journeyed to see a DCIS expert, deep in LA. Drove with Melodie to the hospital. Analyzed the situation. Asked many questions. Stood with the doctor in front of the whiteboard. The doctor said, “No chemo. No way. Chemo is not for you. Trust your gut.”

And our gut said, no chemo.

And we were sure.