Fast facts (if you don’t have time to read the full post): I start chemo on Thursday, March 17 in the morning. Chemo is after my lucky charms! If you haven’t read the post from 3/11, please do that before proceeding. This post is focused on the #1 question I am getting right now: “How can I help?”

TO THE (NOT SO LONG) LONG VERSION!

It is 6 am on a Saturday morning. I can’t sleep but I don’t mind being awake at this hour. I am an early riser anyways. The birds are singing. My cats are causing havoc as they impatiently wait for their breakfast because I am the #1 provider of warmth and moist pâté and why be calm when you can be annoying??? There is a kind peace 6 am can bring that doesn’t happen in any other hour of the day. In moments like these, I believe I will be okay.

I have been flooded with texts with different iterations of “How can I help?” That question feels like a blanket of comfort, but it also has been overwhelming because it is hard right now to know what future me will need. Hugs and snacks, probably. I’ve never done this cancer thing before haha! Well, that is a lie. I did with my mom but I guess I am on the other side of this now. I appreciate everyone’s patience as I try to find answers for you to that question. I know I will have more to share next week but here is a short list of what can help right now:

1. If you have breasts, check them. Please. Stop what you are doing and do a self exam. Ask your doctors questions during your yearly exams on what to look for in a self exam. Ask your loved ones about disease and cancer in your family. I know this is an unpleasant conversation but having that information could make an impact on your healthcare down the road. I am not wanting to induce paranoia that you will get breast cancer (or any cancer) and maybe I am projecting my experience a bit on you all, but I have realized so many of us don’t do self exams at home. Let’s stay proactive together!
2. I have amazing friends who have already stepped up and set the foundations for providing care and additional support for me during my treatment. Yes, there will be a meal train at some point that a friend is leading. That link is to come.

– Miles For Madi: A Facebook group established by one of my childhood friends. This is her fundraiser for the month of March centered around running. It also sounds like she is putting together some raffle baskets! Click on that underlined link to find her Facebook group to learn more or search on Facebook, “Miles For Madi.”

– Amazon wishlist: Two of my wonderful friends have helped me establish an Amazon wish list of items that will help me endure treatment. This list will continue to grow as they help me identify my needs. Click on the underlined text to see the list.

3. Continue to text me! I may be slow to respond, but I do promise I get your messages and read them and then promptly cry.

4. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! TELL A FRIEND! I will be co-hosting with my amazing friend Sue a special celebration for my 30 birthday on Friday, June 17 from 4-10 pm at The Space in Richland. Put it in your phone right meow! I really hope I will be able to go to my own party but if not, YOU WILL GO FOR ME and it will be amazing and cool and you will see all the people and buy all the art. I will have more details soon but this will be a fundraiser for a local foundation (TBA) and will feature art from all of my favorite local art friends. If you’re interested in having a piece in this special show, please text me/DM me on your favorite social media platform.

5. The mask mandate has lifted and I would like to ask if you are planning to see me over the course of the next several months to please wear a mask around me. My immune system will be very compromised and I honestly would love to avoid getting COVID again (because lol I am still a fucking long hauler in all of this chaos) or any other terrible illness that could delay or make treatment more difficult. I want to get this shit over with. Please do not visit me if you are sick. Please don’t toss all of your masks and hold on to a few so you can see me safely. I will hopefully have a few at my house for you just in case you show up and forget. 🙂

I really struggled with sharing this information. I really hope it doesn’t come off as being vain or that you have to help me. You showing up in any way you want to on this journey is more than I could ever ask for. Even texting me and making sure I am not in a doom cloud is help. I realize these are challenging times for so many of us with our mental health and our finances and the world feels like it is a never ending shitstorm. I deeply appreciate from the bottom of my little soul every ounce of energy you all have shared with me over the past 3 weeks. Thank you thank you thank you.

Today’s song lyric of the day is brought to you by Tujamo. This song is what I love to blare in my car when I am on my way to Badger Mountain to run the shit out of the trail.

“Keep pushing on, things are gonna get better
It won’t take long, keep on moving to the top
Keep on move it, move it
Gotta keep on move it to the top
Keep on pushing, pushing”

– Keep Pushin’, Tujamo (feat. Inaya Day)