Even here, I walk in love.

Walk in Love, Ephesians 5:2 is tattooed on my arm. I had it done in Greek (yes I am Greek) so that people would ask about it and I could talk about what it means to me. The Greek word peripateo means “to walk” or “to walk around”. But when used in the biblical sense it’s more of a figurative walk: the way a person lives their life, regulates their conduct. To me walk in love means to live out the love that God has for us, showing love to those I encounter every day. I have had this tattoo for 8 years, and during this time has probably been the hardest. Two weeks ago I went in to get my port placed. I had been dehydrated, I hadn’t eaten in over 24 hours and was about to go into surgery. I had a blood draw first and the phlebotomist asked how I was and I didn’t answer my normal self, I may have said I’m ok (but picture that in the most sad, mopey way). She said, “You are here, You are alive.” MAN it snapped me out of my pitty party. It’s usually me who tries to make those around me feel loved and in that moment she showed me love and righted my outlook. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. I chose to Walk in Love.

I have been feeling good! My body feels good and energy is back, my taste is still WAY off but I don’t think that will change till this is over. Last week I battled conjunctivitis and dry eye but we have that under control. Yesterday I went and had my PET scan. I took a picture of the machine for you all. It was crazy, they hook this huge machine up to your IV and it mixes the radioactive med that goes into you. The test was uneventful, but then he told me I shouldn’t be in close contact with small children or pregnant women for 24 hours. OH and you should drink a lot of water. OH OK, so that radioactive, yup I drank LOTS of water to get that stuff out of my system!!

Thursday is my next treatment, almost at #2! I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks already!

Stuff I have learned so far: Let people help (not my strong suit) My friends stepped right in, created a gofundme, a meal train, and a way to encourage each member of my family. THANK YOU GUYS. Tell people what you need. Get a soft bristled tooth brush and dry mouth tooth paste. Silk pillow cases are so helpful with hair loss. It is hard to not blow dry or curl my hair. Get out in WALK every day that you can. Movement is key.

Even Here, I WALK IN LOVE.