Chapter 01: Carpe Diem

car·pe di·em  (kärpā ˈdēˌem/)

Exclamation:  used to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future.

I’m going to eventually tell the story of my seizure, symptoms, illness, treatments, meds, and all that other happy crap that goes along with having cancer.  But first I think there is some really important stuff I need to say to my support team.  Please don’t feel slighted if you look for yourself and don’t find anything; I consider a lot of people as part of my support team.  Likely too many to list individually, even if I wanted to.  Rule of thumb, I’m not naming names except in specific situational events.  There are people, like me, who have a serious phobia in regards to social media. There are others with a desire to stay anonymous.  To be sure I comply with everyone’s privacy, I’ve made the decision that everyone in this blog will be anonymous except for Connie.  Oh, and me.  Oh, and my dogs. Oh, and mom.  But that’s not her real name anyway.

The leader of my support team is Connie, and anyone who knows her knows she doesn’t give up nor does she like to lose.  She has been my best friend, companion, and soulmate for over 35 years.  I don’t think I would be here today if it weren’t for her will and strength, and her ability as a natural caregiver.  I have no doubt that we will continue on as we have in the past well into the future.

My yankee support team includes my sister and her husband, as well as their kids (2 plus spouses) and grandkids (4 between the two families).  Shout out to my big sister in Ohio for always being in my corner.  

It also includes Connie’s family of which I consider myself a part.   She has:

2 brothers plus their spouses.

4 sisters plus their spouses.  

30 nieces and nephews ranging from 23 to 57 years young; some of whom have spouses.

55 great nieces and nephews. some of whom have spouses.

5 great-great nieces and nephews, plus 2 more buns in the oven.

Obviously, this list is dynamic!

My southern support team includes my mom; she’s been here more than she’s been in Ohio over the course of this illness so I’m going to classify her as a southerner.  I don’t know what I’d do if mom wasn’t here.  I know she has to go back to Ohio eventually, but I’m not at all in any hurry to send her up there.  She has been a comforting soul when I needed it the most. I also have a sister and her husband in High Springs and a nephew in Gainesville.  They have been tremendously supportive.  My sister stops by at least once a week.  She’s the reason I was called Gingey (gin-gee) when I was growing up; she couldn’t say “Jennifer.” She still can't... (just kidding, Nanny Goat).

I’m actually lucky in that I have a third family  within Info Tech, both here in Gainesville and also in remote locations across the country.  I came here in June of 2009 after retiring from the Ohio DOT in February of that year. Within the first 2 weeks of retirement, I realized I couldn’t possibly live the retired life, and I applied for a job at Info Tech.  I was familiar with the company having had business interaction with them in the mid 80’s. I already had several people there whom I considered true friends.  I always thought I would love working for this company, and I wasn’t wrong.  They treat employees like family.  After I had the seizure (more detail to come), I was just in shock over the outpouring of love and support I received from my Info Tech family.  There were so many cards, flowers, emails, etc. that I couldn’t keep up.  From the company’s founding fathers to the business managers, subject matter experts, developers, IT support, administrative support -  really I don’t think there was any area of the company that I didn’t feel the outpouring of their collective support.  I have to conclude, logically, that Info Tech is the greatest company in the world.  Honest.

One of the people who sent me a card almost immediately works in Consulting at Info Tech.  I had not had a lot of contact with her, given we worked in different business units, but she reminded me in her card that she and I attended the same new employee luncheon in 2009 with the founder of the company.  She said in the card she realized I might not even know who she is, but I do.  She is the epitome of a good person; she barely knew me but she knew I was a part of the Info Tech family and I was hurting; and so she prayed and wished and blessed and everything else that good people do.  I’m going to hug her the next time I see her.  I also would love to nominate her for Employee of My Life, but we only do Employee of the Quarter, so probably not going to happen.

Speaking of the next time I see her, while I continue to work for Info Tech, I likely will not be returning to the Farm Bureau building.  For those of you not familiar with Info Tech (other than the praise I heap on the company here), we’ve been in the Farm Bureau Building renting space for over 30 years (I think but accuracy isn’t the real intention of this blog).  We, as in the familial “we”, are building a brand new facility at Celebration Pointe.  I’m pretty sure we’ll be moving in during the month of April. Some Info Tech folks at the Farm Bureau building already packed up my stuff for me (thanks, ya’ll for packing).  Then Connie and I swung by to pick it up at the loading dock (thanks, ya’ll for bringing it down).  Then of course I have to thank InfoTech again for allowing me to work from home (WFH) whenever I’m able.  When my journey first began, I wasn’t able to work much and terribly worried about my productivity.  Every one at Info Tech seemed concerned more about my well-being, and told me I shouldn’t be fretting over anything except concentrating on getting well.  That’s family. No, that’s caring; or is it loving; or is it compassion?  Ahhh, yes, it is a caring, loving, compassionate family.

Another person who I want to call out anonymously is unknown name/unknown number (caller ID/robocall humor).  He sent me the little guy shown below.  He’s about 2 inches tall, and there’s a story behind him for which I’m not ashamed to directly plagiarize from the email I received  asking for the history on the Friar.

“The little Franciscan friar I picked up in Assisi, Italy. My friend's dad prayed to Saint Francis when he was going through cancer. So we went to Assisi to pray there when we were in Italy. I said a prayer at his tomb when i was looking for a new job and lo and behold I got the job (somewhere) shortly thereafter.  He has sat on my desk ever since so I wanted to pass him on to you so you know I am always saying a prayer for you.  I hope he brings something positive to you each day.” - Anonymous (but I know who it is and consider the person to be a very good friend).

Then there are my old classmates from high school; some of whom (most more accurate) I haven’t seen since we graduated in 1977.  I have heard from so many people, largely thanks to my cousin and good friend.  I wasn’t well enough to respond to many of the emails but I am now (but of course, I have become obsessed with this blog now).  So, a collective “thank you” to the USHS Class of 1977!!!

Lastly, my team includes my 3 best buddies shown here in their Easter outfits:

Woody

                                                         

                   Finn                                                                                         Brutus

I’ve always been a “thank you” card person, so I’m going to publicly apologize that I fell off the thank-you card train with this illness.  I’m intending for this page to be a tribute to all of those in my support network and families.  Friends have dropped off tons of foods, and I’ve gotten gift certificates to just about every place in town.  Thank you all.  Without your prayers, wishes and especially the cookies and homemade pound cake, I don’t believe I would be here.  I love you all.

Next up, let the journey begin.