Emmy's Story Archive

I do want to point out how beneficial writing about our story has been for Aja and I. We’re dealing with some pretty heavy stuff that comes with a mountain of information attached to it; to hold all that in your head without release, may in fact cause your head to physically explode.

The next morning we woke, haggard and sleep deprived as much from the arduous travel as from the two crazy children, who were jet-lagged and ornery. It was all made ok though as we woke in our new Denver apartment, Team Emmy’s new base of operations for the remainder of the journey.

That brings us to today. No chemo this week (thankfully), just more of a wait and see approach as we monitor her numbers and their anticipated drop. After completing a treatment run this tough she has historically needed multiple rounds of blood products (both blood and platelets) to get her through to the next step. Anticipating this, we have no intention of taking her anywhere far from the hospital.

Every time we do get to pass through the threshold of our own place, there comes a moment where a certain smile crosses our little lady’s face, the special one reserved for when she is extra happy, and it melts you into a puddle right there on the spot. We could turn around and get right back in the truck, the whole journey back home made worth it in that one moment.

Here is the sequence: Up (early, abruptly and not by choice), screaming (usually the children), coffee if you’re lucky, short-order breakfast shift, cleaning, entertaining, cleaning, entertaining, cooking, cleaning, refereeing, reasoning, begging, bargaining, bribing, cleaning, errands, cleaning, cooking, bathing, more reasoning and bargaining until the eventual and most welcome bedtime.

One thing is certain. In the morning, the Earth will be covered in that fresh layer of pure white, and it will sparkle in the sunlight.