Relay For Life - Greer

Today we had our monthly appointment to see Dr. Christman, Allison's medical oncologist ("chemo doctor"). Blood work looked great with the tiny exception of low vitamin D. Uhhh, if that's the only negative we'll gladly take it! We talked more about her ongoing medical therapy and it was decided that she would continue with the Tamoxifen for the next few months. She told Allison everything looked good so we don't have to see her for 3 months! It's going to be a fantastic summer!!

I've always support the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. I've always given to people raising money by selling cakes, burgers, etc. I've never actually raised money myself, never had the desire I guess. Well, this year Relay has taken on a whole new meaning for the Walker's. Zach's school is supporting Relay and Rhonda asked if they could sponsor Allison. How humbling. I've been raising money individually for D.R. Hill Middle School's Relay fund. My goal was initially $250. God has "shown off" and as of today I've raised $770! We are so blessed to be loved as much as we are. May we never forget nor take for granted the love in our lives.

D.R. Hill's Relay event will be in Spartanburg on May 20 (our 22nd wedding anniversary). I'm looking forward to it but tonight was Greer's event and Allison's mom has been a part of that for many years. She's a skin cancer survivor. We arrived just in time to hear the announcer say "Are you ready for some bluegrass music?"....NO!! I give Allison "the look" as if to say "let's make this short and go back home". I truly wasn't in the mood for all this. But God wanted to show me something...

At 7:00pm the opening ceremonies were about to begin, the survivors and their care givers (me!) were to meet on the track and walk the "Survivor Lap" together. However, the ominous cloud that had been overhead for the last 30 minutes had other plans. Within minutes a storm erupted. 15 minutes later clothes were soaked, chairs were soaked, food was soaked. "Allison, let's go home"...no, God wanted to show me something...

At 9:00pm they had dried off the equipment enough to begin the opening ceremonies again. So, we proceeded down to the track for the second time. A beautiful prayer was said, the National Anthem was sung, there was a sense of quiet and peace that I can't explain. The announcement was made to begin and the ribbon was cut allowing us to begin our walk. As we walked, an amazing thing happened...complete strangers began to applaud the survivors and caregivers. They gathered all the way around the track as we walked cheering us along every step of the way. It was at that moment that I knew why God had me stick around. This was extremely humbling, why would they be cheering for me, I'm just walking the journey God wants me to walk. Millions of others are going through the same journey. What's the big deal?

Oh, its a big deal alright. We ARE survivors, by the Grace of God.

Almost Done...

Radiation treatments 1-24 were pretty much uneventful for Allison. She would stop in right after work, the treatment would last 10-15 minutes and she would be on her way. Not much in the way of side effects. This past week has been different. The redness has gotten a lot worse, pain accompanies the redness and energy level in the afternoons has dropped drastically. Still a “breeze” compared to the chemo but still a rough road. Today should have been #28 so only 5 more…she “graduates” radiation on May 19th, one day prior to our 22nd wedding anniversary and one day prior to the Spartanburg Relay For Life event. How fitting.

Cards and “how’s Allison?” comments have dwindled down a little but praise the Lord not much. We’re so blessed to have the support network around us that we have. Without our Lord (who has carried us all the way) and our friends and family (who have lifted so many faithful prayers) I don’t think we could have survived. No, I KNOW we couldn’t have survived. We’re blessed.

Tomorrow we meet back with Dr. Christman. It’s been a month since we’ve seen here and this will be our monthly routine for a while as they monitor her blood and her progress. I’m not really sure what, if anything, will be done after she graduates radiation but maybe we’ll find out more tomorrow.

Praise the Lord also, her hair is growing back! It feels soft like our babies when they were first born. I feel a strong urge to rub baby lotion on her head, but think better of it! She’s so strong, it seems like yesterday we were shaving her head in the bathroom while the snow kept us locked inside. But at the same time it feels like forever since last September when we began this journey. It’s certainly been a rough, challenging year. Tears of sadness, tears of frustration, tears of anger, tears of anxiety, now tears of happiness.