My favorite Halloween costume was my younger sister’s when she was about 2. She wore white tights and a white hoodie. Then, my mom safety-pinned various colored balloons to her and viola, she was a jar of jelly beans. Not sure how my mom thought of it but even as a kid, I thought it was pretty creative and my sister was just adorable.

I was a pilgrim that year. Not as cute. Another costume my mom made, passed down from my sisters. But Halloween was always fun for me. I blazed around the neighborhood racking up an amazing candy stash. One Halloween night, to maximize my candy collection I wore my rollerblades. It also happened to rain and sleet most of that night so the idea of my rollerblades turned out to be a bust. Slick pavement with my rollerblades and some steep driveways did not create the huge candy pile I anticipated. Just a wet bum as I tried not to fall into bushes or catapult into the street. But you couldn’t blame me for trying! I loved getting home, ripping out of my costume and then dumping out my candy haul. I’d check out what I got, take out the ridiculous apples or raisins given by Halloween grinches, and begin sorting candy. After quite the Halloween sugar rush, I’d hide my candy as best I could for longevity. We had the kind of pantry full of ingredients used to prepare other foods. Flour, sugar, cans of tomato paste, cereal, bread, boring. Maybe a bag of pretzels or crackers but nothing pre-made. Everything had to be homemade: spaghetti sauce, applesauce, jelly, hot fudge. It was almost a weird pride my mom had about that. I yearned for a day when I could open our pantry and have store bought, well, anything. Hence, Halloween candy came to the rescue. I got my peanuts with the Snickers I consumed. Need a bit more protein? Just add the Reece’s cup. I’d stash my candy wrappers all over my room for them to be discovered later by my older sisters when they were ordered, by our Mom, to clean out my room. Whoops. And long-live the infamous candy wrappers discovery story. Probably a top 5 of what I am famous for in my family. Candy wrappers, a killer eye roll and cancer. We all have our gifts. 

A little update: I had a virtual appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday of this week. I like him. He called me kiddo and cussed a few times. Balance. Essentially, he said the end goal is for me not to need a permanent colostomy bag. My surgery is still set for November 25th. The surgeon said 3-4 days in the hospital and “if I’m doing well and want to go home, then get the hell out of there.” I will get an ileostomy bag and have three months or so with that friend. If all is looking good during my monthly check-ups, I will go back for surgery to remove the ileostomy bag and get my bum functioning again. Caveat of this is a recovery period of two years. But one thing at a time. I have a huge mountain lifted off my shoulders with just the idea a permanent colostomy bag is not the straight away plan. Could it be eventually? Sure. There are always risks. Do I trust my surgeon? Absolutely. Multiple nurses (in the hospital and out) have commented how he is the best. I count it as a blessing this surgeon got my case. I am not skirting over the surgery part though. It will be hard, and painful and weird but I can and I will get through it. I am choosing to enter surgery optimistic about my chances to regain my life how I want it to be. I feel lucky for that. Even though I should probably buy stock in Depends, I’m still encouraged. So friends, into the storm we go in this third stage of treatment. We continue to move forward and press on to perfect health. 

I am so thankful for the village surrounding me and my family. I shared with a friend I feel I am drying the well of people’s generosity and yet, friends and family continue to help graciously and generously and I am humbled and truly grateful. Thank you for being part of my story, my family’s story and loving us well. 
Liz