We are finally back from our weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area. My in-laws do not have wireless. I don’t know how to exist in a world without wireless! I turned to my blackberry in desperation, but all it did was ruin my eyesight and annoy Mike. This was my first trip away from home in a year. Until this last weekend, I hadn’t gone more than 40 miles from our house. It was great to get out of the bubble, but it’s even better to be home.
Traveling with Maddie wasn’t bad. On our drive up, we stopped about four times, including a long stop for dinner. That seemed to work well for her, so we tried to follow the same pattern on our drive back. It worked for a while…until Maddie decided she was over the whole car seat thing, cried for the last two hours of the drive, and projectile vomited not once, but twice. I wish I could say she was carsick, but I’m pretty sure she did it on purpose so we’d take her out of her car seat. She’s crafty. I don’t really blame her, though. I absolutely HATE making that drive. Every time we make it, I say we’ll never do it again. With gas prices the way they are, we probably won’t, unless we have to take Maddie up there.
I think we did a fairly good job of packing for two adults and a baby for three days out of town:
We didn’t have to bring the oxygen rocket! Instead, my parents found this awesome machine that looks a bit like a robot. It somehow takes the regular crappy air that the rest of us breathe, and turns it into super awesome air for Maddie. Crazy, right? Who knew there was oxygen in the air? We just hook her nasal cannula to it and she’s good to go. Having the Oxygen Robot makes traveling a lot easier. If only we could take it everywhere. Unfortunately it weighs a ton and it also costs a ton to rent. It’s worth it for driving trips, but considering how much it costs to check baggage – let alone overweight baggage – it isn’t an option for flying. Grrr.
The best part of my weekend was spending time with Jackie! We ate and drank and shopped our way around San Francisco, and we napped and hugged and talked and, of course, laughed. She snuggled Maddie and you know what? I was happy. She is Jackie!, the same Jackie! she’s always been, just like I knew she would be.
It’s hard for me to put into words how great it was to spend time with her. I’m not really one who believes in odds or probabilities. I’ve been told a lot of things about myself and Madeline that didn’t go the way the doctors predicted. So it’s a bit hard for me to accept the gravity of the situation. It’s not that I’m in denial that one of my best friends has a cancerous brain tumor – far from it. I’ve just learned that, for lack of better words, it ain’t over ’til it’s over. Medicine is progressing at such a rate that I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that a cure for cancer could be discovered before Jackie!’s supposed life expectancy runs out. There are, of course, some hard realities that all of Jackie!’s fans and loved ones have to process, but it’s nothing compared to what Jackie! has to face. It’s not about us, it’s about her. I wasn’t really expecting to have another loved one face the fight of her life, but I am so ready and willing to be there for her that my chest is about to burst. I’m always going to be there, Jackie. Always.
Ms. Moon says:
Three incredibly beautiful women. Strong women. Women who are full of life.
Ms. Moons last blog post..
ali says:
i had one of those too. a barf-to-get-what-you-want crafty little devil..so i feel your pain. they are lucky they are cute, eh?
Christy says:
You seem like an amazing friend…beautiful. I’m glad you got to spend time with her and just BE.
Christys last blog post..Did You Hear? I’m Kind Of A Big Deal Now
Danes says:
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Heath. WE LOVE YOU JAX!!!!!!!
Jackie says:
I love you to pieces! I couldn’t ask for a better friend! Honestly. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo, your head case
Maria says:
Aw I am glad that you’re home and that you got to spend some serious quality girl time.
I’ve only been to SF once, but I loved it. I want to go back in a few years when I lose my mind and think it’s a good idea to fly across the country with three boys. (Counting my husband.)
Marias last blog post..Failsauce
Rock and Roll Mama says:
I’m so glad you had a fun trip, and that you got some fun time with your friend. That is such a great picture of you three ladies.
I love the shot of the back of your car…you’re not alone in large suitcases, sister. But then I wear the same jeans the whole time I’m gone…hmmm.
It’s wonderful that you have such a strong positive outlook. You have living proof that anything can, and does, happen.:)
Christy says:
Hey Heather–I don’t know if this is appropriate or not, but I wanted to let you know that I have some info I can give you on a neurosurgeon if you wanted to pass it along to your friend. I’m not sure that it will help, or that she’s want to follow up or not, but my dad had what he was told was an inoperable brain tumor (by one doctor) and then found out about this surgeon that specialized in “inoperable” brain tumors.
I didn’t see an email link to you, but if you want to go to my site and click on my email link, I’ll send the name & number to you.
Bec says:
I’m glad you had a good time with Jackie! We too have often been that small percent in medical speak.
Just a thought on the oxygen robot and flying. Maybe you could look into hiring on the other end? That way you wouldn’t have to schlep it with you.
maya says:
sounds like you guys had fun- but knowing you there are many more pictures that you have yet to put up. I’m waiting.
jackie is awesome.
btw- i wish I could get my pics in wallet size but the place doesnt offer it. They charged me 18 bucks for 2 5×7′- they are crazyyyyyyyyyyy
mayas last blog post..Weekend
moosh in indy. says:
Robots, Rockets and Jackie! Oh my!
Kisses Jackie, big fat kisses.
You too Maddie, just keep the vomit to yourself.
P.S. Holy crappy packers Batman!
moosh in indy.s last blog post..The Superpowers of Motherhood.
nanette says:
Projectile vomiting?!? In your car? Oh, crap. I’m going to have to keep Em Dash in a bubble while she’s in her car seat and my new car.
I’m so happy you got to spend time with Jackie! And I’m a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. Keep it up!
nanettes last blog post..Bump Watch 2008, 25 weeks, 1 day
Anissa @ Hope4Peyton says:
So glad you had a safe and fun trip. I’ll bet Jackie! relished the time with you just as much. It’s so hard when people don’t know what to say in that situation and just need some love, and it sure sounds like she gets it in abundance from you. Lots of love and prayers to her.
BTW, LOOOVE that petrified-help-me look in Maddie’s eyes, priceless!
Anissa @ Hope4Peytons last blog post..I have to wait in line for my “Worst parent of the year” award
dana says:
The three of you look incredible!
I hate long trips with kids. There should be special considerations for people traveling with kids. Like transporters.
Dorcas says:
I don’t know why, but I’ve just been reading old posts on your site today and the picture on this one is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. The unfairness of a world that is without TWO of the three people in this photograph. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so sorry that you’re having to be brave and carry on without these people in your everyday life. It is unthinkably cruel.