Round 10 - The Flying Monkey

It's odd when you start some form of medical treatment and the first one is so bad you begin to believe there is no way you can do this "X" number of more times. This was definitely me after my first cancer treatment. Then the closer you get to the end you start thinking, "These last three can't get here soon enough." This is also me. As I prepared for treatment number ten of twelve, I never expected I would be challenged to a fight by a monkey.

Before I get to the flying monkey fight, let me share a little from treatment number ten. The treatments at the cancer center have become easier to endure, almost little to no walking is required for me to feel okay as the treatment starts. My friend SB, was also able to be treated today and found out she wouldn't have to make up her last treatment, which is great news. As strong as she is we both admitted there are times where you just breakdown and have your moments. It's okay to have your moments, these allow us to reflect, reconnect, recharge and focus on the goodness of God.

I was disappointed that SB was on a short treatment this time, it helps to have someone to talk to and it makes the time fly by. However, I am always prepared to keep myself busy with reading, games, etc. Before I knew it my treatment was over and after the 46-hour home treatment completed I would be down to my last two treatments, Lord willing.

Treatment ten was officially over on Thursday, May 14th around 11:30 am. As The Nature Boy Ric Flair would say, "Whooooooooo!" Thursday I started crashing almost immediately and Friday I slept the day away. Saturday I started to get a little life to me. I woke up, took a shower, drove myself to Chick Fila, went to a park to eat, enjoy the sun and try to go for a walk. As I stepped out of the car I realized my legs were like noodles, so I decided not to attempt a walk just yet.

I know what you are thinking, "With the Coronavirus and fighting cancer, why is he getting out so much?" The short answer when I hadn't seen my kids except on Facetime for so many weeks I forget, I decided not to live a life in fear. I belong to God, not fear. Now, I do exercise good judgment when doing things like this. 

Saturday afternoon rolled around and a friend asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. Sure! I wanted a chance at redemption from my earlier mishap. So she came to pick me up and we went to the same park I attempted to walk at earlier. I made it two laps, before deciding I needed to take a break. Which was good because I didn't realize I would need my energy to fight a monkey just a few hours later!

After we relaxed for a bit we went to grab some food. Then we went on a back road adventure, which I love the back roads and highly recommend them. The scenery, slower pace of life and they are just so relaxing to travel down. This adventure took us to a new park being developed, with a nice water feature. It was dark as we made our way down the trail to see the water, when I noticed a guy walking towards us with what appeared to be a coon hanging on his neck. In a previous life, (when I was younger) I was a coon hunter, so I knew it wasn't likely this was a coon hanging on to the man.

As the man got closer he asked us a question so we stopped to talk with him. What was this thing I was asking myself. A Ferret, big squirrel or what. As we continued to talk I noticed it was sizing me up and honestly I was sizing it up too. About that time out of the corner of my eye this thing went vertical, jumping all the way from the man's shoulder to my back. Before I knew it, I was in a sleeper hold from a spider monkey! LOL, it wasn't quite that dramatic, but I was petrified. I literally couldn't move.

Meanwhile the man kept talking like it was no big deal. He even expressed how friendly he was and wouldn't hurt a fly. My friend was in shock, I couldn't move and finally the guy retrieved his monkey from me. I am not ashamed to admit I was scared. I am the only person I know that has the amazing luck that I do. I mean never in a million years did I think I would get choked out by a monkey, by the water in Montevallo Alabama. By the way, the park was really cool and honestly so was the cute monkey. He meant me no harm and I received no harm other than my heart skipped a beat or two.

Sunday rolled around and I had a slight hiccup with a side-effect, but it passed and I took the boys to a birthday party at their cousins house. Remember, not living in fear, but being smart. I dropped them off and met my friend for some more adventures. As I write this I am excited to say the neuropathy is a little better this time. Bring on treatment eleven, then twelve and then a cured from the oncologist. Praise be to God for His mercy in all of this.