For Valentine's Day, a Marriage Proposal--from 1841

It’s been two weeks following my last radiation treatment.  The fatigue has been minor compared with chemo.  I’ve done computer work or reading for a few hours each day, but it’s not been for the entire day, as it was at the end of chemo.  I’ve had no burning, blistering, or pain.  I’m very thankful that radiation went so smoothly.  I thought I was scheduled for multiple doctor visits the week following radiation, but after arriving for the first appointment of the day on Feb. 4^th, learned that all of my appointment were in fact on March 4^th—chemo brain again, I guess.  I will start Tamoxifen, the hormone blocker, on Friday.  Since my cancer was fed by hormones, this drug will cause any remaining cancer to starve.  I will take it for the next 5-10 years, maybe longer as they continue to track and study it’s effect.  

I’m adjusting to my new hair.  I’ve never had short, or curly hair before.  Bad hair days are definitely better than no hair days.  I’m experimenting with different hair products to keep it all under control.  It’s growing fast!  Today I was able to run my old route, slowly, but that was very exciting!    

I’ve enjoyed working on family history while I’ve rested.  I’ve come to enjoy the search for relatives in my family tree—especially the challenge of finding married and maiden names.  This past week, I came across a marriage proposal to a cousin on Scott’s side of the tree.   It’s sweet, socially awkward, sincere, and successful.  I thought it would be fitting to post on Valentine’s Day: 

A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL March 24, 1841   

To my dear Miss Ann Bourland

Dear Miss, permit me for the first time in my life to make known my love to you. Having come to the conclusion to marry soon, I have selected you out of a large number of my aquaintance for my intended bride. To you Miss I promise that I have never loved before, but I can say so no longer. To you Miss Ann I offer my hand and my heart with the hope that I shall have yours in return. My writing thus to you may somewhat surprise you, but rest assured I am in earnest. It may be the least of your thoughts of receiving such a document as this from me, but Miss be not surprised. I will acknowledge that I have acted rather strangely for a lover, but unfortunatley I was not intended to be a ladies man.  Should I be so fortunate as to win your consent to a holy alliance, I can not promise you at what time we would be united in a holy state of matrimony, but Miss, if you like another, or think another man is more worthy of your affections, I am in hopes you will tell me so. Believing in your good judgement and that you will deal with me honestly, I leave the subject with you for your consideration. I will call upon you next Sunday for a positive answer, and at that time, if an opportunity affords itself, to hear from those little lips of yours my future happiness.

Yours in haste,

Manion

They were married 2 months later. He was 23, Ann was 16.

I’m so thankful to have had the same valentine for the past 36 years.  When we were 15, I bravely decorated a heart shaped cake for Scott and wrote on it, “Knock, Knock.”  I’m sure it made the entire cake thing even more embarrassing for Scott when everyone asked what it meant.  He probably didn’t share the rest of it:   “Knock, knock….who’s there?  Olive.  Olive who?  Olive you!”  I guess I was a little shy, socially awkward, sincere, and definitely successful!  Who would have thought at that time that the biggest crush I’d ever had would be my biggest crush forever!  It’s been a joy ride.  I’m so thankful to have found my best friend at a young age.  He is always my biggest fan and supporter. 

We have loved having Heath home for a little while before he leaves on his 2 year mission to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  We’ve completed all of the tasks and purchases on his lists.  We’ve seen a lot of miracles from heaven along the way.  Family starts arriving tomorrow.  He will speak in church on Feb. 24^th at 1:00, if you’d like to come, and that evening from 6-8 he’s having an open house and we’d love to have you stop by.  He enters the missionary training center on Wednesday, the 27^th. 

I’m sure you were all thinking this blog was finished, since I’ve crossed the finish line; but I’ll continue to leave updates along the way.  Thank you for your love and support.  It has made such a huge difference.  Each individual kind word has combined into a great source of strength.  Thank you!

The Finish Line

“Celebrate good times, come on!!”  This was the imaginary music playing in the background on Friday, the wonderful day we crossed the finish line!  The night before, my friend Mark, who does hair, trimmed and shaped my 2 inch long hair, adding a bit of color to camouflage the skunk stripe.  

I decided to leave the wig behind as I started this new chapter.  My friend Christi picked me up for my last radiation treatment.  When we got to her car, it was filled with friends coming along to celebrate.  They were all very complimentary about my short hair, saying that pixie cuts were all the rage these days, and how they all wished they had one.  It was really, really nice of them to say such kind things, since I was very unsure and insecure about my first public appearance without a wig. 

My last radiation treatment was fast.  Next, I saw the doctor. She said my skin looked great.  I was just a little pink, but have had no burning.  She said to continue the skin care routine for the next two weeks, and come back in 6 weeks for a follow up.  She gave me a big hug and told me "Congratulations."  

I see the chemo doctor and physical therapist on Monday, and the surgeon next Friday.  In a few weeks I’ll start Tamoxifen, the medication I’ll be taking for the next 10 years.  It’s a med to block the hormones that feed my type of cancer.  I’ll find out next week what the rest of my schedule will be.  I know they’ll watch me close, and at least every 6 months will do mammograms or ultrasounds. 

So, back to the celebration.  After finishing with the doctor, I walked into the waiting room and let out a big “Woo hoo” with my arms up in the air.  My cheering section stood up and started clapping.  We then had the friendly receptionist take our photo, before we headed off to lunch.   

Gretchen, who knows every patient by name
and always greets with a big smile.

At the restaurant, we were met by a huge crowd of friends.  It was so fun being surrounded by many of my church family sisters and kids not in school.  They have been an amazing support through this whole process, and helped make each step along the way into a party. 

My day was filled with numerous texts, Facebook well wishes, and phone calls.   When the party bus dropped me off at home, I was greeted by a decorated front door with fun messages, and then a decorated room inside.  Heath made signs, purchased flowers, and decorated my bathroom mirror.  That night, we celebrated with dinner at a Mexican Restaurant—one of my favorite kinds of food. 

It was a wonderful day, and a wonderful way to celebrate the final step of this adventure.  The fatigue will continue for the next couple of weeks, but the adrenalin from crossing the finish line will carry me through!  My heart is full of thanks!  We can do all things through Christ.  I’m so thankful for His help, comfort, and strength; and for his earthly angels that have been by my side this entire time.  Scott, my favorite angel, has been amazing as coach and team captain.  Life is a joy ride!