Birthday.

 Whew. It's been a week, I won't lie to you all. 

I turned twenty on the 22nd. I made plans, I bought a new outfit. We, meaning my parents and my best friend and her boyfriend, were going to the Melting Pot for dinner. Before I could prep to do that, I had to get the standard bloodwork done before chemo scheduled for the 23rd. I went for the bloodwork and grabbed my free birthday drink from Starbucks. Once I got home, I went for a nice walk - the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It felt so nice compared to the weather a week before that. I got back from my walk and my phone rang, it was the cancer center. Of course, I perkily answer the phone and ask how she's doing. Immediately I knew something was wrong..."I'm alright...Listen, Chlo..." and my heart sunk for a solid five minutes. 

My immune system dropped extensively from my first chemotherapy treatment, meaning I needed to stay home for my birthday. I was quarantined through the weekend with the exception of going and getting shots four days straight at the doctors office. My day felt a little ruined and I was down, I'm not going to lie. I had to call in to work for that weekend and cancel my dinner reservations. This also meant we had to postpone the scheduled chemotherapy treatment for Wednesday. While no one looks forward to chemo, I was anticipating it simply to check it off the list. We're racking up the disappointments here, aren't we, friends? 

We'll round up the week with the fact that it's Sunday, and my dog has about 24 hours left with us. He's a shelter dog. My parents gave him to me for my 7th birthday and I received him 13 years ago today. We think he was about two when we got him, so he's a solid 15 years old -- pretty old in dog years. 

However, amidst the dreary of the week, there were many, many nice things. Specifically on my birthday, I got a surprise package in the mail containing some super cute chemo caps and watch bands, when I went back to the cancer center to get my shots, the whole staff signed a birthday card for me, all of my tiny humans from church had made me cards and had them delivered for me there to go through, and so many people called and texted and posted to love on me. I got several other cards and packages in the mail from friends and family throughout the week. My coworkers delivered the most beautiful gift basket to my house with all of my favorite things. One of my best friends came home from her escapade to Florida and I got to see her this morning. A family in church this morning announced they were going to have another baby. The weather turned sunny this afternoon, melting almost all of the snow and ice. And my parents promised me a baby kitten once our kitchen gets redone sometime next month. 

And to answer your most pressing question, yes, I have already started brainstorming names for the baby kitten. 

So, I'm going to do my best to look at all the nice things that are happening. And there are things to look forward to...potential chemo on Wednesday, potential work on Friday and Saturday. We're rescheduling birthday dinner. The weather is supposed to be nice all week, which means being able to be outside a lot. I'm told to expect a couple packages in the mail this upcoming week. I'm just going to focus on doing the next thing, whatever that may be, looking to Christ all the while. He is good and has good things prepared for me.