Hardee Har Har--I Shouldn't Laugh, But I Can't Stop

Someone asked if we should wait and do her senior
photos after her hair grows back. I'm like, "You mean
after she graduates?" Nah, we're good taking them now. She's
bald, not dead. 

I've got to tell you this cancer thing has been a comedy gold mine. Here are some incredibly funny, silly side notes where people were trying to be involved and concerned and ended up making serious comedic points (mostly on accident where they said or did something before thinking it through). Still, hilarious:

Someone asked Elise why she was having chemo. Because she's my daughter she responded, "Because of the pregnancy. Duh."
Person's reply, "Oh. Um...Congratulations?"
(I'm not kidding.)

Someone sent a note of encouragement. They failed to realize it was written in a bereavement card. (I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I wonder if that was an accident...)

Someone asked Elise her favorite food. Then they sent something else and wrote in the note, "I know you like _________, but this is my favorite. Enjoy!" (Hey, they were right; we liked it.)

Someone asked E if she shaved off her hair to donate to cancer patients.

Someone asked me before making baked goods if E eats nuts. I said no, she doesn't eat them at all except for peanut butter. They brought brownies covered in nuts. I stared down at them for a split second pause too long before saying thank you.  The person looked at me and said, "I know you told me that she doesn't like nuts, but they are so good for you when you have cancer that she needs them." (I loved the brownies. They were delicious. Of course, I love nuts, so...)

Elise giving at the blood drive two months before
her cancer diagnosis not during chemo.

Actual quote, "But how'd you get cancer? You don't even smoke." (The American Lung Association is killing it with their education program.)

Someone saw the blood drive post I made where I said that this is why donating is so important--Elise donated in September for the school blood drive and I used it as an advertisement for future blood drives, because we've received blood transfusions as part of our treatment. This person said, "Oh, Charlotte, she shouldn't be donating blood! She has cancer!" (Yes, yes she does. Thank you for that.)

Elise. Elise has cancer. Not Elaina. Elaina does not have cancer. Yet countless people have congratulated Elaina on her bravery. (Which she appreciates very much.)

Wearing this bracelet doesn't make you gay.
Unless you're already gay, but I'm fairly
certain it's not the bracelet's doing. March on. 

The ribbon for Hodgkin's Lymphoma is purple, so folks around us had some bracelets and t-shirts made featuring the purple ribbon. Someone actually said to me out of his mouth, "I don't know that I can wear that shirt or bracelet, because it's purple and that stands for gay people."

***crickets***

What the heck? Purple stands for gay people? Where do you get your news? Um, no, purple is the ribbon color for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Or maybe you could argue that it might represent Prince. Or that large dinosaur from morning TV. Or royalty. And it's usually a color representing wealth and luxury in theater. I'm fairly certain some gay people wear it, naturally, since it's fabulous, but since it's my favorite color and half of my house and all of my classroom are painted purple I guess I'm a haven for gay people. (insert eye roll here).

That is what E ate for dinner. Three bites of the
smallest pizza I have ever seen. I'm pretty sure the
five pounds isn't an overeating issue. 

(Hardcore Seinfeld Fan Moment, "WHO? WHO will not wear the Rib-Bon? Tell me!" I literally almost yelled that at the end of that conversation.)

Actual quote from multiple sources, "I can't believe this is happening around the holidays. What terrible timing."  (Cancer is sort of terrible timing all of the timing. Summer wouldn't make it taste any better. The port isn't sexier in a bikini.)

"How are you going to pay for all of this?"  (Good question. I'll keep you posted.)

This drug she has to take, Prednisone, is a steroid. She takes it three times a day for a week. It makes your face and stomach swell--like shifting your body shape. There's nothing you can do to stop it or change it--it will go away when you stop taking the medication. So, she's gained five pounds of water weight in her face and stomach. But her arms and legs have gotten smaller. Doctors said this is completely normal and just another joyful side effect of the medicine. So, E was lamenting about her face and stomach and someone said, "Oh, I gain weight over the holidays too. You just stay after it and you'll get that weight off in no time."

Um...
Good thing we always get the joke. And some of you people are hilarious. Keep 'em coming!

Love,

Charlotte &
the Fun Bus

#BigEkickingtheBigC
#funbus
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#EliseisaGangster