My emotions were brimming over as we walked through the entrance to the happiest place on earth.  I was on the brink of one of those hysterical, out of control cries of rejoicing.  We were here.  We had set our sights on the magic kingdom as a point of celebration.  Disneyland with my family was where I wanted to go when chemotherapy was all over.

It had been a difficult summer and fall.  Eddie and I had tried to find many ways to laugh and just lighten the load.  He had accused me many times of “playing the chemo card,” to get my way.  It seemed to be working for me!  Part of my “playing the chemo card” was in getting what I call “chemo prizes.”  These were several significant gifts from Ed, beginning with an iphone at the start of my treatment.  In fact a friend of mine very wisely stated that I should receive six chemo prizes since I had to have six chemo treatments.

Disneyland was my fourth chemo prize.  I wanted to stay at the Disneyland Hotel for the first time, and have a memorable family vacation.  We all needed something to look forward to in order to make the ending of a very long season.  Life is hard and when there is reason to celebrate we should seize those moments.

Esther 8:16 says, “…it was a time of happiness, joy, gladness and honor.” Our trip was all that and more.  We had a great time together.  Everyone enjoyed the rides, shows, parade, fireworks and especially the snow.  It was life-giving to getaway, realizing all we had made it through.  God had been with each one of us in a very real and special way.

Psalm 40:1-3  “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”

As I walked around the amusement park all week wearing my “I’m celebrating” button, it truly was a happy occasion.  Lots of laughter accompanied us.  This was a wonderful chemo prize!  And… if I play my (chemo) cards just right, I still have two more prizes to go.  Watch out, Eddie!

(This event took place Dec. 2009)