Two posts in one - Why is it? and Orange Water

So, when I am in a group setting and we are going around the circle saying what we are thankful for, at some point, each person glances my way and says, "I really don't have any problems. I am really lucky." I understand what they are feeling, but here is the thing that I want to clarify to all those that read this blog. I am not a saint, I am not a warrior, I am far from perfect....I could go on and on. Oddly enough, I consider myself lucky and, in light of the holiday, I will say "thankful". As Bob once told me, "You are a half full sort of girl." (Glass half full) Now, before cancer, I would have NEVER seen myself that way, but after spending some time in the Cancer Center, I have to admit, I am closer to "Little Miss Sunshine" then I once believed. I guess having traveled as much as I did as a child, I saw so many things that were "not fair", "not right", and "unlucky". I, because of my parents, never had to deal with that. They protected me from it, but we all grow up and they couldn't protect me from every aspect of life. I have seen bad stuff, had bad stuff happen to me, had bad stuff happen to ones that I love, but all in all, I am still luckier (and thankful to be) than many many people. Now, here is the part that y'all need to read......problems and feeling around those problems are NOT a competition. Yes, my cancer gives me perspective, but it doesn't mean that you can't feel frustrated because your kid is giving you grief, or that you are really mad that your contractor messed up your project, or your long time friend hurt you beyond comprehension. All that is real and you should feel it without saying, "I shouldn't feel this way. Angie has cancer." For those of you took logic in college, reread the book. Let my cancer give you perspective, but don't let it over shadow everything. If you do, the cancer wins and I have no tolerance for that. Cancer may take my body, but it will never take my soul. It can't do that. The system doesn't work that way. Don't let my cancer control your life. Perspective yes, control no. So, being that is it thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for. I am here. I am feeling good right now. I have great doctors. I have an amazing network of friends and family. I love Washington Water Heaters (see below). I am thankful that Jane and Tyrus are coming for Thanksgiving. I am thankful my Mom agreed to a buffet AND paper plates in the same year. I am thankful for milk delivery. I am thankful for Internet shopping. So, if you look that the list, it is probably the same as your (minus the doctors hopefully). I am really no different than you. I am just a Mom with two little kids that is trying to do the best she can. If you look at all the help I get, our situations are not that different, but they are not comparable, so don't compare them. Okay, done with the lecture.....onto Orange Water.....so, Monday night I get into the bath not really paying attention to much and realize that I am sitting in orange water. Now, I first think, I am bleeding and my blood is now orange. Yeah, that was crazy, so I drained the tub and refilled it to a light orange color. I called Grant up and said, "Is this orange?" He said, "Yeah." So, after calling my Dad, and reading the Internet, we determined that we needed a new water heater. The timing was right. It was old and my family actually has had this happen on Thanksgiving before, so I didn't mess around. Mentally, I can't sit in iron water no matter what Grant said. All I could think about was my life as a comic strip with my surgeon saying in the bubble above his head, "There seems to be a fair amount of iron build up on your anus...." OMG!!!!! We called two companies Tuesday morning and got quotes. I discussed all the particulars with the guy I liked on the phone and we even talked about recirculation systems. They were good about timing saying we could do it anytime and when did we want to schedule it implying that if we did it all (with the recirculation system)it would have to be next week. Now, remember I am not completely healed yet, I have chemo next week, it is Thanksgiving week, and Jane is coming on Wednesday. So, I said, "We can wait on the recirculation system, I need a water heater as soon as I get back from Preschool with my boys at 12:00. Here is why......(big breath)....I take three baths a day not because I am neurotic but because, now don't feel sorry for me this is just my reality, I have rectal cancer and had to have surgery, y'know, down there and I have to take 3 sitz baths a day, chemo is next week, so I really need this done - as soon as you can." Without missing a beat, he said, "How about 12:30?" With a half smile thinking, "Wow, that was probably a little over the top...." Done. They came out and, as I was talking to the guy, I realized, "Oh yeah, I am a freak show." They waived the fee on the earthquake straps (I was supposed to fill out some website survey for that), and he mentioned that I could bathe without concern. He was really nice and he didn't mention my cancer at all. So, by 2:00pm we are all set. Where, but in America, can you call at 8:30 and have a water heater installed by 2:00pm. GO AMERICA! Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Ang