HUG O' WAR

Do you remember this awesome Shel Silverstein poem?

I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles 
And rolls on the rug.
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

I had always loved the feel-good banter of Silverstein and couldn't wait to share this fun pacifist ditty with my boys when they were young.  I believe we did manage to get through the whole thing (it is pretty pithy) before one grabbed the book from my hand and bashed his brother over the head with it.

So the over-arching message didn't stick.  I guess sometimes the compulsion to fight outweighs the need for affection, especially if your sibling does something totally egregious -  like breathe too loudly or smile while making eye contact.

So much of the talk around cancer is immersed in the language of conflict: "battle," "fight," "challenge," "beat."  For all the reality of the physical fight in which Sheri is engaged, make no mistake -- this war has yielded its share of hugs and other signs of love:

Sheri gets a squeeze from Angie at Sloan-Kettering

Friend Hansie shaves his head for Sheri

Deb and Sheri --  a spoonful of girlfriend makes the medicine go down

This week's update on the treatment front: Sheri had a little trouble with her port this week prior to chemo.  This is fairly common and was resolved easily.  The treatment Tuesday left her feeling a little crappy, but she was feeling better Wednesday.  This week marked cycle 5 . . . coming down to it!!


Friend Tyson (meal organizer extraordinaire) sent maybe the best Hug of War EVER this week, with a nod to the fight couched in the knowledge that laughter is the best medicine of them all:

Amen, sister! 

~Bess