I want to start by quickly letting you know that Larry is doing well after his last chemo treatment. A little nauseous but nothing a pill or two can't take care of. He actually stayed home and rested today (that is a rare occurrence).
Day 2 of my 7th inning stretch of reflection...social media is a good thing.
I spend most of my day helping middle schoolers and their parents navigate the world of social media - Instragram, Facebook, Twitter, Keek, group chat, Youtube, snap chat..the list goes on and on. Ninety-five percent of my conversations are based on the negative aspects of social media. How not to bully, how not to post inappropriate pictures, how not to talk to strangers on-line, the problems of looking at porn on youtube at home and staying logged on to your account when you get into school...again the list of how NOT to use social media has been my world for awhile. In fact, on most days I wish that it would suddenly disappear and we go back to word processors and phones that attach to the wall.
With a little reflection of the past 9 months, I have a new appreciation for social media. It can be a GOOD thing. Right now I am able to keep my family, friends and acquaintances updated on my brother's journey with cancer by using a simple blog. All of you have been able to take this journey along side of Larry through the use of the world wide web.
I have used social media to stay up-to-date on my cancer research through many cancer chat rooms and blogs. I can talk to other people going through colon cancer and hear their experiences and also share my brothers. In one click I can be chatting with a person in the Netherlands that also had the HIPEC surgery. In another click of the mouse, I can help ease the pain of the 22 year old in Wyoming that is suffering from the affects of the white cell booster shot.
I have used Facebook and Instagram to quickly post status updates and pictures while we are at the hospital getting treatment or while my brother is in surgery. The supportive feeling my brother gets when someone 'likes' an update or picture or when someone takes the time to comment on a picture or status update is indescribable. It means SO very much to know there are people all around the world that are thinking about my brother and sending positive thoughts his way. To be honest, it's a little overwhelming (in a good way).
Now, I have to share a funny story about how yesterday, social media brought many laughs to my family. Larry was in the middle of getting his chemo. I'm not sure I have explained how long he is sitting in a chair while bags and bags of chemo pump through his veins. 6 HOURS!!!!! I've only sat through a couple of the treatments, but let me tell you it is BORING! Often times, Larry gets a good nap in the middle of it. Well, yesterday I decided to capture this nap with a picture. And of course I posted it. I do have to say my reasoning behind taking and then posting this picture on facebook and instagram was to give everyone an idea of what it's like to go through chemo. Here is what I posted:
I didn't see one thing wrong with this collage-I was actually very impressed that I was able to use the frametastic app on my phone. Many hours after posting said picture, my brother looks on Facebook and sees the wonderful collage that I put together. I think his exact words were, "LAAAUUUURRRRA you posted a picture of me sleeping???" "I look awful..like I had a stroke on top of getting chemo". I started laughing and I could not stop. My mom got the giggles and could not stop laughing. My brother at first did NOT find it funny at all!! But after a couple minutes he joined in on our laughter and we all could not stop. I don't know if you have had the privilege of hearing my brother giggle, but it truly is one of the best sounds in the world!
Reflection has allowed me to take a minute and step out of my everyday grind with middle schoolers and realize that social media is and can be a good thing. I use it everyday in a ways that have profound impact in my world - I can feel supported with a click of a key, I can keep people updated on my brother's journey with cancer, and sometimes it even provides laughs when you least expect it.
Sox it to it Lar...
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