Preparing for Radiation: Introducing Zora

 Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing regular posts about how I'm preparing for radiation. I'm hoping these can help someone else, as I struggled to find a conversational source like this that dealt with the subject. For more information on my brain tumor, check out these posts.

 Today I head into the City for my first radiation treatment. I'll write a post for next Monday to tell you all about it, but I don't know yet what that's going to look like, so today I'm going to write to you about Zora. I would super appreciate your prayers as I head into treatment though!

 When you're going through something hard, it's nice to have a buddy, a friend, someone who will be with you through thick and thin, someone who can even come into the room with you during a radiation treatment, in other words, a stuffy. My husband first suggested it shortly after we found out that my treatment was being moved up. We've taken a small stuffed animal with us on trips before, like when Agent C came with us to Hawaii, and when I was in the ICU my husband bought me a zebra pillow pet that was a special comfort, so it wasn't that crazy when he suggested that I needed a new zebra friend for this season. I did some searching online and narrowed the field down to one special zebra - Zora. That was her name on the listing, and if you're a trekkie like me, you might know that Zora is the name of Discovery's sentient computer, so it seemed pretty perfect. If you're wondering why I was looking for a zebra, you can check out this post. 

 When I went in for my treatment setup and simulation appointment at the beginning of June, the tech had me hold a soft, rubbery foam ring while they ran the CT machine, but when we asked, he said it would be just fine if I brought a stuffy to treatment to use instead. That's when Zora's role took on a new meaning for me. She'd be with me where no person could be. Yes, I am absolutely clinging to the fact that Jesus will be in that room with me, but it will be really nice to have something I can hold on to also. But, if Zora had to go through radiation too, it only seemed fair that she get to have some fun first!

 We started off by taking Zora with us on a road trip across the state to visit my brother and his family as well as my son and his girlfriend. It was a long drive, about 5 hours, but Zora was a real trooper 😉. 

 We had a big family dinner at Trailbreaker, then crashed at my son's apartment where we hung out and spent the weekend playing games.

 

 We came home where my youngest son had been holding down the fort, taking care of the house and dogs for us, which he would also do the following week when we headed off on our cruise.

 The following Saturday, my husband, my oldest son, myself and Zora headed out on our fabulous cruise adventure! Zora tagged along for everything, and brightened the cruise cabin as well!

 Of course, it wouldn't be a trip for my family without games!

 All dressed up with somewhere to go! We enjoyed touring the ship and seeing all the sights.

 In Cozumel, Zora joined us for a fabulous Luchiadore match! It was incredible!

 

 Zora enjoyed a beach day on MSC's beautiful, private island, Ocean Cay.

And on the last day of our trip, we all went to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

 

 We had some wonderful experiences, and I think Zora got a taste for the sweet life! Not gonna lie, I'm a little anxious about treatment starting today. I know, I'm not supposed to be anxious for anything, and I am trying to lay all my worries at Jesus' feet through prayer and petition (Philippians 4:6-7), but so far that hasn't changed that feeling in my stomach when I'm reminded about what's coming.

Here's the Thing: God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He calms the storm, sometimes He calms the child, and sometimes He sends you a stuffed Zebra to go into radiation with you.