Well, I’m headin home after 12 weeks of Family Leave.  I was out in Mt Shasta, California from July through October with two airplane trips and two round trip drives from Colorado to California. At times I didn’t know whether I was coming or going or even what state I was in. 

This was the most precious time of my life.  I was in Mt Shasta to help care for my father as he went through treatment for cancer.  I can’t tell you what an honor it was to walk through this time with him.  My Dad was a living example of perseverance and determination.  He had been mis-diagnosed for over one year with facial paralysis being mistaken for Bells Palsy rather than the tumor that was sitting on the nerves in his face. 

The pain got progressively worse over a year and finally a PET scan was ordered which showed the tumor.  Surgery was scheduled 3 days later.  My Dad proceeded to lose the ability to swallow and partial hearing in the one ears that still worked.  Dad ended up being on a feeding tube and was unable to talk or hear for over two months as he went through aggressive radiation and chemo treatment. 

It was hard to see my Dad, this GIANT man who was always so strong and could fix anything, become ill and not be able to talk.  If it was hard on me, it was 100 times harder for him! 

Treatment was 5 days a week for 8 weeks.  The caveat with this was the treatment was in Redding, which was 1.5 hour drive each way.  So not only did Dad have to receive radiation 5 days a week, he was traveling 3 hours a day to do so. 

The amazing thing that happened as a result of the traveling is the community came together and volunteers came forward to drive us down for treatment….AND to bring us a prepared meal every night!  I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who did this!  I also know though, that this is a reflection of how my parents have lived their lives and the kindness they continually give to the people and the community in which they live.

Dad ended up needing 24 hour care during the treatment.  We brought together a team of evening caregivers and my mother and I cared for Dad during the day.   There would be times when I would be feeding my Dad through his feeding tube and he would be sleeping.  I would look at him and think how amazing it is to have the roles reversed at this time.  I remember a picture of Dad feeding me when I was a baby, and how I was totally dependent on him to feed and care for me…..Now it was my turn to do that for him.  Again, I always felt so honored every time I could do something that helped make my Dads quality of life better…..no matter what that was.

This time was hard, but not hard.  Yeah I was away from “my” life in Denver…I didn’t get to do as many races as I had planned and didn’t get to go to Worlds in Australia…..I didn’t have my normal routine…..but that truly didn’t matter!  My family was very supportive of me being able to continue to train for Ironman while I was there….so by some miracle I only missed two swim workouts in 4 months!!!

As I head home, I’m sad and glad.  Sad because I’ll miss my Dad.  Glad because this means that Dad is done with his treatment.  At this point I can’t honestly say I’m glad to be headed home and back to “my” life.  I’m sure I’ll adapt once I get back.  I’m sure I’ll get back to my old routine….but I’m sure going to miss being with my Dad every day and I’ll miss out on seeing the progress he makes as he begins his recovery.

One thing I’ve learned over these past few months, is faith can get you through anything….and that being there when family needs you is the most important thing for me.  So, as I’m headin home, I’ll take all these lessons with me and hopefully remember them as I move forward. One thing I know for sure….is my Dad is my HERO in every way, and there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for him!