Antonio and I are flabbergasted by all our friends and family who are showing up for us. It means so much!
Everyone always ask, “how can I help?” or “what do you need?” Those questions are always so hard to answer because half the time you have no idea what it is that you need, until you are in it!
During my trainings to become Certified in Perinatal Mental Health, one of the trainers stressed the importance of encouraging new parents (and giving them permission) to enter into a season of receiving. Along with identifying your needs and directly telling people how to meet those needs.
So in these past couple weeks, we have been trying to identify our needs and how people can support us near and far. Here are three ways we have come up with so far:
For the near people: Meal Train
We struggled with the idea of a meal train because my diet can be tricky, but if you are up for a challenge, then let’s do it! I won’t be able to move my arms for the first 1-2 weeks, and then I won’t be able to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the first month. So we would love assistance in the kitchen.
Here’s the challenge: I’m grain free, so think gluten free on steroids. No gluten, no rice, no corn, no quinoa, etc. Check the ingredients on common items like salad dressings, soy sauce, and marinades as some items like to sneak wheat in there!
I will also be in between two surgeries, so we are trying to keep our diet clean and healthy so we would like a meal with a protein and one or two side dishes.
If you don’t feel like making a meal, we would also love to just receive fresh fruit and vegetables that are washed and ready to eat. We are a smoothie household!
For the far people: Go Fund Me
I am so-o not good at asking for money, it makes me uncomfortable, but to be honest, that is what we really need. We are a two-income household, so being without an income for 2-4 months is going to be a little tricky, plus the added medical expenses. So this will help lighten our load! If there is money left over at the end of our cancer journey, we will then donate the remaining money to Wonders and Worries. Wonders and Worries is a resource that we are tapping into. They provide free support to children with parents who are living with a serious illness or injury. Javi will begin receiving services from them on Monday!
For everyone: messages!
We really do appreciate all the prayers, messages, and funny memes we have received. These are probably the most fruitful and best for our soul, even if we don’t respond back. Each message has been read and the love has been spread. If you want to go the extra distance, send Javi a card via snail mail. He loves to receive mail! Walking to the mailbox is an activity we can do together that will put a smile on his face and I’ll get my exercise in for the day!
Antonio and I cannot thank you enough! We know it is going to take a village to help us through this (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and we are grateful you are in our village.
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