Heaven Help the Mister Who Comes between Me and My Sister

(You know that song? From some old movie but I can't remember.)

Amy and I just had one of those text message exchanges where it's supposed to seem like we're joking, but really what we are saying is just the absolute truth. It was this:

Amy: At the Sydney airport. The countdown begins!

Me: OMG, I can't believe it. I better straighten up around here!

Amy: For real, I like things really neat.

The funny part, to me, is that when I said I'd straighten up, it was supposed to seem like a joke, because I'm starting chemotherapy in the morning and maybe I could just chill on the couch, watch "Lost," and not worry about the state of the house, and I would expect someone to read that text and think I was therefore joking about the cleaning up, but in truth I WILL straighten up before she gets here, even though I will act like I didn't really do much.

The other funny thing is that Amy DOES like things really neat and is being perfectly honest, even though she is also trying to sound deadpan and is, on some textual level, joking. Yet I know that if she walks into my messy house, she would understand but she would also clean it before she could relax.

So, you know, sisters.

It will take her twenty four hours to get to the ATL. I am so, so glad she is coming and grateful that it is possible for her to be here. She has a post up today about how, when you get to travel without kids, a 13 hour flight seems like a spa weekend. Believe it, childless people. Hear me now and believe me later.

But what her post does not tell you is that this sister weaned her baby early to come on this trip. Grace is ten months old and I know Amy was going to nurse her for a full year like she did the others. Amy could have brought Grace and we encouraged her to do so--I thought it was way, way too much to ask the mother of an infant to leave her for two weeks--but she thought she could be of more help if she were here solo, with no kids of her own to care for. So she weaned her--she started a few weeks ago and it has all gone fine from what I hear. Then she marshaled her tribe (God help you if you don't have a tribe) her husband, friends, neighbors, and her mother-in-law--who is crossing the Pacific in the other direction to go help with Amy's kids--and she is on her way right now. So complicated! Such a web of generosity and help.

She sent me a few more texts from the airport that made me think it has been so long since Amy traveled without kids that she didn't remember airports have gift shops. She was like, "There are books here. And a buttload of t-shirts!"

We are a go for chemo to start in the morning, bright and early. It will take hours and Matt will be with me. Meanwhile, in a different part of town, Hank's school is having its annual Trike-a-thon, which I was supposed to help organize before all this boob stuff came up. No fear, my mom and dad will be there to represent the family and cheer Hank on. Oh and Laura has her Girls on the Lam running club and swim team tomorrow, but it's all covered.

Speaking of tribe, my neighbors have stepped up with the meals. Stepped It UP. Or well, Frenemy only brought a store-bought pie, but she tries. (Okay I'm doing that thing where I seem like I'm joking but I'm telling the absolute truth? She does try and the pie was yummy and it got eaten, you betcha.)

Thanks so much for all your comments and lovin', guys. So tomorrow, the first session of chemo takes forever. Maybe I will live-blog it! 'Cause I have whole bunch more random crap to say. As usual. xoxo-B