One of the realities Madison and her family are facing is that we are all mortal beings. Throughout this journey there have been so many things that simply became irreverent... dreaming of winning the lottery as one example, or that nitwit tailgating or texting on the freeway. Even when the lottery is hundreds of millions of dollars, it doesn't matter... that type of hope is meaningless. The things that do matter have become more clearly defined in so many ways... to Madison, and as demonstrated Madison... faith and love.
Last year we had the opportunity to hear the former Chaplin in the oncology ward at UCLA speak about death and dying. After hundreds of bedside discussions, there were three consistent themes: to 'go' pain free, quickly, and while asleep. Seeing the trend, he then asked the cancer patients "if you could time-travel back to the date you were diagnosed and pass-on pain-free, quickly, and in your sleep... would you rewind your life, avoiding the surgeries, radiation, chemo, and all of the associated stresses and treatments associated with cancer?" Overwhelming the answer was 'no'. Huh, had to ponder that! Seeing the transformation spiritually and emotionally within Madison, I now get it and watched Madison pay-it-forward without really understanding what a pillar of inspiration she is... XMO as one example.
As mentioned here a couple of days ago, her pain levels increased and with that her care team increased the base level meds. Those meds are best suited to keep her comfortable without being a zombie, while providing overall relief. It worked again, we see the pattern, so what's next?!
...the bucket list! Chatting last night about them, our intent is to always have something to look forward to....pictures to follow.
So what's on your bucket list... plan, then do... don't just dream.
Love, the Jones family.