Perhaps you’re here because I’m giving facebook the old boot. Perhaps you’ve been keeping an eye on this space and wondering, WTF is up with them? I shall indulge you with a little update.

How’s the cancer going?

I mean, meh? It’s still there. But the chemo is keeping it from growing. P’s on an every three week schedule, so there are more good days than bad. But, like, chemo is still the pits.

And quarantine?

Oh it stinks. The chemo means that P has no immune system. We’re lucky to have been in a “pod” with my aunt and uncle and cousin and his family this summer and we’re podded up with my parents, mother in law and sister now. So we’re not alone and we’re really fortunate that our families are willing to be extra careful so they can spend time with us. Conor’s in virtual school, and doing pretty well. Though I think we’re all a little tired of playing imagine dragons (not the music, the pretend game) and trying to manage second grade and full-time work, too. But we’re all there right? The, “damn this sucks, but we’re lucky as hell” stuff. I mean, I’ve talked about that a lot of times before.

Anniversary coming up, right?

Not wedding, cancer. 4 years. More than half of Conor’s life. (kinda wishing I hadn’t had that particular thought.) The fall stinks for this reason. So much of this season reminds me of when it all got started.

So no Facebook?

Well, I’m trying. I took a 3 week hiatus and felt really good about it. Not in a self-congratulatory, “I did it!” kind of way, but I genuinely felt better not feeling compelled to keep up with everything. I bailed on Twitter, too. Same reason. I don’t need to know every little detail in the world – it’s all just too hard. I pay attention to the sites that are reputable, and use all of my new time to make crafts and send them to people and to call voters. I highly recommend it. My main support group is on FB, so I might go back there someday if I need to check in with them. But even that is hard – the further we creep down this cancer road, the scarier the possibilities seem. And I just couldn’t watch my friends go through that.

Is that selfish? Probably. But y’all, you’ve got to watch out for your mental health. I’m all about being supportive for friends, but taking on the devastating healthcare burdens for 30 people, just wasn’t helping me get through this. That’s OK! (And by extension, if this is stressing you out, CLOSE THE WINDOW. I still love you.)

But you’re still on Instagram?

Yah. 2 reasons*: 1) I do Chatbooks, so it prints my instagram pics automatically and I can’t do without it. 2) Not as much crap, but still nice and bubbly. I’m at smannwillcox if you want to come hang there. I post pictures of crafts and my family and the dog. And sometimes the River. And occasionally Lucy.

Where do you stand on Tiktok?

It’s a magical land of happiness and I DON’T CARE THAT I AM TOO OLD.

How’s Conor holding up?

Kids are resilient as hell, y’all. He’s doing a great job at school, and is mostly patient with us. Mandarin immersion virtual school is REALLY HARD but we’re making it. It’s nice not to be so busy all the time with extra activities, though I do think he is missing his friends fiercely. Thankfully, cousins were wonderful playmates all summer long and the grandparents do a pretty good job right now.

What’s next for cancer treatment?

More of the same through the end of the year. Then scans and maybe a break. We live our life three months at a time.

Are you going to talk about the election?

Hell yes. Vote for Biden. Vote now by mail or vote early in person.

In conclusion.

Hang in there. This all sucks. Don’t let the craziness take over and just do the next right thing. *

*actually 3. Cardi B has some really terrific instagram content

*yes I did quote Frozen 2 and I am NOT ASHAMED