A Day at the Spa

My dear friend Christy has had a bout with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy to eradicate any mutating cells that think they might like to take up residence in her. She deflects some of the frustration of having to undergo these treatments by referring to her doctors office/treatment center as "The Spa." Today I got to join her. I didn't get the royal treatment that she did, but we had fun.

Part of the fun was telling the staff how Christy affectionately refers to the place as the "spa."  They all laughed... mostly because SPA, it is not.... but  none-the-less a girl can dream... or pretend.... which is what we did.  This is my photo journal of our day at "the spa"  I will say though that even in that, I did put some restraint on myself with both capturing moments and publishing the work.

The name of the facility is Evergreen and it's a nice place.  I think the staff was very helpful knowledgable and accommodating.... they do a lot to make you feel comfortable.... like offer you special blends of coffee and magazines.

They do make you stand on a scale though....

Christy's magazine of choice that day was Good Housekeeping.  The articles of interest were someong on organization and eating guilt free foods..... THAT and the National Georgraphic that had an article on how elephants could taste differences between apples and bananas... (duh) and how dogs think.

Go figure.  Well one thing is certain, you can learn a lot at the "Spa."

Here is our lovely room.  That is Vanna...

Here she is with wrapped up elegantly in warm comfy blankies (to open up her pores...)

Ahh.. a day at the SPA....
relax and enjoy.... the long tedious process....
dream.

Yes it was a long day but we made the best of it.  I think the people thought we were having too much fun in our little corner of the chemo world... We were putting hand creme on, softening our cuticles, (pedicure was in order too.)   We were reading books....  and Christy was definately equipped... even reading two books at once!

talking about all sorts of things and even had some incredible Subway sandwiches for lunch.... and that was in between coffee breaks.   Here is the bar....

Soup, tea, coffee, soda pop.... intravenous solutions....


they have it all in stock.






But at the spa, we bring our own Bon Bons!

 The sign reads:
"There is life even in the darkest of moments."

Lovely sentiments.... but we thought it said "lite" at first glance, (the top part of the L and the I and the  F in the word "life" is in green.. the T remains and is in white...a little trick on the eyes... a little play on words... light and lite and darkness...)  

 to which Christiy wondered if they meant something like "lite beer" or what?

It is a lovely sentiment, but light is spelled wrong and truth is...life and death are opposites just like light and darkness.  At some point they are mutually exclusive.  However, JEsus did say that he is the way, the truth and the life...

the light that has come into the world and the light that shines in the darkness.

IF there is life even in the darkest moments... I would attribute it to the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead... talk about a dark moment... THAT would be it.  Death.  

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

God is the one who gives mankind both light and life... and hope in times of darkness....

Thanks be to God there is life...

even in the darkest moments.

.