Third Act With Pattie

Tag: family

Getting Away (Wheelchairs, Wind, and Unexpected Victories)

Getting away from home is always fun.
Getting away from home with great friends is even better.

So we met some friends in Key West — because apparently my post-chemo self still believes in optimism and ocean breezes.

When I left home, my stamina was kaput — as my mother would have said. Completely gone. Missing in action. Possibly hiding under the bed.

I even agreed to a wheelchair ride through the Atlanta airport.

Now let’s be clear: the wheelchair was hard, uncomfortable, and absolutely not what you’d call luxurious.
BUT — being whisked through crowds like airport royalty and taking the elevator instead of the escalator?

Well. For once, the last six months offered a perk.

The Key West airport is MUCH smaller, so I walked out on my own two feet.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that little walk turned out to be a metaphor.

The first day the weather was beautiful. Luke and I enjoyed the resort, met up with friends, ate, drank, laughed, and had one of those rare days where cancer didn’t get an invitation.

The next morning was even better.
We rented a golf cart and spent three glorious hours touring the island — which is now officially my favorite form of transportation. Minimal exertion. Maximum joy.

We returned around three and did what mature adults with medical trauma do.

We took a nap.

Around five, we heard what sounded like a pack of wild children racing through the hallway. As we opened the door to head to an outdoor reception and dinner on the beach, the wind hit me so hard I thought:

“Well. This might be it. Blown clean into the Atlantic.”

And that wind?
It stayed.
All week. And brought temperatures in the fifties! In Key West!
Relentless. Rude. Completely unimpressed by my beachy dreams.

That did not stop us from walking and playing and enjoying ourselves!

Naturally, the day we were leaving was perfect.

Of course it was.

But here’s the thing — despite the wind and the cold, we had a fabulous time.

Luke and I spent real time together.
We laughed with friends.
We lived instead of just enduring.

And when we returned home, I walked through the Atlanta airport on my own two feet.

No wheelchair.
No escort.
Just me — stronger than when I left.

Sometimes the miracle isn’t sunshine or calm seas.
Sometimes it’s realizing you’re walking forward again — even when the wind is trying to knock you over.

And that made it a wonderful time. ❤️

January 25, 2026
🐾 Sassy the Wonder Dog Walks Again 🐾

Hello everyone.
It’s me. Sassy. The Wonder Dog.
Since Mama has been suspiciously quiet for about a week, I have taken over communications. You’re welcome.

Here’s the scoop.

That last chemo?
Yeah. It flattened Mama like a pancake you accidentally sat on. Since then, it’s been an up-down-up-down situation. Christmas was… not normal. But Daddy? Oh my dog. Daddy WORKED that kitchen like he was auditioning for a Food Network special. Mama noticed. I noticed. I supervised closely from floor level. We really appreciate Daddy.

I do keep seeing Mama try to write sometimes. She sits down, types a bit… and then suddenly runs off to that horrible room where they attempt to drown me with soap and water and where she sits on a strange white throne. I do not approve of this room. AT ALL. I try not to even look in there.

Now we are up at the lake, Mama’s Happy Place, and let me tell you—Mama is slowly getting her mojo back. She sits on the deck soaking up sunshine (excellent life choice), and I lay nearby pretending I am a decorative rug but watching her every move. She walks around the property a little, tries to be “normal” going up the stairs, and then immediately remembers that breathing is still optional but highly recommended.

BUT THEN.
YESTERDAY HAPPENED.

Mama let ME take HER for a walk.

We walked all the way around the yard.
AND up the driveway.
AND all the way to the community mailboxes.

People, this was BIG.
She was exhausted afterward and took a two-hour nap. Naturally, I napped with her to ensure survival. It’s called being responsible.

Now she says later today we might walk all the way to “the green thing.”
I don’t know what that is.
I don’t care what that is.
What I know is Mama is determined, and when she decides to do something, she usually does it—even if she has to stop and huff and puff and lean on me (which is fine, I am very sturdy).

So until Mama gets her writing brain fully rebooted, here’s the official Sassy Update:

✔️ Mama is okay
✔️ Mama is getting stronger
✔️ Mama is walking again
✔️ Mama is even talking about cooking food someday (Daddy is VERY excited).

Stick with us.
We’re walking forward—one mailbox, one green thing, and one nap at a time.

Love,
🐾 Sassy the Wonder Dog
Head of Walks, Naps, and Mama Supervision

December 28, 2025
Tantrums & Lightning Bugs
Let me just say it plainly:
I. Want. To. Feel. Normal.

Is that so unreasonable?
To wake up with energy?
To know who I am and what day it is?
(At this point, I’d settle for getting one of those right.)

And honestly—
some days my inner toddler wakes up before I do.

She wants to march into Wal-Mart (where else),
plop down in the middle of the stupid seasonal aisle,
and unleash a Big-Ass Deluxe Super-Sized Tantrum™
complete with foot stomping,
arm flailing,
and a dramatic,
“I WANT THIS TO BE O–VER, DAMMIT!”

I want to scream it so loud
they hear it in Sporting Goods.

But then…
I re-read what I wrote.

And suddenly the tantrum isn’t quite as adorable as it sounded in my head.
Because WOW.
Who knew I was the spoiled brat in this equation?

Here I am whining about wanting the finish line closer,
when some people don’t even get a finish line—
just more road.
More fight.
More pain.
More “keep going even though you’re tired down to your soul.”

Talk about a perspective slap.

Meanwhile I’ve got a lightning bug blinking at me
from the end of my tunnel,
like,
“Hey girl, I’m tiny but I’m TRYING.”

And if I get even a flicker of light,
I damn well want to help somebody else
spot theirs.

So instead of melting down in Wal-Mart
(tempting though it still is),
I’m redirecting that dramatic energy
toward something useful:

How to Help Someone Who’s in the Dark

• Send a meal (or a DoorDash code).
A cancer patient receiving a no-cook dinner is basically the Oscars of kindness.

• Text them with ZERO expectation of reply.
“Thinking of you—don’t answer this or I’ll fight you.”
Perfect.

• Learn other people’s stories, not just mine.
Sites full of real humans being brave and messy:
- The Mighty
- Stupid Cancer
- Cancer Support Community (legit, not woo-woo)
- American Cancer Society (the grown-up in the room)
• Volunteer without leaving your recliner.
- Letters Against Isolation → send love to lonely seniors
- Imerman Angels → one-on-one support mentoring
• Donate if you can. Share if you can’t.
No guilt. Just options.

And maybe the biggest one:

When you have even ONE lightning-bug moment,
hold it up.
Let someone else borrow the glow.

Because tantrums feel good for a minute.
But helping someone else find their light?
That feels good for a long time.
November 13, 2025
🐾 Sassy Walks: Mistletoe Madness

Oh. My. Dog. Did we have fun today!

Now that I’ve cracked the code on how to trick Mama into walking, we are getting it done. Today’s adventure: something called a “Mistletoe Market.” Don’t ask me what mistletoe is, but apparently it’s festive and doesn’t taste like chicken.

I proudly walked Mama on the leash (because obviously someone has to take charge), while Makenzie pushed my bestie, Hennie, in her stroller. Hennie is a Chiweenie—a 7-pound diva who thinks “strolling” means standing still while everyone adores her. Walking her is worse than walking Mama. Sooooo slow. And you have to watch where you step. Every. Single. Second.

The Market was outside with rows of tents full of people, sparkly things, and—best part—FOOD. And even better—DOG TREATS! I led Mama up and down the hills, in and out of tents, showing her how it’s done. Everyone stopped to talk to me and Hennie (because, hello, stars of the show). A photographer even took our picture—we might be famous soon. I’ll let my people handle the press release.

It was hot out though, and Mama started sweating and huffing like she was pulling a sled team in July. I made her sit down and drink water—hydration is key, folks.

We didn’t buy much, but looking was fun. Then we hit Wal-Mart! Hennie and I got the royal buggy treatment and sniffed our way through the aisles while Mama shopped. So many smells, so many admirers. People kept stopping to say how cute we were, which I think is good for Mama—it makes her slow down, smile, and remember how to be nice to people. Cancer brain, you know.

All in all, I’d call today a total success. Mama got her steps in, Hennie and I worked the crowd, and the Mistletoe Market will never be the same.

Stay tuned—me and Hennie have big plans for tomorrow. Gotta keep Mama moving!

November 9, 2025
🐾 SASSY WALKS: TJ MAX ADVENTURE EDITION 🛍️

Hey everybody, it’s me — Sassy the Wonder Dog!
I just want y’all to know that I have really been trying to get Mama out of the house. Every single day it’s the same old excuses:
“It’s too hot.” ☀️
“It’s too cold.” 🥶
“I’m too tired.” 😴
“Let me rest.” 😒

Excuse me, ma’am? You never accept those excuses from me!

But today… I found the secret weapon.
Two words: TJ MAXX.

Oh. My. Dog.
Do you even know how much STUFF is in that place?

At first, I was nervous (strangers, you know). Mama got this big rolling thing — she calls it a “buggy” — and put her jacket in it like a little nest, then lifted me right in.
Now listen, she’s kinda short and I’ve got long legs, so there was a minute there where we both looked like a circus act.

Then the doors whooshed open and I thought, “Welp, this is it. I’m gonna die.”
And just when I was trying to be brave, some fool turned on a vacuum cleaner. 😳

But I kept saying to myself, this is for Mama.
Mama needs to walk around and see people.
Mama needs exercise.
Mama needs Sassy time.

And then… something magical happened.
The SMELLS.
Good smells. Bad smells. Food smells. Treat smells. I sat up like the brave girl I am, nose in the air, tail wagging, ready for adventure.

Every corner had a new smell and something shiny to look at.
And then people started saying, “Oh, what a good girl!”
You better believe I was proud.

Mama let me pick out a treat (I chose wisely), and the nice lady at the counter gave me another one.

So now we have a new plan:
When Mama needs exercise, we go to TJ MAXX.
Because let’s face it — a girl’s gotta sniff, strut, and shop. 💅🐶

November 5, 2025