Last Chemo Infusion

Today I'm ribbistrating! What does that mean? To ribbistrate means to rejoice, celebrate, be genuinely happy for yourself and others. 

 Yesterday as I arrived at the Infusion Center, waiting to be called in to do that last chemo infusion, I received a text with an amazing video attached. My family had contacted my piano students and asked them to learn as much or little of my fight anthem, Underdog, by Alicia Keys, as they could and send in a video which would be spliced and diced into a montage to help me celebrate. I burst into tears and watched it over and over again while I sat in the chair attached to the IV pole. Here it is

  

What does the song "Underdog" mean to mean? Many people are fighting everyday of their lives to survive, to work under difficult conditions, to fight disease and disabilities. When we look them in the eyes and acknowledge them as human beings like us we hold them up. We give them courage to say, "Someday I will rise up, rise up. Here is Alicia Keys singing and playing the song so you can appreciate why I play this video many times.

She was walking in the street, looked up and noticed

He was nameless, he was homeless

She asked him his name and told him what hers was

He gave her a story 'bout a life

With a glint in his eye and a corner of a smile

One conversation, a simple moment

The things that change us if we notice

When we look up, sometimes

They said I would never make it

But I was built to break the mold

The only dream that I've been chasing is my own

So I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop

Single mothers waiting on a check to come

Young teachers, student doctors

(Cancer patients)

Sons on the frontline knowing they don't get to run

This goes out to the underdog

Keep on keeping at what you love

You'll find that someday soon enough

You will rise up, rise up,…

My thanks to my family and friends who were with me there in spirit. I will rise up.

Would you like to read more of my cancer story?

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