Sweet Fern: A Family Update
By Theresa Shay
“The past seven days have provided enormous ups and downs.” So began last Thursday's newsletter to Flow members, referencing politics as well as our renovation project at 151. This week I have a new story, which involves the Wise House family.
My friend Heather and her three kids have been an integral part of the TriYoga of Central PA community for as long as TriYoga has existed in Central PA. If you're newer to this community, you've met Heather through the piece we published on Father's Day, poignant writing for that occasion since Heather's husband Will, the kids' father, died of stomach cancer nearly three years ago.
For the next chapter in this story, I'll share Heather's words from her Facebook post last week:
Cypress, Sylvan, and Fern
Our trip to Scotland has not turned out as planned. Fern has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Her immune system is too compromised to travel home, so she and I are staying in Scotland for the next 4-6 weeks so she can receive the first phase of treatment, which starts today. I put Sylvan and Cypress on a plane home yesterday.
Unlike when Will was diagnosed with stomach cancer and the prognosis was grim from the start, we have a lot of reason for hope that Fern will be cured completely. The first nine months are expected to be grueling, and then it's “maintenance” treatment for the remainder of the time for a total of two years.
I won't even bother trying to describe the trainwreck of emotions. Just know we're in an excellent facility with incredibly competent and caring staff and doctors who are coordinating closely with doctors at CHOP, the food here is VASTLY superior to food in America in terms of quality, flavor and healthfulness (thank god), there are windows and doors propped open for fresh air (unheard of in American hospitals!) and there is a 14th century castle within walking distance. Oh! And I have one good friend in Edinburgh. Sometimes that's all you need.
Fern is still in relatively good spirits, though she's pretty bummed to hear the word cancer, since she's all too familiar with the journey. But we're processing honestly and taking it as it comes.
Fern and Heather
Listen, I know what it is to feel helpless when you hear something like this so I'll offer that the best thing you can do for us is love on my boys. Doesn't have to be some extravagant show of affection or fancy gifts. But a little card in the mail with an encouraging note or $5 gift card to Barnes and Noble might be nice. Or drop off fresh cookies at the house sometime. Or extend an invitation to join your family for dinner? It doesn't have to happen today. In fact, I've set up what promises to be an amazing few weeks for them staying with friends and family. They're in good hands. But we've got a long road ahead of us and they could use infusions of love, attention and distraction.
To send Cypress and Sylvan mail:
Cypress and Sylvan Wise
141 Stone Row Lane
Spring Mills, PA 16875
To send Fern mail (Heather can also receive mail here addressed to Fern Wise Mama):
Fern Wise
RHCYP
LochRazan Ward
50 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH164TJ
And mind you don't say anything pitying or something that smacks of “god doesn't give you anymore than you can handle” kind of bullshit. I never for one second believed that just because we watched Will die a slow painful death that we'd be off the hook for future catastrophic life events. Life isn't meant for our small human brains to comprehend. I'm proud of how big we've lived the past (almost) three years since Will died and I'm eager to be free of these shackles-of-illness once more so we can get back out there enjoying what this big beautiful world has to offer.
Sylvan, Theresa, and Nova
Theresa and Cypress
Glenn and I are honored to be four of the hands receiving the boys while Heather remains with Fern in Scotland for now. Cypress and Sylvan have been with wonderful people since they landed stateside, including many who are part of this TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania family. Next week, the boys are off to Camp Kesem, a camp for kids whose lives have been affected by cancer. (And how!) Glenn and I will move over to their house after they get back, and I'll be teaching from a new yoga studio on the other side of Egg Hill as I venture into my role as the USA House Mama. (I'm cracking myself up here, given Heather's last name.)
In anticipation that many of you will ask what you can do to assist the family in this time, I direct you to the addresses above. I will keep you informed as other opportunities to support arise.
Theresa Shay is the founding director of TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania, where she teaches weekly yoga and meditation online and trains others to teach TriYoga®. Each week, she shares wisdom cultivated from decades of TriYoga study and practice.
Learn more about her here. Theresa can be reached at Theresa@PennsylvaniaYoga.com. Find her on Instagram @theresa_of_triyoga for more inspiration and light.