Playing the Leukemia Card

I don’t know how most people deal with illness and cancer, but my sick and warped family typically deals with it, with an abundance of humor and intermittent pity parties. I know that the very first time I played the “Leukemia Card” I was in the market with my daughter. We were buying yams and they were super-sized. I was holding a bag with three or four in it when the bag broke. My daughter and I watched the yams hit the floor and roll to a stop. We looked at each other and I said, “Well, pick them up! I have leukemia!” We both cracked up and she picked up the yams.

Since that day, I have played the leukemia card on varying occasions; sometimes they were legitimate plays and sometimes they were not. I must say that I had to play it when I mailed my son’s birthday card a week or two late, and STILL have not mailed my daughter-in-laws birthday card; legitimate play. Walking into a room and not knowing why I am there; legitimate. Leaving the water running in the garden for hours and hours; legitimate. Send someone else to the market late at night; legitimate. Missing dance class; legitimate. Asking for help; legitimate. Not being Super Woman; definitely legitimate.

Loosing at Hand and Foot (cards); Well, I tried playing the leukemia card, but no one was falling for it. Loosing dominoes; doesn’t work. Being mean, nasty and angry; nope. Blaming others for your own misgivings or stupidity; certainly not.  Stop living and crawl under a rock or your bed covers; wrong again.

My rule of thumb; do when you can and are able, and don't when you can't. There are many legitimate reasons to play the leukemia card; the trick is knowing when and where to pull it out of your pocket!