Livin' The Dream

The 2014 DCI season just ended. Each year, as my friends gear up to teach and design, I am reminded of what were some of the most amazing years of my life. I had the honor to march with Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps from 1986-1988. We grew so much over those three years. We killed it in 1988! Traveling, performing, loving and learning. It is hard to put into words all that it means. Those that have done it...they are the ones that understand. One of the things that will always remain with me is the self confidence and belief in my ability to do hard things...and the mentors that helped to instill those valuable things in me.............. Roxanne, Craig, Rueben, and John. These four are among those for whom I will be forever grateful. Taking a girl from square one, not even being able to spin a flag. Believing in her and helping her stand proud of being on an incredible guard that took 7th place at World Championships. And even at that, we were told we were robbed.

I can't believe it has been a year since I last wrote. Life can get in the way of doing things we love if we let it. By way of quick update, I was all scheduled for what should be the last of my post breast cancer surgeries and I slipped and fell at the office, shattering my patella. What a way to start the year. I have learned to walk again, healed pretty well, and then finally had my last surgery on August 4. That's where the wish comes in. Friends, this is my 10th, yep, 10th surgery in 3 years. All of my time in DC has been peppered with health concerns and surgeries. I've been so focused on getting through it all and enduring it well. It has been a whirl wind! I feel the clouds are beginning to part and the winds are in my favor so I am going with it. Feels good to be on the other side of the storm. I have learned that this does not mean that new storms aren't ahead, but I am learning to enjoy the reprieve. :)

I am making strides in my recovery and I am so grateful for how far I have come. I am striving to maintain peace in my heart over all that I have been through. The big struggle is finding the space to hope and believe that the worst is behind me. Thankfully there are now days that I actually forget that I battled breast cancer...even though I am still bruised and scarred from the battle field. I'm continuing to drink fresh juices and have also taken on a vegan diet in efforts to keep the dreaded C at bay. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers, healing vibes, kind letters and love. You have seen me through the storm in ways you can't imagine. Here's to more peaceful days and improving health! The human body is a miraculous thing.

I ran across a picture in my phone today that I took this time last year. I almost don't even recognize myself in this picture. But yes. That was me, fighting my fight. Doing my best to live to tell about it. Life is a beautiful thing. It is a crazy and very hard thing at times, but what a journey it is. I am realizing that as I am starting to feel more energy and hopeful for the future, I am also seeing that I have changed. You can't go through something like that and not change I guess. Here's to looking forward with hope while still living in the moment. Boy, what a difference a year makes!

Many of you know that I packed on about 25 pounds of pudge during my cancer treatment last year. It was so discouraging as I had already worked so hard to lose about 70 pounds. Stinkin' cancer. Not enough to threaten my life, gotta pack on the pudge too?! When I was home with my family over Christmas my Dear Friend told me about this movie on netflix, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead." I can't tell you how much the title resonated with me. The movie touts the benefits of juicing, (not to be confused with steroid use...haha), vegetable juicing. I figured it would be a good idea to try it. I had juiced veggies during chemotherapy at the suggestion of someone who beat Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer....but honestly, could not stomach the thought of it for awhile after chemo. Fast forward 2 months since I started my "Reboot" and I am down a glorious 25 pounds. First of all, I feel like I have found my secret weapon. Second of all, yes! 25 pounds! Woot woot!

I saw this and it really struck me. I am finally beginning to feel like I have come to the other side of the storm. The last year has been filled with surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, all forms of treatment in effort to give me life. I feel so glad to have that behind me and to feel hope about the future beginning to creep back in. I continued to work from home during treatment but now am glad to be back to the office for half days. I also got a little car. It is so great to have a sense of independence back, and a little energy to enjoy it. My focus in the my healing has been to explore and implement natural cancer treatments into my life. Cheers to the storm settling down and hopefully being over.