Livin' The Dream

Over the past year dealing with Breast Cancer, I have often felt like this little mouse. Climbing high atop a wisher and throwing my wishes to the wind. As I reached my year mark since my diagnosis, I was reflecting on how far I have come (and trying not to be discouraged by how far I still have to go). Some wishes have come true, some, well only time will tell. One thing I could have never imagined coming my way was the tremendous love and support of others. I have been blessed beyond measure. Old friends have come back into my life and helped me remember good times. New friendships have been formed. I still continue to receive cards and care packages. I feel so humbled by the outpouring of care. As I move forward, I will continue to remember this little mouse, and myself, having faith and hope to make a wish. Having dreams of what is to come and what could possibly be.

For some reason, that picture just cracks me up. Things that make me smile mean even more to me now than they ever did. As I learn to find and accept my new normal, post-cancer treatment, I am finding greater happiness. I still have a long journey ahead but I am grateful for these little steps I am making.

My lovely friend Haylee ran a race in North Carolina in my honor recently. She is amazing and a wonderful support to me. She sat beside me many nights when I was sick and weary from chemotherapy. This is Michelle. She has been with me every step of the way. She stayed the night in the hospital with me when I had my mastectomy and sat with me during every chemotherapy session for 5 hours. What a rock star! Cancer really does blow, but I am so grateful for the friendships that I have gained and those that have been strengthened through this journey.

I received a lovely text from my amazing friend Erin this weekend. She and Angie ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in my honor. Angie had 2 other loved ones she dedicated her time to as well. So special! Here they are with my name on their little papers. It meant so much to me I cried! I am so grateful for the love and support that has been pouring in. And so grateful for the donations being made to cancer research.

Here I am getting ready to go to a gala for my new job. This was about a week into November 2011. I had no idea the journey I was about to embark on. My wonderful friend Erin came down to visit me and spend some time. It was wonderful to have her here! We had no idea the news I would hear less then 2 weeks later. I decided to cut my long hair before chemo so that it would not be as traumatic losing my hair. It was still extremely difficult, but at least I know I will have a cute little pixie option when my hair returns. The first day of chemotherapy. I had intensive treatments, 4 months, every 2 weeks, for 5 hours each time. I always was trying to keep the smile and imagine the poison they were pumping right into my heart as being what could save me life. During my final day of chemotherapy. I had made it this far! Next leg of my journey would be radiation treatment. Here I am with my radiation team on the final day, August 22, 2012. I was with these l

Some anniversaries are exciting. Some, not so much. Today marks 8 months since I received some life altering news. I was on the bus, headed to work, and my cell phone rang. Speaking to my doctor I heard the words no one wants to hear, "You have cancer." I haven't made any grand announcements as I have been in treatment and coming to terms with it myself. But today, for some reason, I felt it was time. Time to post it for myself...and maybe even for the hope that others will go see their doctor if something doesn't feel quite right. I will share more of my journey, but for today, it's enough to share, that I am battling breast cancer.

Tomorrow marks the end of an important leg of this journey that I have been on for the last 8 months. This journey has already left me scarred, battered, and at times, questioning whether it is worth it to go on. But I have and will continue to carry on. I know it's worth it and hope to one day look back at the trail and say, "Yeah. That's why. I get it now." For now, all that I have to do is KEEP CALM and CARRY ON. It's all that is required of any of us though, right? And I know it can get us through anything.